DODD Teachers Chatboard

HelpOthers I think this is being done, so that they can more easily move and shift locations of offices in the future. If one area closes or becomes smaller than another, the main office for that district may be moved to a more populated area with no need for a name change.

On 7/14/16, reality sheriff wrote: > The updated DoDEA website pages are r...See More

Jul 14, 2016

Competency Ratings for Referral List

by Jordan

Jul 11, 2016

Hello, I'm looking for feedback on what affects competency ratings used to put you on referral lists. I have a principal that has expressed personal interest in hiring me, but stated that my competency rating wasn't high enough to get me on the referral list.

Is there anything that can be done to improve this? or ask for re-evaluation? My...See More

DoDDS is a long shot, as you are finding out. I am assuming you are MS a/o HS *and* seeking only DoDDS (overseas) employment *and* that you do *not* have prior overseas living experiences, so... 1. Are you multi-certified? If not, get cracking on becoming so. Even if you are cert'd in (arguably) scarcer fields such as Math or SpEd, you still need a...See MoreDoDDS is a long shot, as you are finding out. I am assuming you are MS a/o HS *and* seeking only DoDDS (overseas) employment *and* that you do *not* have prior overseas living experiences, so... 1. Are you multi-certified? If not, get cracking on becoming so. Even if you are cert'd in (arguably) scarcer fields such as Math or SpEd, you still need as many additional certs as you can tolerate acquiring in order for your name to "bubble up" on any Principal's EAS search results, i.e. the more certs you have, the higher your name bubbles up *and* the more frequently it bubbles up. 2. Are you willing to go anywhere in DoDDS? If restricting your locations, then all I can say is, "good luck with that..." because Principals really don't want to "waste my time" (their words) hiring a teacher who sees DoDDS more as a foreign vAcation, versus the serious vOcation it must be, and then there's the fact that *all* CONUS-hired a/o converted DoDDS teachers *must* sign a worldwide mobility agreement agrteeing to go anywhere assigned. 3. Are you actively, i.e. EFFECTIVELY, going above and beyond at your present school in ways that are clearly visible to those who write your references? 4. Are you forging and nurturing connections, i.e. networking, your classroom/school with DoDDS' teachers/classrooms/schools? 5. As regards (eventual) interviews: Are you taking regular time to familiarize yourself with DoDDS C & I details? All and more are in DoDEA's VERY, VERY extensive website. And, are you familiarizing yourself with the overseas military family, its historical challenges for students, and especially its recognizable culture/core-values, e.g. via regular reading of its publications such as Stars and Stripes, Air Force/Army/Navy/MC Times, and so on down to local community/base newspapers and websites? On 7/11/16, Jordan wrote: > Hello, I'm looking for feedback on what affects > competency ratings used to put you on referral lists. I > have a principal that has expressed personal interest in > hiring me, but stated that my competency rating wasn't > high enough to get me on the referral list. > > Is there anything that can be done to improve this? or > ask for re-evaluation? My application has been in the > system for three years, and my "Qualification" status > hasn't updated since 2013.

Jul 14, 2016

Jobs in Kwajalein, Teacher, SPED, and SLP

by justme

Jul 11, 2016

As previously noted, there are jobs on military bases that are outside of the DoDEA system. A quick look today shows openings for an elementary teacher, a SPED teacher, and an SLP. I believe that all of them are UNaccompanied, so might be something of interest for singles. Teacher: http://krscareers.catsone.com/careers/index.php? m=portal&a=det...See More

I noticed today that there were a couple of EDIS positions posted on USA Jobs in case anyone would be interested and missed it:

Early Childhood in Yokosuka, Japan and Speech Pathologist in Camp Humpheys, S. Korea.

It's not exactly DoDDS but the benefits are very similar and the pay is actually a little better (and you would have s...See More

EDIS Positions Overseas

by haha

Jul 11, 2016

justme Yes, but just a reminder--they are full year positions, not school-year positions, and I believe they are typically 3 year assignments. There is supposed to be a 5 year max on placement in an overseas EDIS location, but not sure how strictly that is enforced.

On 7/11/16, haha wrote: > I noticed today that there were a couple of EDIS >...See More

Jul 11, 2016

Spouse citzenship

by Fish

Jul 10, 2016

I asked this question a couple years ago and got a rude answer but since I have returned to this forum everyone seems to give good advice so I will try again mainly because I have not seen that person on here. I f your spouse is not an American citizen can they work for the federal government in any capacity?

(4)

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teacher42 During an interview for a DoDEA position last year, I asked if my spouse, who has a green card, could work at the school as an assistant or in some other capacity. I was told that they could NOT work at the school in any capacity unless they had US citizenship. It seemed odd, but that's what they said.

On 7/10/16, Fish wrote: > > Th...See MoreDuring an interview for a DoDEA position last year, I asked if my spouse, who has a green card, could work at the school as an assistant or in some other capacity. I was told that they could NOT work at the school in any capacity unless they had US citizenship. It seemed odd, but that's what they said.

