The U.S. Federal Government Jobs Megathread: Next time... be more careful!

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Ask/Tell > Business, Finance, and Careers > The U.S. Federal Government Jobs Megathread: Next time... be more careful!

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Hackan Slash: May 31, 2007; Hit it until it's not a problem anymore

Delayed Reaction posted:

I'm filling out an application on USAjobs and may need to include a proof of eligibility document with my current position. Is there anywhere online to obtain this? I was hoping it would be online somewhere instead of having to figure out where to get one and then scan into my laptop. It would be great if it was in my AKO account or something like that!

If you mean something like proof of time in grade, there is!

My favorite part of federal service is how there are all these great things out there that no one tells you about.

http://cpol.army.mil/library/general/eOPF/

# ¿ Jan 16, 2015 12:00

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# ¿ May 22, 2024 12:37

Hackan Slash: May 31, 2007; Hit it until it's not a problem anymore

Unponderable posted:

Second, do firms typically pay year-end bonuses?

You can get a bonus with your performance eval, but it's capped at 0.97%. You're better off hoping for the quality step increase (QSI) which basically counts as an extra year of service for your salary.

Basically you just make your salary. You can argue for steps, but that isn't to helpful if your going to get grade soon. E.g if you're on a grade 7-9-12 track I think a 7 step 10 makes less than a 12 step 1 so your "raise" functionally disappears in a year.

No idea how it works for those crazy pay-band folks.

# ¿ Aug 13, 2015 01:38

Hackan Slash: May 31, 2007; Hit it until it's not a problem anymore

Quarex posted:

While that was true, and maybe still is in many places, USCIS seems just a few months ago to switched to the "Career Ladder" system, where ultimately your supervisor has to agree that you are performing at a level expected of someone in the next highest grade level. Which is a very strange concept if you do literally the same work at every grade level.

But the point is it used to be automatic after a year and now is not. And they also changed my position to be 9/11/12 instead of 5/7/9, but... you only get one guess as to whether that change applies to current 9s.

With the way performance reviews go in the government, you would have to be in a very bad situation for your supervisor to not agree.

# ¿ Oct 6, 2015 22:00

Hackan Slash: May 31, 2007; Hit it until it's not a problem anymore

https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/423817000

I'm going to consider it a win if I just get referred.

The fact that this job even gets posted is fantastic.

# ¿ Dec 20, 2015 06:44

Hackan Slash: May 31, 2007; Hit it until it's not a problem anymore

sparkmaster posted:

I just completed my first day as a FedGov career-conditional employee. My supervisor told me that my official new employee orientation isn't going to be until April. What should I be doing/watch out for in the meantime so I don't get screwed because I was hired at an odd time?

Other than the usual "don't do anything stupid" the main things in my opinion are to set up your tsp fund (It defaults to everything G-fund if you don't go in and change it) and try and get a jump on your training requirements while things are slow.

# ¿ Jan 26, 2016 13:14

Hackan Slash: May 31, 2007; Hit it until it's not a problem anymore

Dislike button posted:

Who was that feedback from? Because frankly it sounds like bullshit and the person they wanted to promote was already picked out. This definitely happens and despite the appearance of an "objective numerical score" past a certain point in the process it's really not objective. Saying you aren't qualified simply because of your USA Jobs resume sounds like a huge cop out and if you have a union I would consider grieving the poo poo out of that

I agree, if your resume was good enough to get past the automatic filter and you work with them on a daily basis, telling you to have write a more professional resume is bogus.

# ¿ Feb 16, 2016 04:11

Hackan Slash: May 31, 2007; Hit it until it's not a problem anymore

Ptolemaeus posted:

So I am trying to figure out what would be more valuable for an application to decide whether to go for it now or attend University. I am getting out of the military now with six years experience with a current, but expiring in the next six months, clearance. I have the full 9/11 GI bill but no degree currently. Would it be better to take four years off, apply for ABC agency internships and just hope they renew/maintain my clearance and get the degree, or just apply for jobs now while my clearance is still active?

Depending on what you want to do, the government won't hire you without a 4 year degree. This doesn't apply to contractors. I would look into what you need for what you want to do.

