Remote work for FEMA

[u/Smooth-Dog-6058]

Considering a CORE role but would need to work remote for a few months until I can relocate to the region HQ. Anyone have experience with this? Trying to weight my options without ruining my chances at the job. TIA!

[u/Powerful_Dog7235]

well…remote work is not an option at any region right now without an existing reasonable accommodation, also the hiring freeze is still active through at least october 15

[u/Late_One_2535 → u/Powerful_Dog7235]

Is for FEMA specialist contractors as well?

[u/Jester_Hopper_pot → u/Late_One_2535]

contractors would be based on the company that is the prime on the contract

edit:spelling

[u/Smooth-Dog-6058 → u/Powerful_Dog7235]

This is an internal role, as I am a reservist now and have this core offer. Just trying to decide if I even ask for the accommodation before just solely for personal reasons or if that will reflect poorly on me

[u/Powerful_Dog7235 → u/Smooth-Dog-6058]

it won’t reflect any way on you…they won’t let you do it, like it will be a flat no

[u/Princeps_Aurelianus → u/Smooth-Dog-6058]

To be frank, you can live wherever you want. But when you’re scheduled to work you should ensure you’re at your desk.

[u/PommeFritesPrincess → u/Smooth-Dog-6058]

If it isn’t for a medical issue it probably won’t be allowed.

I know people who put in accommodation requests for legitimate medical issues months ago and they still haven’t been processed. You can ask your supervisor to do an interim agreement with you but that will depend on your supervisor, and again that is for legit medical issues only.

I would suggest having a convo with them and seeing if they would be willing to work with you on it but highly doubt that would go anywhere.

It’s simply ridiculous that telework isn’t an option anymore for situations that just make sense or even just to improve work life balance. It’s a shame and has made everyone’s quality of life and quality of work go down the drain due to burnout and bad morale.

[u/JP_N8ION → u/Smooth-Dog-6058]

WFH accommodation was denied for medical reasons, even with my managers approval. Then filed an appeal with doctors' assessment and recommendations, was then approved.

[u/UsualOkay6240]

You will not be allowed to work remotely

[u/Smooth-Dog-6058 → u/UsualOkay6240]

Okay, I was getting mixed things but everyone here saying it’s a no so interesting

[u/Atreides17 → u/Smooth-Dog-6058]

the only "remote" positions right now are those that are deployed 220+ days a year or if they have not found an office to send you to yet.

[u/Smooth-Dog-6058 → u/Atreides17]

Okay. Doesn’t add up to what someone told Me but again, getting all the same answers here so sounds like that person lied or was wrong

[u/FederalAd6011 → u/Smooth-Dog-6058]

Both things can be true, that person already has an established relationship with people in the office and you don’t, so it’s possible it may be true for that person but not you

[u/UsualOkay6240 → u/Smooth-Dog-6058]

Who told you would be able to work remotely?

[u/Smooth-Dog-6058 → u/UsualOkay6240]

A colleague who claims they also got approval but that eventually they have to relocate to the region hq. Was hoping I could do the same

[u/UsualOkay6240 → u/Smooth-Dog-6058]

You have to check when they got hired, if they were hired remotely, if they had their remote work agreement cancelled, etc. Otherwise you’re not properly informed on the topic.

[u/chicagoangler]

Honestly why pack and move for a job that may be gone in December or so when the review council ends. I would probably wait.

If you didn’t have to move, I would say go for it. But that’s a lot to invest in and maybe have nothing in the end. If FEMA re orgs or for some crazy reason even grows in staff after any “re branding” then I’m sure you could slide back into a core offer after there is more agency stability.

[u/BaronNeutron]

Remote work???? What is this, 2014-2024?

[u/Standard_Box_Size]

In the past, they've given people a grace period to move for a job and allowed them to work remotely until they can move. Definitely ask and make it clear you will relocate by a certain date.

[u/CommanderAze]

They don't offer remote at all. You would need to move to start.

