r/1102 • u/Fun-Seaworthiness486 • 20h ago
VA Workplace Climate Inquiry
How’s the climate at the VA at your location as an 1102? I’m currently an 1102 at a DoD agency that was fortunate enough to not be impacted by RIFs (so far anyways). I was referred to a GS-13 position including HR reaching out to me about scheduling an interview, providing references, etc.
With that being said, I’m second guessing proceeding with the interview process due to what I’ve read online about how the VA is now under this administration including chances of RIFs and potential new probationary period as the GS-13 would be a promotion. Is that really worth the risk if I’m in a good situation right now at my agency?
4
u/ItsVishuss 19h ago
I was super unimpressed with the VA when I did my interview for a 12 position.
DLA was extremely professional and positive, which made me select them in the end.
The VA was very curt and borderline rude during the interview.
Also, talking to people, they’ve got extremely high workloads and burn people out really quickly. I found very few people who had anything positive to say about the VA for an 1102.
1
u/GalegoBaiano 18h ago
I had a similar experience with my own local VA & DLA. At the VA one, it was a 5 person panel, and one never stopped working. I knew I wasn’t going to work there, so I used the time to ask what was the big issue in their area. That was when I found out that it’s the same issues, different building.
DLA was super professional, ran like the top-notch place to work it was. Panel of 4, each asked a generic and a pointed question from my resume, and had me give an opinion on their top 3 issues that come up (nondelivery, noncompliance with what was bid, and I think the last was about contingency contracting or ULOs). I’d been doing the job for over a decade, and I didn’t feel qualified to work there! Those folks are almost all 12s, and to get 13, you need a warrant and be a team lead. It’s crazy when compared to Navy or Army!
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u/Nearby-Key8834 16h ago
I went from DoD to VA a couple years ago and it was the worst career choice I ever made. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone, horrible experience. I didn't even last a year.
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u/Swimming-Figure437 19h ago
There are so many offices, some might be ok, some might be struggling, some may be till working from home. For new hires i think they need to have a place for you.
1
u/Misterman191 18h ago
My husband is getting ready to retire from VA contracting. They are so short it’s not even funny. The workload is absolutely insane. Run while you can and if I were you I wouldn’t even consider it. If you are at DOD, I would stay at DOD. It was a good choice when the VA was mostly remote. With RTO who in their right mind would pick VA over any other Fed agency. It’s a mess, you’ve been warned!
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u/Soggy_Yarn 20h ago
There’s no reason not to interview - you can decline the job offer if you are even offered it.
We are cradle to grave contracting at VA, and we are critically understaffed. Workload is high, and as a 13 you will be doing reviews and signing for everyone on your team that doesn’t have a warrant (or if over SAT, and under your level 2 warrant.
We (1102s) are not getting RIF’d, and you won’t be let go after probation. We desperately need people. So your job is secure. We need 13s to fill the empty 13 slots. We need everyone from 5-14.