There's a contractor I know who everyone loves and they wanted to convert to government. They're unable to, because even though he's been doing this job for over a decade for the government, he doesn't have a STEM degree.

In my personal opinion, enjoy the college experience. You might try asking in GiP, or whatever it's called now, to get some vet opinions.

# ¿ Apr 22, 2016 12:12

Hackan Slash: May 31, 2007; Hit it until it's not a problem anymore

Dr. Quarex posted:

Well this is a first, getting a "you do not meet the selective placement factors" response to a new posting for a job I previously interviewed for unsuccessfully. I guess they only hire winners

That's what you get for answering honestly, and not rating yourself 5 for everything.

I've actually been rejected by the auto filter when applying to a job I previously held.

# ¿ May 13, 2016 15:16

Hackan Slash: May 31, 2007; Hit it until it's not a problem anymore

Discendo Vox posted:

People who are being promoted internally.

The specificity of the questions, along with the amount of time the posting is for, gives you a pretty good clue if they already have someone they want to hire or you actually have a shot.

I think tailoring postings to people annoys me more than just filling these positions without opening them up. Spirit of the law and what not.

# ¿ May 13, 2016 22:59

Hackan Slash: May 31, 2007; Hit it until it's not a problem anymore

ixo posted:

~~Am I a complete knob, or is it not possible to edit your work experience on a saved resume? Do I seriously have to build an entire new one just to change the end date on my last job?~~

Okay well I am a complete knob, but the problem was my version of IE on my work computer doesn't show the little icons on the right side of the boxes

It's great that USAjobs doesn't work on the official web browser of the US government. I've run into the same issue.

# ¿ Jul 1, 2016 19:14

Hackan Slash: May 31, 2007; Hit it until it's not a problem anymore

The Iron Rose posted:

So this is mostly bitching but the sf-86 is one of the most most depressing forms I've ever had to fill out.

I mean I get why its 127 pages and a huge time sink, but man every foreign contact you add makes you feel so much worse about your chances.

Thank God they don't require addresses from before you're 18.

My mother is a Canadian and I went to a Canadian university (stupidly), though I was born in the US. Here's to hoping that doesn't completely kill my clearance chances.

That shouldn't really affect your chances, unless you went to ISIS U. Or State, but gently caress those guys.

# ¿ Aug 29, 2016 22:37

Hackan Slash: May 31, 2007; Hit it until it's not a problem anymore

Kase Im Licht posted:

So my agency gave out bonuses right before the end of the fiscal year. I did not get one because I'm a newer employee here and got my grade increase within the last 6 month (still one grade below everyone else). So people who already make a lot more than me for doing the exact same job now get even more money.

Does anywhere else have a rule against bonuses for people with recent grade increases? I couldn't find evidence of a government wide rule and it seems pretty stupid in general since whether someone gets a bonus depends on something inconsequential like when their anniversary date is.

It also means there is no point to working hard and keeping a performance rating higher than the employees who got bonuses so i guess my job just got a lot easier.

I am not aware of any rules like that concerning bonuses. Just that you're limited to a bonus of 0.94% of your annual salary. You really want to get a QSI (quality step increase)

Also, ratings are kind of a sham anyway, everyone gets rated the highest.

This is all for GS, no idea how it works for other pay demos.

# ¿ Oct 11, 2016 17:57

Hackan Slash: May 31, 2007; Hit it until it's not a problem anymore

Deeters posted:

Is this number something your supervisor is supposed to tell you? I'm assuming it's part of your yearly review. No one in my office has ever mentioned their score.

I've only ever seen it as part of a yearly review, and and only whole numbers never with a decimal.

The issue with our group is that the rating comparison is so big that employees with supervisors that rate them "fairly" would always lose out to people whose supervisors give everyone high marks. So you end up having to be a real jerk to get a poor rating.

# ¿ Oct 12, 2016 13:09

Hackan Slash: May 31, 2007; Hit it until it's not a problem anymore

Dr. Quarex posted:

Which is fine except that a big part of the huge "average" rating is that we have some supervisors who believe things like "you cannot be above average until you have been on the job for 5 years"

I've actually seen a supervisor say this to an ex-contractor who was converted after doing the same job for 8 years. They were pissed.

