Vocational Variety
Companies offering diverse services seek diverse military talent.
By Kathleen Ganster

Wes Reel is the first to admit that most folks may not mark down “waste management” as their first career choice. “Let’s face it, it is not the most glamorous of businesses,” he said. “But we are No. 1 in what we do and we are providing a valuable service to our customer.”

Reel, manager of disability and military recruiting/outreach programs for Waste Management Inc. (WM), said his company focuses on waste and recycling. In addition to waste collection, Waste Management develops ways to convert waste into something positive, such as energy, Reel said.

With its diversified array of services, Waste Management offers an eclectic collection of careers that may be attractive

to many veterans. While jobs such as truck drivers and trash collectors come to mind immediately when the company is mentioned, there are many types of careers within the company.

“We are a truly diversified company,” Reel said. “In addition to our core business of waste collection and disposal, our Wheelabrator Technology business operates waste-to-energy power production plants across America and our Upstream group consults to global customers on environmental issues.”

WM Jobs and Pay
At any given time, WM has nearly 1,000 openings that span a wide range of career paths. Reel said these may include opportunities in engineering, accounting, operations, mechanics, route management, fleet management, human resources and support staff. While some opportunities include direct skill set transfers such as mechanics or fleet managers, other positions rely on leadership and decision-making skills developed through military experience.

“We have found that those who have worked in the Army Transportation Corps or Marine Corps Motor Transport are a good fit for route managers,” Reel said. “Obviously, the people who have been mechanics in the military make great mechanics for us.”

Like the number of opportunities available, the salaries vary at WM. According to Reel, the biggest demands are currently for drivers, who earn an annual base pay of $25,000 to $50,000. Mechanics earn $30,000 to $60,000 base pay, while fleet maintenance managers make $50,000 to $80,000 base pay. Route managers are paid $50,000 to $70,000, and customer service representatives can expect to earn $25,000 to $40,000 base pay.

‘I Had to Find the Right Fit’
Stan Joseph, 45, a manager in government and municipal relations, draws upon his military experience in the Air Force every day for his work with WM. “Being around trucks and logistics are obvious benefits,” said the former vehicle mechanic who worked his way up through the ranks in various logistic and supply roles while serving. “But my military experience also helps with facilitation and negotiation skills, operations and leadership.”

Joseph, who lives in North Carolina, thoroughly researched companies when he retired after 22 years in the Air Force. “I knew civilian life would be very different than military life. I had to find the right fit,” he said.

Joseph chose WM due to its focus on the environment and the reputation of the company. “I liked that WM is the best and biggest in the industry and I like the core values of the company,” he said. “Environmental services were a way for me to continue to serve the public and the community.”

Clear Structure
Although he has only been with WM for a few months, Craig Mann likes the structure of the company because it is similar to the structure he knew in the Army. “It is black and white here,” he said. “What is right and what is wrong is clear. We have a clear structure and I fit well in that environment. I think most former military like structure.”

Mann, 39, a commercial route manager with WM, feels his military experience helps him as a leader. “My experience in leading Soldiers has been extremely helpful in molding the team environment,” he said. He also credits his military background for helping him set high standards for safety and service, a must in his career field.

Like Joseph, Mann researched companies he was interested in working with and liked WM’s low turnover and Fortune 500 ranking. “We are No. 1 in the waste management industry, and I liked that,” he said.

The leadership skills, focus on mission and familiarity with a well-defined organization all are strengths in hiring veterans, Reel said. “We also know the training that they have gotten is probably the best that they can receive anywhere – plus the intangibles – character, focus, consistent pushing to get the job done – these are all valuable to us,” said Reel, a Navy veteran himself.

Serving at Home
Aretha Donnay Hill loved serving her country and fellow Sailors in the military, but she didn’t like the uncertainty of where she would be stationed, or whether she would be deployed and have to be away from her children.

With URS Federal Services, she has found she can serve her country and still be with her family every night. “This is the perfect solution for me,” said Hill, the site manager for North Island. “I work hand-in-hand with project officers and am the liaison between the Navy and URS.”

Hill, 38, relies every day on skills she learned in the Navy. “I am used to being a leader,” she said. “I can literally go anywhere and know how to lead, how to pitch in and have that ‘take charge, step up attitude’ that you learn in the Navy,” she said.

Hill also likes hiring veterans for her team. “I know they have the discipline needed to get the job done, plus they have the skill set for many of the jobs, so training is easier and there is a quicker turnaround to get them up and running,” she said.

