What Happens at Naval Station Great Lakes?

As the “Quarterdeck of the Navy” Naval Station Great Lakes enables and sustains fleet, fighter, and family by providing superior, integrated Base Operating Support to over 55 tenant commands, including Recruit Training command, the Navy’s only boot camp. Naval Station Great Lakes is also home to A and C schools where 80 percent of the Navy’s surface warfare specialty training takes place. 

Naval Station Great Lakes is the largest military installation in Illinois and the largest training station in the Navy. Situated on the western shore of Lake Michigan midway between Chicago and Milwaukee, the installation sits on 1,628 acres and includes 1,153 buildings with thirty-nine on the National Register of Historic Places.

Why Work on the Navy Base as a Civilian?

Fleet & Family Readiness (FFR) offers innovative, exciting, and meaningful work linking military and civilian talents to achieve our mission and safeguard our freedoms. We provide competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and extensive professional development and training. The mission of the FFR is to maximize the physical, emotional, and social development of the fleet, fighter, and family. FFR enables a ready Navy force through its Fleet Readiness, Family Readiness, and Housing Programs. We provide direct and support services to all non-appropriated fund (NAF) employees who work for Morale, Welfare & Recreation (MWR) and Child & Youth Programs (CYP) throughout FFR worldwide.

SIGNING BONUSES OFFERED FOR CYP HIRES

Navy Child & Youth Program Jobs

Do you enjoy working with children of all ages? If so, Navy Child and Youth Programs (CYP) on board Naval Station Great Lakes has several job opportunities available to you based on age, qualifications and experience.  Work with infants, toddlers, school-aged children, or teens … we’ve got everything from childcare to sports. Not only do CYP staff actively interact with our diverse clientele of children and parents each day, they also are rewarded with the many benefits the military community has to offer to include pay incentives, childcare discounts, career advancement, continued educational opportunities, and access to world-class facilities and services.

No degree? No experience? Let us train you. Plus, we’ll help pay for industry certification or college courses. Once you’re here and ready, we’ll work with you to make sure you keep advancing.

Child & Youth Positions

CYP Assistants (Entry) starting at $19.37 per hour

CYP Assistants (Intermediate) starting at $20.53 to $21.37 per hour

CYP Assistants starting at $21.77 to $26.17 per hour

CYP Leaders starting at $23.64 to $26.17 per hour

Morale, Welfare & Recreation (MWR) Jobs

WHAT IS MWR? The mission of MWR is to deliver high-quality, customer-focused programs and services that contribute to resiliency, retention, readiness and quality of life. Some unique perks of working for MWR include competitive pay, free trainings, flexible hours, and advancement opportunities. Also, certifications and professional development opportunities year round. Employees are eligible for overtime and premium pay for night and holiday shifts. MWR employees enjoy free fitness center memberships, have access to onsite childcare options (with reduced rates), tax free shopping at the Navy Exchange and access to a robust employee assistance program with complimentary access to health, financial, social and legal services. MWR employees also have access to on base entertainment and events, recreation centers, and reduced fees for bowling, movies, party/picnic gear rental, and golf. Yet another great perk includes access to the American Forces Travel, which includes leisure travel services, car rental, hotels, entertainment and tickets at a reduced rate. Full time positions are eligible for health/medical benefits, paid leave, 401K and retirement plan.  Come join an organization that is personally rewarding and helps advance personal and professional growth!

Lifeguard - Fitness & Sports

Exciting opportunity to enhance future career skills and contribute to the Morale, Welfare and Recreation of Military Members and their Families. Candidates will enjoy an upbeat atmosphere at Naval Station Great Lakes in Fitness and Recreation learning skills in teamwork, communication, lifesaving and conditioning at either an indoor pool or outdoor lakefront/beach. This position is assigned to the Aquatics department within Morale, Welfare and Recreation Department. Incumbent is responsible for safeguarding the lives of persons at the assigned work areas.  Learn how to be assertive and become good at handling emergencies. Be a lifeguard!. Will pay to train and cover the cost of the Red Cross Lifeguard Certification. Already have a valid certification? Receive a $100 sign on bonus.

Open to applicants ages 16 and older.
Salary $17.25/hour.

