|
How often do the IMS vacancy announcements happen? It says in the application that I should not apply before I'm awarded my degree (I graduate in June) - and this truly seems like a dream job to me.
|
#
?
Mar 8, 2013 01:38
|
|
|
|
| # ? Apr 23, 2024 21:46 |
|
|
Homie S posted:WHAA!?! I leave the office for one month and they start letting you take my precious career fairs? How else am I going to meet college co eds legitimately?! When they're working at Post as local staff, obviously. How else do you think the rest of us do it?
|
|
#
?
Mar 8, 2013 01:54
|
|
|
Business of Ferrets posted:Fed LE singing telegram/stripper? that provided nasty mental images right out of Reno 911. Imagine your local RSO singing/stripping then pulling out a security violation or protest warning. See?
|
|
#
?
Mar 8, 2013 02:14
|
|
|
FSOA in San Antonio today. 5 out of 10 passed, including me! Come on clearances, so I can get on the register . . .
|
|
#
?
Mar 8, 2013 02:17
|
|
|
Erkenntnis posted:How often do the IMS vacancy announcements happen? It says in the application that I should not apply before I'm awarded my degree (I graduate in June) - and this truly seems like a dream job to me. The worst that can happen is the same thing as if you didn't apply in the first place. Though I don't know if being rejected on those grounds invokes the 12 month bar on re-application. Question for DS SAs: careers.state.gov is being unusually squirrely about new application periods for the position, probably due to budget concerns and the fact that the loving ARB report on Benghazi didn't secure any additional funding. Is there any information you could share regarding the opening of an upcoming application period? (PMs or email included -- my username (.) SA at Gmail.) This is mostly due diligence on my part so that I know what I should plan for.
|
|
#
?
Mar 8, 2013 02:39
|
|
|
HiroProtagonist posted:Question for DS SAs: careers.state.gov is being unusually squirrely about new application periods for the position, probably due to budget concerns and the fact that the loving ARB report on Benghazi didn't secure any additional funding. Is there any information you could share regarding the opening of an upcoming application period? (PMs or email included -- my username (.) SA at Gmail.) I'll answer here for the benefit of other people wondering the same thing. It has been a while since I saw the last announcement and the impression I get from talking to people is that they are cutting back on new classes, though this isn't from any official source. We aren't getting new people (fresh out of BSAC) at my office until AUGUST! We are used to getting 5-10 people every other month or so. I am going to be spending some time with an HR dude tomorrow and I will try to pick his brain for info on upcoming classes (how many, when, how full.) I'll post anything I can share here.
|
|
#
?
Mar 8, 2013 02:52
|
|
|
HiroProtagonist posted:The worst that can happen is the same thing as if you didn't apply in the first place. Though I don't know if being rejected on those grounds invokes the 12 month bar on re-application. Put it this way, with sequestration here it's going to be non existent. I think Kerry said it himself, he can't employ ARB recommendations without the monies. quote:Fed LE singing telegram/stripper? I mean, I can play drums AND sing on Rockband simultaneously, so I got that going for me, which is nice. Pretty much my fallback.
|
|
#
?
Mar 8, 2013 08:23
|
|
|
Homie S posted:I mean, I can play drums AND sing on Rockband simultaneously, so I got that going for me, which is nice. Pretty much my fallback. We need to get a goon IRM/RSO shop going. The shenanigans would be epic.
|
|
#
?
Mar 8, 2013 17:33
|
|
|
So I've realized the land bridge at the FSI to the cafeteria is like just narrow enough that if a really fat person is walking in front of you you can't go around them without running into oncoming traffic.
|
|
#
?
Mar 8, 2013 17:35
|
|
|
psydude posted:So I've realized the land bridge at the FSI to the cafeteria is like just narrow enough that if a really fat person is walking in front of you you can't go around them without running into oncoming traffic. Those vents along the sides don't help with the usable space.
|
|
#
?