On 7/10/16, Fish wrote: > > Thanks Sheriff > > > > > > > On 7/10/16, reality sheriff wrote: > >> Unless there is a US citizen requirement for the position >> (as is the case for DoDDS educators), or unless there is a >> SOFA/host-nation prohibition due to, e.g. the spouse-is-a- >> 3rd-country-citizen, i.e. spouse is not within their own >> country of citizenship, then yes, your spouse will be able > to >> apply for and, if the best qualified applicant, can be >> competiviely selected/appointed. Bear in mind that most all >> overseas area locally available jobs will not have CONUS- >> hire benefits and often these jobs will be Temporary/NTE >> type appointments, but even these positions include salary >> and Post Allowance/COLA (if applicable to the location) >> and some level of access to TSP, gov't retirement >> contributions, gov't insurances, etc. Other, on-base but >> non-US-government positions should also be looked into , >> e.g. many Contracting companies located at and for Uncle >> Sam's overseas bases also hire and these Contractors >> may not use the same restrictions that Uncle Sam uses , >> and may even have better salary a/o benefits a/o tax >> advantages, etc. than offered by Uncle Sam. >> >> Gather more info at this representative and well-referenced >> document (manually remove any spaces after pasting) >> >> http://www.eur.army.mil/g1/content/CPD/docs/uspp/overse >> asRotation/ar_690_300_301.doc >> >> >> >> On 7/10/16, Fish wrote: >>> I asked this question a couple years ago and got a rude >>> answer but since I have returned to this forum everyone >>> seems to give good advice so I will try again mainly >>> because I have not seen that person on here. I f your >>> spouse is not an American citizen can they work for the >>> federal government in any capacity?

Jul 11, 2016

haha Possibly that is true at the school level for most/all
positions. Many other positions on base though do not
require US citizenship (e.g. Youth Center, CDC, etc.).

On 7/11/16, teacher42 wrote:
> During an interview for a DoDEA position last year, I
> asked if
my
> spouse, who has a green card, could work at t...See More

Jul 11, 2016

new to DoDD teachers chatboard

by Roxanne Dowell

Jul 9, 2016

Hi. Several questions. Brand new. NOT in the Dodd (or is it Dodea?? system yet). Looking to get into it for the 2017 school year and beyond. Have been told different conflicting stories. First off, I am retired military (20 year vet), but I WAS TOLD that many applicants are and not to get too hopeful. But, I was ALSO told that if I opened myself up...See More

(4)

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haha While it is generally accepted that the more certs the better when it comes to trying to break into DoDDS, I do think this is less true/significant when it comes to elementary/early childhood teachers. I don't have the data (then again no one really does when it come to this, even though they would never admit it) but I know many, many current DoDD...See MoreWhile it is generally accepted that the more certs the better when it comes to trying to break into DoDDS, I do think this is less true/significant when it comes to elementary/early childhood teachers. I don't have the data (then again no one really does when it come to this, even though they would never admit it) but I know many, many current DoDDS ES and EC teachers who only have ES and/or EC certs.

It would be great if they also had SPED, PSCD, Reading Specialist, Art, Music etc to give a recruiting principal lost of flexibility and options but the vast majority that I know and have discussed this with (not a statistically number of course) don't seem to have anywhere near even 6 areas of certification. And why would they? They are elementary/early childhood teachers and that is the job that most prospective ES principals are looking to fill. So, being able to teach any ES grade seems to be akin to having multiple certs.

I am sure others may have alternative experience and opinions about it but I would not give up hope if you are an ES or EC teacher and do not have multiple certs in other areas.

On 7/09/16, Dr. Ali Fant wrote: > just looking for the 'straight scoop.' I can handle the truth. > > There are 138 DoDEA Certs according to the 2015 EAS > application. The more certs one has, the higher one will > appear on the sorted EAS Referral list – even if you are not > going to be teaching that subject. Principals want teachers > with as many certs as possible because it gives them backup > teachers. Dave stated it takes 6 certs to be noticed by EAS > and 9 certs is the low end average. > > Another forum poster said there are about 47,000 persons in > the EAS database. > > While you might be hired with only one cert, it is unlikely > unless it is the exact cert a Principal needs. > > While DoDEA is highly competitive, there are other DoD schools > that are not advertised: Dugway Proving Ground in Utah, Yuma > US Army base in Arizona, Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific, White > Sands military base in New Mexico, and others. These schools > are located on US military bases. >

Jul 9, 2016

Like (1)

HelpOthers Someone recently posted in the closed DoDDS teacher Facebook page that now that he is in DDESS, his Veteran's preference is not being considered when moving to DoDDS. It was used to get him into DDESS, but now that he is in, it is no longer helping.

So, if that is indeed true, accepting a DDESS position in hopes of getting a DODDS positio...See MoreSomeone recently posted in the closed DoDDS teacher Facebook page that now that he is in DDESS, his Veteran's preference is not being considered when moving to DoDDS. It was used to get him into DDESS, but now that he is in, it is no longer helping.

So, if that is indeed true, accepting a DDESS position in hopes of getting a DODDS position may actually harm your chances. I suggest you speak with someone in HR to confirm the situation.

