Leaving IT for DODEA
Leaving IT for DODEA
I'm new to IT, but as a future goal would love to work for the DODEA. From what I read they do their hiring from June to October normally. How do you join them and not screw over the current school that you're at and have to possibly pay a few months salary to get out of your contract? Am I missing something here?
Response
Recruiting in DODEA starts around Mayish and ends around Octoberish (but the bulk is June-August, especially if leadership wants the net IT to be there for the first day of instruction).
Youre not missing anything. Lots of DoDDS, the vast majority of those regardless of being in DE or IE break contract, rescind acceptance, withdraw their intent for appointment, it doesnt matter. Assuming you receive tenure (status made permanent) and its a career track appointment (which if your hired CONUS it highly likely is), I wouldnt worry about it, you will be in DoDDS as long as you want at least until retirement. Basically, you screw over your IS, and the sooner you push it out of your mind the better.
As for any penalties, you dont pay them; depart your IS as soon as youve received all your salary disbursements.
Youre not missing anything. Lots of DoDDS, the vast majority of those regardless of being in DE or IE break contract, rescind acceptance, withdraw their intent for appointment, it doesnt matter. Assuming you receive tenure (status made permanent) and its a career track appointment (which if your hired CONUS it highly likely is), I wouldnt worry about it, you will be in DoDDS as long as you want at least until retirement. Basically, you screw over your IS, and the sooner you push it out of your mind the better.
As for any penalties, you dont pay them; depart your IS as soon as youve received all your salary disbursements.
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wrldtrvlr123
- Posts: 1173
- Joined: Sat Feb 06, 2010 10:59 am
- Location: Japan
Re: Leaving IT for DODEA
Agree that many/most people will jump at the chance to accept a DoDEA offer even if it means upsetting their current int'l school (provided that DoDEA is seen as a worthy goal).
In practice, many admin will likely be fairly understanding. DoDEA is just different enough that it's not like jumping ship to go to another int'l school for a better deal/location. Also, as indispensable as we see ourselves sometimes, most schools will not have too much of a problem replacing most of us, even though they may complain about it.
If they do make a stink about it, as PG posted, many/most people will still find it worthwhile to make the jump to DoDEA. You either won't be going back or enough time will pass that you would likely still have good opportunities in the int'l school field should you want to go back.
In practice, many admin will likely be fairly understanding. DoDEA is just different enough that it's not like jumping ship to go to another int'l school for a better deal/location. Also, as indispensable as we see ourselves sometimes, most schools will not have too much of a problem replacing most of us, even though they may complain about it.
If they do make a stink about it, as PG posted, many/most people will still find it worthwhile to make the jump to DoDEA. You either won't be going back or enough time will pass that you would likely still have good opportunities in the int'l school field should you want to go back.
Re: Leaving IT for DODEA
Psyguy:
Do you know the recruitment website for Department of Defense schools?
Do you know the recruitment website for Department of Defense schools?
Reply
@senator
The website for the application is:
http://www.dodea.edu/Offices/HR/onlinea ... cation.cfm
DODEA doesnt list individual teaching vacancies.
The website for the application is:
http://www.dodea.edu/Offices/HR/onlinea ... cation.cfm
DODEA doesnt list individual teaching vacancies.
Re: Leaving IT for DODEA
Then how do you get a teaching job?
Reply
@senator
Long answer:
Once you complete the application you wait until the next application renewal which comes in March. All the applicants with applications on file in EAS (thats the digital application) get an email to verify, confirm, and renew their application. recruiting starts in Mayis and ends in Octoberish. Principals then submit a staffing request, once its approved they get an alphanumeric requisition code to hire someone. Principals and HR have a similar tool that allows them to candidates based on a number of perimeters in EAS. This allows them to choose candidates for a particular vacancy. This is called a referral list. If the principal finalizes the list in EAS you will receive an automated email notice telling your the subject and the location. The principal may then contact you to set up or have an interview.
Short answer:
You dont contact them, they contact you if they are interested in interviewing you. You arent applying for a particular appointment you are applying to a staffing pool, that at some time you may be contacted for a vacancy.
Long answer:
Once you complete the application you wait until the next application renewal which comes in March. All the applicants with applications on file in EAS (thats the digital application) get an email to verify, confirm, and renew their application. recruiting starts in Mayis and ends in Octoberish. Principals then submit a staffing request, once its approved they get an alphanumeric requisition code to hire someone. Principals and HR have a similar tool that allows them to candidates based on a number of perimeters in EAS. This allows them to choose candidates for a particular vacancy. This is called a referral list. If the principal finalizes the list in EAS you will receive an automated email notice telling your the subject and the location. The principal may then contact you to set up or have an interview.
Short answer:
You dont contact them, they contact you if they are interested in interviewing you. You arent applying for a particular appointment you are applying to a staffing pool, that at some time you may be contacted for a vacancy.
Re: Leaving IT for DODEA
Thanks, PsyGuy
Sounds even more serendipitous than a job fair.