Mar 8, 2013 23:39
|
|
|
Just finished up a day repping DOS and DS at the Columbia U. job fair. I return with the following information and resources for prospective FS goons: First, something that I feel should be added to the OP: HR has developed, and barely advertised, this great smart-phone app for people interested in careers at DOS: DOSCareers app for Android DOSCareers app for Iphone not only does it condense our careers site down to a handy app, but it also contains practice test questions for the various disciplines. Seems handy for people just looking into applying as well as those at various stages of testing. Concerning DS Special Agent positions: I am told that the sequester has NOT impacted our hiring or training class plans for the foreseeable future. That said, I am also told there will not be another job opening window until Fall of 2013. No specific dates on when it will open, but the impression I got is they usually come out in October. Apparently, we are STILL interviewing people from the last job opening. If I find out anything more specific I'll post it here.
|
|
#
?
Mar 9, 2013 00:04
|
|
|
Skandiaavity posted:This just went out today, so IMS are still fair game. I just started my new job 
|
|
#
?
Mar 9, 2013 00:42
|
|
|
Bruxism posted:I am told that the sequester has NOT impacted our hiring or training class plans for the foreseeable future. That said, I am also told there will not be another job opening window until Fall of 2013. No specific dates on when it will open, but the impression I got is they usually come out in October. Apparently, we are STILL interviewing people from the last job opening. If I find out anything more specific I'll post it here. drat, good news and bad. My ranking is low enough that I don't see myself making it off before I expire. But hey there is always a chance.
|
|
#
?
Mar 9, 2013 01:26
|
|
|
Tyro posted:drat, good news and bad. My ranking is low enough that I don't see myself making it off before I expire. But hey there is always a chance. I don't have a ranking yet, but given no language/military I'll probably be low, so the scenario I dream about goes something like this: With all the budget uncertainty, DS is holding off on putting up any announcement because they have about 75 people on the register and only one more class planned this year (September). However, sometime later this year, Congress goes and approves everything they've requested for Diplomatic Security. House republicans have already proposed giving DS an extra $2 billion this year. Hopefully that goes through and some of it trickles down to a few new agent classes. But since it takes at least six months to go from announcement to getting people on board, all those classes get pulled out of the current register and everyone makes it. Hooray!
|
|
#
?
Mar 9, 2013 03:56
|
|
|
d1rtbag posted:FSOA in San Antonio today. 5 out of 10 passed, including me! Congrats! What cone? How's the OA look in San Antonia? They usually do OA in DC at BEX offices, is it at one of the passport offices scattered around the country? Erkenntnis posted:How often do the IMS vacancy announcements happen? It says in the application that I should not apply before I'm awarded my degree (I graduate in June) - and this truly seems like a dream job to me. Last three vacancies closing dates: February '12 September '12 April '13 So every 6-7 months, I'd guess November assuming budgets don't continue to implode. problematique fucked around with this message at 05:49 on Mar 9, 2013 |
|
#
?
Mar 9, 2013 05:29
|
|
|
Thanks Bruxism and Homie_S - really appreciate the info. The target date of Fall FY13 seems like it'd fall within the latter half of the 6-9 month window given as the timeframe for the next opening on 31 Dec. of last year. Hey State--let me do something already. Please? 
|
|
#
?
Mar 9, 2013 08:35
|
|
|
For people interested in the DS agent position: Just note that the two months that always are the months that I've seen the DS application open are in March and October, and occur in 1-2 week opening periods before it fills up or after that time has passed. Keep your eyes peeled during those two months for the openings.quote:Just finished up a day repping DOS and DS at the Columbia U. job fair. I return with the following information and resources for prospective FS goons: GRRR that's my favorite one! The spread is usually pretty solid. Was the diplomat in residence there? he's a really great guy, I've stolen a bunch of recruitment stuff off of him (because, as you have probably figured out, we are running way low on that stuff)
|
|
#
?
Mar 9, 2013 11:48
|
|
|
problematique posted:Congrats! What cone? Consular. I got a 5.6, so I feel pretty good about my chances, assuming clearances go without a hitch and we get funding from Congress. State leased some space in an 'Executive Suite' on the north end of the Riverwalk. It's a regular office building, so there were no secure areas to worry about. One odd thing I noticed: Out of ten candidates, I was the only one actually living in Texas. The rest were from all over the country, plus one from London (though he grew up in Austin). We even had two people from the D.C. area! Now that I've passed the OA, I'm already getting anxious about setting up the medical appointments and getting the security clearance. I just want to fast-forward and get on the register!
|
|
#
?
