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Federal Employment, DISA, and the MD/DC/VA Region. Lawrence Kerr and Scott Amack September 12, 2013. Sources for Job Search. USAJobs.gov National Labs Websites Pacific Northwest Laboratories Idaho National Labs Sandia National Labs Federal 3 Letter Agency site (FBI, CIA, NSA)
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Federal Employment, DISA, and the MD/DC/VA Region. Lawrence Kerr and Scott Amack September 12, 2013
Sources for Job Search • USAJobs.gov • National Labs Websites • Pacific Northwest Laboratories • Idaho National Labs • Sandia National Labs • Federal 3 Letter Agency site (FBI, CIA, NSA) • SFS Job Fair
USAJobs.gov • Primary Source for Government Jobs • Can create job agents to notify you of openings • www.usajobs.gov/StudentsAndGrads
PDF Resume vs. Builder • Builder • Takes more time • Easier to scan for keywords • Preferred by most federal agencies • PDF Resume • Can use existing resume • Quick and simple to upload • Saves you time
Reading Job Postings Title
Reading Job Postings Description
Reading Job Postings Department and Agency
Reading Job Postings Dates
Reading Job Postings Eligibility
Reading Job Postings Grade and Salary
Grades and Salary • GS-4 • Two Full Years of College Education • $30,456 Annual Salary* • GS-5 • Bachelors Degree • $34,075 Annual Salary* *figures are based on 2013 DC/MD/VA Step 1 Pay Scale
Grades and Salary • GS-7 • Bachelors Degree w/Honors (3.5 GPA or higher) • $42,209 Annual Salary* • GS-9 • Masters Degree • $51,630 Annual Salary* • GS-11 • PhD • $62,467 Annual Salary* *figures are based on 2013 DC/MD/VA Step 1 Pay Scale
DISA Mission and Vision • DISA, a Combat Support Agency, provides, operates, and assures command and control, information sharing capabilities, and a globally accessible enterprise information infrastructure in direct support to joint Warfighters, National level leaders, and other mission and coalition partners across the full spectrum of operations. • Information superiority in defense of our Nation.
Enterprise Engineering Directorate • Mission • The Enterprise Engineering Directorate provides a set of cross program engineering services. • Dedicated to solving problems • Supports Process Improvements • Supports DOD-wide Information Technology Development • Generates assessment models and simulations of network
EE4 Modeling and Simulation • Functions of EE4 • Develop models for GIG* Enterprise Services • Develop framework for GIG modeling and assessment • Collects and Analyzes GIG performance • Run Simulation and Optimize GIG architecture • Develop end to end utility computing, storage, and bandwidth supporting competing mission capability demands. *Global Information Grid
Benefits • Health/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance • 401K with 5% match • Education Benefit • Student Loan Payback • Transportation Subsidy • Telework • Wellness Program
Sequestration • Required 20% pay cut • 11 weeks total (Shortened to 6 weeks) • Every Friday or Monday Off • Budget Budget Budget
Pathways Internship Program • Internships • Must be currently enrolled in school • Designed to transition to Recent Graduate Program • Must complete 640 hours to transition or reapply for new job • Recent Graduates Program • Entry level position with little to no experience • Must have graduated within last two years to apply
Security Clearance • Required Secret Clearance • Fill out e-QIP online • Should read sf86 form in advance and prep • You will need to know everything about the last 10 years • Addresses, roommates, references, jobs, etc • Can only use one unique reference per item • Foreign Contact or dual citizenship can be challenging • Credit challenges can complicate things • Do not lie on the form
Other Observations • Chain of Command • Acronyms • Government Culture • Contractors vs. Full Time Employees
Getting There • Drove out • Approximately 2500 miles from Spokane • Left Monday, arrived Thursday • Bad driver alert: • Chicago during rush hour • Baltimore
Housing • Rented room in Baltimore for $550 per month • Challenges • Short term lease • Unfamiliarity with the area • Pay more than $550 per month
Housing Options • On base housing • Reasonable pricing • Family oriented • Apartment • Co-worker in Columbia, 1 bedroom for $1150 per month • Safe areas come at a price
Expenses Source: www.bestplaces.net, national average is 100
Crime Source: FBI Preliminary Annual Uniform Crime Report, January-December, 2012
Commute • Driving • 18 to 22 miles, depending on route • Typically around 30 minutes, but at times up to about 45 minutes • Usually longer getting home • Mass transit • Bus from house to light rail station • Shuttle from Odenton light rail stop to FGGM • 2+ hours, depending on time of day
Mass Transit • MARC • Service between Baltimore and DC • Only runs on weekdays • Metro • DC and surrounding areas • Usually convenient to DC attractions • Daily operation • Bus • Available, but not used by us
National Mall • Washington Monument • Capitol Building • Lincoln Memorial • Reflecting Pool • World War II Memorial • Vietnam Memorial
Smithsonian • On the National Mall • US History • Natural History • Air and Space • Freer Gallery of Art • The Castle • Air and Space Udvar-Hazy Center
Other Attractions • National Archives • Library of Congress • Congressional Offices • National Geographic Museum • White House • Arlington Cemetery
Favorite Eateries • Ben’s Chili Bowl • Landmark restaurant • Fogo de Chao • Brazilian Steakhouse • Potbelly Sandwich works • Bob Evans • Medieval Times • Scott misses Wegman’s
Getting Back • Scott drove • Left Thursday, arrived Saturday • Lawrence flew • About $300 • 5 hour layover in SLC due to late connecting flight
Recommendations • Access to an automobile is a big plus • Mass transit doesn’t go everywhere • Check out the neighborhood beforehand • “…as long as you don’t live off Orleans…” • Watch out for Baltimore drivers