2015 PHAP application

[mypenny2]

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I am still waiting for my official offer letter and background check clearance. My references did not tell me if they received a call or questionnaire. I only had to submit paper forms to my security specialist. Hope we get our offer letters soon!

I got my tentative offer mid-June and submitted my security clearance paperwork about 5 weeks ago.

Ok, thank you for replying. Just like you, I got tentative offer on June 8. I submitted my paperwork & fingerprints on July 6. Then had to re-do it in EQip on 7.30 per the security specialist email on 7.29. None of my references have received the questionnaire, but my supervisor did last week. She wouldn't let me see it but the little I could had my name, SS#, & her name. It didn't reference PHAP or CDC. It was a fill in the bubble sheet with a comment section. The mailed back envelope had Office of Personnel on it.
I emailed my HR lady yesterday to inquire. But it's been 2 weeks & I need to find a place. Also, I haven't given my job notice either. September is creeping up fast.

 

[mypenny2]

Hey I submitted my background check stuff about five weeks ago too. I have been calling and emailing my security check person and HR rep for the past two weeks. My HR rep responded yesterday that she was waiting on my security clearance .My security clearancy person told me today that he cleared me and letters should come out soon ( whatever that means ). He also told me that at one point the system went down ( whatever that means )

Ok, thanks for that infor. I emailed my security specialist about my background check. He said it was in the hands of Office of Personnel to start my check as of 7.30. Which amazes me, since he had my paperwork on July 6.

 

[JadeGreen]

He told me that something happened where the system went down, so some of us will have to resubmit documents. He did tell that I was cleared, but I still have to wait for my HR rep to give me details. I have sent in my notice either at my current job and need a place. I was able to get him on the phone on his BB round 1 pm today if that helps. Try him tomorrow. We may have the same HR person too which has me thinking we will get our official offers around the same time

Ok, thank you for replying. Just like you, I got tentative offer on June 8. I submitted my paperwork & fingerprints on June 10. Then had to re-do it in EQip on 7.30 per the security specialist email on 7.29. None of my references have received the questionnaire, but my supervisor did last week. She wouldn't let me see it but the little I could had my name, SS#, & her name. It didn't reference PHAP or CDC. It was a fill in the bubble sheet with a comment section. The mailed back envelope had Office of Personnel on it.
I emailed my HR lady yesterday to inquire. But it's been 2 weeks & I need to find a place. Also, I haven't given my job notice either. September is creeping up fast.

 

[mypenny2]

He told me that something happened where the system went down, so some of us will have to resubmit documents. He did tell that I was cleared, but I still have to wait for my HR rep to give me details. I have sent in my notice either at my current job and need a place. I was able to get him on the phone on his BB round 1 pm today if that helps. Try him tomorrow. We may have the same HR person too which has me thinking we will get our official offers around the same time

That's good news for you. My specialist was name Scott Dahme.

 

[zqm1]

Hey I submitted my background check stuff about five weeks ago too. I have been calling and emailing my security check person and HR rep for the past two weeks. My HR rep responded yesterday that she was waiting on my security clearance .My security clearancy person told me today that he cleared me and letters should come out soon ( whatever that means ). He also told me that at one point the system went down ( whatever that means )

It probably had to do with the hackers who got into the Health and Human Services system

 

[mypenny2]

It probably had to do with the hackers who got into the Health and Human Services system

That's what my security specialist told me. This is the reasons for delayed background checks through Office of Personnel EQip system. They were upgrading their security servers.

 

[nyesha2]

@JadeGreen thanks for the feedback. I finally received an email from him abt an hour ago to resubmit my resume through the online system and to call him for my code. A few minutes later I received an email from HR (Lateisha Phillips) which had my official offer letter. Although I have my letter, I will still call him tomorrow about me resubmitting my stuff since I have my letter now

 

[JadeGreen]

Great. Now what is the name of the FB group again ?

 

[mdbyrd]

Great. Now what is the name of the FB group again ?