Other than being in the system, another advantage to accepting a DDESS position is that your steps for experience within DDESS will count towards the steps in DoDDS above their starting step. So, if you are at or close to the DoDDS highest step acceptable for out of DoDEA experience (10 years), working for DDESS can at least help you move up the steps while waiting. DDESS only accepts up to 5 years experience, but all your years with DDESS count towards DoDDS' steps.

I'm tired and need to go to sleep, so hopefully this makes sense.

On 7/09/16, haha wrote: > While it is generally accepted that the more certs the better > when it comes to trying to break into DoDDS, I do think this > is less true/significant when it comes to elementary/early > childhood teachers. I don't have the data (then again no one > really does when it come to this, even though they would > never admit it) but I know many, many current DoDDS ES and EC > teachers who only have ES and/or EC certs. > > It would be great if they also had SPED, PSCD, Reading > Specialist, Art, Music etc to give a recruiting principal > lost of flexibility and options but the vast majority that I > know and have discussed this with (not a statistically number > of course) don't seem to have anywhere near even 6 areas of > certification. And why would they? They are elementary/early > childhood teachers and that is the job that most prospective > ES principals are looking to fill. So, being able to teach > any ES grade seems to be akin to having multiple certs. > > I am sure others may have alternative experience and opinions > about it but I would not give up hope if you are an ES or EC > teacher and do not have multiple certs in other areas. > > On 7/09/16, Dr. Ali Fant wrote: >> just looking for the 'straight scoop.' I can handle the > truth. >> >> There are 138 DoDEA Certs according to the 2015 EAS >> application. The more certs one has, the higher one will >> appear on the sorted EAS Referral list – even if you are > not >> going to be teaching that subject. Principals want teachers >> with as many certs as possible because it gives them backup >> teachers. Dave stated it takes 6 certs to be noticed by EAS >> and 9 certs is the low end average. >> >> Another forum poster said there are about 47,000 persons in >> the EAS database. >> >> While you might be hired with only one cert, it is unlikely >> unless it is the exact cert a Principal needs. >> >> While DoDEA is highly competitive, there are other DoD > schools >> that are not advertised: Dugway Proving Ground in Utah, > Yuma >> US Army base in Arizona, Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific, > White >> Sands military base in New Mexico, and others. These > schools >> are located on US military bases. >>

Jul 9, 2016

What happens if someone already lives abroad (Europe, near an Air Force Base, no military affiliation, not already being provided housing/utilities) and then is offered a job in a different part of the world (Pacific). The job offer was based on a OCONUS EAS application, using US contact information and address. Is it possible to fly to the new job...See More

Already living abroad?

by hoping

Jul 9, 2016

(15)

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haha When you receive your TO, it will include all of the benefits that they are offering.

Generally speaking that should mean that you are good, but this IS the gov't we are talking about. The same gov't that loves to send out debt letters 10 years after you have left service (I just got one from 3 years ago for $3.76).

So, there is a...See MoreWhen you receive your TO, it will include all of the benefits that they are offering.

Generally speaking that should mean that you are good, but this IS the gov't we are talking about. The same gov't that loves to send out debt letters 10 years after you have left service (I just got one from 3 years ago for $3.76).

So, there is always a chance that it could come back to bite you just as there is always a chance for any of us that something could could suddenly come back and be a problem for us.

