Fed attorney jobs with 50% or more telecommuting?

[Anonymous]

I'm a fed attorney (DOJ) with good experience and good performance reviews, like my job, but for family reasons want to move to an exurb. I can't do that commute more than 2x week. I hear there are agencies with much more liberal telecommute policies, but can't find that information. Any hints? Thanks

[Anonymous]

I've heard that the VA encourages telework due to resource constraints (i.e. no space).

[Anonymous]

So just a thought here...

I have always thought that people who go looking for agencies with telework are going about it wrong. If you already are a fed attorney, than you know that there is a wide variety of fed attorney jobs. Let's say, for example, you work in procurement. At any given point in time, there are only likely to be one or two procurement openings. Why not just apply to all of them? It isn't that hard when you have your resume in order. Then, if you get started in the interview process, you can then find out about telework, other flexibilities, culture, etc. If the job doesn't suit your needs, you can always turn down any offer you get, and you will have hones your interview skills.

That being said: PTO, GSA, VA,

[Anonymous]

Telework is such a sham. People don't really work very many hours -- they just pretend. They're really doing errands, sleeping late,, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Telework is such a sham. People don't really work very many hours -- they just pretend. They're really doing errands, sleeping late,, etc.

That may be true for you, but not for me. I get more done on my telework days. I have an easier time writing at home. Have always been that way, even in college and grad school. The library was distracting. I got my real studying done at home at my desk or kitchen table.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So just a thought here...

I have always thought that people who go looking for agencies with telework are going about it wrong. If you already are a fed attorney, than you know that there is a wide variety of fed attorney jobs. Let's say, for example, you work in procurement. At any given point in time, there are only likely to be one or two procurement openings. Why not just apply to all of them? It isn't that hard when you have your resume in order. Then, if you get started in the interview process, you can then find out about telework, other flexibilities, culture, etc. If the job doesn't suit your needs, you can always turn down any offer you get, and you will have hones your interview skills.

That being said: PTO, GSA, VA,

I hear you, but I'm a litigator. My field doesn't lend itself to telework. So I'm not sure where to cast this net.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Telework is such a sham. People don't really work very many hours -- they just pretend. They're really doing errands, sleeping late,, etc.

This. And don't forget free childcare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So just a thought here...

I have always thought that people who go looking for agencies with telework are going about it wrong. If you already are a fed attorney, than you know that there is a wide variety of fed attorney jobs. Let's say, for example, you work in procurement. At any given point in time, there are only likely to be one or two procurement openings. Why not just apply to all of them? It isn't that hard when you have your resume in order. Then, if you get started in the interview process, you can then find out about telework, other flexibilities, culture, etc. If the job doesn't suit your needs, you can always turn down any offer you get, and you will have hones your interview skills.

That being said: PTO, GSA, VA,

I hear you, but I'm a litigator. My field doesn't lend itself to telework. So I'm not sure where to cast this net.

The type of telework you want is much rarer for litigators. Agencies like VA, SSA, and USPTO are where it's most common, but their attorneys are glorified claims examiners.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So just a thought here...

I have always thought that people who go looking for agencies with telework are going about it wrong. If you already are a fed attorney, than you know that there is a wide variety of fed attorney jobs. Let's say, for example, you work in procurement. At any given point in time, there are only likely to be one or two procurement openings. Why not just apply to all of them? It isn't that hard when you have your resume in order. Then, if you get started in the interview process, you can then find out about telework, other flexibilities, culture, etc. If the job doesn't suit your needs, you can always turn down any offer you get, and you will have hones your interview skills.

That being said: PTO, GSA, VA,

I hear you, but I'm a litigator. My field doesn't lend itself to telework. So I'm not sure where to cast this net.

If you are a litigator, you are unlikely to get a more than 50 percent telework regardless of agency, maybe one or two day max.

[Anonymous]

The IRS allows frequent telework, but it seeks to recruit people with tax backgrounds or interest in tax, not people with no tax experience who want to telework. I recommend seeking a more telework-friendly job within your agency or working with your management on steps to further telework in your current position. It seems that telework is gradually expanding everywhere, so things may change for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Telework is such a sham. People don't really work very many hours -- they just pretend. They're really doing errands, sleeping late,, etc.

This. And don't forget free childcare.

They're supposed to have paid child care if they telework, but I suspect many do not. It's a complete and utter sham.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So just a thought here...

I have always thought that people who go looking for agencies with telework are going about it wrong. If you already are a fed attorney, than you know that there is a wide variety of fed attorney jobs. Let's say, for example, you work in procurement. At any given point in time, there are only likely to be one or two procurement openings. Why not just apply to all of them? It isn't that hard when you have your resume in order. Then, if you get started in the interview process, you can then find out about telework, other flexibilities, culture, etc. If the job doesn't suit your needs, you can always turn down any offer you get, and you will have hones your interview skills.

That being said: PTO, GSA, VA,

I hear you, but I'm a litigator. My field doesn't lend itself to telework. So I'm not sure where to cast this net.

So that is a crucial piece of information. You should temper your expectations. What type of litigation do you do? Are you defending the government in federal court or administrative proceedings, or are you bringing enforcement actions?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Telework is such a sham. People don't really work very many hours -- they just pretend. They're really doing errands, sleeping late,, etc.

That may be true for you, but not for me. I get more done on my telework days. I have an easier time writing at home. Have always been that way, even in college and grad school. The library was distracting. I got my real studying done at home at my desk or kitchen table.

+1. Also, I tend to work longer hours on the days I telework because I don't have to rush out the door for anything. And it makes me a more loyal employee.

OP, some of the financial regulators have regularly allowed telework, but you usually need some financial experience to get a job there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Telework is such a sham. People don't really work very many hours -- they just pretend. They're really doing errands, sleeping late,, etc.

That may be true for you, but not for me. I get more done on my telework days. I have an easier time writing at home. Have always been that way, even in college and grad school. The library was distracting. I got my real studying done at home at my desk or kitchen table.

You must have been in a quiet place, because I get my studying done on campus, as libraries and other study places have closed door group rooms to study.

Even when I teleworked, it didn't make any difference, I could get just as much done at home than at work.

[Anonymous]

OP, even at agencies that are telework friendly, whether a particular employee will be permitted to telework, and how much, is completely dependent on the supervisor. For this reason, I agree with the PP who suggested applying for everything and then in the interview process, you will need to discuss telework.

What kind of litigation do you do? Is there a way to transfer that to non-litigation in the same subject matter?