DODDS Hiring Question

ringler24
Posts: 80
Joined: Thu May 10, 2012 6:25 pm

Post by ringler24 »

Psy Guy: No one's expecting you to name names, but you clearly have no interest in validating your information. That's why it can't be trusted.
PsyGuy
Posts: 10789
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2011 9:51 am
Location: Northern Europe

Fair enough

Post by PsyGuy »

@ringler24

Identifying where my source is/what they do would pretty much be identifying them. This is an anonymous internet forum, if you want verifiable/credible information then visit;

www.dodea.edu

or call HR/HQ at +1-703-588-3983.
WeDoDude
Posts: 136
Joined: Mon May 07, 2012 11:46 pm

Post by WeDoDude »

Sevarem, you will be very attractive to DoDEA as a teaching couple, especially with one of you teaching math, a very high in demand position for us.

You do not have to be living in the States to get hired, but DoDEA may only pay for your move from the states. So they may require that you and all of your belongings are in the states. This isn't set in stone. If you live close to your new hire spot and it is cheaper to PCS you from there, they will. There are wonky rules and they aren't always clear.

Here's a tip, you can apply as a couple, which does make it harder to get placed as there has to be a spot for the both of you. The benefit to applying together is that if you are both picked up as CONUS hires then both of you get COLA and LQA allowances. That's big bucks! And since we can use our LQA to purchase our own homes, then you can see where you come out very, very ahead in this deal.

More than likely it will be your husband that gets hired from CONUS though. You then become his dependent and qualify for local hiring. As a local hire you do not get any LQA, or COLA, only your husband would. But once you were both eligible to transfer you could both do that together and then both get the COLA/LQA package if you were both placed together.

Make sense? Apply now, get everything in. The fact that you're willing to teach in Korea and Japan makes you both attractive. The fact that your husband can teach AP math makes you almost a sure thing to get picked up.

Good luck!
PsyGuy
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Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2011 9:51 am
Location: Northern Europe

Chances

Post by PsyGuy »

Your chances are better for one of you being hired, most likely your hubby. Its not anywhere near a sure thing. Math teachers have waited years, to get hired, and you two dont have very much experience. You CAN apply as a couple, but you shouldnt, with your resumes its going to stall your selection, since elementary is usually filled locally as a local hire.

That said it doesnt hurt to apply, and costs very little. Its technically too late for this upcoming year, but with math a high needs area you might get lucky. Its really a misnomer that anything outside special education is in "high" demand in DoDDS. They have so few schools and so many applicants, who all have advance degrees, multiple qualifications, and a decade or so of experience to choose from. DoDDS can afford to be picky in everything really.

In the short term the best advice is to add additional areas of qualifications. Go over your transcripts and see what you can add with a few credit hours here and there. Most of the postions that are hard to fill, are odd qualification combos, Like art and math...
sevarem
Posts: 171
Joined: Mon Aug 11, 2008 9:55 am

Post by sevarem »

WeDoDude, thank you for your reply. So if I understand correctly, we'd have a better chance of my husband getting hired as a CONUS, but we should still try applying as a couple regardless? If they did hire him and I was brought on as a dependent, is it usually easy for a certified teacher dependent to get hired as local status, or would I end up waiting a few years for a job?

I know what COLA is, but what is LQA?

Mostly we'd be interested in Korea or Japan, far more than Europe. We love living in Asia, we'd just like to not live in China for much longer (especially as we've just had a baby and would like to live in a cleaner, less polluted country).
Dunany
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Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2012 12:37 am

Post by Dunany »

This may be the thread that breaks the camel's back.
PsyGuy
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Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2011 9:51 am
Location: Northern Europe

Sigh

Post by PsyGuy »

Dont try as a couple, apply seperatly you have a better probability of one of you being selected that way.

LQA = Living Quarters Allowance. DoDDS pays your rent, utilities, fees, etc for you basically. Some people have to live in base housing, some can choose to live in base housing and most live off base, and LQA is the money and process by which those are provided/payed for you.