URS Jobs and Pay
URS Federal Services is a major federal contractor that provides critical support to the U.S. Departments of Defense and Homeland Security, the intelligence community, the Department of Energy, NASA, and other federal agencies, according to Kenneth Reese, manager of talent acquisition. “The type of work that we do makes it a natural for veterans,” said Reese, who is an Army veteran.

There is a wide range of positions with URS in various locations, many near military operations. A few positions currently available include engineers, aircraft and vehicle mechanics, logistics, administrative and human resources personnel and communication/electronics technicians. “URS is one of the world’s largest engineering, construction and technical services firms,” Reese said. URS is a Fortune 500 company providing services for power, infrastructure, industrial, commercial, and federal projects and programs worldwide, according to Reese.

Salaries are competitive at URS and include rewards and incentives for outstanding performance and contributions to the company. Education and experience required also vary. “For technicians, we typically require a high school diploma with three to five years of documented, verifiable experience,” Reese said.

‘I Feel Like I’m Home’
Like Hill, Jason Blanding wanted to continue to support the military in his career. “My position allows me to provide maintenance support to the United States Marine Corps, which enabled me to continue supporting the mission,” said the retired Marine. Blanding, 41, lives in Maple Hill, N.C.

Blanding’s military experience provided him with the skills necessary for his role as a site manager for URS. “It trained me to identify the specific requirements for funding, manpower, material, facilities and services needed to support a specific mission,” he said.

In addition to continued support for the Marines, Blanding likes the atmosphere at URS. “It is an extremely military-friendly organization,” he said. “There are so many veterans here, I feel like I’m home.”

Super Support at GE
Lee Thompson was worried that continuing to serve in the National Guard would hamper his civilian career. Fortunately, his worries were unfounded.

Thompson, 33, is a revenue enhancement project manager for GE. “I had heard all sorts of horror stories, but GE has been supportive before, during and after my service,” he said. When Thompson was deployed for a year to Afghanistan after coming to GE, his wife gave birth a month after he left to serve. “They were wonderful,” he said. “They helped my wife and new baby by visiting her and keeping in touch. And they sent care packages for the 200 troops under me.”

Although Thompson’s military services “weren’t exact in function to my current job,” he credits his leadership, attention to detail, dedication and teamwork skills with helping him in his civilian job.

Thompson recommends veterans target at Military Friendly Employers® such as GE when they are transitioning to civilian life. “Look for a company that seeks and values veterans,” Thompson said. “GE allows me to merge two important components of my life and it makes it much easier and me much happier.”

Jobs in 40+ States
Dave Ferguson, manager of military staff and recruiting for GE, said there are currently openings for field service technicians, manufacturing associates, call center representatives, entry level leadership programs and mid-career leadership positions in more than 40 states.

Necessary skills and education vary with the positions and Ferguson encourages veterans to visit their military website for openings and requirements at www.ge.com/military. “We do not give out salary information, however, we have very competitive salaries at GE,” he said.

An Army veteran himself, it is Ferguson’s role to recruit veterans. “GE looks to hire veterans because their integrity, accountability, teamwork and focus on mission accomplishment are not only core competencies of the military profession, but also essential components of success at GE.”

Jobs
Waste Management offers a wide variety of careers, including opportunities in:

• Engineering
• Accounting
• Operations
• Mechanics
• Route management
• Fleet management
• Human resources
• Support staff
  

Pay
Annual base pay varies at WM:

• Drivers – $25,000 to $50,000
• Mechanics – $30,000 to $60,000
• Fleet maintenance managers – $50,000 to $80,000
• Route managers – $50,000 to $70,000
• Customer service representatives – $25,000 to $40,000
  
  

URS Federal Services
HQ: Germantown, Md.
Employees: 13,800
Veteran Employees: 44%
2010 Revenues: $2.8 billion
www.bestworkofyourlife.com
www.urscorp.com 

Jobs
Positions currently available include:

• Engineers
• Aircraft mechanics
• Vehicle mechanics
• Communication/electronics technicians
• Logistics personnel
• Administrative personnel
• Human resources personnel
  

Pay
Salaries are competitive at URS and include rewards and incentives for outstanding performance and contributions to the company. Education and experience required also vary. 

GE
HQ: Fairfield, Conn.
Employees: 287,000
Veteran Employees: 3%
2010 Revenues: $150 billion
www.gereports.com
www.ge.com/military

Jobs
GE currently has openings for:

• Field service technicians
• Manufacturing associates
• Call center representatives
• Entry level leadership programs
• Mid-career leadership positions
  

There are openings in more than 40 states.

Pay
GE does not publicize salary information. However, a company official described salaries as “competitive.”