Job relief available for overseas family members Published Dec. 7, 2011 By 2nd Lt. Stephani Schafer 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Civilians throughout U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Pacific Air Forces affected by the recent Air Force hiring freeze can apply for jobs again from now until mid-December. Air Force officials have temporarily lifted the freeze to allow overseas bases the opportunity to fill vacant positions that could not be filled the past 90 days. "It can take a little more time to fill a position at overseas bases, which is why the hiring freeze has been temporarily lifted," said Jeff Loomis, 52nd Force Support Squadron Personnel Flight chief. "It is unknown now if the temporary stoppage will be extended past mid-December. "Our priority will be to place employees who were affected by the position losses," he said. "This is one strategy the Air Force has found to re-employ those employees who were displaced by the restructurings." Offices wishing to hire civilian employees can post job openings online. The requests are visible online for 30 days and potential employees can apply at any point during the opening. Even though positions in some areas have been cut, Loomis said, about 5,900 jobs are expected to be created in mission-critical career fields. Air Force officials announced the implementation of a 90-day hiring freeze in August 2011 in an attempt to meet fiscal year 2012 end-strength numbers. In order to do that, 9,000 civilian positions were eliminated Air Force-wide. An additional 4,500 positions are currently being looked at for reduction. For more information on applying for civilian positions, visit http://www.usajobs.gov, http://www.nafjobs.org, http://www.52fss.com or call the 52nd FSS Non-Appropriated Funds Office at DSN 452-4827 or commercial 06565-61-4827.