2015 phap
https://www.facebook.com/groups/952181448166987/

 

[jsquared91]

2015 phap
https://www.facebook.com/groups/952181448166987/

I'll be honest... not a good idea to use the logo as the cover photo.

edit: typo

 

[zqm1]

For those of you who received your official offer, I would recommend that you contact your host site supervisor and ask for their host site application. The application will include all of your expected job duties and depending on funding or change in personnel, your duties may change.

Congrats again everyone and welcome to PHAP 🙂

 

[Dgetch75]

Here is the Facebook link again-https://www.facebook.com/groups/952181448166987/

 

[mypenny2]

I am still waiting for my official offer letter and background check clearance. My references did not tell me if they received a call or questionnaire. I only had to submit paper forms to my security specialist. Hope we get our offer letters soon!

I got my tentative offer mid-June and submitted my security clearance paperwork about 5 weeks ago.

@ele92 -Have you heard any update on your security clearance? Did you receive your welcome email/official offer letter yet?

 

[RachelT]

Has anyone else had issues with transcripts? If not, once you get them in, do you get all the details on the position? Do we know start dates yet?

 

[mypenny2]

Has anyone else had issues with transcripts? If not, once you get them in, do you get all the details on the position? Do we know start dates yet?

I haven't had any issues but mine was due within the week after, I received my initial call from HR in June.
I would check with your school to ensure they sent a official copy & check with your HR rep.

You get your welcome/ official letter after they verified your transcripts & recieve your background check clearance.

Start date is 10/5/15 at your host site. I called the main CDC HR number yesterday because I wasn't getting any responses from my rep. I talked to a rep in PHAP (Mrs. Scott) who helped me. I was cleared on 8/19. They sent my letter to the wrong email. She emailed me my details.
Hope that helps. Good Luck

 

[publicrookie]

Greetings and Congrats to all who have been offered a chance in this program. I'm looking into applying next year but I'm interested in what actually training will take place outside of our work at the host sites. Has anyone talked to a PHAP alum about the training?

Thanks

 

[zqm1]

Greetings and Congrats to all who have been offered a chance in this program. I'm looking into applying next year but I'm interested in what actually training will take place outside of our work at the host sites. Has anyone talked to a PHAP alum about the training?

Thanks

Hi feel free to message me, I'm in the 2014 class and I can answer some questions

 

[AMarie03]

Has anyone contacted their host site supervisor yet? Have they been receptive? I have so many questions but I don't want to bombard them with emails lol

 

[mypenny2]

Has anyone contacted their host site supervisor yet? Have they been receptive? I have so many questions but I don't want to bombard them with emails lol

Yes, I called mine today. She was very receptive & provided me with their application for the fellowship duties for both years.
Call your contact

 

[mypenny2]

Yes, I called mine today. She was very receptive & provided me with their application for the fellowship duties for both years.
Call your contact

If you join the Facebook group, others have posted their feedback as well. Will be helpful

 

[jsquared91]

If you're curious about the wide variety of work that PHAPs do, check out the profiles on the website. Also, it's a program with a lot of visibility within the agency. Dr. Frieden tweeted about this story: http://www.cdc.gov/phap/experience_phap/phap-at-work/profiles/m_jacobson.html

Get pumped about the opportunity you have to make a difference.

 

[!NDee]

Got a call tonight from Michelle Scott, I'm going to Richmond, Va!!!!!!!!!!

 

[tsb17]

Got a call tonight from Michelle Scott, I'm going to Richmond, Va!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome to the Richmond Crew!!! There are about 6 or 7 of us I believe, at least at one site.

 

[Tati23]

Hi all!

I have a question for current PHAPers. So I know that for time off you have to be approved by your supervisors. Around June my grandpa had a heart attack and I was unable to visit him in Argentina due to the costs and short notice. My grandpa is OK thankfully, so my family and I decided to visit him (and the rest of my family) in Argentina during the holidays. My grandpa's birthday is also January 1 and he's turning 90, so we really wanted to be there. We got tickets to go to Argentina for 2 weeks (the last week of this year and the first week of 2016). I really want to get this time off to visit my family. I also bought the ticket long before I even was aware that I would be offered a PHAP position. Do you think I will be able to get this time off? I do not mind not being paid and foregoing future time off. I just really want to be able to visit my family.

