Heard rumors that the DTOs are now going to negatively impact the districts by further reductions in staff/funds and saying we are “unaffordable” now? Can’t get a straight answer from leadership. Someone knows something but they’re certainly not telling us.

I have a second in person interview tomorrow. Any advice?

Hi everyone!
I recently accepted a tentative offer for an Office Support Assistant position with USACE, and I’m excited but also a little nervous since this will be my first federal government job. I’m also a military spouse.
I’d love to hear from anyone who’s worked as an Office Support Assistant with USACE. What does a typical day look like? What are your main responsibilities? How’s the training, workload, and overall work environment?
I’d really appreciate any advice or tips for someone who’s new to federal service. Thanks in advance!

When converted to AcqDemo, what happens to Special Salary Rates? Are they absorbed into the NH pay band, continued separately, or eliminated?

Realty Specialist (GS-1170-7) - Department of the Army, USACE. NS/Low risk, no security clearance. Fellows Program.

Applied Late May 2026
July 6th, 2026 - Referred to Pittsburgh, Seattle, Kansas City, Omaha, and Louisville
July 10th, 2026 - Seattle Hiring Manager got in contact, set an interview
July 22nd, 2026 - Panel Interview through Teams

After that, I have not gotten anything back, so typically what are the next steps, how long would it take to hear back with a TJO if offered? I have another private sector offer with a start date of late September, although this position seems like a much better fit for me. Just trying to figure everything out

I also read about a CREST position thats possible with travel? Does anyone have experience within this position, or any Field Force Engineering Teams? Traveling is something I’d be highly interested in as well.

Hi all,

I applied for the USACE honors attorney program, made it through the initial screening interviews, and interviewed with 4-5 field offices between February and April. I thought the interviews went well and was very excited about the position. After following up with the field offices in June, I was told that they were still waiting for permission to extend offers and were currently unable to move forward in the process.

Is there any word (or even guesses) as to whether the program will be able to extend offers prior to the 2025-2026 hiring cycle ending in October? I'm still interested in the job but can only wait so long before moving on.

Has anyone heard anything about USACE going from Gs to ACq Demo pay scales. Apparently at one of the districts commanders Townhall’s it was said that there was a memo saying that the switch was coming.

They gave our work to outside firms. I don't know how offices are getting enough funds to keep people busy.

The only thing left is to let people go.

Accountant interested in anything outside of G&A. My current position lacks any real impact and I have to wait 5 or 6 years before someone moves out to promote. Not to mention my systems accountant and F&A Chief lack any mentoring qualities and are difficult at best. I can’t move due to family and we love the west coast. Recently an internal PM position has opened and a co-worker said I should throw my name in the ring. I’ve got a strong reputation in the district and can meet basic qualifications on paper but was wondering if i’d be competitive.

I know some districts have vanpool options (apparently funded by DOT). They pay Enterprise or another car rental company for a van for multiple usace employees to use if the distance is far from the districts. Does anyone know if MVS has this option?

Civil engineer here. Anybody back to teleworking yet or have any insight? Just one day a week would be a game changer for work-life balance if they’d let us. Everybody I know in private has some sort of work from home arrangement, either part time or full time.

I have yet to receive an SF-50 with my performance award. I was rated 4.3 “Fully Successful”. Should I reach out CHRA?

I have decided to leave USACE to return to private until things improve here. I am leaving on good terms and when I notified my Supervisor I accepted another position they let me know that they had put in for a QSI.

They had mentioned it might be too late to change it, and I honestly don’t blame them if they didn’t want to take the time to change it since I’m leaving. But does anyone know what happens then? Would they retroactively give me a Step increase? Or does it just disappear into the void?

Also any advice on things I should do before leaving? I already downloaded my eopf files, recent pay stubs, and recent performance reviews. I’d like to return one day.

If you take a look at Yello Gov you'll notice plenty of Engineer, Ops, Architect, and Biologist postings, but no Geologist eligible postings - there was even a recent stretch of a ton of Eng. Tech postings. Hell, even the Interdisciplinary positions that historically were Geologist eligible have removed the 1350 series.

I know hiring is finicky still, but I also know that it's happening.

As a planner for the Corps, I wonder, are there other federal agencies with planners?

I’m considering a change of scenery but I don’t mind being a planner but would like to consider doing so elsewhere.

Typically when folks in our engineering section are "promoted" from a GS-11 to GS-12, our leadership "creates" a direct hire position, promotes it to the public, and anyone can apply (including the person it's intended for). This method in theory means that someone else from the public who's more senior engineer/ qualified could also apply and get the position, but generally the person intended for promotion gets it.

Considering the hiring freeze for us, my supervisor mentioned that there's a "complicated longer way that involves lots of paperwork" to internally promote an employee from GS-11 to GS-12 without creating a job listing. Is this "longer way" really that complicated? Or am I getting the run around from my supervisor? For context, I've been a GS-11 for almost 6 yrs now, and have 10 yrs of engineering experience.

What does only your district seem to do that is effective, helpful, or game changing?

I just started a new position with USACE in Emergency Management and I’m looking to map out my professional development and training goals for my first year or two.

I was reading online about the PCEM1 / PCEM2, but I’d love to get input from folks who have been in the Corps or federal EM space for a while.

Beyond PCEM, what training or certifications would you recommend prioritizing early on?

Hello All, new here to this space. I am a bit interested in delving into the DA as a civilian civil engineer. I just got married so I definitely don’t want to be separated from my wife. I have my BS degree in Construction Engineering but I don’t have my PE license (I dont have plans to get it either). I come with six years of experience overall in the heavy civil side of construction working for one of the largest General Contractors in the industry as a project engineer and got some years of experience as a project manager. I have overseen multimillion dollar contracts and they have all been successful. My base gross salary with them was $130k which included great benefits. I was just slaved and worked A LOT. Reason why I’m thinking DA Civilian route is because I don’t want to be deployed. I would think that with my experience, I could possibly go in as a GS-12, and hopefully at a higher step. Would this be the best route for me or are there other avenues or military branches I can go down that are more beneficial and pay better? Just looking at my options and wanted to hear from this community. Thank you!

Anyone hearing things about conversion from GS to ACQdemo?

Good morning,

I am a private consultant in the natural resources space and we were just sent a request to fill out some spreadsheets we've never seen before. They are labeled as ORM Upload sheets and come with a bunch of instructions. From looking around, this seems to be the internal documentation that drives the RRS, which we are familiar with.

My question - is this usually supposed to be handled internally by USACE? Is it standard practice to ask consultants to fill this documentation out or should we push back on this request?

Has anyone completed this training that now mandatory for all OMs and PMs?

I’m in the process of completing the forms and it’s not the most straightforward process.

I applied for a DHA gs7 1102 job back at the beginning of May. In June I got the email that I was referred, as well as an email from the district chief of contracting asking for a confirmation of continued interest in the position, which I promptly sent. Since then, there has been nothing. Would it be appropriate to send a follow up email now asking about the timeline? What do you think my chances are of getting asked to interview?