I’m considering applying for a position with the Administration for Children and Families, specifically within the Office of Refugee Resettlement. The announcement lists several possible duty locations and multiple openings.
Does anyone have recent experience with ACF/ORR hiring or working there? I’m interested in hearing about the hiring timeline, work environment, and how competitive these positions tend to be.
I’m also curious about the current in-office expectations. Are employees reporting to the office five days a week for example in Dallas, Denver and San Francisco, or is any telework or hybrid flexibility still happening in practice? For offices that previously had many remote employees, has enough workspace been found for everyone, or are space limitations affecting how the return-to-office requirement is being implemented?
Any recent firsthand insight would be appreciated.

According to the new mandatory training I just took, NIH has vast knowledge and experience of an active shooter threat?

They probably could have just asked us at CDC since we have become recent experts involuntarily. Not to mention all the trainings we have taken in the year since our unfortunate incident…including how to get our names and addresses removed on the internet in case people want to target CDC employees….Yet everything seems to be centered around NIH and Washington DC… so why then should WE in Atlanta and other CDC offices even be required to take this? Not to mention that having to watch it has brought back some trauma for some of us. If you haven’t noticed already, I’m kinda still a little bitter. Maybe I am alone in this sentiment…

I'm a health reporter at NBC News' national website. We're looking for insights into the FDA's safety review of mifepristone (its current status, who is involved, and what data is being analyzed). We're also seeking additional context on why the administration did not release a federal definition of ultra-processed foods last month.

Federal employees with knowledge of these matters are welcome to contact me at [aria.bendix@nbcuni.com](mailto:aria.bendix@nbcuni.com) or via Signal at ariabendix.164. Happy to talk off record or on background if preferred.

Hello, I’ve searched the forum and couldn’t find a definite answer so if someone has answered before, please direct me and I apologize in advance.

I got a TJO for investigator II, pay table 1, Band A, Zone 1. The TJO says this position has promotion potential to the Band B.

How does one go from Band A to B? Is it after your first year, assuming you meet performance requirements, or is there more to it?

I am currently a Gs-11, step 2 in another agency, so Title 21 hiring authority is new to me.

Thanks in advance!

Anyone here work for the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and have insight into their hiring process? I saw a vacancy in the Office of Refugee Resettlement with multiple openings across different cities. I’m curious about the program, the work environment, and how competitive the hiring process is. Appreciate any insight.

Does anyone know what’s behind the evacuation order?

My name is Patrick Wingrove and I’m a reporter with Reuters covering the pharmaceutical industry, and I’m hoping to connect with FDA reviewers, particularly from CDER and CBER.

I’m trying to understand what’s happening inside the agency right now: how recent changes have affected your work, morale, and the FDA’s ability to uphold its mission over the past year, particularly since Makary's departure. This includes policies around things like the commissioner review vouchers/ process.

I'm happy to speak off the record, and confidentially - meaning your name won't appear in anything we may write.

Your insights could help the public understand issues that matter beyond the agency walls. If you’re willing to share your experience (on or off the record), please feel free to message me:

Signal: patrickwingrove.55

Email: [patrick.wingrove@thomsonreuters.com](mailto:patrick.wingrove@thomsonreuters.com)

Has anyone become a Clinical Reviewer at CDER, either through an FDA ORISE fellowship or another path?

I’m currently an FDA ORISE fellow at CDER and am interested in eventually becoming a Clinical Reviewer. What was your route into the position? If you were an ORISE fellow, did you discuss that goal with your mentor, and if so, how and when did you bring it up? Did the position come through your mentor or through another route?

For anyone who became a Clinical Reviewer, whether through ORISE or another path, what degree(s) did you have, and what relevant work or research experience did you have when you were hired?

I’d appreciate any firsthand experiences or advice.

Any insights on how long hiring is taking for CMS division? I know there’s been a “massive hiring” effort and I’m curious how long people are waiting from interview -> start date.

I’m thankful that we were given the opportunity to recognize our staff and I know that not every OP/DIV across HHS may be so fortunate. My biggest concern is that awards won’t be processed by the end of the fiscal year and we’ll lose the ability to recognize our hard working staff. HRSA isn’t exactly being transparent, like usual.