Spousal Preference Success

You may have heard about the Spousal Preference Program, but have you heard of success stories using this program?!?!?  I'm here as a living testimony that the program can work.  Last month I started back to work for the federal government and was hired under the spousal preference program.

Let's clarify what the Spousal Preference Program is and what it does!  It provides priority in the employment selection process for military spouses who are relocating as a result of their military spouse's PCS.  It DOES NOT apply to separation or retirement moves and (I might be wrong) I don't think it applies to Guard/Reserve, sorry! 

It does not mean that a position will be created for you when your spouse is PCS'd to another location nor does it provide a guarantee of employment. It may not be available in the area you are moving to so you'll have to check ahead of time.  There are a lot of regulations - Go figure! - with this program, so do your research.  There has to be a position available that you qualify for and you have to be the best qualified for the position.  Veterans (of course) have preference over spouses.  You have to request and apply for the program.

I have a friend for whom this program is not working at all.  She's been signed up for the program for almost 3 years.  She's a teacher and there just aren't any positions that match her skills.  It just hasn't worked for her so she's pursued other career options and keeps checking with the Civilian Personnel people.  I was really fortunate - I had the experience and skill set that were in demand where we are and it worked for me.  I feel extremely fortunate to be in the position I was placed in - here's another thing - you HAVE to take the first position offered or you get bumped out of the program.  I happened to feel that any position was worth taking.  I got really lucky - I love the job and the people working with me!  I'm proud to be working to serve the service members as a member of the civilian workforce.

I realize this program has many frustrated spouses.  I know that it's not perfect, but for many it has worked.  Make sure you are also applying for positions yourself through USAJobs.gov (whew, get yourself a strong cup of coffee before you dive into this one!  It'll make you feel like you've run a marathon before you've completed your application process!  Good prep for any job!) and keep other options open for your next career move.

If the program has worked for you, please share your experience and any tips/pointers for those still in the process of finding a position or for those who are just finding out about the program! 

Comments

[MrsD]

You are correct. This program does not apply to National Guard spouses. Which, may I say, it should if the soldier is also a technician. We have to live near a post because of his job. His job requires him to be in the National Guard. Why shouldn't this program apply equally to me and spouses like me who have moved so that our soldiers can work in the field they are trained for and for the government who trained them? Finding a job on post is nearly impossible by the time veterans get first preference and active-duty spouses get second preference. And, in our area, there are few jobs off-post that pay more than minimum wage. After a year and a half of searching, I've about given up. Sorry. Yes, I'm a little bitter about the whole job situation. It's one of the many ways Active Army helps National Guard feel like they/we are second-class.

[Vicky]

I'd like to hear more about it also and to MrsD, I'm sorry that you are having difficulties finding work but please don;t blame the active soldiers. When my DH was at basic and AIT the Guard treated him like crap. Why, because they could and because that was the only time they were ever going to have power over him. Maybe that's a little of why there is animosity?

[She of the Sea]

GBear, thanks for sharing your experiences. I am slowly coming to understand the system...I haven't had a chance to try and use it yet, but I'm sure it will come!

[Erin]

I'm in the process of trying to use this right now. I'm applying for a DoD position in the education field. I had to submit my marriage license, a copy of my husband's orders, in addition to all of my documents showing my credentials. We'll see what happens! Cross your fingers!

[liberal army wife]

With all the perturbations and ructions at the firm I work in... I'm going to spend some time filling out KSAs and such, and will use this program if possible. I'm glad it worked for you!

LAW

[Kacie]

I used this program several years ago while we were stationed in Germany, and I found a great job that met my needs while we were there. My recommendation, though, is to be selective if you can afford to be: don't apply for a job that you don't really want--Murphy's Law says that it's the one you'll get offered first, so you'll be stuck with it--and they'll call to offer you the job of your dreams a week later! :)

[GBear]

MrsD, I feel your pain! The problem is that this program is intended to be used for active duty spouses when have already been employed by the federal government and that employment is disrupted by a military transfer. In order to qualify you have to be on your spouses transfer orders to your current location and have had your federal employment disrupted by military transfer. It's not intended to get a spouse a starting job with the government. The rationale is that Guard/Reserve spouses aren't moved by the military, thus they aren't eligible - or that's as near as I can guess.

Knowing that, I firmly believe they should develop a program to help spouses get employed by the federal government. I think that would help to mend some hard feelings as well as get tremendously dedicated, intelligent, hard working and knowledgeable employees into federal service! They just don't know what they are missing by leaving so many out of this type of program.

[GBear]

Kacie, what I understood was that you had to accept the valid offer or be kicked out of the program. I was lucky that the first offer was a great match for me....but I was pretty specific in what type of job I was qualified for with the coordinator on base when we sat down to input the information in the system. Good point to ask though when you apply for the program - my coordinator told me that it was take the first offer because there won't be a second!

[Jennifer]

GBear recently posted that (The rationale is that Guard/Reserve spouses aren't moved by the military, thus they aren't eligible) that has changed under Title 10, U.S. Code, Chapter 1209,
Sections 12302 or 12304 For new orders that are between
one to three years, the soldier will be
encouraged to accept a PCS. The military is keeping reservist on activity duty so long now that they are giving PCS orders to the families. The spousal preference program should take that into account.

[NotAbletoPCwithSpouse]

Check out http://cpol.army.mil/library/permiss/6314.html

It outlines the spouse preference guidleines. It sounds good but its confusing. In my case, my spouse is overseas. For it to work, you need to be in country (overseas). It doesn't make sense to give up a job and wait for one to open up overseas. With the economy the way it is, we need two incomes.