2013 Public Health Associate Program (PHAP)

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I just received an email that I have been assigned to work at--
San Francisco Department of Public Health!
 
Has anyone been placed in Idaho? Or have any tips of where to live? I got placed in Caldwell ID, about a 40 min drive from Boise... I'm having a hard time trying to find an apartment! 😕
 
Hi I just found this blog and I got an offer in Reno, Nevada. I was wondering if anyone else received an offer from there. I am originally from CA Bay area and unfortunately I did not receive an offer for CA.



Please let me know
 
neellio said:
So glad to hear that people are still hearing back from PHAP!

I'm personally very disappointed to have not heard anything back yet. I know that it is a very competitive program, but I really thought my phone interview went really well (lasted about an hour, my contact was really friendly and engaging and it was really fun answering the situational questions). I just finished my BS in Health Studies and Biological Anthropology, and I have a pretty solid background in public health coursework, as well as experience doing research and workshop coordination for family health centers around campus, and 2 years of volunteer experience as a sexual health educator. I thought for sure I might have been placed on the waitlist, but so far, no news from PHAP.

It's a busy time for all of you right now, but if anybody who was accepted into the program right out of undergrad would be kind enough to give me advice on what I could do in the next year to make myself a more competitive candidate, I would really appreciate it!

Best of luck to you all with moving, and congrats once again!
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Seems like we were fairly similar candidates, right out of school, but I was a bit more science focused. The only major difference that I could figure out is that had a study abroad that put me in contact with people from different cultures and backgrounds. Good luck in the future and I hope you still get a call!
 
pubhealthassoc said:
Yes, the lady who called me from Atlanta told me to send my transcripts to the PHAP address asap
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That's so weird, it seems we're all getting mixed messages, I emailed the phap email address and they told me to wait for HR to contact me before sending anything, on the phap website it says transcripts will need to be sent by July 26, but I think it said July 1 before... ?
 
OMG, i got a call yesterday. i'm placed in Long Island, NY!! i only chose DC and NY for geographical preference and i'm so happy to be placed in NY (i have to tell you, my family lives in Long Island 🙂)). Congrats everyone!!!
 
jaz0502 said:
That's so weird, it seems we're all getting mixed messages, I emailed the phap email address and they told me to wait for HR to contact me before sending anything, on the phap website it says transcripts will need to be sent by July 26, but I think it said July 1 before... ?
Click to expand...

Same here, I was told to wait until contacted by HR because they will give us a specific address.
 
neellio said:
So glad to hear that people are still hearing back from PHAP!

I'm personally very disappointed to have not heard anything back yet. I know that it is a very competitive program, but I really thought my phone interview went really well (lasted about an hour, my contact was really friendly and engaging and it was really fun answering the situational questions). I just finished my BS in Health Studies and Biological Anthropology, and I have a pretty solid background in public health coursework, as well as experience doing research and workshop coordination for family health centers around campus, and 2 years of volunteer experience as a sexual health educator. I thought for sure I might have been placed on the waitlist, but so far, no news from PHAP.

It's a busy time for all of you right now, but if anybody who was accepted into the program right out of undergrad would be kind enough to give me advice on what I could do in the next year to make myself a more competitive candidate, I would really appreciate it!

Best of luck to you all with moving, and congrats once again!
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I do not know if this is too much, but something to think about. Air Force has a need of Public Health Officer, been a veteran will give you 5 points preference over other people. Personally, I got 108 rating, but I am a disable veteran, and I have MPH. I think a master will help you for sure. Additionally it will qualify you for a GS 9 position.
Good luck
 
65731462 said:
Air Force has a need of Public Health Officer, been a veteran will give you 5 points preference over other people.
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I was an Air Force public health officer: they prefer that you be a veterinarian. They will take other professions, but require all the non-veterinarians to have an MPH or MSE. Those not meeting either of these requirements need not apply. Air Force medical command generally meets it retention/recruitment goals without too much difficulty: they can be selective about who they choose.
 
Member221617 said:
Hi!
I've been following this thread religiously (but silently) from the beginning! I was accepted and placed in New Orleans so I'll be moving there from NYC. I was wondering if anyone else was placed there or knows anyone there? I'd like to find a roommate ☺

I also wanted to thank everyone- this thread has been such an important place of support and hope through this process. I wish you all luck!
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Hey!!! I actually got accepted and I am going to New Orleans as well and looking for a room mate!!! We should definitely link up.
 