 

[Cdmcghee3]

That's a great question, I have a similar situation. I have also already paid for a Christmas cruise, and Hawaiian vacation for next March and I can not have my money refunded. So please any insight from current PHAP associates would be helpful.




I have a question for current PHAPers. So I know that for time off you have to be approved by your supervisors. Around June my grandpa had a heart attack and I was unable to visit him in Argentina due to the costs and short notice. My grandpa is OK thankfully, so my family and I decided to visit him (and the rest of my family) in Argentina during the holidays. My grandpa's birthday is also January 1 and he's turning 90, so we really wanted to be there. We got tickets to go to Argentina for 2 weeks (the last week of this year and the first week of 2016). I really want to get this time off to visit my family. I also bought the ticket long before I even was aware that I would be offered a PHAP position. Do you think I will be able to get this time off? I do not mind not being paid and foregoing future time off. I just really want to be able to visit my family.[/QUOTE]

 

[Cdmcghee3]

Current PHAP associates,

Can you give details on orientation in Atlanta? They gave us our dates already, but no further details. Do they fly you in or does it depend on how far you have to travel to get there? Do we all stay in the same hotel? Will it be fun or boring? Is it a 9-5 type of thing? Anything will be helpful. ..thanks

 

[zqm1]

Hi all!

I have a question for current PHAPers. So I know that for time off you have to be approved by your supervisors. Around June my grandpa had a heart attack and I was unable to visit him in Argentina due to the costs and short notice. My grandpa is OK thankfully, so my family and I decided to visit him (and the rest of my family) in Argentina during the holidays. My grandpa's birthday is also January 1 and he's turning 90, so we really wanted to be there. We got tickets to go to Argentina for 2 weeks (the last week of this year and the first week of 2016). I really want to get this time off to visit my family. I also bought the ticket long before I even was aware that I would be offered a PHAP position. Do you think I will be able to get this time off? I do not mind not being paid and foregoing future time off. I just really want to be able to visit my family.

Hi my suggestion is that you always work with your host site supervisor first on this issue. There is always the opportunity of using flex time and going to outreach events to earn hours. When I first started I looked for any outreach event on the weekends as possible to earn time to see my family since I had limited annual leave time to go home for the holidays.

There is also the option of teleworking from your location. Telework can give you the opportunity to work from home and maybe you can work out a deal with your host site supervisor and CDC supervisor on this. Feel free to also me a private message too if you have more questions 🙂

 

[zqm1]

That's a great question, I have a similar situation. I have also already paid for a Christmas cruise, and Hawaiian vacation for next March and I can not have my money refunded. So please any insight from current PHAP associates would be helpful.




I have a question for current PHAPers. So I know that for time off you have to be approved by your supervisors. Around June my grandpa had a heart attack and I was unable to visit him in Argentina due to the costs and short notice. My grandpa is OK thankfully, so my family and I decided to visit him (and the rest of my family) in Argentina during the holidays. My grandpa's birthday is also January 1 and he's turning 90, so we really wanted to be there. We got tickets to go to Argentina for 2 weeks (the last week of this year and the first week of 2016). I really want to get this time off to visit my family. I also bought the ticket long before I even was aware that I would be offered a PHAP position. Do you think I will be able to get this time off? I do not mind not being paid and foregoing future time off. I just really want to be able to visit my family.

[/QUOTE]


I would also look up the HHS Payroll calendar for 2015-2016. It includes all the holidays we have off and that may help you see if there are already days off during your vacation- however March is tough and you will have to use flextime, sick leave and annual leave. One nice thing about last year was when President Obama gave all federal employees the 12/26 off after Christmas. Fingers crossed if we get Christmas Eve off as well 🙂

 

[zqm1]

Current PHAP associates,

Can you give details on orientation in Atlanta? They gave us our dates already, but no further details. Do they fly you in or does it depend on how far you have to travel to get there? Do we all stay in the same hotel? Will it be fun or boring? Is it a 9-5 type of thing? Anything will be helpful. ..thanks

