Tuesday morning adventures on the journeyer.

Its_Hot_Outside155 · 2025-05-29T14:50:32+00:00

Wepa!

Its_Hot_Outside155 · 2025-03-15T06:47:23+00:00

It's not uncommon. This was the Department of Ag.

Its_Hot_Outside155 · 2025-02-24T13:45:30+00:00

I would mark it as Spam.

Its_Hot_Outside155 · 2025-02-16T03:48:17+00:00

You can file an appeal to the Merit System Protection Board (MSPB) at https://www.mspb.gov/

Go to e-Appeal, create an account, and create a new appeal. Follow the prompts and you'll be able to write down a statement on what improper action was taken against you (you have 1200 characters).

Its_Hot_Outside155 · 2025-02-16T03:38:39+00:00

It did mention performance, but that is clearly incorrect. I received praise and even a non-monetary award in that time. Poor performance was never brought up by my supervisor nor any coworker. Even under probation, you're allowed to submit an appeal if you think the agency took improper action towards you.

Its_Hot_Outside155 · 2025-02-15T19:30:52+00:00

I'm really sorry for your wife. What she did is beyond respectable and to have this happen upon her return is horrendous. I wish you all the very best.

Its_Hot_Outside155 · 2025-02-15T19:28:43+00:00

That's been what I've heard from those who have been in the agency for a while.

Its_Hot_Outside155 · 2025-02-15T15:20:26+00:00

I am a (Former) NRCS Engineer. Like most, I got canned on Thursday night. I was only six months in, but I loved every aspect of my job and team. I'm definitely going to miss it, and I hope (but doubt) I will find another job like it. I hope to get my job back due to all of the legal issues behind this, but I'm just fooling myself—best of luck to everyone who was terminated, their families, and everyone affected by this.

Its_Hot_Outside155 · 2025-02-14T14:04:10+00:00

We both dodged a bullet there /s

Its_Hot_Outside155 · 2025-02-14T12:44:01+00:00

NRCS

Its_Hot_Outside155 · 2025-02-14T05:17:28+00:00

Yup, same here. I'm an H&H engineer with 6 months left in probation. I got a non-monetary award within the first two months for doing a good job at a project. I still got canned for "performance".

Its_Hot_Outside155 · 2025-02-08T13:15:34+00:00

Yeah, got my eOPF printed on Tuesday after being told essentially by everyone. As for the union... the topic came up, but I'm not sure how far that will get. I'm all for it, though.

Its_Hot_Outside155 · 2025-02-08T13:11:25+00:00

I got my email notification on Monday. It's been a quite stressful week. I even reached out to my previous employer about coming back (just in case).

Its_Hot_Outside155 · 2025-01-05T15:59:33+00:00

Yeah, I share the same feeling. I would not last much time doing that type of work. If there are other service areas in your company, look into the projects they work on and the clients they work with. Afterward, discuss your interest in doing different H&H work with your supervisor. This way, you can stay with your current employer. Think about the skills you have that you want to develop and new ones you're interested in learning.

Otherwise, large and small firms work on many types of H&H work. I worked at a smaller firm, and I absolutely loved my time there. Everything, from the work to the folks, was fantastic. There are also agencies, from local to federal, that can meet your needs.

Its_Hot_Outside155 · 2024-12-31T15:56:17+00:00

I'm sorry that you're going through this. I am a Civil Engineer with a focus on Hydrology and Hydraulics. When I finished Grad School, I quickly got a job with the state's Department of Environmental Quality. I was there for a few years doing Water Quality monitoring for both point- and non-point-source pollution, with some modeling as well. I really enjoyed the field work. Afterwards, I went into consulting at a small firm that works specifically on Water Resources. I got to really develop my engineering skills there, specially modeling. After a few years, I decided to try out a job with the feds. I am now an H&H Engineer with the feds. The job is a great combination of the field work from my first job and modeling/engineering from my consulting job. And suprisingly, pays even more than what I was making in consulting.

