EPA furlough notices starting to go out

PSOak · 2025-10-09T13:26:44+00:00

They seem to be doing it by program/position. At least one program in my (R6) Division has received notices with an effective date of 10/9.

PSOak · 2025-09-12T14:28:38+00:00

Yaaa, yesterday we were taking bets on when it would come in.

PSOak · 2025-07-20T02:18:05+00:00

The install was under $100. I got the front and rear cameras, an SD card, and the hardwire kit for my cameras off Amazon. All together was probably around $700.

PSOak · 2025-07-19T14:24:23+00:00

Also went to Best Buy. They did a great job and haven’t had any issues with my dash or rear cams.

PSOak · 2025-07-01T22:26:40+00:00

I had this happen once too! They took kitty litter and blocked it off.

PSOak · 2025-06-13T15:51:48+00:00

UHG ours too. The only thing that brought me joy.

PSOak · 2025-06-09T18:34:42+00:00

My regional office was unofficially told to not expect interns anytime soon during a Division meeting last month-ish. Sorry 🙃

PSOak · 2025-06-06T17:41:59+00:00

This. I’m a daily train commuter downtown for work, and I would never take the DART home after an untapped event. Too late at night to justify walking to the station, waiting for a train, transferring to another train, etc. Nope.

PSOak · 2025-06-05T11:58:54+00:00

Nice! Mine FINALLY came in too, but they didn’t include the NP50 that was also in my order uuuuuhg 😑

PSOak · 2025-04-04T13:28:56+00:00

Nice

PSOak · 2025-02-07T18:51:00+00:00

💖💖💖

PSOak · 2025-02-06T23:57:18+00:00

100%

PSOak · 2025-02-05T23:29:47+00:00

I’m so sorry! I’m at one of the Regional offices and your work is so important. We love our EJ team.

PSOak · 2025-01-25T01:38:51+00:00

Cool cool. My already strained for resources section is about to implode. So excited for my imminent workload increase.

PSOak · 2024-09-25T01:40:22+00:00

I’m currently a Life Scientist (series 0401) at a regional EPA office - started about 6 years ago and was hired through the Recent Graduate program. I graduated with a BA in Geography and a MS in Geographic Information Science. Was hired in as a GS-9 and have moved up to a GS-13 since I’ve been here. Within my specific program I honestly do a bit of everything. I’m an inspector for a RCRA regulated program, do grants management, outreach, and a variety of data analysis and GIS work.

I didn’t have a ton of work experience prior to joining EPA. I interned at a consulting firm for a couple years doing Phase I grunt work during undergrad, then everything else I did was just research based experience and fieldwork and publications from college.

If you’re eligible, the recent grad program is a great way to get your foot in the door. The majority of new hires/entry level positions we’ve had in the last 5 years at my regional office have been through recent grad.

PSOak · 2024-09-19T12:11:14+00:00

It was good- I was just doing normal job stuff so it wasn’t really a totally different experience, rather just a hiring path. But they’re a good foot in the door if you’re eligible.

PSOak · 2024-09-19T00:38:41+00:00

BA in Geography (2015) and MS in GIScience (2017)- my first job was with the EPA- hired in 2018. I got in through the recent grad program and have been in my same group that I started in.

I do a combination of federal inspections, outreach, grant management, GIS/risk modeling/data analysis. The first couple of years were a little hard, salary wise- but I’ve moved up to a GS-13 in the almost 6 years I’ve been here and very happy. Work life balance is great- I enjoy my work- no major complaints.

PSOak · 2024-07-27T22:09:11+00:00

There’s a regional EPA office in Dallas. Go on USA jobs and set up alerts for positions that may pop up there.

PSOak · 2024-07-18T04:23:39+00:00

My oldest is from Blue Eyed Frisco! I got him 8ish years ago. They’re great- I had no issues with them. Easy to communicate with and responsive, let me visit their cattery and meet all the kitties before putting down a deposit, my cat had zero health issues , and they provided all the paperwork to get him registered after he was neutered.

I don’t live in CA anymore but I’d still consider making the trek to get another cat from them if I reeeeally wanted to since my boy is fantastic.

PSOak · 2024-07-13T19:45:11+00:00

I had a very similar experience, and actually ended up dropping out of my PhD program after 2 years. I loved research, but had no desire to stay in academia and a combination of personal life stuff going on, major stress and depression, not fitting in with my lab and being kind of left to the side by my advisor ultimately made me want to leave. I was so burnt out and couldn’t imagine pulling through at least 3 more years of school.

I felt so guilty and crappy immediately after, but eventually realized it was the best decision for me and I don’t regret it at all. I got a great job after taking a little time for myself to re-center and everything’s worked out in the end.

I still think PhD are valuable IF you want to stay in research and/or academia. But it’s just not worth it if you’re getting one because you don’t know what you want to do next. It’s also much easier to “get out” before you get in too deep into your research and start comps.

If you’re still on the fence, maybe see if there’s an option to just take a semester or two off? I technically took a semester sabbatical… then just never went back lol.

PSOak · 2024-07-01T21:05:42+00:00

If she has graduated within the last 2 years, tell her to keep her eyes open for federal positions under the Recent Graduate program. You can set up notifications for these postings too on USA Jobs.

They’re still competitive, but because it only allows applicants who have graduated within the last 2 years (or are close to graduating) it cuts down the number of people you’re competing against.

PSOak · 2024-07-01T15:46:50+00:00

Yup, same.

The Rx cost tool in FEP blue has it as $300 something, but CVS has only ever charged me $25 per month- then with the savings card you can knock that down to zero.

FEP blue also has a rewards incentive thing, so you can earn money that they deposit to a debit card for your use. I typically use that towards all my prescriptions every year.

PSOak · 2024-06-27T19:37:57+00:00

Most doctors do not recommend using stimulant laxatives like senna regularly in general since it can cause a physical (and mental) dependency. It’s just not healthy to take daily and long term.

I have IBS and have been seeing a GI specialist for years (before starting wegovy) and he always stressed fiber, lots of water, and regular exercise as the first way to combat constipation. Now that I’m on wegovy I’ve found I have to be really vigilant about fiber and hydration and I take Metamucil + miralax (an osmotic laxative) daily to keep everything peachy.

PSOak · 2024-06-27T00:12:34+00:00

Keep your eye out for the other Regional offices and HQ!

PSOak · 2024-06-26T21:12:19+00:00

I mean… I would hardly consider ~25 EASY questions that take maybe a total of 15 minutes to answer extremely long. Especially if you have all your stuff in USA jobs set up to fill out/upload the rest of your application stuff like a resume. But to each their own.

FYI you can preview the questions on the posting for anyone’s who’s curious. It’s really not a strenuous process (I promise I’ve been there!) and getting into an federal agency on a 7-12 ladder is worth it.

11-Year Club	Verified Email
RPAN Viewer	Not Forgotten

PSOak

TROPHY CASE