So for the 2014 class we were all in the same hotel (Emory Conference Center) which is right across from the CDC campus. Depending on your location, they will pay for your air travel and if you are within 50 miles of Atlanta they will probably encourage you to travel by car ( I would double check with your CDC supervisor). I found it fun meeting everyone and exploring Atlanta with my new cohort. There will be some boring sessions during the training (sorry can't prevent that) but overall it is very insightful and this is the time when you guys become official CDC employees. You'll get your official ID and key fob which allows you to connect to the CDC network. The hours are typically 8am-4:30pm (which is the most common tour of duty for CDC employees) but that may change depending on the day. Also, this conference should give you opportunity to earn time that you can put towards your leave. Last year we were able to receive some credit time and travel compensation time. At the last conference I attended I earned 12 hours by asking for late flights.

If anyone has questions on travel comp time let me know- I use it to my full advantage and it can help you take work off, especially for holidays and vacation since your guys won't have a lot of hours earned yet.

 

[jsquared91]

Hi all!

I have a question for current PHAPers. So I know that for time off you have to be approved by your supervisors. Around June my grandpa had a heart attack and I was unable to visit him in Argentina due to the costs and short notice. My grandpa is OK thankfully, so my family and I decided to visit him (and the rest of my family) in Argentina during the holidays. My grandpa's birthday is also January 1 and he's turning 90, so we really wanted to be there. We got tickets to go to Argentina for 2 weeks (the last week of this year and the first week of 2016). I really want to get this time off to visit my family. I also bought the ticket long before I even was aware that I would be offered a PHAP position. Do you think I will be able to get this time off? I do not mind not being paid and foregoing future time off. I just really want to be able to visit my family.

I'd also run a quick estimate of how much time you'd need to be able to earn by then, remember you get 4 hours a pay period, then add in maybe 10 hours for travel time to and from atlanta (estimated). You may be able to earn some extra time off doing some outreach, but don't count on it, some host sites don't have too many of those opportunities.

Current PHAP associates,

Can you give details on orientation in Atlanta? They gave us our dates already, but no further details. Do they fly you in or does it depend on how far you have to travel to get there? Do we all stay in the same hotel? Will it be fun or boring? Is it a 9-5 type of thing? Anything will be helpful. ..thanks

@zqm1 pretty much answered this, but I'll chime in too. Please be patient with the process, becoming a federal employee requires a lot of paperwork and most agencies don't on-board this many people at once.

Above everything else, have fun with your fellow associates! Get away from the hotel! Go explore Atlanta!

 

[Cdmcghee3]

So for the 2014 class we were all in the same hotel (Emory Conference Center) which is right across from the CDC campus. Depending on your location, they will pay for your air travel and if you are within 50 miles of Atlanta they will probably encourage you to travel by car ( I would double check with your CDC supervisor). I found it fun meeting everyone and exploring Atlanta with my new cohort. There will be some boring sessions during the training (sorry can't prevent that) but overall it is very insightful and this is the time when you guys become official CDC employees. You'll get your official ID and key fob which allows you to connect to the CDC network. The hours are typically 8am-4:30pm (which is the most common tour of duty for CDC employees) but that may change depending on the day. Also, this conference should give you opportunity to earn time that you can put towards your leave. Last year we were able to receive some credit time and travel compensation time. At the last conference I attended I earned 12 hours by asking for late flights.

If anyone has questions on travel comp time let me know- I use it to my full advantage and it can help you take work off, especially for holidays and vacation since your guys won't have a lot of hours earned yet.

Do we have roomates while in orientation or are we in rooms by ourselves?

 

[zqm1]

Everyone in the 2014 class had their own room and didn't have to share. I doubt they will make you guys pair up.

 

[Cdmcghee3]

Everyone in the 2014 class had their own room and didn't have to share. I doubt they will make you guys pair up.

When did they fly you in and fly you back out? For instance our orientation in 10/26-10/30 so will we fly in 10/25 and leave 10/31? How did you guys explore Atlanta did they provide transportation?

 

[zqm1]

For the 2014 class we traveled for our conferences on Sundays and left Friday afternoons. Your travel days are most likely 10/25 and 10/30.