Your still a long, long shot, a DoDDS position is like winning the lottery, you can really think of it as your main plan/plan A.
WeDoDude
Posts: 136
Joined: Mon May 07, 2012 11:46 pm

Post by WeDoDude »

You can apply as both individuals, or as a couple. Getting hired as a couple is like hitting the lottery, you make double everything.

LQA is living quarters allowance. We get our rent, and utilities paid for up to a certain amount. It depends on your number of dependents and where you are on the GS scale. You can use your LQA to pay the principal on a home loan over 10 years. If you purchase a house within your LQA you can basically have it paid off in 10 years. There are teachers that have done this 2, to 3 times. After you get the house paid off and you own it free and clear you can rent it to other teachers, or military service members, purchase a new house and have your LQA applied to that as well.

Being that you husband is certified to teach AP math makes him a hot property. A lot of principals will overlooks experience if you've got solid references. And the fact that you want Japan, or Korea makes you even more desirable. Most applicants want Europe and Europe only.
PsyGuy
Posts: 10789
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2011 9:51 am
Location: Northern Europe

Quote

Post by PsyGuy »

"The lottery is a tax on people who dont understand statistics", and it applies here as well. You could wait forever and never get hired as a couple (the same could be said about getting hired individually). Your approach should be about "getting in" not holding out to hit the jackpot. You cant REALLY apply as a couple anyway, all that rally happens is when you each are filling out your own separate applications you indicate a teaching/applying spouse on the application.

The salary, allowances, and benefits for just one of you will allow you to live a very comfortable life.

There are plenty of math teachers with experience, given the math pool of plenty is smaller then the social studies pool, no principal in DoDDS is desperate, they have choices and realistically better ones then you (there are also worse candidates as well).

You will likely be very limited to purchase a home depending on the country you live in. Its a whole separate issue/thread. In general you have to have PR (Permenant Residency) to own property, you dont usually get that under SOFA.
dutchschultz
Posts: 19
Joined: Sun May 13, 2012 7:27 pm

Post by dutchschultz »

PsyGuy (or Dave),

The laws regarding purchasing a house are different for each country. Stop making blanket statements about something that you can't possibly know about. For example, you can purchase a house in Korea even if you are not a permanent resident and since this couple prefers to live in Korea or Japan (not Europe like you think everyone does) you shouldn't respond. Also, there are many countries in Europe that one can purchase a house even without being a permanent resident, Germany being one.
autumnrain
Posts: 27
Joined: Tue Mar 27, 2012 7:57 am

Post by autumnrain »

[quote="Dunany"]This may be the thread that breaks the camel's back.[/quote]

And to think I started it all. I've really enjoyed reading all these posts!
autumnrain
Posts: 27
Joined: Tue Mar 27, 2012 7:57 am

Post by autumnrain »

@ WeDoDude - your posts are particularly helpful. I especially appreciated reading that DODDS is expanding in Spain, Italy, Belgium and two new schools are opening in Korea.

Can you give more specifics on where in these countries the expansions/new schools will be?

Thanks!
Tundra_Creature
Posts: 17
Joined: Tue Mar 15, 2011 9:34 am

Post by Tundra_Creature »

I'm excited to read the riveting and epic conclusion to all this personally. ;)
ringler24
Posts: 80
Joined: Thu May 10, 2012 6:25 pm

Post by ringler24 »

LOL! Yes for sure!
WeDoDude
Posts: 136
Joined: Mon May 07, 2012 11:46 pm

Post by WeDoDude »

More than likely your husband will get picked up first. Yes, much easier for you to get in under local hire, but no LQA, or COLA. If you get lucky and get picked up together, then each of you get LQA and COLA. We have teachers all over the world who use their LQA to purchase homes. It is harder in Japan, but not impossible. Most people buy in Germany, where it is easier.

We are expanding in Rota, Spain, but that is a huge want place. Many people put it at the top of their list. We are also expanding in Venezia, Italy and SHape, Belgium.
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