We need a PMEL technician up here in the frozen north. What do you think, pay and benifits wise, it'll take to get one to move here?
Call Brian Berry. Maybe he'd move back there... He used to be there a while ago, and was at Clovis, NM the last I knew. I have an email address for him somewhere...
For myself, it would take $50/hour and a company Hummer to move out of 'balmy' Cincinnati...!
As I understand it, Brian is the Lab chief and acting site manager at Cannon right now. Same company, same contract. Not that we're above poaching! Cannon may be fertile ground after the BRAC rounds...
Glad you capitalized the Hummer... :-D Not that you'd get one either way...
Good for Brian! I was his 'pinger' at Lowry back in '82. I'll not embarass him (or myself) by telling stories about the 'adventures' him and I had... He might tell you about a clutch change in a Mustang Cobra Mach II and his mother's laundry... To this day I avoid Ford bell housings and throw-out bearings like a Korean hooker...
As far as the Hummer, hey, if you're gonna ask, ask BIG! That way when they give you a company Jeep you're not too disappointed. ...and I'd need $50/hour just pay for my heat up there! 3 years in Italy dropped my tolerance levels of temperature extremes...
How's the hunting?
Snow goose, Honker, sharptail, pheasant, Hungarian Partridge, Whitetail Deer, Mule Deer, Pronghorn, Elk, Bighorn sheep, Moose, Turkey, Swan, Ducks, or Prairie dogs?
You just maybe caught deerhunter's attention with that list...!
I forgot to mention Sandhill Cranes, Coyotes, Rabbits, Ruffed Grouse, Doves, and all the trapping opportunities.
We also do a little fishing around here. Of Course, the ice is a couple feet thick right now...
Sounds like a hunting paradise... I'm happy where I'm at though.
Pay is 26.02/hr, health insurance is Blue Cross, 401K is good but no match. There is also a union retirement plan that goes with you even if you leave (good plan! only employer contributions).
Can't say much about the moving expenses, but I've heard stories...that's one of those things that seems to be negotiable for the right candidate. Even at that, I wouldn't expect too much. Always a chance to move up, maybe not at a particular site, but within the company, they are always happy to promote good people (my opinion).
Cost of living...Well I bought a brand new house 3 years ago, 1400 sq/ft, on 2 acres for $145K. It's gone up lately, but I think it's still affordable.
Yulista no longer as the Contractor....or atleast Ralph in charge
Yulista is still the contractor, and Ralph is still the Technical Manager at the PMO level. I don't know what his *actual* title is.
There were some...let's call them "growing pains" in the beginning, but most of that has been smoothed out. All in all not a bad company to work for.
Oh believe me I have worked for em........and I like Ralph....I am not at all fond of Bill
First, let me say "I understand". There are two factors that I would consider (unless you have some personal bad blood with him).
1. You really do get insulated from most of what happens at the PMO by your site manager, Lead Tech, and PQA. Ours is a great filter, but don't tell him I said that.
2. He has changed since the beginning of this contract (or I have). I think he honestly has the interests of the employees in mind. I don't want to sound like I'm naming any of my kids after him, but as bosses you rarely hear from go, there are plenty worse out there, remember Bob Renner?
Quote from: InLikeFlynn on 02-16-2006 -- 12:23:50
... A PMEL has to be a team. Period.
You said it InLikeFlynn! :-)
Not much snow this year! 8-) The local area is small town middle America. Plenty of farmers, old folks, and Lutherans. No mountains to speak of, mostly flat prairie, tons of wildlife. Hiking is probably restricted to the southwest area of the state (badlands). You could hike around here, but why would you? It's flat (did I mention that before?)
It's a great place to raise kids. Great schools, little to no crime (we don't lock our doors), and the people are, for the most part, nice. If you're broke down on the road, it won't take more than several cars before someone stops to help or ask if you need help.
If you're a single young guy looking for nightlife, you'll be severly disappointed. There isn't any. No place to see concerts near by, closest is Grand Forks at about a 2hr drive in good weather.
As a hunter and fisherman, I love it here! The outdoor opportunities are the icing on the cake for me! I moved here from the Seattle area 12 years ago and haven't looked back.
Did I mention 26 bucks an hour?
We've averaged around 4% a year pay raise, but no promises since this is a "negotiate a new contract" year. I've got no idea what's going to happen. But if it's 4% again, that's...(Freezer takes off shoes and socks...) BUCKETS OF CASH!!!
Seriously though, it depends on what you're looking for. This is a good place to work, good people, not much stress (cept the QA is a pain :-D).
I will be up there in a few weeks, while on the road for my lab. How is the huntin and fishin?