Each of you will be assigned a travel preparer. They will contact you and will ask you for your preferred travel times for flights. So for Sunday the time can vary. On Friday however, ask for flights past your tour of duty to earn the most travel comp time. For example, on Friday you guys will probably end during the afternoon. Any travel that occurs during your tour of duty (between 8am-4:30pm on Monday-Friday) will not count towards travel comp time.

For exploring Atlanta, I used Uber and LYFT to get around with other PHAPs. You can split fares and it's pretty convenient. The hotel has a free van taxi that can transport you within a few miles. It was great for making a run to the grocery store or to the CDC if you didn't want to walk over (about a 5- 10 min walk).

I'm not sure if the CDC will reimburse you for leisure travel and exploring so I would ask your travel preparer. They will definitely pay for your travel to go to the airport, hotel and back home.

 

[jsquared91]

When did they fly you in and fly you back out? For instance our orientation in 10/26-10/30 so will we fly in 10/25 and leave 10/31? How did you guys explore Atlanta did they provide transportation?

Uber... Roybal campus is kind of a public transit waste land... similar to much of Atlanta.

Hotel tips:
Request a fridge in your room
Go to the grocery store for salad and sandwich fixins early in the week, go cheap for breakfast and lunch and do it big for dinner.

I was always focused on getting home asap on Friday, but I never took much time off of work... I would always call the airline or Omega and get my flights changed. But follow the advice of @zqm1 if you're looking to maximize comp time.

 

[Auctoritas]

I guess it's going to be up to us people from Atlanta to do some showing around. It's a great city with a lot to do! 🙂 (Although, I already have at least 1 date night set up with a very excited little girl who will be glad to have me back in town)

 

[blessed2015]

Uber... Roybal campus is kind of a public transit waste land... similar to much of Atlanta.

Hotel tips:
Request a fridge in your room
Go to the grocery store for salad and sandwich fixins early in the week, go cheap for breakfast and lunch and do it big for dinner.

I was always focused on getting home asap on Friday, but I never took much time off of work... I would always call the airline or Omega and get my flights changed. But follow the advice of @zqm1 if you're looking to maximize comp time.

Do we pay for the holtel up front and get reimbursed later?

 

[!NDee]

I have the same question! We were sent an email today saying we would get a preparer and to book the hotel. A few of us are worried we have to for those days upfront.

 

[zqm1]

Do we pay for the holtel up front and get reimbursed later?

The CDC gave the 2014 class an advance to pay for our hotel a few weeks before our training conferences and your class should have the same.When you reserve your room, you will have to charge it to a credit/debit card but you won't be officially charged you until you check out that Friday. Worse case scenario if you don't get the advance, you'll receive your reimbursement that includes the hotel bill after the conference a few weeks later. As long as you have your direct deposit set up you should be okay.

 

[jsquared91]

Do we pay for the holtel up front and get reimbursed later?

I have the same question! We were sent an email today saying we would get a preparer and to book the hotel. A few of us are worried we have to for those days upfront.

It has varied over the past couple of years unfortunately. Once they paid for us, another time we had to put it up ourselves and get reimbursed. Sometimes travel advances have come in on time, others late. Hopefully they will get you guys travel advances and then finish up reimbursement quickly after the trip, but credit card with 0% interest is helpful if you don't have the cash in your account to cover the hotel.

Edit: also, if you anticipate needing a travel advance, bring it up to your travel preparer as soon as possible! But really don't count on it... the hotel puts a hold on your card when you check in, my first year they didn't do advances and it came down to people almost deciding to check out of the hotel before PHAP stepped up with the mysterious "CDC credit card" to pay all of our hotels up front. Lesson: PHAP supervisors and admin is there to help, but don't count on a large government agency to be the fastest with reimbursement.

 

[Cdmcghee3]

Do they give us money for food during orientation?

 

[LauTay]

Do they give us money for food during orientation?

For our last 2 trainings they gave us a "per diem" but we paid for the food while in Atlanta and were reimbursed.You get the per diem regardless of how much you actually spend --I think it was around 50 dollars per day(it varies if it is a travel day or full day) so if you spend less than that you will still get 50 dollars...if you spend more you will still get 50 dollars

 

[jsquared91]

Do they give us money for food during orientation?

