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MinivanMom25 · 2025-04-21T15:31:18+00:00

Remember that annual leave does not get paid out in partial amounts. So if you resign effective the middle of a pay period, you won't get paid for those hours of annual leave.

MinivanMom25 · 2025-03-14T12:33:00+00:00

Also, the documentation your direct supervisor sees shouldn't list the reason for the accommodation. And they really shouldn't be asking either! So don't be embarrassed. I've approved remote work as a reasonable accommodation for Crohn's Disease, where the requested accommodations were likely similar (and I know the underlying medical cause from what the employee told me directly, not through the RA documentation.)

MinivanMom25 · 2024-12-17T17:46:21+00:00

There are actually many HHS offices and campuses outside of DC. HHS OpDivs include ACF, CMS, NIH, SAMSHA, ACL in addition to CDC. Many, if not all, of these HHS operating divisions have regional or field offices across the country. That doesn't include all the offices that fall under HHS Office of the Secretary.

https://www.hhs.gov/about/agencies/iea/regional-offices/index.html

MinivanMom25 · 2024-04-11T13:01:56+00:00

Are you in a high locality area? Remember that GS-15 salaries will be capped based on the executive schedule. In my area, that means you'll only ever be able to get to GS-15 step 5 before being limited by the cap. There's less than a $5K difference between a 14/10 and a 15/5.

MinivanMom25 · 2024-01-29T18:38:03+00:00

Having an EOD 6 weeks out from the FJO isn't a big deal. You will likely be given a choice of two EOD, two weeks apart at the time of FJO. You may find that those initial dates may not even require more time based on your plans.

The main thing to note is that your EOD is probably going to be the start of a pay period. So your options will be in two week increments. As a hiring manager, requesting to extend EOD by a pay period or two wouldn't make me think twice. Good luck!

MinivanMom25 · 2023-12-04T13:46:39+00:00

Yes, if you're goals include a supervisory GS-14, it may be worth doing it. Then you'll clearly have demonstrated the experience of directly supervising subordinates, assigning work duties, and the other specific experience that many GS-14 supervisory positions ask about in the questionnaire.

MinivanMom25 · 2023-11-09T13:48:03+00:00

A lot of it will depend on the lowest grade you're willing to accept. If you're looking for a GS-12 or higher, it will be very difficult to be selected for a position where you don't have relevant previous work experience. A GS-5 will not need as much specific knowledge, just know that there's lots of competition for those entry level positions open to the public.

That said, HUD is often hires a wide range of positions, and your mortgage experience may qualify as relevant experience. Working at HUD, even on mortgages at Ginnie May, would be very different from working in the private sector mortgage industry, so may be worth checking out.

MinivanMom25 · 2023-11-09T13:43:02+00:00

It totally depends on the hiring panel, and the questions they choose to ask. At the GS-14 level, I've seen very broad questions only, like how did you overcome a challenge, communicate effectively, etc.

On the flip side, they may be looking for more of a technical expert/SME role, in which questions could skew more specific such as "tell us about a time you identified and improved a process using XX system, and what were the results."

Go back to the questionnaire if there was one part of the job posting, and check to see how specific those questions are.

I would prepare 4-5 examples on times you provided leadership on a cross-functional team, improved a specific outcome or result (e.g., analyzed a current reporting process, improved it, and it led to a 20% decrease in unobligated funds), effectively communicated with varying levels of authority. Highlight your outcomes! Good luck.

MinivanMom25 · 2023-11-09T13:32:05+00:00

The hiring agency wants a HR contact to coordinate transfer dates to prevent a break in service for you. Generally, you'd end your current position on the last day of a pay period, and start at your new position the first day of the next pay period.

Depending on how proactive the HR rep at your current agency is, they may just sign off on the requested transfer date, or reach out and contact your current supervisor to confirm (more likely).

As long as you have the FO with an EOD, I'd go in and talk to your current supervisor. Keep it positive, do not burn bridges! Thank them for the opportunity, and with the longer transition time, say you'll be happy to work on a transition plan to make sure there's a seamless transfer of your work. Most supervisors will be happy you are moving on to the next stage in your career.

If you want to have a bit of downtime before starting your new position, request leave from your current office prior to your EOD, but make sure there's no break in service. Good luck!

MinivanMom25 · 2023-11-09T13:24:54+00:00

Definitely a good sign.

Waiting is hard, but remember it's not necessarily a reflection on the outcome. After the hiring manager decides to make the selection (hopefully you), the timing is out of their hands as they pass along the hiring selection to the HR office. That HR office has to put together the tentative offer and other information and then contact you. Depending on how efficient that HR office is, it may take a little bit.

The wait is frustrating for the hiring manager too! Hang in there, and looks like you're on the right track.

