New civilian recruitment toolkit markets to military spouses, external candidates

  • Published
  • By Maj. Beth Kelley Horine
  • Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Often, finding the right person for the right job isn't an easy task. With a significant increase in new Air Force civilian hiring due to contractor conversions, joint basing and end strength growth, the need to market job opportunities also increases. To help bases better market civilian job openings and recruit qualified applicants, the Air Force Personnel Center will soon unveil a marketing and recruiting toolkit to select bases, targeting military spouses and external candidates.

"The purpose of the pilot is to get feedback on the toolkit and adjust as necessary for a roll-out Air Force-wide in Summer 2009," said Michelle LoweSolis, AFPC's Civilian Force Integration director. "Community outreach is an absolutely critical step in the civilian hiring process...and we want to ensure the bases have the tools they need."

The initiative, once released Air Force-wide, should help fill civilian vacancies more quickly by targeting qualified, local candidates, as well as increase employment opportunities for military spouses, according to Pat Stokes, a marketing specialist in the Civilian Force Integration branch.

"The toolkit is intended for installation management in helping them notify their community of jobs available," said Ms. Stokes. "However, the toolkit is different for overseas and stateside bases so as to tailor outreach tools to the different avenues available," she added.

Outreach tools include Base Exchange radio spots, public service announcements for local radio and television stations, videos and briefings to take to chambers of commerce and use during commanders calls, modifiable flyers, and a comprehensive marketing guide.

"The marketing guide helps local bases identify who to contact to help with recruiting efforts, what to expect, newcomer information to share with Airmen and Family Readiness Centers, as well as templates for posters, stickers and letters they can tailor to fit their needs," said Ms. Stokes.

The pilot launches mid-March to mid-April and will run three months. Feedback gathered from bases that use the toolkit will help enhance the product before the final, Air Force-wide version is released in Summer 2009.

Bases selected to test the marketing toolkit include Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Kadena Air Base, Japan, Hickam AFB, Hawaii, Fairchild AFB, Wash., Langley AFB, Va., Laughlin AFB, Texas, Whiteman AFB, Mo., and all bases in U.S. Air Forces in Europe. AFPC officials contacted individual bases in January to coordinate kick-off dates of the pilot.

For individuals interested in civilian employment with the Air Force, visit http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/library/airforcecivilianemployment.asp.

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