Register a SA Forums Account here!
JOINING THE SA FORUMS WILL REMOVE THIS BIG AD, THE ANNOYING UNDERLINED ADS, AND STUPID INTERSTITIAL ADS!!!

You can: log in, read the tech support FAQ, or request your lost password. This dumb message (and those ads) will appear on every screen until you register! Get rid of this crap by registering your own SA Forums Account and joining roughly 150,000 Goons, for the one-time price of $9.95! We charge money because it costs us money per month for bills, and since we don't believe in showing ads to our users, we try to make the money back through forum registrations.
 
  • Post
  • Reply
Skandiaavity
Apr 20, 2005
Success as an IMS, I found, is a completely different beast since it's not at all like standard I.T. Jobs. You will be asked to do a lot; probably more that is in the job requirements, and maybe i'm a little too honest, but it's kind of sink or swim. at a large post, you have the benefit of learning from your co-workers, and at a smaller post, you'll learn it the hard way. But it's important to retain a positive outlook. For example, at a larger post, maybe you won't get the same amount of experience as someone at a smaller post since you will be focusing on one, instead of 11, things.

I think the same can be said for generalists, at times.

Most people at State have their own personalities, it's not like a cookie-cutter. We take all sorts and all types, so if you make it in, be prepared for what a poster on the yahoo boards said: everyone is impressive and nobody's impressed, since keep in mind you're all there to do essentially the same job as your fellow cone co-workers in different places.

Due to that, there is always a dynamic because everyone brings their experiences, personalities and conceptions to the table.

I don't know about DS, but it seems flexibility is an unspoken requisite. If you have a pre-set way of doing things and aren't flexible, or aren't open-minded to where you'll be going, or even what you'll be doing; you'll probably have a hard time. If you are open minded, then you'll probably have the time of your life :)

Adbot
ADBOT LOVES YOU

the_chavi
Mar 2, 2005

Toilet Rascal
Skandia, how'd you hold up through the typhoon?

Skandiaavity
Apr 20, 2005
well, just fine. Apparently it completely missed Manila.

It is, however, supposed to swing back around.

pamchenko
Apr 16, 2011

Global Critter posted:

What would you say is the average age of someone coming into the FS? This would be including Generalists and Specialists if there is no disparity there in terms of the age of the folks coming in, in their respective areas.

Oh man, I'm late. But others have covered State; the average entry age at USAID is slightly older simply because a graduate degree is an absolute requirement for most positions.

hobbez
Mar 1, 2012

Don't care. Just do not care. We win, you lose. You do though, you seem to care very much

I'm going to go ride my mountain bike, later nerds.
Would doing something like teaching english abroad be seen as a boost to my application? I'm looking to constructively kill some time post-grad while considering if I want to go after a masters and then presumably pursue a job in the foreign service... Or go to law school? :colbert:

Basically, I don't need to make a ton of money, but I want to make a liveable wage and have something to put on a resume in the future...

Any other suggestions?..

Leif.
Mar 27, 2005

Son of the Defender
Formerly Diplomaticus/SWATJester
Oh cool, my house caught on fire again tonight.

the_chavi
Mar 2, 2005

Toilet Rascal

Diplomaticus posted:

Oh cool, my house caught on fire again tonight.

Better toss your toddler in the Embassy pool, that's what it's there for right?

=/ Sorry dude... electrical? Anything damaged? I assume if you're posting on SA tonight it's not too bad...

AKA Pseudonym
May 16, 2004

A dashing and sophisticated young man
Doctor Rope

problematique posted:

What field-related requirements are these? The only requirements I'm aware of are from the job applications that indicate someone could join as an IMS with a few years of IT experience.

For any current IMS, do you think more experience and older IMS make better specialist? What would you say is indicative of success as an IMS when it comes to peoples prior work experience and personality? I'm trying to get a better feel for the type of people that join.

We're kind of in a transformational period at the moment so it's hard to say. We've gone from being a bunch of guys locked in a vault keying in encrypted cables to being IT professionals. Lots of people want to take that further down the road and get involved in advising on tech related policy and shaping social media strategy. It's still hard to tell where all that is going.

As it stands I think the key to success in any specialty or cone is adaptability. Posts come and go, people come and go, cultures act in ways you aren't used to. Those things are constant no matter what. Experience might help or might make somebody set in their ways. It depends.

Sorry to hear about the fire Diplomaticus. Hope your next post is less flammable.

Saho
Jun 9, 2012

hobbez posted:

Would doing something like teaching english abroad be seen as a boost to my application? I'm looking to constructively kill some time post-grad while considering if I want to go after a masters and then presumably pursue a job in the foreign service... Or go to law school? :colbert:

Basically, I don't need to make a ton of money, but I want to make a liveable wage and have something to put on a resume in the future...

