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U.S. Army Watervliet Arsenal

Employment

Working for Watervliet Arsenal

Forge Your Future at Watervliet Arsenal. As the nation’s oldest continuously active arsenal, we are dedicated to equipping our warfighters with the advanced technology they need to succeed. We’re looking for motivated individuals – including students and transitioning service members – to join our team and help us build on a tradition of excellence. At Watervliet Arsenal, you’ll gain valuable experience, contribute to cutting-edge research and manufacturing, and enjoy a supportive workplace that prioritizes both professional growth and personal well-being, backed by a robust federal benefits program.

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Career Opportunities

Think: “Whole Company.” Explore a diverse range of career opportunities, including positions for mechanics, engineers, analysts, police officers, firefighters, administrative professionals and more.

Details on current openings and the application process can be found on USAjobs and Indeed. We recommend visiting both websites regularly and utilizing their email alert features to receive notifications when new job announcements are posted.

U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM)

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) provides comprehensive information on Federal employment to include Standards for General Schedule (GS) position types (eg: GS-0301, GS-1152…), Wage Grade (WG) position types (eg: WG-6907, WG-3701…), and more.

USAjobs

  • Location: Watervliet, New York
  • Department and Agency: Department of the Army
  • Look for: Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM)

    • USAjobs hiring paths

Indeed

  • Location: Watervliet, New York
  • Keyword: Arsenal
  • Look for: Watervliet Arsenal

Spouse Employment Information

WVA Employees

At Watervliet Arsenal, we don’t just offer jobs – we build careers!

Your journey with us begins with a thorough onboarding process, designed to equip you with the knowledge and resources you need to succeed. We prioritize continuous learning, offering a range of training programs and opportunities to enhance your skills. As you gain experience, you'll have the chance to take on new challenges and advance your career through internal promotions and leadership development programs. Whether you’re interested in becoming a technical expert, a team leader, or a project manager, we’ll provide the support and resources you need to achieve your goals. Throughout your career, you’ll benefit from a competitive salary, comprehensive health and retirement benefits, accrual of paid time off, and a supportive work-life balance. We value our employees and are committed to fostering a long-term, rewarding career path.

As a Watervliet Arsenal employee, you’ll have access to a wide range of federal benefits, including health and dental coverage, retirement savings, and life insurance. You’ll also enjoy paid holidays, accrued paid time off, and the opportunity to participate in a compressed work schedule for recurring 3-day weekends.

Work-Life Benefits:

  • • Many employees participate in a robust ride-share program.
  • • The on-site 1813 Kitchen & Market provides a convenient solution for breakfast and lunch, offering both grab-and-go options and hot meals at reasonable prices.
  • • Arsenal employees have free 24/7 access to our state-of-the-art gym and new pickleball court.
  • • Morale, Welfare and Recreation offers a variety of outdoor sports and recreation equipment for rental. Some of the items available include baseball gloves and helmets, cross country skis, snowshoes, pop-up campers, small travel trailers, tents, backpacks, coolers, canopies, bicycles, kayaks and canoes and much more.
  • • Federal employees are eligible for up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave, which can be used for childbirth, adoption, or foster care placement. This paid leave, authorized by the Federal Employee Paid Leave Act (FEPLA), can be substituted for unpaid leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The leave is available to most federal employees who have worked for at least 12 months.
  • • Watervliet Arsenal is committed to supporting working mothers and provides multiple lactation rooms throughout the arsenal, in accordance with The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA).
  • • The Watervliet Arsenal Summer Camp Program begins the last week of June and continues throughout the summer break. The program is open to children of military, DoD civilians, and approved Watervliet Arsenal contractors. Children must complete the 1st grade to enter the program. The program offers daily activities and events including one to two field trips to area attractions every week. Parents are welcome to visit and participate in as many of the events as possible!
Resources for WVA Employees

HVCC Apprenticeship Program

Hudson Valley Community College Apprenticeship (HVCC) Program

Watervliet Arsenal’s Apprenticeship program is a 4-year training program, certified by the Department of Labor.