On 7/10/16, hoping wrote: > Thank you so much. This has been valuable information. At what > point would I know if I would be offered LQA and other benefits. > With the tentative offer, with the official offer, or a while later? > My worry is that I would accept a position, move somewhere (where > housing could be potentially and significantly more expensive), and > THEN find out that I don't qualify for LQA. > > On 7/10/16, reality sheriff wrote: >> For pre-appointment physical, plan to use local host nation >> providers, or better: a US provider when you return; w/ no >> connection to military, you won't be allowed usage of any military >> base's medical providers for pre-appointment med screenings. >> For fingerprints, you might be able to talk the local base's Law >> Enforcement folks to do these for you when you show them your >> TO letter, but if not possible there, then another possibility you >> could try is a US consulate or US embassy, otherwise, do these >> in the US and any willling place that has the approved fed >> fingerprints form. >> >> Glad to hear you intend to fly to, and ship from, the US should >> you be hired by DoDDS. You are also smart to be thinking on all >> apsects of your overseas situation, e.g. your background >> investigation vis-a-vis your HOR and its effects on the >> determination of your actual benefits, especially for the biggie, >> game-changing Living Quarters Allowance. >> >> Some observations and experiences re Home of Record issues >> affecting recruited federal civilians prospectively being assigned >> overseas: HOR is ~generally~ the place where you are residing >> when recruited and, in general, is near impossible to ever get >> changed once it's set and formal regulations and MANY legal >> cases through the years will govern/restrict what evidence is >> acceptable at changing the HOR once it's been set. That said, >> HOR is individually evaluated based on all the relevant facts >> presented by the person being recruited, especially if/when one >> is trying to substantiate a claim that HOR should be somewhere >> other than the recruitment location. If HOR is claimed to not be at >> the recruitment location, then the evidence considered includes: >> What are the reasons for living overseas? Is presence there of a >> permanent nature? Or clearly/provably temporary? During the >> time of being overseas, is there clear/documentable evidence of >> having maintained official connections to the claimed place of >> HOR in the US? (e.g. own real estate, file & pay >> Fed/State/Local/Property taxes, voter registration, drivers > license, >> bank accounts, immediate family there, etc., etc.) Is there a >> voluntarily established residence in the overseas area? (e.g. >> property ownership). Are there intentionally made long-standing >> relationships in the overseas area? (e.g. establishing formal >> foreign-resident status, have immdiate family members of host >> nation, house/property, job, etc.) >> >> Consider the above HOR impacts and compare to your actual >> situation. It may be easy for you to establish a US HOR despite >> being overseas now. OTOH, it may be difficult to impossible to do >> so. Only you can decide if an overseas HOR w/ its attendant >> denial of LQA and the other CONUS-Hire allowances/incentives >> is an acceptable situation to you, or not. >> >> On 7/10/16, hoping wrote: >>> Thank you guys so much for this clear info. Unfortunately I >>> don't have any benefit package in Western Europe. None. >>> Too bad, I wouldn't mind if this was my home of record. So I >>> will make sure to fly and ship from the US. >>> >>> But what about the things which need to be completed before >>> travel orders, such as physical and fingerprints. I just don't >>> know if I can fly back to the states to complete this. I would >>> want official travel orders before I fly back to the US and >>> before I ship off my household from Europe, and it looks like I >>> would need to complete the physical and fingerprints prior to >>> getting official travel orders. So I either complete the physical >>> in a foreign country (or on base if possible??) and complete >>> the fingerprints on base, or quickly pack up a house in a week >>> and fly back to the US with the hopes that a TO will become >>> official. >>> >>> And then, what about background check. Won't they know I >>> am abroad based on the school I listed in the application being >>> abroad. >>> >>> >>> On 7/09/16, haha wrote: >>>> Lots of good information here already. I was hired while >>>> overseas (with no base in the country). HR would have used >>> my >>>> location for travel and shipping purposes but then that would >>>> have been my HoR for RAT, return, etc and we had no >>> intention >>>> of returning there any time soon (if ever). >>>> >>>> So we shipped our 2 cubic meters of belongings to our new >>>> location and traveled back to the states (with our then >>>> current employers paying a significant portion as part of our >>>> contract) and used that location as our HoR for all DoDDS >>>> purposes. >>>> >>>> If you are overseas after having been recruited by your >>>> current employer from the states, then you would likely have >>>> some shipping/travel benefits in place when your service >>> ends >>>> with them (which should offset the costs of returning to the >>>> states to establish your HoR/shipping belongings to your >>> new >>>> duty location). >>>> >>>> If you do not currently have overseas recruitment incentive >>>> type benefits from your current employer then you are >>> risking >>>> being considered a local hire by HR at some point if you do >>>> not work everything out of the states. >>>> >>>> On 7/09/16, reality sheriff wrote: >>>>> If you have an in-writing-employer-paid benefit for return >>>> to >>>>> your permanent home in the US for yourselves and your >>>>> HHG and possibly even your vehicle, then such a >>>>> contractual entitlement becomes the basis for DoDDS to >>>>> (almost certainly) consider you to be a CONUS-hired >>>>> employee should you be offered a DoDDS position >>>>> anywhere, whether that's a mere mile from your current >>>>> location or across the world. At that point, your gov't >>>> paid >>>>> transporation & shipment of yourselves and stuff from >>>>> where-ever, including your current overseas location, is >>>>> definitely do-able, just with IMPORTANT limits, and yes, >>>>> you will be able to avail of the local overseas base's >>>>> travel/transportation offices to arrange these, *BUT* the >>>>> limits are: the gov't's total dollar commitment for your & >>>>> family's transportation costs and your shipping costs is >>>>> limited to no more than what the gov't would have paid had >>>>> the gov't arranged/paid for you/family/stuff *from* your US >>>>> HOR. If the actual costs to travel & ship from the overseas >>>>> locaiton are more than that constructed-calculated- >>>>> authorized limit, then you are responsible for paying the >>>>> difference, which can be painful when overseas shipping >>>>> costs are typically in the $2 to $5 per pound range. If the >>>>> actual costs turn out to be less than what Uncle Sam would >>>>> have paid from your US OR, then this is a no-harm, no-foul >>>>> situation, but you *won't* be paid any "savings" if those >>>>> actual costs are less than what the gov't would have paid, >>>>> as if I needed to say that ;) >>>>> >>>>> If you do *not* have a current, in-writing Return-to-US >>>>> employer-paid entitlement, then the only safe way for you >>>>> to ensure being treated as a CONUS-Hire in DoDDS, i.e. >>>>> w/ LQA, w/ paid Transportation, w/ paid Shipping, w/ paid >>>>> RAT, etc. etc., is to return to your US home>on your own >>>>> dime< in order to begin your travel & shipping from there >>>> to >>>>> your DoDDS assignment. VERY IMPORTANT HEADS UP: >>>>> if you instead begin your travel and shipments from your >>>>> overseas location (which is what you seem to be >>>>> contemplating) then you *will* be a Local Hire once at that >>>>> DoDDS destination, and Local Hire status will be true >>>>> whether the DoDDS destination is a mere mile from your >>>>> current location or across the globe or anywhere in >>>>> between. Over many years, many have tried to do what >>>>> you apparently contemplate doing; all of them have been >>>>> *profoundly* disappointed to learn that they are Local >>>> Hires >>>>> w/ no CONUS-Hire benefits once at the destination - >>>>> should you be hired by DoDDS, I strongly recommned you >>>>> avoid that shock by "biting the bullet" to get yourselves & >>>>> stuff back to US HOR to begin travel and shipping from >>>>> there. >>>>> >>>>> On 7/09/16, hoping wrote: >>>>>> What happens if someone already lives abroad (Europe, >>>>> near >>>>>> an Air Force Base, no military affiliation, not already >>>>>> being provided housing/utilities) and then is offered a >>>> job >>>>>> in a different part of the world (Pacific). The job offer >>>>>> was based on a OCONUS EAS application, using US >>>>> contact >>>>>> information and address. Is it possible to fly to the new >>>>>> job from my current location abroad? What about >>>>> shipping >>>>>> house hold goods from my current location? Then >>>>> if/when I >>>>>> am offered a job, could I use the base to schedule travel >>>>>> and/or medical clearance?