Rec Assistant - Fitness & Sports

Are you looking for active and beneficial employment in an upbeat atmosphere? Then Morale, Welfare and Recreation at Naval Station Great Lakes has a great opportunity for you! The Sports & Fitness Program is looking for motivated and adaptable team members to support our “Culture of Fitness”! We continually strive to provide a positive environment to support our patrons and team members in developing happier and healthier lifestyles. Not only do our front-line employees actively interact with our diverse clientele each day, they also are rewarded with the many benefits the military community has to offer that include career advancement, continued educational opportunities, and access to world-class facilities and services. The primary function of this position is to ensure proper usage of the facility, assist in the operation of the recreation activity and provide proper collection and disposition of revenues generated at the assigned facility. Certifications not required. CPR and First Aid and AED training/certification provided. Blood-borne pathogen and navy Basic Fitness Certification provided. We look forward to you joining our team!

Open to applicants ages 18 and older.
Salary $17.25/hour.

 Rec Aide - Loft 

Morale, Welfare and Recreation is looking for candidates to support the Loft Recreation Center.  The Loft is a recreational facility geared towards the Junior Enlisted Sailors stationed at Great Lakes.  The facility features video games, billiards, PC and laptop usage, a mini movie theater, lounge area, snack bar, scheduled activities and leisure trips.  Candidates will have the opportunity to lead recreation activities to help the sailors relax and unwind, socialize, stay active and have fun.  The Loft is a fun and energetic atmosphere that enhances skills in teamwork, customer service, communication and leadership.

Open to ages 18 and older.  
Salary $15.00/hour.

Rec Aide - Community Recreation

Are you a great, hands-on problem solver who enjoys new and diverse challenges? Does working directly on the waterfront of Lake Michigan while serving and supporting military members and their families appeal to you? If so, the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Department onboard Naval Station Great Lakes has the perfect job opportunity! We are looking for customer service-oriented team members to join our outdoor recreation and events team! This position provides front-line support to the MWR Community Recreation Program’s delivery of gear rentals, leisure skills classes, lakefront activities, annual special events, and more while also offering team members opportunities for professional development and skills growth in the leisure and recreation services career field!

Open to ages 18 and older.
Salary $15.00/ hour

Rec Aide - Epicenter 

Going to a job you love every day is something everyone wants. Recreation is a great industry that has a wealth of fulfilling job opportunities. The Epicenter team directly enhances the quality of life of military service members and their families through a 28-lane bowling center, 175-seat movie theater, Spinz Food Court and Legends Sports Bar, outdoor patio, and live entertainment weekly. Cross training and professional development opportunities provided. Discounts on employee meals.

Salary $15.00/hour.

Rec Aide - Golf Pro Shop

Enjoy a job with a great view!  Employees spend time working in the pro shop and in the great outdoors. Employee meal discounts, networking, access to golf tee times, etc are just some of the benefits of working at the Veteran’s Memorial Golf Course. Duties primarily include customer service, operating a point of sale, cleaning and staging of golf carts.

Open to ages 16 and older.
Salary $15.00/hour.

Laborer- Golf Course

Like to be in the great outdoors? This job is for you. Duties include raking bunkers, groundskeeping, mowing greens, changing hole locations, hand watering, blowing debris, filling ball washers, filling water coolers, moving tee markers, etc on an 18 hole golf course.  0-40 hours/week.

Open to ages 18 and older.
Salary starts at $16.95/hour.

Rec Aide – Specialty Retail, Zappers 

Looking for a customer-driven individual to contribute to the success of the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Department at Naval Station Great Lakes.  Join an upbeat and skilled team at one of our four “Zappers” locations, serving our military members with pre-packaged food and drinks in a fast-paced Grab n’ Go schoolhouse environment or our recruit recreation center which also includes video games, pool table and computers.  A personally rewarding opportunity to interact and socialize with our recruits or sailors as you begin a career within our organization!  

Open to ages 18 and older.
Salary $15.00/hour.

Cook– Epicenter

Come work for one of the largest entertainment facilities in the Navy! The Epicenter features a movie theater, bowling alley, bars, entertainment, and our popular Spinz Restaurant. You can be part of a team that is focused on providing stellar customer service to our military and their families while they are stationed at Great Lakes.

Open to ages 18 and older.
Salary $17.72/ hour

Custodian

Do cleaning products excite you? Would you describe yourself as a clean freak? This one is for you. Responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of a building and the surrounding grounds. Duties include vacuuming floors, sanitizing restroom facilities and collecting trash to ensure the buildings occupants have a clean space. On-the-job training provided. Eligible for medical benefits.

Open to ages 18 and older.
Salary $16.18/hour.