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Return to Article: Homeland Security faces continued vacancies in high-level jobs

• 31397
  

  I am not surprised to hear that many senior postions are not filled at DHS as my experiences with their HR folks has been horrendous. Most recently, I applied for an SES position and the vacancy stated the application could only be received overnight or in person. Only problem is there was no information on how to deliver it in person and the person listed on the vacancy announcement never returned my calls. I did manage to deliver the application in person finally after spending 40 minutes in the lobby trying to find anyone who could contact HR. One helpful young woman called a number of folks but told me that HR would not answer the phone if they did not recognize the number. She finally located someone who did come down and take my application. I left wondering why would anyone want to work in a place so poorly managed and with an apparent lack of interest on the part of HR personnel. And I am still waiting to hear back from the HR specialist to acknowledge receipt of my application.

  job applicant Posted August 22, 2007 3:52 PM
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  The creation of DHS was a rushed and ill planned. There are still employees that after 4 years still don't have DHS ID cards. There is a rolving door of senior leadrship.There is no coordinated plan to protect the Homeland. DHS has become one disaster after another.DHS scored at the bottom in an OPM employee opinion poll of the DHS leadership. Too big move with no planning and very little oversight. It will take 10 years if then to resolve the distater that DHS has been from the start.The only problem is we don't have 10 years to get it right.

  DHS Employee Posted July 12, 2007 6:30 AM
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  If you think there are problems hiring qualified people at DHS try looking at the hiring problems at Robins AFB. Relocation expenses are paid along with a 25% hiring bonus and still either no one is hired or the recently hired are discouraged and quickly leave. The good ol' boy network is alive and well. The NSPS is the best thing that could have happened. Now managers' friends are getting hugh pay increases. Good luck accomplishing mission work.

  Dave Radcliff Posted July 12, 2007 6:20 AM
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  AMEN to the comments posted by Marc K, Jason & James D!!!! There has been quite a stir in GOV EXEC the last few days on the vacancies in the senior ranks. What about all the vacancies in the FRONTLINE & SUPPORT POSITIONS!!!!???? There is no relief in sight--that is why I am conducting a very intense job search. I've had several interviews in the last few months--soon I will escape!

  DHS Employee Posted July 11, 2007 9:24 AM
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  DHS is a disfuncional agency with no leadership. The biggest mistake in US history was to create this agency. Suggestion: abolish DHS and place the agencies under their (prior 2003) department.

  Jorge Posted July 11, 2007 9:19 AM
• 28131
  

  The problem is the buddy system. I have been looking for a job in HS in the Boston area and I never get called. What a shame! Lots of qualified people are not even looked at.

  Bert Rodriguez Posted July 11, 2007 8:10 AM
• 28097
  

  Let me try to understand something. DHS has more than twice the political appointees than the Dept of Defense including an Assistant Sec. of ICE that is a recess appointee two years running because she could not get confirmed in either a republican or democrat controlled senate? You have numerous young,arogant and ignorant political appointees that are in charge of people that have more time on in their gov't positions than the appointee has on earth? Hmmmm? let me see is there a problem? Why wouldn't some career people think about leaving? Hmmm I wonder why?

  bebe constansa Posted July 10, 2007 6:59 PM
• 28050
  

  If they would actually look at people's resumes and qualifications they might fill the positions. Apparently it is still a buddy system, where you have to know someone to even get looked at. They are missing out on a lot of quality people, no wonder the system is in shambles.

  Marc Kovacs Posted July 10, 2007 9:53 AM
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  Part of the problem is because no one wants to work for a horribly run agency like DOHS. They have idiots and a lot of -good-ol-boy mentality that todays young and educated work force would rather not deal with. they go to NASA, SSA, and other better run agencies where the work environment is pleasant at worst.

  Jason Posted July 10, 2007 9:44 AM
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  If they would cut through a lot of the nonsense for pryor military by recruiting those sevice members as they leave military life with training and disciplines still fresh in mind and habit and help the service members find a fulfilling job that can be considered a career. Too many are left with low paying jobs because the civilian sector don't know or appreciate the caliber of people they hire from the military.

  James Donohue (Former Active Army) Posted July 9, 2007 8:03 PM