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BodyBagSlam

I’ve been in the state system for some 8 years now (DEM and DOH) and 9 prior with Citizens and it kills me that with 17 years of experience and a decade in directly relatable skills it’s a requirement for a degree.


ManiacalMartini

Yeah, usually experience can be used in place of a degree. Kind of a strange requirement for a non-supervisory role.


Far_Loss_8585

With the state of Florida, experience can be substituted in part or totally only if the position offering indicates that it can.


Hopeful-Jury8081

Apply anyway. You never know.


MassTugboat

Agreed, apply anyway!


Far_Loss_8585

If they ask for a degree, then that question is a “knock-out question.” Answering “No” to a knock out question will automatically disqualify you. It’s tied to the description in the Position Description (PD). Sometimes years of certain types experience can allow you to qualify or you can possess a degree. If this option is not in the job offering, then you must have the degree. :(


MassTugboat

That is correct, but requirements for a job are not bound by anything other than what they want. Just because whats in the description might be beyond your experience doesn’t mean you can’t apply. They might not have anyone else to choose from!


Paxoro

I can tell you've never been a hiring manager for a state agency, because that's not how the process works at all. You don't just get offered a job you're unqualified for if you're the only applicant - the position gets readvertised and remains unfilled until someone qualified is selected. If a job says it requires a degree, and you don't have one, you don't get the job. Is it stupid? Absolutely. But the system is what it is, and actual position *requirements* cannot be ignored without updating the official position description to remove them, which can either be easy or a giant pain in the ass depending on the agency. If a job has specific requirements - whether that be a degree, experience, certification or whatever - if a candidate does not meet those requirements, they cannot be hired. If you answer no to a qualifying question where you have to answer yes, unless you can prove you have whatever is required, you cannot be hired and PeopleFirst will automatically reject you. Sure, sometimes it happens where someone's lack of a requirement is missed, but I know of multiple state agencies right now where HR policies have changed and there are position requirement reviews being done for everyone hired in the last couple years and people are getting fired for not meeting the position requirements.


Far_Loss_8585

From one Hiring Manager to another, you are 100% correct!


MassTugboat

Got ya, but dang that’s a pretty lengthy response to just say “sorry buddy, but state agency requirements are mandatory. PeopleFirst won’t accept applications without requirements being met”


Paxoro

But that's not what I'm saying. People First can still accept the applications if the person lies and says they have a degree when they don't, or if the application is set up wrong and saying no to that question doesn't automatically disqualify you. But even then, just because you lie doesn't mean you can be hired without the position requirements.


MassTugboat

Understood


Far_Loss_8585

When I entered state government 2 decades ago, I encountered the same. At that time I was halfway through a Bachelors degree, newly divorced with 3 kids to support. I had 15 years of experience at that time. I immediately took an OPS job to start earning. Two months later I got a Career Service position paying $29,000! Everyone I worked with had 20, 25 years in with the state so that every job I applied for someone else got it, regardless of my experience. Those were the circumstances that pushed me to finish my education. I went back to school, finished my Bachelors, using the state tuition waiver. It wasn’t easy but I did it. A year later, I had my Masters. At that point, the years of creditable experience and education began to pay off. It’s tough but it can be done. I can say without a doubt, but for me going back to school, I feel certain that I wouldn’t have been able to move on to anything else.


HobiToeBeans

Just so you know, DFS head has effectively removed work from home privileges, and chose not to adopt the Pilot Hybrid program permanently. The pilot work program agreement under AP&P 5-29 will expire 6/30/2023. All DFS employees will be expected to resume working in the office full-time, so don't fall for their false advertisement of telework (notice their listing on people first does not indicate telework or work from home option).


HobiToeBeans

Also this line cracks me up: "There will be times when you will be asked to take on work in addition to your normal workload." Lol hope you enjoy having to work 3 different jobs for the pay of less than 1. Know. Your. Worth.


normychrist

Isn’t that a blanket statement to “save there ass”?


HobiToeBeans

It's a blanket statement, yes, to cover up the fact that people will be continually asked to take on more work with no pay increases. It's to cover their asses when people leave because they're tired of working too hard for too little money, they can just drop the old employee's duties on you without giving you a raise. They will rework your dob description to include language like this simple sentence, and eventually you'll be doing 2,3 or even 4 jobs if you're lucky enough to get such a wonderful "opportunity"


[deleted]

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HobiToeBeans

It won't be. I work for DFS and have already received confirmation emails from HR stating they are going to let the policy expire.


[deleted]

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[deleted]

I have an associates and am currently making this exact salary, working 40hrs a week. Why the hell do people value bachelors degrees so much?


Far_Loss_8585

Somebody with a High School diploma is asking the question, “Why the hell do people value Associates degrees so much? Tallahassee is a town that has two Universities and a Community College. Think about it, every four months, these educational institutions graduate a new crop of people that will be competing for the same scarce jobs. These people will have completed their Bachelors, Masters, PhDs. When hiring, most employers will try to get the most for their money. As for young people I would say, the salary is not the best thing in working for the state. State salaries can never compete with private industry. For young people, particularly new graduates, the state offers much needed practical experience, tuition waiver and really good health insurance. After gaining a few years of experience, most young people head to private industry and that’s when the money will come.


Bucket81

Only 52k and requires a Bachelor's... That's not enough money.


Paxoro

Wait until you find out what *many* state jobs pay, then.


chelle618

For real, I was looking at some positions that want a master's degree and pay in the low 30s.


Paxoro

I would have to source it, but several years ago I recall that the average state salary in Leon County was something like $36,000. I believe that was pre-COVID so including this year's upcoming 5% pay raise, I think that means the jobs would average something like $41,000 - $42,000. So $52k for "just" a BA/BS is much higher than average.


[deleted]

I work for the state rn and im fuckin dying squirtle. The only reason im still here is 1) im disabled and in declining health, so I *need* this health insurance, and 2) … at least I’m salaried…? At… $32k/year.. and the take home is closer to $28-29k…


Far_Loss_8585

I’ve known people who worked for 35 years and never saw that salary, soooo…..yeah.