FEMA has decided to "convert" the Cadre of On-Call Response Employee (CORE) positions to Permanent Full-Time (PFT) employee positions. Sounds great right? NO! They forgot that when they forced 800 CORE employees to re-apply for their own jobs that pointed veterans would apply too. I have worked at FEMA for 12 years. I have given a third of my life to them. I have responded to over 50 disasters including the Los Angeles earthquake in 1994, The Oklahoma City bombing, September 11th, and Hurricane Katrina.I just found out yesterday that I scored 100 out of 100 on my application for my own position, but since there were 4 "pointed veterans" in front of me, I will have to find another job.
The bottom line is that I am an experienced FEMA employee that has done my job and done it well. Now I am being forced to leave right before hurricane season to someone that has never worked for FEMA. Why didn't they just convert us to PFT employees? They said it was because "legislation did not waive Title 5 of the US Code." Did they fight for us? I think not.
My thanks, and condolences, to the author of this comment, who I am hoping will be back to read this post and accept my relatively meaningless but sincere thanks for the dedication and important work he or she has performed.
I admit that I don't know what a "pointed veteran" is, and I'd like to have that defined for me. I can guess, but I shouldn't.
I looked on the FEMA website, and the employment opportunities page still offers a link to apply for these jobs. Here's a little bit of the PR:
FEMA is striving to become the employer of choice for high quality individuals looking for an environment that fosters innovation, rewards performance and creativity, and provides challenge on a routine basis.
Yeah, well, we know now what a crock that part about rewarding performance is.
I think this amazingly inane policy is a common type problem in bureaucracy, but few if any of the bureaucratic agencies who adhere to such assinine (and unjust) practices are handling such high stakes situations as FEMA. It boggles the mind, and it's not very comforting to think about when you factor in the increased likelihood of future major attacks and the scientific information about steadily increasing extreme weather.
Luckily for me, I don't worry about those things. But for the rest of you...it looks like it's going to be every man for himself. I hope you have good neighbors.
I have worked for FEMA for 8 years and am in the same boat. I am a CORE employee and my position is being converted to a permanent one. I will have to apply for my own job, where I have received numerous awards for my performance. I recently applied for a similar job, scored a 100 and didn't even make the interview (certification) list because Veterns get "bonus points". FEMA stands to lose to nearly 300 experienced people - maybe as much as 1500 to 3000 YEARS of experience. NOT a smart move.
ReplyDeleteI have worked for FEMA for over 5 years. Started at the bottom and have worked my way the ladder. Had to apply for my position and was told that I did not make the list to even be selected. I know my job and take nothing for granted. FEMA would much rather hire from the outside. Experience does make a difference, but with FEMA it doesn't matter at all.
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