Advice on whether to jump ship

[Anonymous]

Career fed manager GS15 supervising 12 people. It’s policy work that has become extremely political (think climate change, immigration, reproductive rights in healthcare etc). My team is amazing, my supervisors are awesome, my salary is great especially since the raise, and I’m fully remote. I love my job, but I feel like all of these factors (being a supervisor in a policy role on a highly politicized issue) makes me vulnerable to a layoff in a Trump administration.

This is on everyone’s mind at work. All of my subordinates are concerned. My immediate supervisor let slip that she’s considering looking, if she hasn’t already.

I recently saw that my former mentor now runs a small (tiny) NGO and he’s hiring. The job is WFH. The salary is not reported but public filings show a director making 70k less than I do now, and a senior director making 30k less. (The job advertised is for a Director).

My old mentor is a very well respected person. I’m pretty sure the role is cushy. Maybe the decline in salary would be worth the (hopefully) better work life balance. (Though my busy days are very fulfilling maybe a change of pace would be better).

I’m a single parent to a special needs child. I have savings but I have a big mortgage too. I’d really like to keep a remote position.

I need to decide ASAP if I’m going to reach out to him on this. Do you think I should go for the new position?

TLR should I take a huge pay cut into a secure remote roll so I have some job security in the event Trump wins?

[Anonymous]

I should also note I am in my late 40s. I’m eligible for a pension bc I’ve been in government for 23 years. I won’t be able to take my health care though unless I go back for five years before retirement.

[Anonymous]

Things to consider:

1) How much is your happiness in current job based on your supervisor?

2) even if not layoffs in your current role (which I understand are very hard to do in the government) you could be rolled back from remote.

3) Nothing wrong with at least reaching out to former mentor to learn a bit more about the position. You obviously don't want to make a big push if you're not sure you want it, but expressing an initial interest is not a big push.

4) How stable is the NGO?

[Anonymous]

I’m certain schedule F would come back again and I’m in a supervisory role in a policy position- definitely at risk for losing my civil service protections.

Current happiness is linked to supervisor but also entire chain of command and my amazing staff.

While we are pretty committed to remote I could definitely see RTO for supervisors. Commute is 30-40 min and I have parking at the office. But I hate going to the office.

NGO is pretty stable with big donors like Gates etc.

If I leave and they offer early retirement I’ll be mad though! I’ll be eligible for it by then.

[Anonymous]

I'd stay and see what happens. If they go Schedule F on everyone, there will likely be some form of early retirement offered. The lawsuits will gum things up for a long time. It's always easier to stay in the government than to leave and try to get back in.

If you're really that worried, maybe look to make a lateral move within your agency or another agency (transfer). Get a job working on issues that are lower profile or cause less agita.

You have a kid with special needs. You need to focus on keeping your high salary and good health care benefits. Small NGO world likely means cuts to comp and benefits. If that NGO doesn't get the next big grant, your job can be cut easily.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I'll also say if they do the Schedule F shenanigans and you get fired, there will likely be restitution at some point in the future. So you could be in line for a large settlement.

[Anonymous]

I left based on similar concerns but I did not feel protected in my position for a number of reasons that are pretty unique to that job.

If you are a career fed manager I would think you have lots of options if you wait it out and things go sideways.

[Anonymous]

With a former mentor it seems like it would be okay to reach out to express interest and also be honest about your concerns, see if they have flexibility relative to the job posting, etc. He knows you and is probably willing to be transparent. And I doubt he would be offended at the idea that you aren’t eager to take a pay cut. People understand and they may have more flexibility than you think.

[Anonymous]

You're assuming way too many things.

That Trump will win.
That Trump will implement Schedule F immediately.
That it won't be held up in litigation for years.
That your job will be classified as Schedule F.
That you won't have any form of recourse appeal rights.

Trump can only serve a four year term. Highly likely that even if he wins and forges ahead, you can ride out most or all of that time.

It makes no sense to me to switch to an at will position because of something that might happen after several years, especially for less money.