Mar 9, 2013 12:17
|
|
|
High five, d1rtbag, good job, solid score too.
|
|
#
?
Mar 9, 2013 13:03
|
|
|
OP updated with those links.
|
|
#
?
Mar 9, 2013 15:00
|
|
|
Homie S posted:GRRR that's my favorite one! The spread is usually pretty solid. Didn't see him. Actually an HR guy came from DC with boxes of stuff to give away. I didn't bring anything from the office.
|
|
#
?
Mar 9, 2013 17:21
|
|
|
Some intel for you IMS hopefuls. The March class pulled 12 people off the register, four were DNC and there were 16 total on the register, meaning, everyone who wasn't DNC on the register got appointments! Score #16 was a 5.3. I think this bodes well in lieu of sequester. It seems like there continues to be high demand for IMS. A hypothetical: I may be totally off but I think there are something like 750 active IMS, at a low-to-standard 5% attrition rate (retirements, resigning) that's 37 per calendar year. This lines up with about three classes of 12 on average over a year to just maintain numbers. Assuming a worst case were looking at 6 per class for the next year assuming the 2:1 hiring slowdown applies and State continues to have a large number of vacant IMS slots (they're something like 10-15% under authorized slots). That being said, I don't think worst case will apply, you cannot run the IT infrastructure of a large organization that has growing complexity and people by gutting the individuals that support IT without severely affecting your core mission. Due to the nature of some of the work IMS do, you just can't outsource certain things to local nationals.
|
|
#
?
Mar 9, 2013 21:28
|
|
|
Tyro posted:High five, d1rtbag, good job, solid score too. Thanks! Now I'm already starting to freak out about clearances. Every time you feel like you're making progress, this process throws another step at you...
|
|
#
?
Mar 9, 2013 21:53
|
|
|
d1rtbag posted:Thanks! Now I'm already starting to freak out about clearances. Every time you feel like you're making progress, this process throws another step at you... If you're not a terrorist or a spy, or in crushing debt, things should work out ok.
|
|
#
?
Mar 10, 2013 03:30
|
|
|
So, my PNQs are ready. Should I PM the people who said they'd check them over for their email addresses?
|
|
#
?
Mar 10, 2013 04:13
|
|
|
Barracuda Bang! posted:So, my PNQs are ready. Should I PM the people who said they'd check them over for their email addresses? Yup.
|
|
#
?
Mar 10, 2013 05:26
|
|
|
Barracuda Bang! posted:So, my PNQs are ready. Should I PM the people who said they'd check them over for their email addresses? I'd actually prefer that you send them via carrier pigeon. Address the pigeon to Embassy Tripoli; should get here within a few months.
|
|
#
?
Mar 10, 2013 08:39
|
|
|
IMS related hiring questions... 1. Scenario - just out of college with BS Math and BA Computer Science. The major duties of IMS are more along the lines of help desk type support. My current job I am a software developer/engineer. Is this going to hurt me? Or since I am applying under the recent graduate criteria, not doing "help desk" duties won't have a big impact? 2. Dual citizenship - as part of the hiring process will I have to renounce my dual citizenship? 3. What is the OA format? written multiple choice test? timed writing sample? interview? 4. Any study material suggestions? Thank you!
|
|
#
?
Mar 10, 2013 08:41
|
|
|
Tandem Couples Benefit Questions: 1. Authorized to ship two cars to overseas post? 2. Full overseas benefits such as COLA, housing allowances, etc.? 3. Can married couples be enrolled in the same FSS orientation class?
|
|
#
?
Mar 10, 2013 08:47
|
|
|
Business of Ferrets posted:If you're not a terrorist or a spy, or in crushing debt, things should work out ok. How much debt is too much debt? I'm finishing up my MA soon and have been looking in to FSO-type work, but I'm afraid about getting denied security clearance because of debt and the fact I've lived in China for like 4 years now. The only debt I have is my student loans, and while they aren't as big as some numbers I see thrown around, they certainly aren't small.
|
|
#
?
Mar 10, 2013 09:17
|
|
|
With student loan debt in particular, and debt in general, the bigger deal is "are you paying it on time/regularly?"
|
|
#
?