Any other suggestions?..

http://www.peacecorps.gov/

It's like the foreign service but not as classy.

hobbez
Mar 1, 2012

Don't care. Just do not care. We win, you lose. You do though, you seem to care very much

I'm going to go ride my mountain bike, later nerds.
2% of FSOT takers were hired in 2012. Pretty competitive.

CherryCola
Apr 15, 2002

'ahtaj alshifa

hobbez posted:

2% of FSOT takers were hired in 2012. Pretty competitive.

Is that counting people that failed the test?

Leif.
Mar 27, 2005

Son of the Defender
Formerly Diplomaticus/SWATJester
On a plus side, the local fire brigade got here in like 10 minutes, with a pump truck and full bunker gear. Pretty sweet. Yeah our garage went up, right on top of our generator (diesel, thank goodness). Another electrical fire, from a fluorescent light. Something catches fire every time we have overvoltages here, which isn't that uncommon.

hobbez
Mar 1, 2012

Don't care. Just do not care. We win, you lose. You do though, you seem to care very much

I'm going to go ride my mountain bike, later nerds.

CherryCola posted:

Is that counting people that failed the test?

All it said was 2% of all FSOT takers. So I'm assuming yes.

TCD
Nov 13, 2002

Every step, a fucking adventure.

Diplomaticus posted:

On a plus side, the local fire brigade got here in like 10 minutes, with a pump truck and full bunker gear. Pretty sweet. Yeah our garage went up, right on top of our generator (diesel, thank goodness). Another electrical fire, from a fluorescent light. Something catches fire every time we have overvoltages here, which isn't that uncommon.

Whoa.

Slaan
Mar 16, 2009



ASHERAH DEMANDS I FEAST, I VOTE FOR A FEAST OF FLESH

Saho posted:

http://www.peacecorps.gov/

It's like the foreign service but not as classy.

Hey! We are hella classy. We just class it up in local clothing while the FSOs are stuck in hot, sweaty suits and paperwork.

I Love Topanga
Oct 3, 2003

hobbez posted:

All it said was 2% of all FSOT takers. So I'm assuming yes.

Does anyone have an idea of what the numbers look like on each step of the way?
# Complete FSOT > # move on the QEP > # Move on to OA > # move on to register > Total # of A-100 for the year

TCD
Nov 13, 2002

Every step, a fucking adventure.
Yesssssssssssss

TM1 and TM3 received.

Bruxism
Apr 29, 2009

Absolutely not anxious about anything.

Bleak Gremlin
Looks like I'll be heading to Lilongwe, Malawi for my next post. Anyone have any insight or know anyone at post? My move is still several months away.

Leif.
Mar 27, 2005

Son of the Defender
Formerly Diplomaticus/SWATJester
I know the Pol/Mil officer there, she's cool.

Johnny Five-Jaces
Jan 21, 2009


AKA Pseudonym posted:

Lots of people want to take that further down the road and get involved in advising on tech related policy and shaping social media strategy.
Is there any literature on this kind of work, or is it just speculation and rumor at this point? Not that I'd be currently qualified but this sounds really interesting and something to build my background up in for the future.

the_chavi
Mar 2, 2005

Toilet Rascal

Bruxism posted:

Looks like I'll be heading to Lilongwe, Malawi for my next post. Anyone have any insight or know anyone at post? My move is still several months away.

Congrats, Brux! I have a few friends who've served there - they really enjoyed it, though they said it was very quiet. (Might be a nice change of pace for you.)

the_chavi
Mar 2, 2005

Toilet Rascal

Diplomaticus posted:

On a plus side, the local fire brigade got here in like 10 minutes, with a pump truck and full bunker gear. Pretty sweet. Yeah our garage went up, right on top of our generator (diesel, thank goodness). Another electrical fire, from a fluorescent light. Something catches fire every time we have overvoltages here, which isn't that uncommon.

Ugh. Was anything badly damaged in the garage? Like, say, a car?

Bruxism
Apr 29, 2009

Absolutely not anxious about anything.

Bleak Gremlin

the_chavi posted:

Congrats, Brux! I have a few friends who've served there - they really enjoyed it, though they said it was very quiet. (Might be a nice change of pace for you.)

That is consistent with what I have heard so far. Quiet, a little sleepy, lots of medivac, and lots of outdoors activities.

Not going to lie, my fiance and I are pretty excited to spend some time at a post without crazy security concerns. I'll spend plenty of time at such places in the future I'm sure.

Global Critter
Nov 10, 2012
I have a question regarding grade levels. If you come in as lets say a FP-05 Step 14, what would your next grade level be, FP-04 Step 1? That would be the obvious next step but wanted to confirm because the salary table shows a specific rate and was wondering if that was just the beginning number amount for a range of salary within that step.