Has anyone received notification that they have NOT been selected?
 
Winning1 said:
This may sound insane but believe it or not I received an email on June 28th. It stated that they had notified me on April 18th for the second round. This being the request for a personal statement. They gave me until July 10th to submit it. I thought it was over and that there was no way.... I was going to get in but that email brought some hope. One must consider the fact that relocation isn't as easy as it may sound. I am sure a lot of applicants turned down their offer because of the fact that they don't want to relocate. There may have been 4000 applicants but due to each person's special circumstances the odds of getting a position is way higher than you may think. I would go anywhere! lol 🙂 It's probably one of those year! #keepingmyfingerscrossed
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Wow, that's interesting how they are giving you until the 10th to submit your personal statement. I wish we knew how many have accepted the offer so far or how many spots are left. I wonder I'd by Sunday, which is the last day of June, will be the last day of offers since it's supposed to only be through this month.
 
When did you submit your personal statement and what came next? The Interview? I don't know what are the odds of me getting in still because it is way past....... April 18th. But the fact that they still want to consider me may mean that spots are still available! By now there may be like 5-10 lucky spots with at least 100 highly qualified applicants, waiting for a response or in my case waiting for that interview! Who knows maybe there's 2 more positions and it between me and you lol 😛 Thank God I applied to grad school as my back up plan. Btw I'm from Boston!
 
I submitted my personal statement on March 22nd and had my interview the last week of May. I think you have a chance since they are letting submit your personal statement now instead of March. Let's just keep on hoping for the best! 🙂
 
I recognized from the most recent post, applicants have recently been accepted to sites on the east coast.
 
I'm just wondering if anyone else has gotten an offer this week?


I'm fustrated I'm beganing to think of letting go! ....but I can't! I havent heard from PHAP or the Other VA office that contacted me recently. Federal hiring is overwhelming & lengthy as I have been "close" to being hired only to never get any follow-up or have the whole thing fall apart. I'm applying other jobs & fellowship! If anyone knows of any opening or fellowships I'd appreciate the infomation. I can work with any population; I work with seniors & children now. I'm in Southern California but more than welling to relocate.


AS ALWAYS IF I HEAR ANYTHING FROM PHAP ILL POST IT HERE
 
I went to school in Virginia and I was placed in Manassas. I live in northern Virginia so it worked out pretty well for me.
 
Winning1 said:
This may sound insane but believe it or not I received an email on June 28th. It stated that they had notified me on April 18th for the second round. This being the request for a personal statement. They gave me until July 10th to submit it. I thought it was over and that there was no way.... I was going to get in but that email brought some hope. One must consider the fact that relocation isn't as easy as it may sound. I am sure a lot of applicants turned down their offer because of the fact that they don't want to relocate. There may have been 4000 applicants but due to each person's special circumstances the odds of getting a position is way higher than you may think. I would go anywhere! lol 🙂 It's probably one of those year! #keepingmyfingerscrossed
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I have a master's of public policy. If this is true then they are violating SO MANY Federal hiring guidelines that it's ridiculous. Also, this likely explains the hold up and why they are delaying making selections and updating everyone of their status.

Obviously, they are filling voids in their selection process. Maybe they didn't choose enough finalist veterans or maybe they didn't abide by ranking or preference eligible requirements.

Either way- It is ILLEGAL to select people who have NOT competed in the competitive process after deadlines, register lists and rankings candidates have been selected. If they are to do so, then they must CANCEL the entire vacancy and repost the announcement and complete the entire process all over again.
 
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Anyone else get the email to begin the background screening? I received it last week!
 
captodometer said:
I was an Air Force public health officer: they prefer that you be a veterinarian. They will take other professions, but require all the non-veterinarians to have an MPH or MSE. Those not meeting either of these requirements need not apply. Air Force medical command generally meets it retention/recruitment goals without too much difficulty: they can be selective about who they choose.
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To become an officer people do not need a Master's degree. They only need 60 credit hour and a commitment to finish a bachelor degree with in certain amount of time.
 