Mar 10, 2013 11:00
|
|
|
joe123456 posted:Tandem Couples Benefit Questions: Yes to all of these. You don't loose money or benefits being a tandem couple. Although to speak to the last one, the advice i've heard is you would rather have someone already on non directed tours before the other joins, and ideally not in the same cone due to the difficulty of placing two people on directed tours in the same spot.
|
|
#
?
Mar 10, 2013 11:08
|
|
|
Does anyone know who to actually contact in order to get a regrade for the FSOT essay? Googling turns up fsot@act.gov , but the address does not work.
|
|
#
?
Mar 10, 2013 11:12
|
|
|
Saho posted:Although to speak to the last one, the advice i've heard is you would rather have someone already on non directed tours before the other joins, and ideally not in the same cone due to the difficulty of placing two people on directed tours in the same spot. My A-100 had a tandem couple in it, but I'm a generalist and as always, YMMV. But, it's not unheard of.
|
|
#
?
Mar 10, 2013 12:31
|
|
|
joe123456 posted:IMS related hiring questions... For #2 - if you are considering working for the USG (regardless of if it is with the DoS or any other agency), and especially if it requires a security clearance, I would go ahead and start seriously consider renouncing your dual citizenship. 3/4 - DoS has a Specialist Study Guide, Just Google "department of state specialist study guide" and you will find the link on the DoS website.
|
|
#
?
Mar 10, 2013 13:06
|
|
|
SCRwM posted:For #2 - if you are considering working for the USG (regardless of if it is with the DoS or any other agency), and especially if it requires a security clearance, I would go ahead and start seriously consider renouncing your dual citizenship. I would disagree with this. State is quite reasonable when it comes to dual citizens and security clearances. I would wait to see what the adjudicators say.
|
|
#
?
Mar 10, 2013 13:10
|
|
|
When you are in Specialist class, I was reading you don't get a paycheck until you are about one month in to training (due to how the pay periods fall). I also read that your health insurance doesn't start until that same time. If you are currently in FEHB and you leave your current GS position for DoS, does that one month "gap" in insurance still exists or can you just maintain your current insurance. I think the answer is "no" just because you aren't getting "paid". Also, since I'm already FEHB eligible I can look at all the health insurance plans that are available to Gov employees. Does DoS offer any guidance on which plans to look at so that you will be covered overseas? My current one "says" you are covered worldwide (either the foreign doctor files directly with them or you just submit for reimbursement), but I would hate to get a plan then find out that Dr's in Crapistan aren't covered.
|
|
#
?
Mar 10, 2013 13:11
|
|
|
Business of Ferrets posted:I would disagree with this. State is quite reasonable when it comes to dual citizens and security clearances. I would wait to see what the adjudicators say. Thanks for the insight and clarification. I was looking at it from being proactive, but if DoS is accommodating to those with dual citizenships then yes, I would hold off and see what the investigators and adjudicators say.
|
|
#
?
Mar 10, 2013 13:16
|
|
|
SCRwM posted:When you are in Specialist class, I was reading you don't get a paycheck until you are about one month in to training (due to how the pay periods fall). I also read that your health insurance doesn't start until that same time. If you are currently in FEHB and you leave your current GS position for DoS, does that one month "gap" in insurance still exists or can you just maintain your current insurance. I think the answer is "no" just because you aren't getting "paid". If you are a fed government employee transitioning to State, there shouldn't be any gaps in either case. Just stay in close contact with the HR people and they will be able to tell you what you need to do for a smooth transition. It can be as easy as finishing your current job on a Friday, then reporting for your first day at State the following Monday.
|
|
#
?
Mar 10, 2013 13:17
|
|
|
|
| # ? Apr 23, 2024 21:46 |
|
|
SCRwM posted:For #2 - if you are considering working for the USG (regardless of if it is with the DoS or any other agency), and especially if it requires a security clearance, I would go ahead and start seriously consider renouncing your dual citizenship. Renouncing shouldn't be necessary. My girlfriend has dual citizenship (with a US friendly nation) and holds a TS. She just can't use her foreign passport, vote in elections there, etc. Not for State but she works overseas quite a bit and I can't imagine USCIS and State are that far apart in how they feel about it.
|
|
#
?
Mar 10, 2013 18:07
|
|