Not much hunting right now, sort of waiting for the Spring Turkey season. Right now coyotes are about all that anyone is hunting. I've never been, but it sounds like fun.
Fishing has been a little slow, but they've been getting a few walleyes, perch, and I've heard of some big northern Pike comming out of lake Sakakawea. I'll have to try to get out.
You'll be in Minot? Drop me an IM, and I'll buy you a beer! In fact, i'd like to take this opportunity to say that I'll buy a beer for ANY of you if you make it up this way!!! Employees, and some FORMER employees of Minot PMEL not elegible!!.
You said this is a "negotiate a new contract" year, is that a union contract or is the whole PMEL contract up for re-bid?
That's the union contract. I'm not sure when the PMEL contract is up, a few more years I think. The contract changeovers have been pretty much non-events for most employees. There was one changeover where we lost one person, that sucked obviously, but other than that, it's just been a change of header on the paycheck. Everyone, including the manager stayed. I only mentioned that because there's no way to tell what (if any) raise will get negotiated this time around. This is our first re-negotiation, so we don't know what to expect, but we've recieved an average of 4%/yr for the past three years.
We used to be chained to the AWD as well, but union contract seems to have smoothed out the bumps.
I remember going from $12.53 up to 17.17 and then to 18 and change. It was pretty long and dry in between raises. There seemed to be a lot of variation, and not just based on cost of living. The guys in South Dakota, were working for a lot less that we were here in Minot, because the AWD stunk down there. I'm not just talking about a buck or two, more like we were at 19 and they were at 13! I'm no big union fan, but they were/are usefull in situations like that.
I'm surprised you'd have any problem getting people up there. Haven't been in the area for many years, but it is very nice. Plenty of stunning scenery, fishing, etc within weekend range.. And the salary is pretty reasonable...
It beats about 95% of the locations I've seen...
When they get to my current salary, then we will talk. :-)
Oddly enough, it's usually not about the money. But that's good, we can use that during our next union negotiation! "We need more money to recruit and maintain good people."
Minot gets a bad rap, and has for a long time, because of the climate and the fact that it's a little remote. I remember making fun of a guy who got orders to Minot 20 years ago. I'd never been here, but somehow I knew it was a bad place to be stationed, poor sap. Of course, I was dead wrong!
I'm thinking $26.01 is pretty competative, from what I've heard, but maybe it'll take more.
I guess I'm a little confused Flynn, I have read your positive postings trying to attract technicians to Georgia and what a great place it is to work, yet I see you are ready to bolt to Minot as soon as your lease is up in August. If it is such a cohesive operating unit there in Georgia, why do you want to leave?
SHHHH, I'm reelin' one in....
For the right tech, many things are possible I'm told, but I'm not the one who makes those deals. We can be reached at DSN 453-4030, or 701-723-4030.
Freezer and Flynn together...
The mind reels at the possibilities...!
They posted the official job announcement! :-o
I think they posted it on PMEL.org and on the Yulista web site. I would encourage ANYONE (even InLikeFlynn) to call and talk to us! I am convinced that many things are possible, even with leases. I'm not making promises, I'm just sayin'... :wink: Many things are possible for the right technician. We're advertising for a K6 tech, but that's pretty flexible too.
Don't wait! Call Today!!! Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity!!! I'm begging here :-D
Commercial: 701-723-4030 or 3223
DSN: 453-4030 or 3223
Boy I bet it would make Bill do a few flips if I applied............................Hmmm, 4 years at Moody working the contract and in K6 at that...................but unless something very unforseen happens, I'm just fine here in NC.
That's cool, we're not trying to poach (too much! :-))
Unless there was some VERY bad blood, I'm sure Bill Briggs can put it behind him. I've been very impressed at his ability to do that. I thought for sure I'd burned the bridge several times, but he was the consumate professional (as far as I knew, and more so than I ever was. Danged embarrasing, that was!).
Come on! What's the worst that could happen? A phone call won't hurt, and who would know?!! 8-)
I'll go look at the posting. I be not a mechanic type. I'd only hurt myself with all that pressure and physical constants magic. "ooh a quick release I wonder what happens at 1000 psi... oooh ahhh I GOTTA try 10k psi"
"Sorry about that eye bob... you only need one for looking at mirrored gauges anyhow"
On another note I know/knew Bill. Worked under him for about two years. Got pictures somewhere from his retirement party at Feltwell the day before I flew out.