[Anonymous]

trump tried to eliminate my old agency the first time around. VERA and VSIP orders went through, but the RIF was severely delayed and reduced. Given that you are close to 25 years, (and presumably also close to 50), I would wait to see what happens.

[Anonymous]

What is schedule F? Very tough to be let go from the feds.

Is govt pension transferable to a special needs kid?

NGO is very easy to close down. No regulations whatsoever.

That said, if you have strong networks in the feds, i vote take the NGO job then boomerang back at a higher salary

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is schedule F? Very tough to be let go from the feds.

Is govt pension transferable to a special needs kid?

NGO is very easy to close down. No regulations whatsoever.

That said, if you have strong networks in the feds, i vote take the NGO job then boomerang back at a higher salary

OP is already a GS15, so the only option for a higher salary would be an SES job or a finreg. And honestly, it would be hard to come back at a *raise* if they took a paycut to go to the NGO job. Specifically, though, healthcare benefits provided through retiree FEHB for an adult child with special needs could continue if OP dies as an annuitant with healthcare benefits. But she would only get that if she can retire from the gov, not leave before retirement.

Schedule F: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schedule_F_appointment

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t unless the funding for the ngo is insanely secure, like someone died and left it to your boss.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Career fed manager GS15 supervising 12 people. It’s policy work that has become extremely political (think climate change, immigration, reproductive rights in healthcare etc). My team is amazing, my supervisors are awesome, my salary is great especially since the raise, and I’m fully remote. I love my job, but I feel like all of these factors (being a supervisor in a policy role on a highly politicized issue) makes me vulnerable to a layoff in a Trump administration.

This is on everyone’s mind at work. All of my subordinates are concerned. My immediate supervisor let slip that she’s considering looking, if she hasn’t already.

I recently saw that my former mentor now runs a small (tiny) NGO and he’s hiring. The job is WFH. The salary is not reported but public filings show a director making 70k less than I do now, and a senior director making 30k less. (The job advertised is for a Director).

My old mentor is a very well respected person. I’m pretty sure the role is cushy. Maybe the decline in salary would be worth the (hopefully) better work life balance. (Though my busy days are very fulfilling maybe a change of pace would be better).

I’m a single parent to a special needs child. I have savings but I have a big mortgage too. I’d really like to keep a remote position.

I need to decide ASAP if I’m going to reach out to him on this. Do you think I should go for the new position?

TLR should I take a huge pay cut into a secure remote roll so I have some job security in the event Trump wins?

Don’t worry. Trump will not win. I can’t believe you are even considering this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Career fed manager GS15 supervising 12 people. It’s policy work that has become extremely political (think climate change, immigration, reproductive rights in healthcare etc). My team is amazing, my supervisors are awesome, my salary is great especially since the raise, and I’m fully remote. I love my job, but I feel like all of these factors (being a supervisor in a policy role on a highly politicized issue) makes me vulnerable to a layoff in a Trump administration.

This is on everyone’s mind at work. All of my subordinates are concerned. My immediate supervisor let slip that she’s considering looking, if she hasn’t already.

I recently saw that my former mentor now runs a small (tiny) NGO and he’s hiring. The job is WFH. The salary is not reported but public filings show a director making 70k less than I do now, and a senior director making 30k less. (The job advertised is for a Director).

My old mentor is a very well respected person. I’m pretty sure the role is cushy. Maybe the decline in salary would be worth the (hopefully) better work life balance. (Though my busy days are very fulfilling maybe a change of pace would be better).

I’m a single parent to a special needs child. I have savings but I have a big mortgage too. I’d really like to keep a remote position.

I need to decide ASAP if I’m going to reach out to him on this. Do you think I should go for the new position?

TLR should I take a huge pay cut into a secure remote roll so I have some job security in the event Trump wins?

Don’t worry. Trump will not win. I can’t believe you are even considering this.

Are you kidding. We were so sure that Hillary would win.

https://youtu.be/qVMW_1aZXRk?si=9Kk5sZvyKV_0O2GF