Yeah, the per diem is pretty solid unless you're expecting to do it big every day. Brew coffee in your room for free, use groceries for breakfast and lunch, have a bunch leftover for a nice dinner out. During the summer, there is a little farmers stand with fresh produce etc below the conference rooms, I'm not sure how long it's there for, but it was a good way to grab some cheap food.

 

[zqm1]

Yeah, the per diem is pretty solid unless you're expecting to do it big every day. Brew coffee in your room for free, use groceries for breakfast and lunch, have a bunch leftover for a nice dinner out. During the summer, there is a little farmers stand with fresh produce etc below the conference rooms, I'm not sure how long it's there for, but it was a good way to grab some cheap food.

Do they give us money for food during orientation?

The CDC cafeteria also has cheap food for breakfast and lunch if you're in a pinch, overall good advice from these guys. Good luck on your first week PHAPs! 🙂

 

[environmentalhopeful]

Hi guys! Can any of you give any insight into what we need for the application? Is it mostly just like a typical govt application where you give work history and a cover letter? I can't find much info on the CDC website about explicitly what will be needed. I'm applying this winter and want to make sure I won't need anything like recommendations last minute.

 

[zqm1]

Hi guys! Can any of you give any insight into what we need for the application? Is it mostly just like a typical govt application where you give work history and a cover letter? I can't find much info on the CDC website about explicitly what will be needed. I'm applying this winter and want to make sure I won't need anything like recommendations last minute.

You won't need letters of rec. The first round of the application is a resume, college degree verification and a questionnaire. Just keep an eye out for when the application opens. It only stays open for a week and it can fall anywhere from January-February. I'm not sure if PHAP will change their application but generally that is how they've been doing it. The second round is a written essay then the third round is an interview (usually phone or Skype).

 

[jsquared91]

Hi guys! Can any of you give any insight into what we need for the application? Is it mostly just like a typical govt application where you give work history and a cover letter? I can't find much info on the CDC website about explicitly what will be needed. I'm applying this winter and want to make sure I won't need anything like recommendations last minute.

You won't need letters of rec. The first round of the application is a resume, college degree verification and a questionnaire. Just keep an eye out for when the application opens. It only stays open for a week and it can fall anywhere from January-February. I'm not sure if PHAP will change their application but generally that is how they've been doing it. The second round is a written essay then the third round is an interview (usually phone or Skype).

Don't sleep on the college degree/expected graduation verification. Your registrar might be slow to complete the form... Just trying to help yall avoid some stress I had.

 

[Welp38]

Hi everyone! I'll be out of the country when the 2016 application opens so can anyone give a heads up? In the timeline on the CDC website it doesn't say when references will be requested nor in what form. Some people said they would send your recommenders a questionnaire and others have said there is no request for recommendations so any clarification? Thanks!

 

[zqm1]

Hi everyone! I'll be out of the country when the 2016 application opens so can anyone give a heads up? In the timeline on the CDC website it doesn't say when references will be requested nor in what form. Some people said they would send your recommenders a questionnaire and others have said there is no request for recommendations so any clarification? Thanks!

The application doesn't require references (at least not for the 2014 class). Unfortunately the CDC is pretty sneaky when the application will open but honestly just keep checking the page every day from January-February. For the 2015 class it was open from January 12th-January 16th and they may follow a similar timeline.

 

[zqm1]

Hi everyone! I'll be out of the country when the 2016 application opens so can anyone give a heads up? In the timeline on the CDC website it doesn't say when references will be requested nor in what form. Some people said they would send your recommenders a questionnaire and others have said there is no request for recommendations so any clarification? Thanks!

Hi everyone! I'll be out of the country when the 2016 application opens so can anyone give a heads up? In the timeline on the CDC website it doesn't say when references will be requested nor in what form. Some people said they would send your recommenders a questionnaire and others have said there is no request for recommendations so any clarification? Thanks!

In case I didn't answer your question the initial application for the first round is only open for a week and doesn't require references. However, I believe you have to submit references in your background check once you accept the position. PHAP will send out tentative offers usually 6 months after you apply if you get through the all 3 rounds. So if you're out for the country for 6 months or longer that is something to consider. Does that help?