AKA Pseudonym
May 16, 2004

A dashing and sophisticated young man
Doctor Rope

AgentSythe posted:

Is there any literature on this kind of work, or is it just speculation and rumor at this point? Not that I'd be currently qualified but this sounds really interesting and something to build my background up in for the future.

I can't think of any literature but it's more than rumor, the previous CIO was really trying to push things in that direction. Keep in mind that the idea is more that those things would be a part of the job and the social media aspect would likely be more about looking at it from a tech perspective than a content perspective. People seem to be interested, but what this would all really look like and how we would get there is all still a little hazy.

Skandiaavity
Apr 20, 2005

Global Critter posted:

I have a question regarding grade levels. If you come in as lets say a FP-05 Step 14, what would your next grade level be, FP-04 Step 1? That would be the obvious next step but wanted to confirm because the salary table shows a specific rate and was wondering if that was just the beginning number amount for a range of salary within that step.

you would get the next equivilent/higher than.

For example, enter as a FP-05 Step 14, your next increase would see you as FP-04 step 8 or 9. It will always be higher than your current salary, which is the basis.

No idea on admin promotions or acutal promotions, if those are a grade increase (i.e. FP-05 to FP-04) or a within grade increase. (i.e. FP-05 Step 5 to FP 05 Step 9)

1of7
Jan 30, 2011

Skandiaavity posted:

you would get the next equivilent/higher than.

For example, enter as a FP-05 Step 14, your next increase would see you as FP-04 step 8 or 9. It will always be higher than your current salary, which is the basis.

No idea on admin promotions or acutal promotions, if those are a grade increase (i.e. FP-05 to FP-04) or a within grade increase. (i.e. FP-05 Step 5 to FP 05 Step 9)

I was told by a friend of mine with lots of experience in other USG agencies that promotions would typically be "up one & over 3". Meaning that you would find the step at the next higher grade that is closest to your current salary without being under it & then move up 3 steps from there.

I just received my admin promotion and it did seem to follow that pattern.
I just checked Employee Express & it seems I just went to the first step on the next grade. I don't think you would go to one that is lower than your current pay though.

1of7 fucked around with this message at 02:48 on Dec 12, 2012

Saho
Jun 9, 2012

1of7 posted:

I was told by a friend of mine with lots of experience in other USG agencies that promotions would typically be "up one & over 3". Meaning that you would find the step at the next higher grade that is closest to your current salary without being under it & then move up 3 steps from there.

I just received my admin promotion and it did seem to follow that pattern.
I just checked Employee Express & it seems I just went to the first step on the next grade. I don't think you would go to one that is lower than your current pay though.

I'm under the impression that you basically get the closest grade that gets you 6% raise, more or less. Which makes sense as the step increases are 3% between each other so your actual promotion should be more of a raise than a step increase.

1of7
Jan 30, 2011

Saho posted:

I'm under the impression that you basically get the closest grade that gets you 6% raise, more or less. Which makes sense as the step increases are 3% between each other so your actual promotion should be more of a raise than a step increase.

I'm sure there is some formula for it that none of us are privy too. I came in at a pretty low step so even going to the 1st step of the next grade was quite good for me.

Johnny Five-Jaces
Jan 21, 2009


AKA Pseudonym posted:

I can't think of any literature but it's more than rumor, the previous CIO was really trying to push things in that direction. Keep in mind that the idea is more that those things would be a part of the job and the social media aspect would likely be more about looking at it from a tech perspective than a content perspective. People seem to be interested, but what this would all really look like and how we would get there is all still a little hazy.

Well that's cool. I'll have to be on the lookout for that. The social media aspect is whatever but advising on information infrastructure and security and so on would own.

Leif.
Mar 27, 2005

Son of the Defender
Formerly Diplomaticus/SWATJester
Third electric fire at my house. Yeah, FM might start to realize that we have a problem at this point.

Leif.
Mar 27, 2005

Son of the Defender
Formerly Diplomaticus/SWATJester

the_chavi posted:

Ugh. Was anything badly damaged in the garage? Like, say, a car?

Nope, it's more of a carport than a garage, and we don't even park the car in there. The only thing in there is the generator, a couple of buckets, and a handful of easily replaceable tools my gardener has.

TCD
Nov 13, 2002

Every step, a fucking adventure.

Diplomaticus posted:

Third electric fire at my house. Yeah, FM might start to realize that we have a problem at this point.

That's starting to become a POSHO issue...

Business of Ferrets
Mar 2, 2008

Good to see that everything is back to normal.

Diplomaticus posted:

Third electric fire at my house. Yeah, FM might start to realize that we have a problem at this point.

Make them put you in an adequate hotel until they find you someplace safe to live. Not joking here.

TCD
Nov 13, 2002

Every step, a fucking adventure.