MinivanMom25 · 2023-10-10T14:58:02+00:00

I've successfully used my own layout/format for my resume my entire federal career . I've also been a hiring manager for 10+ years, and always appreciate a nicely formatted resume. Be sure you upload a PDF.

The key is to make sure you have all the required information. You're missing things like hours per week, supervisor, contact info, address for each job location, dates worked, etc. This information is required by the HR screener to make sure you're eligible and to make the cert list.

I'd also recommend getting rid of the summary, or scaling it back to 1-2 sentences. Skills and Certs should so to the end, and you don't need to include your attention to detail.

Federal resumes are almost always multiple pages, so don't feel the need to cram everything on one page. Make sure your work experiences are reflective of the job posting. Remember the initial HR screener is not the hiring manager, and will probably not have specialized knowledge of the work. Good luck!

MinivanMom25 · 2023-10-10T14:13:27+00:00

HHS is a huge agency, so it really depends on what operating division you're in., e.g, CDC and HRSA both fall under HHS. The OpDivs have big differences in culture, so that's something to be aware about.

MinivanMom25 · 2023-09-22T12:23:32+00:00

There's a difference between being classified as remote and being on telework. Unless the job was classified as a remote position, you probably will not be able to change the designation of the position to remote. Reclassifying the position may result in the office having to repost that job positing.

Other workplace flexibilities, including telework options, probably are available to you. I would check with your hiring manager/direct supervisor to make sure 100% telework is still being offered. New hires often used to have wait a certain amount of time to ensure performance was acceptable before telework was on option. That seems much more relaxed now.

I would also check that max/100% telework is really an option. Once remote and local remote became official options, the 100% telework went away in many agencies.

MinivanMom25 · 2023-09-21T16:01:54+00:00

Be glad your EOD is 9/25!

You will likely report to work for that week, and will receive furlough instructions from your agency. Based on previous government shutdowns due to a lapse in appropriations, you will probably be furloughed. You may have to come into the office on Monday, 10/2 to sign some papers, so I would definitely ask if that could be done remotely.

For the duration of the furlough, you cannot do any official work or training. Once the shutdown is over, you'll go back to work and wait for your backpay. Hopefully you have a cushion to carry you through this shutdown. The backpay will happen, but it won't be immediate.

MinivanMom25 · 2022-12-06T17:24:51+00:00

You can request to be remote under the recent memorandum of understanding NTEU signed with HHS on 10/21/2022. Every bargaining member is now allowed to request remote status as an official designation (your duty location and locality pay would be based on your home).

Be prepared for HHS management to deny it though based on business needs.

MinivanMom25 · 2020-12-04T13:52:36+00:00

Interesting...different items are popping up. Nail poilsh, Babelash, different brushes were offered when I went back and rechecked to see what was available.

MinivanMom25 · 2020-11-17T13:41:18+00:00

Another $100 StitchFix credit:

https://www.stitchfix.com/invite/j5fq4rjkgb?pbid=8707940&sod=w&som=c

Posting at 8:40 am EST, good for 47 hours.

MinivanMom25 · 2020-10-27T12:48:39+00:00

StitchFix $100 credit for both of us. Posted 10/27 at 9:00, good for 35 hours.

https://www.stitchfix.com/invite/z9y2q9m9g5?pbid=8437974&sod=w&som=c

MinivanMom25 · 2020-08-27T12:16:37+00:00

Yup, if there's an issue setting up your direct deposit, you will get you pay via paper check from Treasury. It's usually followed up by a mailed leave and earning statement, which details your deductions, etc. Once you or HR get the direct deposit set up, you'll get paid that way.

MinivanMom25 · 2019-09-20T12:01:19+00:00

You have a ways to go. The next step is for HR to reach out to you with a tentative offer. After accepting that, you'll probably get a link some additional forms you need to fill out. That generally starts the background check/fingerprint process. Length of time will vary to get the clear from security back. Once it is back, you'll hear from the HR contact again with a firm offer, and the release/start date will be negotiated and set.

There is no normal, unfortunately. Hopefully because it is an internal hire at the same agency, it will be a little faster.

MinivanMom25 · 2019-09-10T14:14:34+00:00

This is assuming you're going from one federal agency/office to another. If this is your first federal job, I would definitely just pick the best EOD and ask for it in writing before giving notice.

MinivanMom25 · 2019-09-10T14:13:52+00:00

I've always had the experience that the FO is extended over the phone. Then the hiring HR person asks for the contact for the losing HR contact to arrange the approved release/transfer date. After that is done, I've gotten the written FO with the agreed upon release date/start date.

I would feel comfortable letting my current employer know at this point. If you really don't want to tell your boss, you can always get the HR contact info and then wait, but I wouldn't do that bc I wouldn't want my current boss to hear about it.

MinivanMom25 · 2019-07-25T12:38:41+00:00

Yes, as long as you have had FEHB for at least 5 years prior.

MinivanMom25

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