Fed Jobs Searching Telework

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why, specifically, do you want to telework? I wonder if your current supervisor thinks you will abuse it (teleworking to avoid daycare costs, for example)? Is he/she a face-to-face manager?

If others at your agency telework, can you move to another office/division?

Side note- can other people move around that easily?!! If I wanted to move to a different office, they would have to post a job ad on usa jobs for me and then I would apply and get it.

Um, yes, but presumably you could do some networking and be notified if that job opens up. Often intra-agency transfers are easier than a full search if it is for a comparable position.

[Anonymous]

People within my agency move around pretty regularly without a full search. Particularly the analysts.

OP, it sounds like you would benefit from meeting others that do your job and finding out how common teleworking really is. As others have pointed out, some agencies have very high telework rates, but if they don't hire in your area, you are out of luck. . .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why, specifically, do you want to telework? I wonder if your current supervisor thinks you will abuse it (teleworking to avoid daycare costs, for example)? Is he/she a face-to-face manager?

If others at your agency telework, can you move to another office/division?

Side note- can other people move around that easily?!! If I wanted to move to a different office, they would have to post a job ad on usa jobs for me and then I would apply and get it.

This is not a legal requirement. You can be reassigned to any job you meet the minimum qualifications for, even involuntarily. In fact, you can be transferred to a completely different agency without competition (with minimal restrictions regarding vets on open certs and people who have been RIFed.)

[Anonymous]

Some job postings on USA Jobs do say that telework is available.

In my experience this is something that is extremely supervisor specific, and there are still plenty of supervisors who are anti-telework. So applying to an agency like PTO that has a reputation as being telework friendly is great, but you will still want to make sure that your particular supervisor is on board with it. I work at an agency that is generally telework friendly, but my particular office is not.

I think it's a fair question to ask in the first interview, toward the end. I also think you should ask the supervisor before you accept the job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
In my experience this is something that is extremely supervisor specific, and there are still plenty of supervisors who are anti-telework.

Mine is that type. Fine - then don't expect me to even pick up the phone when they have an "alert exercise".

[Anonymous]

DISA is telework friendly. Usually you have to be in a he office 3-6 months before they let you telework. I telework 3 days a week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think your best bet to research some of the agencies that you're interested in or often hire your particular job series. Hopefully, in 8 years as a fed you've had opportunities to network outside of your agency. I know of several agencies that allow telework because of personal contacts I have at those agencies.

You can also dig into the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey responses (by agency). There are questions (#72 and 73) there that ask about teleworking. For instance, you can see that 22% of employees at DHS were told they are eligible for telework compared to 85% at EPA.
http://www.fedview.opm.gov/2014/Published/

NP-
Can you suggest how I can network outside my agency. I have 7yrs here BUT my agency is right outside Baltiomre. I am not in DC where I can rub elbows and have lunch with others in different agencies. I need tips.