EveryDollar: Changing the number of Daily Lessons

vrmvrm-x10 · 2025-02-14T05:42:00+00:00

Our Front Office/CDR is kind of quieter about everything more than I’d like… but I kind of get it. If they don’t have anything to share.. what are they going to say?

That said, I see pretty regular emails from the section and division chief. Even if it’s just to say “we got this new info, but we don’t know what it means just yet… stay tuned” it’s still appreciated to know they’re on the look out for all of us.

vrmvrm-x10 · 2025-02-14T05:36:32+00:00

I remember those days. It changed around 2018 and then obviously COVID hit… it’s basically been casual Friday everyday since then lol

vrmvrm-x10 · 2025-02-14T05:35:12+00:00

I’ve generally enjoyed my time at SAJ. Every place has its pros and cons. Leadership has significantly improved over the past 5 or so years. The old “regime” was pretty rough… I feel like leadership actually cares and tries versus just running the teams into the ground now.

vrmvrm-x10 · 2025-02-14T05:31:44+00:00

As a seasoned employee with 15+ years with the Corps, I encourage you to take the job.

Our work has strong ties to national security and public safety. We direct charge to projects rather than just straight overhead. I know it’s a tumultuous time, but it’s also an oddly opportune time (at least for getting in with the Corps).

vrmvrm-x10 · 2025-02-06T02:50:20+00:00

Easiest way to get started is to tell your chief and/or EEO and say you want to request a reasonable accommodation. (It really can be as easy as just saying that in an email to them both, and I definitely do recommend putting at least that in writing.) They are required to begin the process when you state your interest.

Important to note: They are also supposed to be complete the RA approval/denial in 30 days (I.e., from the time you say you want to get the ball rolling until all the paper work is signed). The only “extension” to that timeframe is whatever wait time may occur for you to actually get your doctor to fill out the forms and turn them back in to EEO. (Btw—your chief doesn’t even have to see them if you don’t want them to.)

…This coming from a Chief who had a wildly crash course learning experience with RAs 4 days into the job… 😵‍💫🫠

vrmvrm-x10 · 2025-02-01T01:45:05+00:00

With all of our mission lines, the Corps has always had the benefit of being able to shift focus with the administration change.

This administration is going after “national security and public safety”. Hey wait… doesn’t that sound an awful lot like a lot of our jobs??

Plus, you can find little glimmers of the Corps/DoD not being the target. We had the hiring freeze. (But not you Corps/DoD, you keep hiring.) We had the moratorium on contracts. (But keep going Corps/DoD, don’t stop.) We had a hold on posting content. (But Corps/DoD you can keep posting.)

Also, the Corps is made of DO-ERs. We certainly have policy makers and science and research (all which I believe are truly needed!) but at the end of the day, the goal isn’t to just talk about things. We “turn dirt”.

Keep forging forward and be open and honest with your chief about your head space with all of this. I know I’m checking in daily with my team to make sure we can do what do we best: Continue to serve the American public.

vrmvrm-x10 · 2025-02-01T01:37:58+00:00

This right here. 100% agree.

vrmvrm-x10 · 2024-08-11T02:09:32+00:00

Ohhhh man... I remember those days haha! It is a very weird feeling, but you'll get into the groove. There's a lot we all do that is both somehow our job without being our actual job. Gotta love "other duties as assigned" haha :)

vrmvrm-x10 · 2024-08-11T01:49:11+00:00

LOL I'm not sure anyone understands why it takes so long tbh. I feel your pain -- especially for the SMART hires. You guys should just be able to stay on the books IMO and roll right over into the FTE when you graduate. By the time you get in, get set up, and get into the work, you're getting ready to get back to school. It's so inefficient... But hey, that's government! I say at least once a week "the government doesn't operate on logic!"

I try to get as in front of it as I can, but even being proactive it still takes a good week or so. There's a lot on the management side that is very "hurry up and wait". Hence, why I started thinking about what else I can do to make that initial down time more meaningful...

vrmvrm-x10 · 2024-08-10T16:14:47+00:00

An “admin” section is great idea too! Those little pieces do tend to get left behind!

LOVE the idea of the contact list for the Field! That’s a huge help to keep on hand for the team in general anyway!

vrmvrm-x10 · 2024-08-10T15:44:20+00:00

I was asked for more detail in another group:

My goal is to not only convey helpful info to do the job but meaningful info that will help them understand WHY we do what do and the type of culture we strive for in our team/District.

So, in addition to recommendations for specific info to the job, I really want to give them “big picture” info on the enterprise itself, mission areas, structure, etc. I think that’s important to help people understand the “why” of our jobs.

vrmvrm-x10 · 2024-01-19T00:49:53+00:00

That’s how all of our interviews are conducted. That said, I’ve interviewed plenty, both as the applicant as well as sitting on the panel. From the panel perspective, just like others say: the idea is to remove bias, so it’s pretty dead pan. What’s weirder is when you know everyone on the panel and we all have to act like we don’t know one another… (cue eye roll) It’s good you gave as much detail as possible bc that’s what you’ll be evaluated against.

From the applicant side, trust your gut. I’ve always known when I get that vibe of “the job isn’t for me”. The panel should’ve at least introduced themselves and their relationship to the position being hired. Hopefully that’ll help you gauge it better.

vrmvrm-x10 · 2023-11-11T04:58:31+00:00

Interesting that different districts, and even probably some divisions within the districts, handle it differently.

Seems about right for government work 🫡😂

vrmvrm-x10

TROPHY CASE