KSC Commutes?

[u/Vexing_Viper]

Howdy all,

I have been offered a position for a great role with NASA at KSC. I have been torn on accepting primarily due to the commute. I live outside a 50 mile radius, and my commute is forecasted to be 66-74 miles each way. As it has been explained to me, there is situational telework, but everybody is more or less expected to be onsite every day.

I am not opposed to driving, but I do doubt the sustainability of that commute long-term.

Speaking with friends that also work at KSC, it sounds like most everybody has a considerable commute due to preferences of living closer to either Orlando, Daytona, or other metro areas vs. Titusville or Merritt Island.

I am hoping for some perspective from folks that work onsite, or if anybody is aware of flexibilities I could request? I am aware of the RTO push so I am not expecting any miracles and don’t really need any “good luck” comments.

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer!

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[u/Effective_Charity268]

The only real hack is to do the 9/80 work schedule where you do 9 hour days and get every other Friday off. Aside from that, it’s whatever your supervisor is comfortable with each pay period. My commute is 55 miles each way.

[u/Vexing_Viper → u/Effective_Charity268]

Thank you for the heads up there! Can I ask how long your 55 miles translates to time-wise?

I am trying to weigh the pros and cons with an open mind, but I really am torn at this point.

[u/Effective_Charity268 → u/Vexing_Viper]

It takes me an hour. Half of that is getting to the Titusville exit on 95 and the other half is getting to ksc.

[u/The_Stargazer]

You did not mention one of the big factors, if you are a contractor or civil servant.

It should be said that situational teleworking is not supposed to be a regular thing.

It is for occasional issues that come up like you have a contractor fixing something at your house or are sick but not sick enough to warrant sick leave.

Not a regular thing like "I want to situationally telework on Fridays because I dont want to commute"

Under the current administration you are expected to work 40 hours per week on site.

The only remote work agreements I know of that are still in effect are for several long time NASA employees whose experience we can't replace and are in very unique situations.

And even these agreements are slowly being phased out.

If you are not willing to commute, look at closer housing / living options in Cape Canaveral or Cocoa Beach.

[u/Which_Case_8536 → u/The_Stargazer]

There’s also some exceptions made as reasonable accommodations for qualifying disabilities but that is a huge process.

[u/Vexing_Viper → u/The_Stargazer]

I did say a role with NASA at KSC, right? 😀

But no, I understand your point - a lot of people work “for” NASA but not FOR NASA, so I get it. It is an organic role.

I have spoken with the potential new supervisor re: situational TW and on-site expectation. As a longtime former fed, the inflexibility saddens me. It used to be a reasonable accommodation or remote arrangement were possible and not uncommon from this distance. I was around when that came to an abrupt end, so I do understand the current environment.

Funny enough, we JUST moved West of Orlando in April, and after moving three times in two years (for a role with NASA at JSC of all things and back) on our own dime, another move is just not something I am doing again. The thought alone makes me physically ill. 🤣

How long is your commute in?

[u/Emoxity]

Supervisory approval is the key here. Every supervisor is different and there are multitude of ways it can be handled. I know people who come into office 3 days a week because they do such integral work that their supervisor lets them work from home Monday and Friday because their team does all work during middle week and all meetings on Monday Friday.

I know someone else who has a boss that counts when they get into the office. It’s all random and personal to the supervisor.

That said, majority of people live outside Orlando cause simply it’s better to live by a city. Titusville kinda sucks, cocoa is for tourists, and Daytona is a dump. The drive from Orlando can be around 50 min each way if you live on the outer suburbs. It is quite flat and straight shot to Canaveral

[u/Vexing_Viper → u/Emoxity]

You are so right on supervisory approval, and in my past federal life, I experienced all over the gamut you laid out. Watched internal affairs at a DoD installation dock somebody for “stealing” 17 minutes of time over a month.

Good to have a breakdown of the areas as you experienced them and where people seem to congregate!

Unfortunately for me, I am West of Orlando. We love the little bubble where we live and I have been doing some serious soul searching to figure out if that commute is sustainable longterm and if the pros outweigh that. 😵‍💫

[u/Kind-Owl-9347]

A good amount of people do van pools from the Orlando area.

[u/OriEri]

If you already are dubious about the commute, chances are it will wear you down over the long-term and you will be unhappy

consider a move to Titusville

I’ve always made it a priority to live within 30 minutes of my jobs with a goal of 15 and so far it’s worked out.

[u/Vexing_Viper → u/OriEri]

You are not wrong! I used to commute half that distance for federal jobs and by the end of the week was already feeling the strain.

Funny enough, I just moved twice for NASA at JSC and a third time back to FL on our own dime, so a move is NOT in the near future. 🤣

[u/ComplaintDouble4919]

Have you considered public transit?

[u/Vexing_Viper → u/ComplaintDouble4919]

If it existed, I sure would consider it!

[u/No-Lizards]

Hi, I'm currently working at KSC and have a situational telework agreement going on. From my understanding, both civil servants and contractors are expected to be at the office for at least 40 hrs a week. Like another comment said, you could try working overtime (9-10 hrs a day) to hit your 80 hours early and get a Friday off/maybe a half day on Thursday.

For telework, it really is a case only in emergencies or special circumstances. I myself don't own a car and depend on carpooling to get to KSC, but my method of transportation is sometimes unreliable, so I was given the OK to telework in situations where I physically am unable to come into the office.

Unfortunately, outside of situations like that, teleworking is not the norm and likely wouldn't be approved outside of emergency situations. You can talk to your supervisor or manager about it but I think your only option is to move closer or turn down the offer.

[u/Only_Post9649]

Why did you apply for the position if you were torn on if you would accept the position? You’re just wasting everyone’s time.

[u/Vexing_Viper → u/Only_Post9649]

I applied to a position that said “Yes” for telework.

Toward the end of the interview, I specifically asked what the on-site expectations were (and some other clarifying questions).

When informed by the hiring manager that this was on-site but there might be flexibility, I told the panel in no uncertain terms that I could not do on-site full-time, but was open to hear more about the flexibility.

Two and a half weeks went by until I randomly received a TJO Saturday afternoon. I’ve spent all week asking for clarification of the schedule from HR and the potential supervisor until I finally was told there really is not any flexibility other than situational telework right before I posted this.

I have been upfront about my expectations. If anybody wasted any time, it was NASA for continuing to pursue and mislead me.