# ¿ Oct 12, 2016 22:02

Hackan Slash: May 31, 2007; Hit it until it's not a problem anymore

TheMadMilkman posted:

My current position definitely suffers from rating inflation. It also suffers from being in a job series that covers way too many different positions (2210).

I'm also a 2210 suffer from this exact same problem. My work would probably be better classified as computer scientist, but I'm stuck as an it specialist. All the 2210 promotions I see require knowing actual it, but I don't have time in grade for any other position.

# ¿ Oct 14, 2016 17:13

Hackan Slash: May 31, 2007; Hit it until it's not a problem anymore

Kibbles n Shits posted:

Sorry for the vagueness of the question, and/or if this is the wrong place to ask, but what would be a good degree to pursue if one wanted to open up a wide range of options for public sector jobs? Business? If you knew you wanted to go into the public sector but weren't exactly sure of the specific career track you wanted, what might you do education wise?

Go for some type of STEM degree if you're not planning on joining the military for that veterans preference.

# ¿ Oct 28, 2016 04:05

Hackan Slash: May 31, 2007; Hit it until it's not a problem anymore

Man_of_Teflon posted:

let's see how long my agency lasts now!

I'm also curious how this will affect COLA past increases.

# ¿ Nov 9, 2016 14:57

Hackan Slash: May 31, 2007; Hit it until it's not a problem anymore

Thesaurus posted:

Promote Accountability and Government Efficiency Act

Things will be going down soon. I don't understand why the author of this article is confident that certain measures, like at will employment, won't pass. What's to stop them?

Well that's not great...

In curious if it is implemented how it would work in practice.

# ¿ Jan 10, 2017 17:59

Hackan Slash: May 31, 2007; Hit it until it's not a problem anymore

FlyWhiteBoy posted:

What's so great about it? I have the opportunity to pursue this cert but didn't know it was so in demand. I might reconsider going for it if people here are convinced it's a good spot to be in.

The Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) requires a Contracting Officer Representative. Since everyone's guessing on contractor's being hired en masse, it looks like a good niche.

Tyne downside is the job is real annoying.

# ¿ Feb 3, 2017 15:21

Hackan Slash: May 31, 2007; Hit it until it's not a problem anymore

laxbro posted:

Any contract specialists here? Considering attempting the jump from COR to CS. Being a COR is my favorite part of my job now, so I figure why not do it full time.

I'm so sorry.

# ¿ Apr 15, 2017 05:06

Hackan Slash: May 31, 2007; Hit it until it's not a problem anymore

Dislike button posted:

We have the same requirements as far as 2 days in the office per pay period and I've been curious why that requirement exists. Is it just because of locality pay issues?

It's the locality/permanent duty station thing.

# ¿ Apr 23, 2017 03:02

Hackan Slash: May 31, 2007; Hit it until it's not a problem anymore

I mean, it's literally on OPM guys. It's a locality pay thing.

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-administration/fact-sheets/official-worksite-for-location-based-pay-purposes/

# ¿ Apr 27, 2017 00:45

Hackan Slash: May 31, 2007; Hit it until it's not a problem anymore

Dr. Quarex posted:

Hay guyz whats goin on in this thread

I can only assume the answer is "no," but is there any way to look for telework/remote jobs with USAJobs? I thought perhaps I could get wild and crazy with things in quotes but putting "remote position" in keywords returned no results, and putting "remote" gives you hundreds of jobs in "remote locations."

Not quite as infuriating as searching the word "Telework" and having most of the results specifically say things like "this position is not eligible for telework."

What do you want to do? As was mentioned earlier in this thread, 100% telework jobs are extremely rare.

Most everything you'll find will put you on a probation period for a while with no telework, and then up to 8 telework days in a 2 week pay period. Most jobs won't even allow the full amount, mine for example caps you at two days a week out of office. My previous job capped at once a week out of office.

# ¿ May 17, 2017 03:14

Hackan Slash: May 31, 2007; Hit it until it's not a problem anymore

So what do people think the odds of Trumps budget cuts going through is? It basically takes the retirement out behind the woodshed.

I wonder how many older federal employees will retire because of it?