Business of Ferrets posted:

Make them put you in an adequate hotel until they find you someplace safe to live. Not joking here.

Yeah, seriously. 1 fire, eh, it's AF. Several in a row and they identified that you can have more? That's an immediate housing petition along with a conversation with GSO/MGT or higher.

Leif.
Mar 27, 2005

Son of the Defender
Formerly Diplomaticus/SWATJester
Someone with more engineering knowledge than me explain this to me if I've got this right:

So our generator lacks an AVR -- it only kicks on when it detects low voltage, not excess voltage. Additionally, our house has a single-phase electrical system, and lacks a neutral. So when we get a surge, instead of 220 volts we get 380 volts on the line (that's the number the tech used, not sure if that was a measurement or an estimation). This blows out all sorts of electronics in the house, including fluorescent light bulbs. Our fluorescent light bulbs are made with cheap Chinese ballasts on the tubes, that are not grounded properly and have a tendency to get charged and spark fires. Putting in an AVR solves some of the problem -- mainly with the surges not triggering the generator, but it doesn't fix the problem of the neutral which requires some kind of rewiring by the electricians.

I think that makes sense, but my electrical engineering knowledge is basically what I've read randomly on Wikipedia...

psydude
Apr 1, 2008

Heartache is powerful, but democracy is *subtle*.

Diplomaticus posted:

Someone with more engineering knowledge than me explain this to me if I've got this right:

So our generator lacks an AVR -- it only kicks on when it detects low voltage, not excess voltage. Additionally, our house has a single-phase electrical system, and lacks a neutral. So when we get a surge, instead of 220 volts we get 380 volts on the line (that's the number the tech used, not sure if that was a measurement or an estimation). This blows out all sorts of electronics in the house, including fluorescent light bulbs. Our fluorescent light bulbs are made with cheap Chinese ballasts on the tubes, that are not grounded properly and have a tendency to get charged and spark fires. Putting in an AVR solves some of the problem -- mainly with the surges not triggering the generator, but it doesn't fix the problem of the neutral which requires some kind of rewiring by the electricians.

I think that makes sense, but my electrical engineering knowledge is basically what I've read randomly on Wikipedia...

This would be an excellent question to ask the electrician when he comes to sort this poo poo out.

Tyro
Nov 10, 2009
That really sucks, I am glad everyone is ok and the damage sounds like it wasn't too bad. I agree it's everyone else, definitely get is sorted ASAP, it sounds like an ongoing potential hazard! It looks like the root issue is dirty/unstable output from the local grid causing spikes, and you've already summarized the wiring issue afaik, but I'm no electrician either. good luck getting it fixed quickly.

Saho
Jun 9, 2012

Diplomaticus posted:

Someone with more engineering knowledge than me explain this to me if I've got this right:

So our generator lacks an AVR -- it only kicks on when it detects low voltage, not excess voltage. Additionally, our house has a single-phase electrical system, and lacks a neutral. So when we get a surge, instead of 220 volts we get 380 volts on the line (that's the number the tech used, not sure if that was a measurement or an estimation). This blows out all sorts of electronics in the house, including fluorescent light bulbs. Our fluorescent light bulbs are made with cheap Chinese ballasts on the tubes, that are not grounded properly and have a tendency to get charged and spark fires. Putting in an AVR solves some of the problem -- mainly with the surges not triggering the generator, but it doesn't fix the problem of the neutral which requires some kind of rewiring by the electricians.

I think that makes sense, but my electrical engineering knowledge is basically what I've read randomly on Wikipedia...

My experience with an AVR as it relates to a generator has to do with the type of voltage the generator puts out, it tries to smooth out the power to a more normal sine wave. Generators can produce pretty dirty power otherwise. You probably don't want your generator to kick on when it see's high voltage, for one the surge probably already hit your house anyway and blew stuff up and the surge probably lasted just a second or two anyway.

What maybe you're looking for is a full house voltage regulator, which will regulate the power coming from the city (and the generator) to your home. Although those are big and expensive and I'm not sure what's typical in embassy provided housing. When I was in africa we just used individual regulators for sensitive electronics and let everything else just ride it out.

As far as you lights blowing out, I'm not sure if it's due to the cheap fluorescents or the lack of ground, but I'm pretty sure you should blow a fuse before your light catches on fire regardless.

Is everything in the embassy housing pool setup this way? It feels like several things are amiss here...

Adbot
ADBOT LOVES YOU

Skandiaavity
Apr 20, 2005
if it's not grounded properly (the house wiring), then just echoing what BoF said. It's only your life and property :)

If your FM doesn't know about those dangers, I'd be very surprised. You can get pretty much any IMS/IMTS & they will tell you/whoever at post the importance of grounding. They also even tell you that in SOS Class now and use AF, specifically, as examples.

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • Post
  • Reply