Any Tinker Civil Service folks here? I have questions.

[Davs2601]

I am wondering what I can do to progress in my career out at Tinker. I have 11 yrs and a bachelors degree. I had hoped the degree would open doors, but it hasnt. I spoke with my staffing specialists yesterday and got some disheartening news. I told here im working on my masters, A&P lic., and the Squadron Officers School. She told me that none of these would help at all as a wg-10.

I was told i need to network to get other skill codes. To me that is a polite way of saying i need to start kissing rear ends to get anywhere. Thats bs

I think i may start looking at other federal servce areas.

Anyone have any advice? I just kinda frustrated. I also have 80's on all my last apprasials

Thanks

 

[dcoop46]

Getting promoted at Tinker involves a lot of kissing tush. Job proficiency has little to do with it. My god man, look at the supervisors!

 

[101ABN327]

First off, you need to get into a Supply Chain Series and into the GS side. WG pay grades are dead end. STAY AWAY FROM THE DAMNED UNION! Once you get a reputation of chumming around with those clowns...good luck getting promoted. Don't be afraid to take a supervisory job. There are other Agencies to work for, not just Air force, BE FLEXABLE! Go to grad school and look at a major like Public Administration. Don't paint yourself into a corner with your training. Hard work goes a long way, not ass kissing. Do good work and get noticed. Go above and beyond what is required of you. Remember: The "Warfighter" isn't just some buzzword people like to throw around; he/she is a person who volunteered to go where most would not go, for less money and at incalculable risk to their personal safety. RESPECT THAT!

 

[blckthree]

Like was said before, the WG-10, while a respectable grade, it is pretty much a dead end. You need to look at job announcements in the GS pay scales, you will occasionally find some that are entry level, lead-in positions, grab one of those and go from there. You may have to take a step backward, to get out of the shops. But once you get out, with your degree you should be able to move up again.

Outside chance, the A&P license might help you get in as an Equipment Specialist. Lots of opportunity in Supply Chain Management.

Don’t know if you have already, or if your staffing specialist told you to, but get that personnel file beefed up. Put in your education, any volunteer work you have done, any past experience, anything that makes you look good.

From there, just apply for everything that looks appealing to you. Sooner or later, you just might get lucky. With the degree and working on the masters, I would think you would qualify for something to get you out of the shop.

Good luck!
Mike

 

[dhish]

Look into applying for TOPS positions GS5 to GS11 or GS5 to GS9. With a degree and "good" appraisal scores you can get into an ES, Planner or QA slot. I highly recommend going for an 1670 series job (ES). TOPS is a save pay program, but it is capped out, $59000 I believe. Anyway, that's how I got off the floor and into the ES slot I'm in now. Note there is no OT or CT with most ES positions, so if you like the OT pay you may need look at the pros/cons. Good luck.

 

[sigsilly]

If you want to be promoted at Tinker, you'll need to become a Freemason.
The Civil Service is ate up with them.

 

[Mr10mm]

You need to apply as a off base hire. They have a program called DCIP. Get with personal on how to apply as they are not advertised. They start you back as a gs-7 but they go to gs-11 or gs12. Oh ya they will keep you on save pay.

 

[andrsnsm]

Why do you feel like you have to stay working for the government? Pay is good and benefits are good but opportunity is limited. You will never get anywhere as a WG so you need to either go private sector or GS. Once you become either, be better than your peers. As a GS your time in grade is important, as a private sector employee your performance is more important than time in grade. As for all the folks crying about having to kiss up that is not true. Yes, you have to perform and go the extra mile. Many times the folks that are comaining are the ones that think time in grade is all that matters. I know GS-11's that are far more valuable than many GS-13's. It is a real shame that performance is not THE key to advancement. That said, experience (career broadening) is important. Those that stay in the same job or area their whole career are not well rounded and, frankly, do not deserve to advance. One must see the big picture and be more than an expert one one field. I am not an all knowing authority on advancement within civil service, I am in the private sector, but I have worked with the Depot for twenty-four years and have seen a lot over that time. Bottom line is always be better and work harder than your competition, don't get pigeon holed in one area, and look for opportunity. Be diplomatic, brown nosing is obvious and a turn off.

 

[Davs2601]

Ive been a reservist for the past 11yrs in A/C mx. Most of those years I was either activated or an Air Reserve Technician so I appreciate good parts and aircraft that are produced from the ALC's. As an Air Reserve Technician I was civil service, but my position was directly tied to my military obligation. I have since left that position and took another wg-10 position rebuilding fuel controls. I fugured it would give me exp in another area.

The problem is that I talked with my staffing specialists about the TOPS positions. I was told I am maxed out on points already with my bachelors and good appraisals, but rank too low to make the roster. I would like to cross over into an ES position, but im not sure who I can. I think I may have to leave civil service to get where I want.

Im not in the union

I noticed that the FAA requires an A&P lic for most positions. The Air Force has an A&P program available to active duty and reservists in ac mx. I am almost done with my OJT tasks then will file for my testing letter.

Initially when I was hired it was into aircraft fuel systems mx 8268 which is a code used at most bases and AFRC for the ART positions. The problem is that the 8268 skill code is not used at Tinker AFB for fuel systems. It is coded under 8852, general aircraft mx. I sent off an email about correcting my past militay exp with an OF 612. I had planned to split my 2 year activation into two years. one year of 8852 work and the other as 1670 ES.

I will look into the DCIP program, thanks for the advice.

WG-10 is good pay and I hate to complain at a time when some are loosing jobs and would love to have my position. It just becomes frustrating when I will soon have my masters degree and according to staffing Im no more qualified that the guy that sits across from me that is a high school drop out. I feel bad for my family also. They have sacrificed alot for me to go to school. I was hoping that the degree would lead to a better position with better pay, but it seems like all the sacrifice was a waste of time.

Thanks again guys

 

[HarryBear]

If you want to be promoted at Tinker, you'll need to become a Freemason.
The Civil Service is ate up with them.

I second that, as I am one. We control everything.