[u/National_Lie_4798 → u/CommanderAze]

Hello do you know if FEMA will start hiring people again soon ?

[u/CommanderAze → u/National_Lie_4798]

There are some. That are hiring now but many positions wonttil the hiring freeze ends

[u/National_Lie_4798 → u/CommanderAze]

Gotcha , Thanks so much for your response:)

[u/Smooth-Dog-6058 → u/CommanderAze]

See I’m getting such mixed insights lol

[u/CommanderAze → u/Smooth-Dog-6058]

As a hiring official I have 0 abilities to offer remote or long term telework other than medical reasonable accomodation.

Best advice is figure out how to move fast.

[u/New-Procedure5022 → u/CommanderAze]

Could you place someone in a temporary travel status so they would qualify for per diem, car, and housing? Is that an option when negotiating?

[u/CommanderAze → u/New-Procedure5022]

No.

Some positions that deploy all the time to disasters qualify for that when supporting events but regional staff or HQ staff at fixed locations (unless deployed for response efforts or some trainings and other highly specific travel reasons for work) do not get that.

The advice stands. They want the job move quickly from one place to where it is being hired. They can give some flexibility with start date but especially this administration won't give you much of anything as a perk.

[u/PommeFritesPrincess → u/Smooth-Dog-6058]

Thats why you’d need to speak to your supervisor. It all comes down to how willing they are to make allowances for you. That said, some supervisors would not have a favorable view of a new employee who requests this if you aren’t careful about how you phrase it. I’d focus on the part about it being temporary while you’re moving.

[u/ForkingMusk]

Just have them set your EOD back, happens all the time. You will not be permitted to remote work.

[u/FederalAd6011]

No

[u/Strange-Reference-84]

definitely not

[u/SensitiveSilver4535]

Damn CORE offers are still going out in this day and age? 😯

[u/Smooth-Dog-6058 → u/SensitiveSilver4535]

Internal move yes. Check out the job board too

[u/SensitiveSilver4535 → u/Smooth-Dog-6058]

On USA job right?? Or is there an internal job board?

Edit: see it now. Wow there were 0 when i checked last week lol. Now there are some!

[u/ZuckerStadt → u/SensitiveSilver4535]

Internal are still going out vi email 

[u/Any_Employer_8311 → u/ZuckerStadt]

How do you get added to the internal jobs email list?

[u/SensitiveSilver4535 → u/ZuckerStadt]

I got those too , unfortunately those are all high grade positions i am not qualified for at this stage 😕

[u/Any_Employer_8311 → u/SensitiveSilver4535]

How do you get added to the internal jobs email list?

[u/AssignmentNo8488]

I’m a FEMA Core there is no remote work. You would need to be in DC in the office 5 days a week.

[u/Smooth-Dog-6058]

Hi all! Will have a few weeks before relocating but took the role remotely. I signed the offer with a date in it where I have to be at the site for region. Thanks for all the input!

[u/Juhkwan97]

Sorry, OP, I hope you won't mind if I barge in here and ask a somewhat related question.

I'm on a Contractor's roster for continuing work for the Hermit's Peak fire in NM. I've been told that we could expect deployment this Summer, but that has been pushed back a couple times. My understanding is that the Contractor can't proceed with deployment until there is contract approval from FEMA, and that contract approvals have been slowed down from the top down.

I kind of thought things might be moving, as in the last few weeks I have at least gotten a couple of emails, the last from FEMA, who told me my 2nd tier background check had been approved.

Just inquiring here, in case anyone may have any insight on timeline for this particular project. Thanks.

[u/Elite3571453 → u/Juhkwan97]

Also awaiting 2nd tier background how long was time frame?

[u/Juhkwan97 → u/Elite3571453]

The whole process has taken about 7-8 weeks.

[u/notthatkindofbaked]

You may be able to work out of another DHS office or maybe even a different federal office that is closer to you.