I ask this because I went down to HR to talk to them about using spousal preference to apply for a Civilian/Federal job and they told me I could only use spousal preference if I were currently a federal employee or had previously been a federal employee. I am a contractor working at a military facility now. My DH is Army and we PCS'd to HI about 6 months ago. I've never used spousal preference or applied for federal jobs. I have done research on the MSP program, but can't find anywhere that states you must have been or currently be a fed emp. The lady in HR says she's been there 20 years and that's the rule, but I'm saying it's not... can someone show me where it says this or is she wrong? I sent her a list of links showing the eligibility for MSP.
That's the line that I'd been told as well when we PCS'd to California, that you must be a current or prior federal employee in order to qualify for MSP CONUS.
For OCONUS, I've been told its different: you don't have to be current/prior federal but you must be married prior to PCS'ing AND be Command Sponsored. However, if you are not Command Sponsored, then you qualify for Family Member Preference instead of MSP. (I was told this when I checked into CPAC here in Korea; I qualified for the Family Member Preference.)
Sparky, I don't know how that would work for HI since it's pretty much considered an OCONUS move even though it's a US state.
Personally, I don't think it's right that MSP be reserved for those already a federal employee. What's the point of being having an MSP program if the majority of military wives can't use it?
I went back to HR and got more info. The lady thought I was only referring to "internal" job postings. For internal postings, you have to already be a fed emp or previous to get spousal pref. For external job postings, those available to all US citizens, spousal pref is available. For overseas, I didn't realize I could have spousal pref for internal jobs too... that is a pretty big deal. I will have to check into that. Thanks!
There was an AFAP issue that came up this year at TRADOC about the spousal preference. They wanted it available to all spouses, not just those that were coming back to CONUS from OCONUS, or that were just PCSing in. A lot of spouses do what Sparky is doing, working as contractors, then when/if the job goes civil service, or if they find one that appeals, they'll apply for it, but often get bumped because someone else has a preference and uses it. It is something that was sent up to HQDA, so now we just have to wait until that conference to see where it goes!
ive had a similiar issue-im a contractor working an installation-hubby is and guard member on long term ADOS-like for years-but duty station for his guard unit is 200 miles from where we live-since that outside the commuting area even tho this is where we live-ive lost two jobs to less qualified people who got spouse points.
Hi Sparky, I have asked the same questions about MSP as well. You can use it, however the jobs must be open to the public and not internally. I have been having a nightmare of a time getting into the system. I was working as a contractor, but ended up resigning because I was not offered any hope of making it into the system, although the jobs were the same as I was doing. I wish you luck in your search.
Thanks for the replies. The job req is open to the public and not just internal. So... I'm hoping things work to my favor. There's always the veterans to worry about who can swoop in and take it out from under us! Good luck to everyone. I'll keep you posted although we've been told it will be about a month before they even have the list of candidates who made the initial cut.
No Sparky, I'm not with the contactor anymore. The pay was not good and in the position I was in, there was no way to get into the government system. I resigned to come home and start from scratch. I have too much experience to be wasting my time in a dead end job. I live at AMR, hubby at Shafter.
We are Army also, DH is stationed at Tripler. We are moving onto Hickam next week. Usually contractors pay more (in my experience anyway), but I have the same issue w/ the company I took a job with. They're a small local contractor and don't pay nearly as much as the big dogs. I've got some irons in the fire with the bigger contractors too, but still think I want to go civilian.
I am not sure what I am going to do. I do have a masters degree, but it doesn't seem worth much lately. I have applied for a couple of CPOL positions, however, that's a shot in the dark. I have just about decided to learn to make leis and enjoy my time here. Maybe when I stop stressing something will turn up.
What part of AL are you from!? I can't figure out how to private message you on here... It tells me I don't have permission. If you can figure it out, pm me so I can give you my email addy!
Originally posted by Army_to_Air_Force: There was an AFAP issue that came up this year at TRADOC about the spousal preference. They wanted it available to all spouses, not just those that were coming back to CONUS from OCONUS, or that were just PCSing in. A lot of spouses do what Sparky is doing, working as contractors, then when/if the job goes civil service, or if they find one that appeals, they'll apply for it, but often get bumped because someone else has a preference and uses it. It is something that was sent up to HQDA, so now we just have to wait until that conference to see where it goes!
There's a similar AFAP issue that our local AFAP hopefully will be sending to the MACOM conference. It has something to do with evaluating the skills first then applying the preference once those with the required skill-set qualify. We'll see where it goes.
Did your TRADOC issue just came out recently? I was at the last DA AFAP conference and I don't remember seeing that issue. If it just got elevated to TRADOC then it probably won't appear until next year's conference.