Jul 10, 2016

Because I know none of *your* answers to the HOR-determination questions I wrote earlier, there is, unfortunately, no definitive date nor in-processing event that I can provide to you. However, *you* should be able to reasonably predict now how this HOR- determination will eventually come down based on *your* answers to all those guidance questions...See MoreBecause I know none of *your* answers to the HOR-determination questions I wrote earlier, there is, unfortunately, no definitive date nor in-processing event that I can provide to you. However, *you* should be able to reasonably predict now how this HOR- determination will eventually come down based on *your* answers to all those guidance questions.

It has been a "profound disappointment" reality for others in overseas-recruited situations, like yours, to intially be granted the full range of recruitmenmt incentives that accord to CONUS-Hired applicants, only to have that intial decision reversed, sometimes YEARS after arrival, which can mean many thousands, tens of thousands, EVEN HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of dollars of LQA/etc. being "clawed back" by Uncle Sam.

If a DoDDS teaching job is your goal, the earliest hiring you'd be aiming for would be for SY17-18 (I assume), so, you might consider eliminating ALL doubt about having a US HOR by moving back now/asap so that you will have ALL the provable evidence required. Admittedly, this would be a HUGE step for anyone to take, especially considering that getting hired by DoDDS is a very long-odds event; it's the proverbial "golden ring" event for thousands of like-minded public school teachers applying to DoDDS, and very few, realistically speaking, will ever get on a referral List, much less snag an interview, much less get that goden ring job offer.

