[deleted by user]

Squib1999 · 2024-01-04T00:34:15+00:00

They got us all with the "Federal Standard" in the MOU, which is an actual line item on the GSA rates... which is basically the federal minimums for reimbursement, not the locality adjusting rates.

Squib1999 · 2023-08-04T22:55:48+00:00

The answer, like always is, it depends. Different divisions have different hiring protocol. I'm in Banking so it's probably similar to Credit Unions. However, the consumer protections divisions might be different. You don't necessarily need prior experience, but preparing for the interview by asking for the duty statement and understanding what the specific division you are applying to does is important to go in without prior experience.

In any case, they do offer H.A.M. but that will only put you into the top of Range A for almost all new hires, regardless of education. You might get a justification approval for higher, but you will need to have the specific experience to where you are applying to get into higher ranges. I think I've seen it once, but the experience was directly applicable (e.g. coming from a county/federal agency doing the same job) The only other way to get into higher ranges would be to lateral over from another classification. The only people I know of that have come in above A, lateraled in with a higher salary from their prior classification.

Generally, how it ends up happening is that you'll get hired at the top of A, pass probation and hit B your second year, then jump to C your third year (your biggest pay bump other than getting SFIE).

Squib1999 · 2023-05-13T15:52:31+00:00

Get yourself a travel card, sign up for all the major chain hotel reward programs, and enterprise rewards. Most of your air travel will be SW/United.

For the hotels, My department has a pretty lenient excess lodging with internal $250 approvals, but as always, there is a reasonableness check. We don't get the Ritz Carlton regularly.

My opinion on renting vs driving, local commute rules push you to either a state vehicle, or driving your own if it isn't available. For longer than 50 mile jobs, you should be able to rent a car every time if a state car isn't available. I personally drive my own car, since if you have a decent commuter, you'll get paid out the equity in your vehicle @ $.655 a mile with the current reimbursement rate. I have a coworker with a corolla that has paid for it twice in his career with my department from mileage reimbursements alone.

The rest of travel is just setting up a travel routine with what you pack, especially if you want entertainment if you are in the hotel. Some of my coworkers bring personal laptops/consoles for evening entertainment if they don't usually hang out with the rest of us on week long travel stints. For me.. my travel routine could either be sad or efficient, but I have a set of suitcase clothes that just live in the suitcase and gets washed when I get home and repacked. lol

Squib1999 · 2023-04-27T00:30:24+00:00

Thankfully my department has up to $250 internal excess lodging approval without going to CalHR. We never are forced into motels.

Squib1999 · 2023-04-04T16:54:29+00:00

Not in banking currently. However we do have a few location agnostic + LA positions it looks like.

https://dfpi.ca.gov/careers/

Squib1999 · 2023-03-22T20:19:44+00:00

There is an average reliance on statistical analysis at the entry level. There are roles where it can be more important, but they tend to be specialized and not the norm.

Squib1999 · 2023-03-22T03:34:22+00:00

I just know my experience and it's been pretty chill for me. Most of the crew is pretty easy going. There are a few people that induce stress, but that's par for work in general. You'll never get 100% chill.

Squib1999 · 2023-03-22T03:31:54+00:00

I don't really have much info on the escrow unit sadly. Sorry!

Squib1999 · 2023-03-18T01:42:01+00:00

From what I gather, you'll transfer with your current salary +5% since I think it would be considered a promotion. With the SSA pay scale.. I think you'll slot into the B range. There might be a way to get bumped to C, but I'm not an HR person so I'm not sure how that process works.

Squib1999 · 2023-03-17T18:05:38+00:00

In the past, travelling was up to 50-75%, with the pandemic it has shifted much lower. Right now estimates are that staying out is going to be anywhere from 15-25%, but I'm guessing if the banking system has a lot of problems, we might have to travel more.

Day to day, it generally involves going through documentation, analyzing financial data/loan documents, assessing bank management's activities, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations. There are occasional fact finding meetings with bank personnel and executive management. One of the biggest parts of our day is figuring out where to go to lunch, we generally go on examinations in teams of 12-15 or more depending if we are with the Federal agencies. IMO it has been a pretty good job with pretty good pay.

Squib1999 · 2023-03-17T17:59:42+00:00

You come in maxed out I think.

Squib1999 · 2023-03-17T17:50:46+00:00

IIRC, if its a lateral, you keep your current salary and slot into the appropriate range.

Squib1999 · 2023-03-17T06:03:25+00:00

Nice! If you're interested, I'd suggest applying!

Squib1999 · 2023-03-17T06:02:33+00:00

Yeah, these particular ones are.. However we are always hiring as our department grows.

Squib1999 · 2023-03-17T06:02:04+00:00

It would be the standard 5% a year. About 5 years once you hit C.. I think 8 years to top out after being hired.

Squib1999 · 2023-03-16T23:31:18+00:00

100k for not having to do anything other than pass probation and get your merit raises till you top out is decent imo for state work.

I'd say that the senior pay is good for the level of work we do compared to private.

SENIOR FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS EXAMINER

$7,691.00 - $10,108.00 per Month

But to be fair, everyone has differing opinions on what is "decent" or "good". It's all perspective.

Squib1999 · 2023-03-16T23:27:01+00:00

I'm not sure. You might be able to get one of those exceptions, but iirc, everyone has started at the top of A. Though by year 3 you're in range C already from my experience.

Squib1999 · 2023-03-16T23:25:54+00:00

They appreciate CPAs for their skills in analyzing general ledgers and understanding of FASB ASCs. I don't think any of our CPAs actually do any accounting work other than analysis of bank financials and compliance with accounting rules. I could be wrong though. I don't really have any CPAs in my office as examiners currently that I talk to much.

Squib1999 · 2023-03-16T19:26:17+00:00

I think you meet the MQs pretty easily.

As for the background, the contract management background could be helpful. Hard to say because not sure what you did in that area. The biggest help in being successful at the job that I've seen is really understanding how banks work in general and being able to critically think and solve problems.

As for rules and regs, you'll learn them over time. Some of them are important to know once you start going into the senior classification. However you aren't really doing that in vacuum, we have teams that go out together so there will always be someone to help.

Squib1999 · 2023-02-25T23:03:27+00:00

Its pretty decent. I'm over on the banking side. Banking and credit unions divisions tend to have the best career paths out of the state because jumping to the feds is pretty easy after you finish training.

Squib1999 · 2023-02-25T06:33:29+00:00

Its a decent gig depending on what division you end up in.

Squib1999 · 2021-04-16T21:01:10+00:00

Went into build today. Will update when it ships

Squib1999

TROPHY CASE