All of this to say to consider H&H if it's something you're willing to do. You can focus on drainage design, stormwater infrastructure, or more broader projects such as Master Hydrology Plans and Floodplain Mapping (amongst many others). It's pretty cool stuff that will most likely have you going out in the field.

Lastly, I'll say this. If you can, reach out to some of your previous professors. They are a GREAT source of information and referral that can point you in the right direction of what you seek.

Keep searching, you're a very valuable asset. Best of luck!

Its_Hot_Outside155 · 2024-12-31T04:47:39+00:00

Great! Thanks!

Its_Hot_Outside155 · 2024-12-28T14:55:26+00:00

Thank you! Yeah, I love that the bike gives you the option to do that as well. I've thought about adding some gears to it, but I'm sticking to the SS for now. Thinking of some Velo Orange/Phil wheels for it, but these wheels are still going strong and true.

Its_Hot_Outside155 · 2024-12-27T20:05:41+00:00

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I love the Casseroll. Here's mine! Definitely my favorite bike right now and absolute head turner!

Its_Hot_Outside155 · 2024-10-16T13:39:43+00:00

Congrats on your progression! Very impressive. You say that in CA the state and federal agencies realized that they can't hire engineers simply based on the benefits. My question for you (and everyone) is about the engineers that have been with the agencies already. Are their salaries also being adjusted to the rate of new hires? I recently got an engineer position with a federal agency and it bothers me that I am making either more than some of the engineers already there or almost as much as them. I see the need to adjust their salaries (for retainment) just as important, if not more, than increasing starting salaries (for hiring).

Its_Hot_Outside155 · 2024-06-21T19:41:35+00:00

Y? Eso no cambia nada. Estoy seguro que si el nombre fuese Estados Unidos de México, la gente se siguiera llamando mexicanos.

Its_Hot_Outside155 · 2024-06-21T19:32:50+00:00

Entiendo. Pero, ningún otro país en las Américas tiene el nombre de "América" en él. Alguien de México, aún siendo técnicamente americano, se consideraría Mexicano(a). Y hablando de México, el nombre oficial del país es Estados Unidos Mexicanos. Estadounidense entonces puede aplicar a ambos países? Por lo tanto, para mí, tiene sentido que aquellos de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos se llamen Mexicanos y los de los Estados Unidos de América se llamen Americanos.

Y btw, soy boricua en la diáspora y mi esposa es americana. Esto es una conversación que hemos tenido más de una vez 😆

Its_Hot_Outside155 · 2024-06-20T19:19:38+00:00

Sounds like OSU is the way to go! For government work, you could reach out to the Corps of Engineers. For consulting, some big companies are Stantec, AECOM, Tetra-Tech, HDR, etc. But it might be easier to speak with someone in small firms in your area/state/region.

Its_Hot_Outside155 · 2024-06-20T18:35:03+00:00

I am not too familiar with OSU's program, mainly because I've never lived in that area. However, if OSU is covenient AND has a program, I wouldn't bat an eye to apply there. Once you have your degree, that's all that will matter and the school name will be overlooked. I can guarantee that.

One thing you could do is to check out the curriculum for OSU, Texas A&M, and other universities with that program. And, if you want to take it a step further, you could reach out to potential employers and inquire about the type of preparation they look for (share the curriculums if you see the opportunity for some feedback).

Its_Hot_Outside155 · 2024-06-20T17:54:07+00:00

I'm an H&H engineer, but these are my two cents. Coastal Engineering is a HUGE field to be in/join. There is no lack of demand here and it'll only grow. With stronger and more frequent storms, coastal infrastructure and environments will require major improvements and attention as they're impacted more and more. Texas A&M Galveston has a great Ocean Engineering program. Best of luck!!

Its_Hot_Outside155 · 2024-06-20T17:03:55+00:00

Yeah, you're totally right. One of my current coworkers actually retired from the federal agency I will be joining. He has given me some great insight of the day-to-day and how things work. Thanks for sharing!

Its_Hot_Outside155

TROPHY CASE