On 7/10/16, hoping wrote: > Thank you so much. This has been valuable information. At what > point would I know if I would be offered LQA and other benefits. > With the tentative offer, with the official offer, or a while later? > My worry is that I would accept a position, move somewhere (where > housing could be potentially and significantly more expensive), and > THEN find out that I don't qualify for LQA. > > On 7/10/16, reality sheriff wrote: >> For pre-appointment physical, plan to use local host nation >> providers, or better: a US provider when you return; w/ no >> connection to military, you won't be allowed usage of any military >> base's medical providers for pre-appointment med screenings. >> For fingerprints, you might be able to talk the local base's Law >> Enforcement folks to do these for you when you show them your >> TO letter, but if not possible there, then another possibility you >> could try is a US consulate or US embassy, otherwise, do these >> in the US and any willling place that has the approved fed >> fingerprints form. >> >> Glad to hear you intend to fly to, and ship from, the US should >> you be hired by DoDDS. You are also smart to be thinking on all >> apsects of your overseas situation, e.g. your background >> investigation vis-a-vis your HOR and its effects on the >> determination of your actual benefits, especially for the biggie, >> game-changing Living Quarters Allowance. >> >> Some observations and experiences re Home of Record issues >> affecting recruited federal civilians prospectively being assigned >> overseas: HOR is ~generally~ the place where you are residing >> when recruited and, in general, is near impossible to ever get >> changed once it's set and formal regulations and MANY legal >> cases through the years will govern/restrict what evidence is >> acceptable at changing the HOR once it's been set. That said, >> HOR is individually evaluated based on all the relevant facts >> presented by the person being recruited, especially if/when one >> is trying to substantiate a claim that HOR should be somewhere >> other than the recruitment location. If HOR is claimed to not be at >> the recruitment location, then the evidence considered includes: >> What are the reasons for living overseas? Is presence there of a >> permanent nature? Or clearly/provably temporary? During the >> time of being overseas, is there clear/documentable evidence of >> having maintained official connections to the claimed place of >> HOR in the US? (e.g. own real estate, file & pay >> Fed/State/Local/Property taxes, voter registration, drivers > license, >> bank accounts, immediate family there, etc., etc.) Is there a >> voluntarily established residence in the overseas area? (e.g. >> property ownership). Are there intentionally made long- standing >> relationships in the overseas area? (e.g. establishing formal >> foreign-resident status, have immdiate family members of host >> nation, house/property, job, etc.) >> >> Consider the above HOR impacts and compare to your actual >> situation. It may be easy for you to establish a US HOR despite >> being overseas now. OTOH, it may be difficult to impossible to do >> so. Only you can decide if an overseas HOR w/ its attendant >> denial of LQA and the other CONUS-Hire allowances/incentives >> is an acceptable situation to you, or not. >> >> On 7/10/16, hoping wrote: >>> Thank you guys so much for this clear info. Unfortunately I >>> don't have any benefit package in Western Europe. None. >>> Too bad, I wouldn't mind if this was my home of record. So I >>> will make sure to fly and ship from the US. >>> >>> But what about the things which need to be completed before >>> travel orders, such as physical and fingerprints. I just don't >>> know if I can fly back to the states to complete this. I would >>> want official travel orders before I fly back to the US and >>> before I ship off my household from Europe, and it looks like I >>> would need to complete the physical and fingerprints prior to >>> getting official travel orders. So I either complete the physical >>> in a foreign country (or on base if possible??) and complete >>> the fingerprints on base, or quickly pack up a house in a week >>> and fly back to the US with the hopes that a TO will become >>> official. >>> >>> And then, what about background check. Won't they know I >>> am abroad based on the school I listed in the application being >>> abroad. >>> >>> >>> On 7/09/16, haha wrote: >>>> Lots of good information here already. I was hired while >>>> overseas (with no base in the country). HR would have used >>> my >>>> location for travel and shipping purposes but then that would >>>> have been my HoR for RAT, return, etc and we had no >>> intention >>>> of returning there any time soon (if ever). >>>> >>>> So we shipped our 2 cubic meters of belongings to our new >>>> location and traveled back to the states (with our then >>>> current employers paying a significant portion as part of our >>>> contract) and used that location as our HoR for all DoDDS >>>> purposes. >>>> >>>> If you are overseas after having been recruited by your >>>> current employer from the states, then you would likely have >>>> some shipping/travel benefits in place when your service >>> ends >>>> with them (which should offset the costs of returning to the >>>> states to establish your HoR/shipping belongings to your >>> new >>>> duty location). >>>> >>>> If you do not currently have overseas recruitment incentive >>>> type benefits from your current employer then you are >>> risking >>>> being considered a local hire by HR at some point if you do >>>> not work everything out of the states. >>>> >>>> On 7/09/16, reality sheriff wrote: >>>>> If you have an in-writing-employer-paid benefit for return >>>> to >>>>> your permanent home in the US for yourselves and your >>>>> HHG and possibly even your vehicle, then such a >>>>> contractual entitlement becomes the basis for DoDDS to >>>>> (almost certainly) consider you to be a CONUS-hired >>>>> employee should you be offered a DoDDS position >>>>> anywhere, whether that's a mere mile from your current >>>>> location or across the world. At that point, your gov't >>>> paid >>>>> transporation & shipment of yourselves and stuff from >>>>> where-ever, including your current overseas location, is >>>>> definitely do-able, just with IMPORTANT limits, and yes, >>>>> you will be able to avail of the local overseas base's >>>>> travel/transportation offices to arrange these, *BUT* the >>>>> limits are: the gov't's total dollar commitment for your & >>>>> family's transportation costs and your shipping costs is >>>>> limited to no more than what the gov't would have paid had >>>>> the gov't arranged/paid for you/family/stuff *from* your US >>>>> HOR. If the actual costs to travel & ship from the overseas >>>>> locaiton are more than that constructed-calculated- >>>>> authorized limit, then you are responsible for paying the >>>>> difference, which can be painful when overseas shipping >>>>> costs are typically in the $2 to $5 per pound range. If the >>>>> actual costs turn out to be less than what Uncle Sam would >>>>> have paid from your US OR, then this is a no-harm, no-foul >>>>> situation, but you *won't* be paid any "savings" if those >>>>> actual costs are less than what the gov't would have paid, >>>>> as if I needed to say that ;) >>>>> >>>>> If you do *not* have a current, in-writing Return-to-US >>>>> employer-paid entitlement, then the only safe way for you >>>>> to ensure being treated as a CONUS-Hire in DoDDS, i.e. >>>>> w/ LQA, w/ paid Transportation, w/ paid Shipping, w/ paid >>>>> RAT, etc. etc., is to return to your US home>on your own >>>>> dime< in order to begin your travel & shipping from there >>>> to >>>>> your DoDDS assignment. VERY IMPORTANT HEADS UP: >>>>> if you instead begin your travel and shipments from your >>>>> overseas location (which is what you seem to be >>>>> contemplating) then you *will* be a Local Hire once at that >>>>> DoDDS destination, and Local Hire status will be true >>>>> whether the DoDDS destination is a mere mile from your >>>>> current location or across the globe or anywhere in >>>>> between. Over many years, many have tried to do what >>>>> you apparently contemplate doing; all of them have been >>>>> *profoundly* disappointed to learn that they are Local >>>> Hires >>>>> w/ no CONUS-Hire benefits once at the destination - >>>>> should you be hired by DoDDS, I strongly recommned you >>>>> avoid that shock by "biting the bullet" to get yourselves & >>>>> stuff back to US HOR to begin travel and shipping from >>>>> there. >>>>> >>>>> On 7/09/16, hoping wrote: >>>>>> What happens if someone already lives abroad (Europe, >>>>> near >>>>>> an Air Force Base, no military affiliation, not already >>>>>> being provided housing/utilities) and then is offered a >>>> job >>>>>> in a different part of the world (Pacific). The job offer >>>>>> was based on a OCONUS EAS application, using US >>>>> contact >>>>>> information and address. Is it possible to fly to the new >>>>>> job from my current location abroad? What about >>>>> shipping >>>>>> house hold goods from my current location? Then >>>>> if/when I >>>>>> am offered a job, could I use the base to schedule travel >>>>>> and/or medical clearance?