65731462 said:
To become an officer people do not need a Master’s degree. They only need 60 credit hour and a commitment to finish a bachelor degree with in certain amount of time.
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To become an officer in general, the above, along with the 21+ age requirement, may be true. But to become a public health officer (AFSC 43H1 and 43H3), the degree requirements that I specified earlier were true 10 years ago and are still true today.

http://www.airforce.com/careers/detail/public-health-officer/
 
Winning1 said:
When did you submit your personal statement and what came next? The Interview? I don't know what are the odds of me getting in still because it is way past....... April 18th. But the fact that they still want to consider me may mean that spots are still available! By now there may be like 5-10 lucky spots with at least 100 highly qualified applicants, waiting for a response or in my case waiting for that interview! Who knows maybe there's 2 more positions and it between me and you lol 😛 Thank God I applied to grad school as my back up plan. Btw I'm from Boston!
Click to expand...

When you interview can you ask the number of positions open?



I posted earlier in this thread about accepting an offer to Reno NV. The PHAP office failed to enter my acceptance into the system and mistakenly presented my offer to someone else

I'm currently in dispute with the office over what they call a "simple miscommunication..a mistake," and it's upsetting to hear they're still soliciting personal statements when I am supposedly waiting for an offer at the "top of the wait list" (thought I don't know how much trust I place in this with how they've been handling the process this year). I was only notified of the office's mistake last week after trying to contact them repeatedly the past few weeks. It's frustrating to know I am well-qualified for this, as validated by my original offer, and then see the offer taken from me because of someone else's mistake.

I'm hoping the OSTLTS can step up and not only fairly address my problem, but start getting accurate information to everyone else (seems no one knows where transcripts go...?).
 
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captodometer said:
To become an officer in general, the above, along with the 21+ age requirement, may be true. But to become a public health officer (AFSC 43H1 and 43H3), the degree requirements that I specified earlier were true 10 years ago and are still true today.

http://www.airforce.com/careers/detail/public-health-officer/
Click to expand...
The original question said;
‘if anybody who was accepted into the program right out of undergrad would be kind enough to give me advice on what I could do in the next year to make myself a more competitive candidate, I would really appreciate it!"
It was not how to become a Public Health Officer in the Air Force
 
obraumuller said:
Do you think they will postpone the start date?
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I really hope they consider pushing the start date back! No one has heard from their actual host site and we are supposed to relocate and start in about three weeks. 😱
 
Has anyone tried contacting HR about a letter concerning our offer so that we can use it to secure housing?

I just got off the phone with HR and she said she couldn't give me anything since nothing is official yet. She is going to look into it more and let me know.
 
Member 4516 said:
Has anyone tried contacting HR about a letter concerning our offer so that we can use it to secure housing?

I just got off the phone with HR and she said she couldn't give me anything since nothing is official yet. She is going to look into it more and let me know.
Click to expand...

I also sent an email about this yesterday and got the following reply: "Once you are officially hired and are on our roll, then and only then will we be able to be verified
your employment. If you need further assistance you can contact by [email protected] or call."

So... hopefully it's "official" soon. I know I've already done both background checks and am getting fingerprinted tomorrow so hopefully the process will be over soon so we can all start finding housing!
 
Did they contact you about fingerprinting? I haven't heard anything since I faxed in the forms for the background check.
 
Right after I sent in the paper background check I got two additional emails, one with instructions for an electronic background check called e-QIP (which is really long) and another connecting me to the fingerprinting location in my area. So if you faxed in your paper one I would think you'd be getting those emails soon.
 
sunshine218 said:
Right after I sent in the paper background check I got two additional emails, one with instructions for an electronic background check called e-QIP (which is really long) and another connecting me to the fingerprinting location in my area. So if you faxed in your paper one I would think you'd be getting those emails soon.
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Yeah me too. I faxed it in 6 days ago (same day they e-mailed me). The only thing I can think of (for finger printing) is I had it done for AmeriCorps, but I don't know if it is equivalent for what they need.
 
Last night, I had dinner with a PHAP associate from the class of 2011. She has mentioned that we just all have to be patient and wait for THAT official letter. Even though we're all scrambling with housing, relocation, background checks, it's not official till that letter/invitation comes in.