How do DOD teaching jobs compare with decent international school teaching jobs?
Sounds even more serendipitous than a job fair.
How do DOD teaching jobs compare with decent international school teaching jobs?
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wrldtrvlr123
- Posts: 1173
- Joined: Sat Feb 06, 2010 10:59 am
- Location: Japan
Re: Leaving IT for DODEA
senator wrote:
> Thanks, PsyGuy
>
> Sounds even more serendipitous than a job fair.
>
> How do DOD teaching jobs compare with decent international school teaching jobs?
-----------------
True, it's definitely more of a long term asprirational type goal rather than something you can realistically achieve in a timely manner (for most people). On the upside, it doesn't cost anything to apply and once your application is in you just have to renew it once a year. If they want you they email or call and all interviews are by phone.
The salary is comparable/better to all but some of the elite int'l schools but the benefits generally surpass even those (e.g. they will move 18K lbs. of belongings including a vehicle, housing allowance generally will more than cover rent and utilities on a very nice place, additional tax free post allowance on top of salary, travel to home of record every year or two years depending on location, full free use of all base facilities including gyms, library, pools, commissary, BX, some use of medical facilities, depending on location, easy to buy cheap used cars, expedited drivers license, generally no visas required etc).
Another benefit is that although the package is overall comparable to 1st tier/elite int'l schools, the pressure/stress/expectations/work load are going to generally be far less than those schools which can make for a very nice lifestyle with a good work/life balance.
> Thanks, PsyGuy
>
> Sounds even more serendipitous than a job fair.
>
> How do DOD teaching jobs compare with decent international school teaching jobs?
-----------------
True, it's definitely more of a long term asprirational type goal rather than something you can realistically achieve in a timely manner (for most people). On the upside, it doesn't cost anything to apply and once your application is in you just have to renew it once a year. If they want you they email or call and all interviews are by phone.
The salary is comparable/better to all but some of the elite int'l schools but the benefits generally surpass even those (e.g. they will move 18K lbs. of belongings including a vehicle, housing allowance generally will more than cover rent and utilities on a very nice place, additional tax free post allowance on top of salary, travel to home of record every year or two years depending on location, full free use of all base facilities including gyms, library, pools, commissary, BX, some use of medical facilities, depending on location, easy to buy cheap used cars, expedited drivers license, generally no visas required etc).
Another benefit is that although the package is overall comparable to 1st tier/elite int'l schools, the pressure/stress/expectations/work load are going to generally be far less than those schools which can make for a very nice lifestyle with a good work/life balance.
Reply
@senator
I concur with @WT123.
Its very serendipitous, and way more so than a job fair. There are applicants in EAS that have been waiting years, decades and still have never gotten an offer. Its got to be your plan "C", you dont just wake up and say Im going to go work for DoDDS this year.
As I stated above I concur with @WT123, the comp is comparable to the elite tier and only a few elite or niche IS opportunities beat it, and when factoring for work load, there probably isnt a better opportunity. However, to be a little more balanced there are some negatives, and without picking nits, Ill focus on just the few that I see and have struggled with:
1) DoDDS isnt everywhere, and in most cases its pretty remote. You are limited to locations where we have ISs, this means your never going to find yourself in Paris or even France, you arent going to find yourself in Fiji either. If something like that is your dream job, you arent going to find it in DoDDS.
Where we are with a few exception are usually in remote places, that essentially arent in capital cities or major cosmopolitan locations (the exceptions mainly being our ISs in Seoul and one of the three within commuting distance from Tokyo). While many of our locations are within an hour or two to something metropolitan, the metropolitan and cosmopolitan hubs are usually half a day to a days travel away. This means that most of the time your social circle and opportunities are limited outside the military community. Though I know ITs, organized groups of them that have the coin, to where they work 5 days a week in whatever location they are and then travel to one of those places each weekend.
2) Following up with number 1. It can be very world shrinking working in DoDDS, for a career IT who has come from a more multi-cultural environment. DoDDS is very Pro American, and the way you hear it talked about by many within the system and within your social and professional circle. There are a lot of individuals who have been complaining about everything that basically isnt "American" for decades, and they have no intention of changing. You also need to at least play the role that the American Military Industrial Complex is supreme. There is this mentality of "military mindedness" that has a very hard line between those within the fold and those who arent. There are people Ive met who are in the Uniformed Service who put their lives on the line, who are really the tip of the spear, edge of the knife types. Then you have people who are stuck in military career limbo, who cant get out, because there skill set doesnt transfer to the civilian world or where it does they would lose so much starting over at entry level.
