Supporting military spouses
State HR - Planning
Contact information
Washington state is committed to supporting military families by helping military spouses build meaningful careers in public service—no matter where duty calls.
Helping military spouses stay in public service
Frequent relocations are a reality for many military families, and Washington State understands how this can disrupt career progress—especially for spouses employed in state government roles.
To support these valued public servants, Washington State is part of a national network of states working together to help military spouses employed in state government continue their careers when their family is reassigned. Whether you're a current Washington state employee relocating due to a military transfer or a military spouse transferring into Washington State, we're here to help you connect with job opportunities across state agencies.
Washington is proud to be part of the Military Spouse Transition Network, a partnership with the National Association of State Personnel Executives. This initiative connects state-employed military spouses to employment opportunities and services in member states, including help with professional networking, job search assistance, and connecting with hiring contacts across state agencies.
Expanding support through the preference in public employment
Washington State is also proud to extend preference for public employment given to surviving spouses of honorably discharged wartime veterans, and spouses of honorably discharged veterans with a permanent and total service-connected disability.
Washington State recognizes that military spouses include any person currently or previously married to a military service member during the service member’s time of active, reserve, or national guard duty. The state has also established a Veteran’s Employeet Resource Group to help agencies recruit, retain, and support military-connected employees through mentorship, resources, and recognition. This work is aligned with the Executive Order 19-01 – Veteran and Military Family Transition and Readiness Support, created to increase employment representation of veterans and military spouses respectively.
Helping military spouses avoid starting over
Frequent relocations can disrupt military spouses' careers, education, professional credentials, and financial stability. Washington State is working to reduce these disruptions by supporting career continuity and creating access to meaningful public service roles.
State agency HR teams are aware of existing policies and resources that support military spouse and veteran employment in the hiring process. Efforts are ongoing to improve how military spouse status is identified and considered during recruitment to better support their employment journey.
Take the next step
Military spouses interested in continuing or starting a public service career in Washington State government are encouraged to:
- Create an account on careers.wa.gov
- Build a profile to apply for jobs and set custom alerts
- Explore resources that can help translate experience and connect with state recruiters
Together, we’re building a more inclusive and supportive public workforce—one that recognizes the unique strengths and resilience of military spouses.
Military spouse transition program overview
Washington is proud to support its robust military community, home to over 500,000 veterans and several major military installations, including Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Naval Base Kitsap, and Fairchild Air Force Base. As part of our commitment, Washington State is a member of the NASPE Military Spouse Transition Network. The Military Spouse Transition Program is available to all identified military spouses employed by state government agencies in NASPE member states. It is designed to support military spouses facing permanent change of station moves by connecting them to valuable career transition services.
Key features of the program:
- Access to career development resources
- Job search and networking assistance
- Support with re-employment in another NASPE member state or back in Washington
Resources
- WorkSourceWA.com - One Career Services is Washington’s comprehensive job search platform. Military spouses can: find career workshops, get help with resumes and applications, and access training funds and career coaching
- CareerBridge.wa.gov is Washington’s central resource for career planning. Military spouses and job seekers can: match skills to in-demand occupations, explore training opportunities, and prepare for job searches or career changes
- Washington state Employment Security Department (ESD) - Services for Veterans and Military Spouses
- Washington is home to over half a million veterans and several major military installations. The ESD Veterans Program provides tools for veterans, transitioning service members, and spouses to find meaningful employment.
- TheWashington Department of Veterans Affairs – WDVA Resource Guide compiles state and federal resources for veterans, military service members, and their families—everything from education to employment and housing.
- Washington 211 provides the most current and comprehensive database of community resources in the State of Washington (over 30,000 listings), which serves as a central access point for connecting Washington residents to community resources.
- Washington state Office of the Attorney General - Veteran and Military Resources for civil legal assistance and resources for military service members, veterans, and their families.
- Washington state OFM-SHR will make initial contact with the receiving state’s point of contact to share the transitioning state employee’s name, resume and contact information. View the list of participating states on the NASPE website.
- The JBLM Employment Readiness Program supports military spouses with career coaching, local job connections, and relocation assistance.
- The Naval Base Kitsap Fleet & Family Support Center Family Employment Readiness Program assists spouses and family members with job searches, resume building, and career development.
- The Fairchild M&FRC provides employment assistance and other family support programs to help spouses maintain career continuity.
- The Coast Guard Support Program offers employee assistance—including career and wellness resources—for military spouses and families.
- Careeronestop – Veteran and Military Transition Center is a one-stop website for employment, training, and financial help after military service. It includes resources for military spouses.
- Spouse Education and Career Opportunities provides career coaching, resume tools, and job search support for military spouses worldwide.
- Military Spouse Employment Partnership connects military spouses with hundreds of employers who actively recruit, hire, and promote military spouse talent.
- Military Spouse Non-Competitive Federal Hiring - Military spouses may qualify for non-competitive federal employment, easing transitions between duty stations.
- Veterans Bridge Home helps military families across the U.S. build community, find employment, and transition successfully.
- U.S. Department of Labor – Veterans’ Employment and Training Service - Find information about interstate licensing, employment resources, training and support for spouses of military members.