It'll definitely contribute to people leaving federal service, which seems to be the Republican plan. The deal has always been that I drive a Camry while my contractor counterpart drives an M3, but I have more security. What's the average cost for a contractor vs federal employee?

# ¿ May 25, 2017 17:00

Hackan Slash: May 31, 2007; Hit it until it's not a problem anymore

If you're unsure which way it works assume the work.

With no COLA, whatever your top 5 average is you'll just get that in perpetuity.

For the annuity, currently you contribute 1% of your salary. They want to increase that to 6% or whatever, one percentage point increase per year.

# ¿ May 25, 2017 22:35

Hackan Slash: May 31, 2007; Hit it until it's not a problem anymore

Xelkelvos posted:

My sister's with the FBI and she suggested I apply under their recent college grads program (I graduated in 2016). I've previously tried to apply to other jobs on USAjobs but I only learned recently that there's an actual Federal resume format that's a complete 180 of normal advice for resumes (and isn't really ever taught in typical job application training stuff).

What's the basics that I should know for making a proper Federal Resume?

Hit every keyword in the job posting to get past the filter.

# ¿ Jun 9, 2017 22:28

Hackan Slash: May 31, 2007; Hit it until it's not a problem anymore

Goodpancakes posted:

Well I did this exact job private side for more then step 10. Can I ask for step 10? I could prove this with my prior offer letter

Yes, this is the most common type is negotiating done.

# ¿ Mar 1, 2018 23:41

Hackan Slash: May 31, 2007; Hit it until it's not a problem anymore

Splish posted:

I'm a resource specialist for a land management agency and my supervisor brought up to me today that the management would like for me to either get training as a program manager for assistance agreements or as a COR. Anybody have thoughts on which would be the better choice?

I have never seen a happy COR

# ¿ Apr 6, 2018 03:30

Hackan Slash: May 31, 2007; Hit it until it's not a problem anymore

You're not going to lose anything going to a position that uses a different scale.

# ¿ May 27, 2018 12:21

Hackan Slash: May 31, 2007; Hit it until it's not a problem anymore

It depends on what the job is. In my experience the more technical the less likely veteran is a deal breaker.

# ¿ Jun 6, 2018 17:02

Hackan Slash: May 31, 2007; Hit it until it's not a problem anymore

Yeah, in my opinion the BCBS basic is the way to go. It's rare something is out of network and that's the only thing they care about. Want to see some crazy specialist without a referral? Have at it.

# ¿ Sep 24, 2018 23:47

Hackan Slash: May 31, 2007; Hit it until it's not a problem anymore

Slaan posted:

My wife and I want to have a kid next year. Good to that bcbs is fine for maternity stuff. I'm currently on a dirt cheap local hmo that I don't trust for anything. I'll probably go for blue cross for next year

On basic BCBS the out of pocket cost for a baby was like 125. That was for everything in a 4 day hospital stay.

# ¿ Sep 25, 2018 00:32

Hackan Slash: May 31, 2007; Hit it until it's not a problem anymore

tek_munk posted:

First time federal employee here. Are there any resources that break down TSPs/Roth IRAs and the health insurance options? It was pretty overwhelming when I first encountered it during the new employee paper work. If there isn't, I'll just old fashion it up and read word for word.

Opm and the tsp site do a pretty good job.

I believe you need to put in 5% to get all the matching, but do as much as you can. Aim for the fund with the year you plan on retiring. For health care BCBS basic has served me well

# ¿ Nov 15, 2018 01:07

Hackan Slash: May 31, 2007; Hit it until it's not a problem anymore

Xelkelvos posted:

Well, for some employees. DoD is fully funded for FY19 so even in a shut down, our money is already in the bank. It's not like I wouldn't have minded some extra holiday days off, but I know my co-workers who took off to spend out their Use-it-or-lose-it days would be annoyed.

Of course, word from above is that the 24th will be treated as a holiday this year so that's already one day off that I didn't think I'd get anyways.

The executive order for the 24th was signed last night.

# ¿ Dec 19, 2018 17:52

Hackan Slash: May 31, 2007; Hit it until it's not a problem anymore

Thesaurus posted:

Does anyone have a true remote work position (vs normal telework potential, which requires you to be on site two days per pay period)?