Jul 10, 2016

closings/openings

by luna

Jul 9, 2016

Does anyone know of any overseas schools that closed at the end of the year, are closing, or will be opening this coming school year?

Dr. Ali Fant On 7/09/16, luna wrote: > Does anyone know of any overseas schools that closed at the > end of the year, are closing, or will be opening this > coming school year?

US Military Bases in South Korea are closing their schools North of Seoul and consolidating US military families South of Seoul. Camp Humphreys new schools opened last...See More

Jul 9, 2016

Referrral Lists & Vacancy Question

by Amie

Jul 8, 2016

Two questions- I got two emails saying I was placed on two referral lists. The next day, I got an email saying I wasn't selected for one of the positions. I haven't heard anything yet about the other referral list, so I'm thinking that means maybe they're looking into me more?

Also, the email never specifically states what the position is....See More

(3)

view previous comments

HelpOthers The referral list e-mails are automated. If your name is pulled, no matter whether you are number 1 or 40, you will get the list. They will likely only interview the top few, not all on the list.

The e-mail you received saying you were no longer being considered was also likely an automated e-mail. This one is sent when the position/vacanc...See More

Jul 9, 2016

Amie Is there any way to figure out the position that I was placed on the list for?

On 7/09/16, Mary-Lorraine wrote: > The referral list e-mails are automated. If your name is > pulled, no matter whether you are number 1 or 40, you will > get the list. They will likely only interview the top few, > not all on the list. > > The...See More

Jul 9, 2016

Trailing spouse with green card

by teacher42

Jul 8, 2016

Thanks to all of you who have been sharing your experience and knowledge for our benefit.

I haven't been offered anything yet, but started worrying about the following issue in the wee hours of the morning.

Here's my question. My spouse is a permanent resident (green card holder) and hence would be traveling on a foreign passport...See More

(2)

Not sure why "Trailing" is in your subject, but, DoDDS teachers, and federally employed civilians in general, and the military even more so, include MANY spouses and children who originate from other countries and hold Green Card status. In fact, this situation is/has-been so commonly seen, especially among the overseas-assigned armed for...See MoreNot sure why "Trailing" is in your subject, but, DoDDS teachers, and federally employed civilians in general, and the military even more so, include MANY spouses and children who originate from other countries and hold Green Card status. In fact, this situation is/has-been so commonly seen, especially among the overseas-assigned armed forces population, that it's normal. I recommend you stop worrying about this, especially during those wee hours when you need that sleep ;)

A paste for you from https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/immigrate/returning -residents.html (remove any spaces after pasting, else manually shorten link and drill down from where you start at travel.state.gov)

"Spouse or Child of a Member of the U.S. Armed Forces or Civilian Employee of the U.S. Government Stationed Abroad - If you are the spouse or child of a member of the U.S. Armed Forces or of a civilian employee of the U.S. government stationed abroad on official orders, you may use your Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551, to enter the United States even if it has expired. Therefore, you would not need a Returning Resident (SB-1) immigrant visa, as long as you: Have not abandoned your LPR status; and Your spouse or parent is returning to the United States."

So, whenever military, or federal civilians, w/ Green Card dependents are assigned overseas, the sponsor's official orders, which explicitly list dependents, becomes the documentation needed to leave and freely re-enter the US, and this remains true even when their documents are past their normal expriation date. All countries that DoDDS could assign you to also have a Status of Forces Agreement, SOFA, that contains the rest of the details; some SOFAs are trivially easy to comply with, e.g. your orders and passports are enough for entry w/ no special visa for you or for your Green Card holding dependents being required, but other countries' SOFAs require an advance visa for the sponsor as well as the dependents, irrespective of origin/citizenship/Green Card status, and then, there are some countries which have unique requriements vis-a-vis citizens of a specific country of origin of the Green Card holder.

If an advance visa will be required for you and/or just for your Green Card dependent(s), then DoDEA will inform you >to the best of its knowledge< of this requirement when you are hired, and assuming you have fully informed HR of the Green Card holder's status and details of course. That said, in almost all cases of an advance visa being required, it will be you and your spouse who will be tasked with complying with and submitting a complete and accurate visa application package to that country's embassy/consulate; including your official assignment orders along with that visa application package smooths the visa approval process to a speedy, near pro forma condition.