She also mentioned to bring an umbrella in Atlanta! One moment it's sunny then rainy the next! They were in Atlanta for TWO WEEKS back then and unfortunately, it's only a week for us. "Make sure to LISTEN and don't be afraid to ask questions if you need any clarifications. One week of training will not be enough so use your resources and people you meet there!"

And finally... Have a credit/debit card with at least $700-800 credit/money in it. Why? Because associates will shoulder the hotel during our stay in Atlanta. We will be reimbursed but it might take 2-3 weeks to get the money back.

Disclaimer: That's her experience being in the 2011 PHAP Class and with the class of 2012, as well. It may be different from us (ex, paying for our own hotel) but it's a good warning, right?
 
Sacramento14 said:
Last night, I had dinner with a PHAP associate from the class of 2011. She has mentioned that we just all have to be patient and wait for THAT official letter. Even though we're all scrambling with housing, relocation, background checks, it's not official till that letter/invitation comes in.

She also mentioned to bring an umbrella in Atlanta! One moment it's sunny then rainy the next! They were in Atlanta for TWO WEEKS back then and unfortunately, it's only a week for us. "Make sure to LISTEN and don't be afraid to ask questions if you need any clarifications. One week of training will not be enough so use your resources and people you meet there!"

And finally... Have a credit/debit card with at least $700-800 credit/money in it. Why? Because associates will shoulder the hotel during our stay in Atlanta. We will be reimbursed but it might take 2-3 weeks to get the money back.

Disclaimer: That's her experience being in the 2011 PHAP Class and with the class of 2012, as well. It may be different from us (ex, paying for our own hotel) but it's a good warning, right?
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Very good insight! thanks! You were placed in San Fran right? How is the search for housing coming along? I have been looking non-stop but everything is soooo expensive over there
 
humbleb said:
Very good insight! thanks! You were placed in San Fran right? How is the search for housing coming along? I have been looking non-stop but everything is soooo expensive over there
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I'll be renting a room in Daly City. It's owned by a family friend and it was just good timing that one of her tenants was leaving. It'll be a lot of commute for me but its unavoidable in SF where I'm assigned.
As I have heard from other friends who are familiar in the Bay: it's either you pay more and live downtown, less commute -or- pay less rent and lose hours of your life commuting. They have mentioned that SF rentals are really competitive. When you're out and about checking out places, be ready to make a choice right there and then with your check book because it may be gone the next day. Search around the EAST BAY area, different friends have mentioned it to me but I really didn't get the chance to look around.
 
Sacramento14 said:
I'll be renting a room in Daly City. It's owned by a family friend and it was just good timing that one of her tenants was leaving. It'll be a lot of commute for me but its unavoidable in SF where I'm assigned.
As I have heard from other friends who are familiar in the Bay: it's either you pay more and live downtown, less commute -or- pay less rent and lose hours of your life commuting. They have mentioned that SF rentals are really competitive. When you're out and about checking out places, be ready to make a choice right there and then with your check book because it may be gone the next day. Search around the EAST BAY area, different friends have mentioned it to me but I really didn't get the chance to look around.
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oh wow! thanks
 
Has everyone been contacted to do the background check? I got an email saying I would be contacted by HR in the next couple of days, and still nothing (it was like last week). All of this "unofficial" business is making me very nervous!
 
jaz0502 said:
Has everyone been contacted to do the background check? I got an email saying I would be contacted by HR in the next couple of days, and still nothing (it was like last week). All of this "unofficial" business is making me very nervous!
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"That's the federal government for you." As my PHAP friend said. More waiting.. As if waiting for "the" call wasn't enough. Good luck to us!
 
65731462 said:
The original question said;
‘if anybody who was accepted into the program right out of undergrad would be kind enough to give me advice on what I could do in the next year to make myself a more competitive candidate, I would really appreciate it!”
It was not how to become a Public Health Officer in the Air Force
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Someone's response to the original question was to look into Air Force public health officer positions, which is an excellent suggestion for those who want public health careers and can tolerate being shot at, etc. But it's absolutely not a viable option for someone right out of undergrad because they won't meet the minimum education requirements to even be considered for the position. It's also not an option for anyone whose time frame for applying/reapplying to PHAP is only one year, because it's a 3 year service commitment.

Original poster would be much better off volunteering at their local AIDS charity, STD clinic, WIC office, etc.
 
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