There's a chance I might be to convert my current position into remote work for at least some time, and there's not much info out there.

Im wondering if my locality (and corresponding health insurance) would change to wherever I move.

https://www.telework.gov/guidance-legislation/telework-guidance/official-worksite/

If you don't have to go into the office twice a pay period you get the locality of wherever your home office is, so it should change if you move.

# ¿ Feb 17, 2019 16:00

Hackan Slash: May 31, 2007; Hit it until it's not a problem anymore

TheMadMilkman posted:

TSP question:

I'm not the kind of person that is going to monitor the different funds. Is there a valid reason that I shouldn't put 100% of my retirement contribution (thank you GS-13 promotion and finally being able to put away 5%) into the 2050 targeted fund? I turn 60 in 2050.

I have about 15% in the foreign fund to "diversify" but it's not really necessary. The important thing is you got out of the G fund, which is horrible and I hate how they default you to that.

# ¿ Mar 6, 2019 23:11

Hackan Slash: May 31, 2007; Hit it until it's not a problem anymore

Rakeris posted:

The target date funds aren't bad, they just have a lot in the G fund, so over the long run you are likely to make more money by just throwing it all in the C fund, ( which follows the s&p 500) and then consider realotting a few years before retirement. I personally do a 60/40 split on c and s, and don't plan on changing it till I am close to retirement.

I mean that's what the L funds do? The closer to your retirement date the more stable the investments become.

The 2050 fund is currently 12% G, which seems fine. You can find the breakdowns in the PDF on this page https://www.tsp.gov/InvestmentFunds/FundOptions/index.html

What you're doing is saying you have a bigger appetite for risk. I'm curious if there are any papers about the performance of 2010 Target funds vs a straight index over 30 years

# ¿ Mar 7, 2019 00:06

Hackan Slash: May 31, 2007; Hit it until it's not a problem anymore

Xelkelvos posted:

I'm on TDY for training and it's the first time I've gotten the opportunity. Should I be trying to make the most of my per diem without going over?

You should be doing whatever makes you happy, whether that's pinching pennies or living large, because travel usually sucks. The per diem is just a lump sum posted to your bank account afterwards.

Another protip is don't put anything on your govcc other than transportation method and hotel, because it's a scam.

# ¿ Apr 8, 2019 21:10

Hackan Slash: May 31, 2007; Hit it until it's not a problem anymore

Xelkelvos posted:

I already charged a meal or two to my GTCC already (besides the hotel cost) so idk.

I mean it's not the end of the world or anything but I just wouldn't do it in the future. For the aforementioned reason it's weird what gets flagged and also you don't get CC rewards. Free money!

I always laughed at the scenarios they had in the training for what's okay to use your govcc on. Pop quiz hotshot, your family came along on your business trip is it okay to put a pay per view children's movie on your govcc?

Hackan Slash fucked around with this message at 02:23 on Apr 9, 2019

# ¿ Apr 8, 2019 22:57

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# ¿ May 22, 2024 12:37

Hackan Slash: May 31, 2007; Hit it until it's not a problem anymore

lwoodio posted:

What do you mean it's a scam?

Imagine you had a credit card that you were personally responsible for (It impacts your credit, you get sent the bill every month, and you're on the hook for the balance) but that your employer could see everything you put on it, you could get in trouble for buying the wrong stuff with it, it's not clear what the wrong stuff is, and you don't accrue any rewards for your purchases.

We had one new guy who didn't have a credit card use his to buy some ski's. He didn't try and get the government to reimburse him and paid them off in full, but he still got in trouble and the entire division had to take training.

Another example, let's say the hotel restaurant has an alcohol word like bar or pub in the name. You're working late and decide to eat dinner there and you don't even order a drink. That can get flagged and you'll have to fill out a form and prove your innocence.

There is basically no reason you'd want to put more charges than required on it, there's only possible downside to using it versus your personal credit card.

# ¿ Apr 9, 2019 02:22

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Ask/Tell > Business, Finance, and Careers > The U.S. Federal Government Jobs Megathread: Next time... be more careful!

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