3) DoDDS has an insanely powerful union, and the tenure (permanent status) system means that there is a lot, and I mean A LOT of dead wood in DoDDS. The union is so powerful that you have to essentially do something criminal to lose your job, or even to have the process of losing your job started. An IS would have to assign a leadership member to essentially do nothing but supervise and monitor you for a year, before having any chance at termination. That means if you join the union and get permanent status you can sit back and pretty much have a job for life, but it also means you have to deal with a large number of ITs who dont care, stopped carrying years ago, and could give a rats butt about anything remotely educational or professional, and you have to deal with these ITs every single day. Forget collaboration, forget PD, forget tech integration, the motto is "Show Up, Dont Screw Up". You can do a whole career of chalk and talk, and worksheets in DoDDS and be absurdly compensated for the effort of showing up. DoDDS is where the lucky few go to semi-early-retire, and then actually retire. Its not everyone, but its prevalent enough that it permeates the culture.
I concur with @WT123.
Its very serendipitous, and way more so than a job fair. There are applicants in EAS that have been waiting years, decades and still have never gotten an offer. Its got to be your plan "C", you dont just wake up and say Im going to go work for DoDDS this year.
As I stated above I concur with @WT123, the comp is comparable to the elite tier and only a few elite or niche IS opportunities beat it, and when factoring for work load, there probably isnt a better opportunity. However, to be a little more balanced there are some negatives, and without picking nits, Ill focus on just the few that I see and have struggled with:
1) DoDDS isnt everywhere, and in most cases its pretty remote. You are limited to locations where we have ISs, this means your never going to find yourself in Paris or even France, you arent going to find yourself in Fiji either. If something like that is your dream job, you arent going to find it in DoDDS.
Where we are with a few exception are usually in remote places, that essentially arent in capital cities or major cosmopolitan locations (the exceptions mainly being our ISs in Seoul and one of the three within commuting distance from Tokyo). While many of our locations are within an hour or two to something metropolitan, the metropolitan and cosmopolitan hubs are usually half a day to a days travel away. This means that most of the time your social circle and opportunities are limited outside the military community. Though I know ITs, organized groups of them that have the coin, to where they work 5 days a week in whatever location they are and then travel to one of those places each weekend.
2) Following up with number 1. It can be very world shrinking working in DoDDS, for a career IT who has come from a more multi-cultural environment. DoDDS is very Pro American, and the way you hear it talked about by many within the system and within your social and professional circle. There are a lot of individuals who have been complaining about everything that basically isnt "American" for decades, and they have no intention of changing. You also need to at least play the role that the American Military Industrial Complex is supreme. There is this mentality of "military mindedness" that has a very hard line between those within the fold and those who arent. There are people Ive met who are in the Uniformed Service who put their lives on the line, who are really the tip of the spear, edge of the knife types. Then you have people who are stuck in military career limbo, who cant get out, because there skill set doesnt transfer to the civilian world or where it does they would lose so much starting over at entry level.
3) DoDDS has an insanely powerful union, and the tenure (permanent status) system means that there is a lot, and I mean A LOT of dead wood in DoDDS. The union is so powerful that you have to essentially do something criminal to lose your job, or even to have the process of losing your job started. An IS would have to assign a leadership member to essentially do nothing but supervise and monitor you for a year, before having any chance at termination. That means if you join the union and get permanent status you can sit back and pretty much have a job for life, but it also means you have to deal with a large number of ITs who dont care, stopped carrying years ago, and could give a rats butt about anything remotely educational or professional, and you have to deal with these ITs every single day. Forget collaboration, forget PD, forget tech integration, the motto is "Show Up, Dont Screw Up". You can do a whole career of chalk and talk, and worksheets in DoDDS and be absurdly compensated for the effort of showing up. DoDDS is where the lucky few go to semi-early-retire, and then actually retire. Its not everyone, but its prevalent enough that it permeates the culture.
Re: Leaving IT for DODEA
wrldtrvlr123 and PsyGuy,
Thank you for taking the trouble to provide your information. You have both been a lot of help.
Thank you for taking the trouble to provide your information. You have both been a lot of help.
Re: Leaving IT for DODEA
Yes, thank you for all the answers as well. I appreciate it.
Re: Leaving IT for DODEA
How does the retirement for DODEA compare to your typical public school in the US or a typical IT in Europe? Is it still normal to have to teach 25+ years to get a nice pension from DODEA?
Reply
@wilcoman
It would be difficult to compare each state and the EU has many differing schemes. I'll just give you the basic answers to your questions:
The pension system (FERS) is based on three sources: a defined benefit (much like a pension), Social Security, and a Thrift Savings Plan (401K basically).
Minimum service is 10 years, meaning you are vested at 10 years and can retire as early as 55, however there is a deduction for every year under 62. There is no mandatory retirement age, you can teach until you die.
Probably the biggest loss for DoDDS ITs is that once you exit the service your LQA, post allowance, etc. disappear.
It would be difficult to compare each state and the EU has many differing schemes. I'll just give you the basic answers to your questions:
The pension system (FERS) is based on three sources: a defined benefit (much like a pension), Social Security, and a Thrift Savings Plan (401K basically).
Minimum service is 10 years, meaning you are vested at 10 years and can retire as early as 55, however there is a deduction for every year under 62. There is no mandatory retirement age, you can teach until you die.
Probably the biggest loss for DoDDS ITs is that once you exit the service your LQA, post allowance, etc. disappear.