Apprentices attend night school two to three times a week at HVCC in a 37,000sqft facility which is the premier manufacturing training facility on the East Coast. Watervliet Arsenal pays for all school related costs to include tuition, books, tools, etc.

Apprentices also work full-time during the day at the arsenal, logging approximately 8,000 machining hours during the 4-year program. They rotate through multiple manufacturing departments to experience and learn all aspects of machining (i.e., lathe turning, milling, grinding).

Apprentices rotate through other departments such as Safety, Quality Control, Planning and Programming, Machine Repair, Metal Processing, Program Management and Production Control to learn more about production and business practices at the Arsenal.

Upon finishing the program, apprentices receive an associate degree in advanced manufacturing technology and will have earned their Journeyman Machinist status from the US Department of Labor.

The Watervliet Arsenal Apprenticeship program provides focused education on the manufacturing trade and production specifically at the Watervliet Arsenal. Many graduates have progressed to other positions beyond machinist including Production Planners, CNC Programmers, Quality Control Inspectors and Analysts. Many managers also had their careers begin with the apprenticeship.

Are you ready to take the next step? Contact our Apprenticeship Representative today to find out when the next the next application session opens.

HVCC Apprenticeship website

DOD Skillbridge Internship Program

DOD SkillBridge

Watervliet Arsenal is a proud SkillBridge approved provider for Transitioning Service Members.

Through the DoD SkillBridge program, Watervliet Arsenal empowers transitioning service members to leverage their military experience towards fulfilling meaningful careers at the arsenal. Participants gain hands-on experience and mentorship from seasoned arsenal personnel, tailored to their interests, experience, and career goals. Federal career opportunities range within the areas of manufacturing, maintenance, quality, logistics, information technology, emergency services, and resource management. Discover the rewards of a federal career while serving your country in a new way. Connect your military service to civilian success with DoD SkillBridge — contact our SkillBridge representative today.

DoD SkillBridge Website
  • Keyword: Watervliet Arsenal, or Watervliet, NY

If you’ve graduated or are preparing to graduate from another SkillBridge or Army Career Skills Program, we encourage you to apply to open positions at Watervliet Arsenal! Put your training to work – search USAjobs.gov or Indeed.com for details.

Watervliet Arsenal SkillBridge flyer

Veteran Resources

Veteran Resources

Resources for Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard and Veterans. Visit your nearest Transition Assistance Program for additional resources and support.

24% of WVA employees are Veterans

Transitioning Service Members

Veterans

Retirees

A Soldier for Life Retirement Services Officer is available throughout the year to offer assistance and services. Anyone wishing to use the Soldier for Life Retirement Services Officer's services should coordinate a time through the Fort Drum RSO and their supervisor(s).

The following people qualify for the Soldier for Life retirement services:

  • • Any Active-Duty Soldiers (ARMY) within 1-36 months of their retirement date.
  • • USAR/ARNG members that have a 20-year letter or have been medically retired.
  • • Retired Service member from ANY BRANCH of service, receiving retired pay.
  • • Surviving Spouses of any Active Duty or retired service member to include gray area retirees.

To make an appointment email; usarmy.drum.rso@army.mil, or call (315) 772-6434/6339/3189 and let them know the appointment is for Watervliet.

You can learn more about Soldier for Life at this link: Soldier for Life website

Military Spouse Resources

Resources for Military Spouses of Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard and Spouses of Veterans.

Transitioning Employment Assistance for Military Spouses (TEAMS) – U.S. Department of Labor

Military Spouses – U.S. Department of Labor

USAJobs information for Military Spouses

Army Spouse Employment, Career and Education Information

Surviving Spouses of any Active Duty or retired service member to include gray area retirees are eligible for Soldier for Life retirement services. Scroll up to our Veteran Resources section for details.

Contacts

External link disclaimer

Notice: The appearance of external links or third-party trademarks does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Army of the website or the information, products, or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities such as military exchanges and MWR sites, the U.S. Army does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this website.

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