Keep in mind that the above special status situation applies *only* to federal US gov't employees when on official US gov't assignment orders. It does not apply, at all, to any other foreign employment situations such as International Schools, private company employment, nor even to Green Card holders who are assigned overseas when they elect to perform other foreign travel, e.g. as a tourist.

On 7/08/16, teacher42 wrote: > Thanks to all of you who have been sharing your experience > and knowledge for our benefit. > > I haven't been offered anything yet, but started worrying > about the following issue in the wee hours of the morning. > > Here's my question. My spouse is a permanent resident (green > card holder) and hence would be traveling on a foreign > passport. My question is, does DoDEA assist permanent > resident trailing spouses with residency in the host > country, or is getting residency for that trailing spouse > entirely our responsibility? This would most likely happen > in Japan or Korea, but any general info is much appreciated. > > This could be a deal breaker so I'm hoping for some positive > news! > > (apologies for any duplicate posting...)

Jul 8, 2016

teacher42 Thanks very much reality sheriff. I will indeed sleep better tonight. After spending years, literally, and thousands of dollars over the last couple of decades on visas, green cards, and residency for various countries, I just wanted to be sure I wouldn't be jumping through those hoops with no support yet again. Thank you!

On 7/08/16, rea...See MoreThanks very much reality sheriff. I will indeed sleep better tonight. After spending years, literally, and thousands of dollars over the last couple of decades on visas, green cards, and residency for various countries, I just wanted to be sure I wouldn't be jumping through those hoops with no support yet again. Thank you!

On 7/08/16, reality sheriff wrote: > Not sure why "Trailing" is in your subject, but, DoDDS > teachers, and federally employed civilians in general, and > the military even more so, include MANY spouses and > children who originate from other countries and hold Green > Card status. In fact, this situation is/has-been so commonly > seen, especially among the overseas-assigned armed > forces population, that it's normal. I recommend you stop > worrying about this, especially during those wee hours > when you need that sleep ;) > > A paste for you from > https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/immigrate/returning > -residents.html > (remove any spaces after pasting, else manually shorten > link and drill down from where you start at travel.state.gov) > > "Spouse or Child of a Member of the U.S. Armed Forces or > Civilian Employee of the U.S. Government Stationed > Abroad - If you are the spouse or child of a member of the > U.S. Armed Forces or of a civilian employee of the U.S. > government stationed abroad on official orders, you may > use your Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551, to enter > the United States even if it has expired. Therefore, you > would not need a Returning Resident (SB-1) immigrant > visa, as long as you: > Have not abandoned your LPR status; and > Your spouse or parent is returning to the United States." > > So, whenever military, or federal civilians, w/ Green Card > dependents are assigned overseas, the sponsor's official > orders, which explicitly list dependents, becomes the > documentation needed to leave and freely re-enter the US, > and this remains true even when their documents are past > their normal expriation date. All countries that DoDDS > could assign you to also have a Status of Forces > Agreement, SOFA, that contains the rest of the details; > some SOFAs are trivially easy to comply with, e.g. your > orders and passports are enough for entry w/ no special > visa for you or for your Green Card holding dependents > being required, but other countries' SOFAs require an > advance visa for the sponsor as well as the dependents, > irrespective of origin/citizenship/Green Card status, and > then, there are some countries which have unique > requriements vis-a-vis citizens of a specific country of > origin of the Green Card holder. > > If an advance visa will be required for you and/or just for > your Green Card dependent(s), then DoDEA will inform > you>to the best of its knowledge< of this requirement > when you are hired, and assuming you have fully informed > HR of the Green Card holder's status and details of > course. That said, in almost all cases of an advance visa > being required, it will be you and your spouse who will be > tasked with complying with and submitting a complete and > accurate visa application package to that country's > embassy/consulate; including your official assignment > orders along with that visa application package smooths > the visa approval process to a speedy, near pro forma > condition. > > Keep in mind that the above special status situation > applies *only* to federal US gov't employees when on > official US gov't assignment orders. It does not apply, at all, > to any other foreign employment situations such as > International Schools, private company employment, nor > even to Green Card holders who are assigned overseas > when they elect to perform other foreign travel, e.g. as a > tourist. > > On 7/08/16, teacher42 wrote: >> Thanks to all of you who have been sharing your > experience >> and knowledge for our benefit. >> >> I haven't been offered anything yet, but started worrying >> about the following issue in the wee hours of the > morning. >> >> Here's my question. My spouse is a permanent resident > (green >> card holder) and hence would be traveling on a foreign >> passport. My question is, does DoDEA assist permanent >> resident trailing spouses with residency in the host >> country, or is getting residency for that trailing spouse >> entirely our responsibility? This would most likely happen >> in Japan or Korea, but any general info is much > appreciated. >> >> This could be a deal breaker so I'm hoping for some > positive >> news! >> >> (apologies for any duplicate posting...)

Jul 8, 2016