But what I really wanted to say - Pushing hard for 1 slot it seems. I bet you guys just like to stay at your contract number is all. Willing to take a 22 loving K3 general purpose type that used to be a TODO and before that a K1/K8 grunt ?
edit: don't see the pmel.org one yet. see the you'll ista one though. kinda brief - hope they'll elaborate it or the other a tad about what area.
We've got a little depth at the K6 position (as much as you can have with manning the way it is :cry:), so we can use anyone who is productive in any of the areas. We have a great K8 guy, but he likes K3/K4 too, and our K3 guy is going to work in K6 in the interim or maybe permanently.
We're Gumby on this one. Any additional duties, like TODO, would be counted in your favor.
Drop us a line or send an exploratory e-mail to us at
[email protected].
COME ON!!!....$26 bucks an hour...no traffic (or Olive Garden)...Cheap housing...lots of places to plug in your car...Who's going to know?
Here's the posting that should be on Monster as of yesterday.
Yulista Management Services Inc has a PMEL Technician position open at the Minot AFB, ND PMEL. Start date is as soon as possible.
Required knowledge and experience includes: Physical/dimensional and electronics principals; troubleshooting techniques, metrology techniques and laboratory practices; personal protective equipment, clothing and tools; training; PMEL facility requirements; AFMETCAL Program functions and procedures; experience in inspecting, troubleshooting, repairing, modifying, overhauling, aligning, calibrating and certifying TMDE and laboratory standards; and ensuring TMDE traceability to the NIST.
Experience and extensive familiarity with the Air Force's Quality Management System is a major plus.
Mandatory Requirements: All applicants must have proof of formal military or civilian training in the calibration and repair of TMDE. All applicants must have normal color vision, pass initial and subsequent drug screenings, and be a U.S. citizen able to acquire and retain a Security Clearance. A current and valid driver's license is required as well.
Application directions:
Fill out and submit your application for employment on http://www.yulista.com/career_opp.html. A completed application is required to be considered for employment with Yulista. FAX to (757) 327-0273 or E-mail resumes to
[email protected]. Please contact Bill Briggs at (757) 327-0269 if you have any questions.
Wages for this position is $26.02/hr. Benefits in accordance with Minot PMEL CBA.
Yulista Management Services, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. (www.yulista.com)
Maybe I overstepped my boundries when I said to e-mail us here at the lab, OOPS!!
Ah, well, if someone comes here, that'll leave an opening someplace else for me!
It's the circle of life...hakuna matata :-D
Quote from: InLikeFlynn on 03-10-2006 -- 11:27:00
Ah, well, if someone comes here, that'll leave an opening someplace else for me!
It's the circle of life...hakuna matata
:-D, its just the world evening out man!
Hopefully, that place isn't Burger King. :roll:
Well, it'll be hard to get rid of me for some minor faux pas. I think they've come to expect it. My heart's in the right place, but my mouth gets in the way sometimes. :wink:
We still don't have any takers (not even a convincing resume that I've seen). If you hear of anyone, send them our way!
Lil' bump for my ownself!!!
Not one resume that I've seen (course that only means none of them filtered down to me yet!).
Someone out there has to know someone!!!
K3-K4, K6, we're not too picky, you just have to be a PMEL school grad. And not a dick, of course. :-)
One of my boys submitted his resume` up there, and to hear him tell it, he was dismissed out of hand.
Now he will join forces with InLikeFlynn to do battle against the forces of evil in Georgia.
You guys a little fussy about who you hire up there? Not that that's a bad thing, mind you, and my guy has been out of uniform and off the bench for a few years... Still, he was damned good when I worked with him, and I'm sure he's still got what it takes to make it.
We'll see what Flynn makes of him...
Dismissed out of hand? I only think I saw one resume and that guy didn't have PMEL school. Of course, they're probably reviewing them before they roll down to the smelly stuff I live in! :-)
We are a little fussy, but just with the PMEL school, as far as I know. Like I said, they get looked at a lot before I see them.
We've tried to make a point of having the school as a benchmark, so we have a starting point. As far a currency, I suppose they'd prefer to have someone who has recent experience with AF PMEL, so they can walk in and be productive. Another month down the road and they'd probably hire Bob from the feed store! :-D Just kidding, but there is a desperation threshold, I just don't know where it lies, and it appears as though we haven't reached it yet. Not that we'd have to be desperate to hire your guy, but we're still sitting pretty for numbers, and they aren't losing money on backlog fines, so there isn't any hurry for them....yet.
Please tell your guy I'm sorry, our loss is InLikeFlynns gain!
Hi Freezer,
So how did you go with this? Did you get one lucky volunteer? Or is Bob doing the attenuator chicken feed?
Quote from: Freezer on 03-20-2006 -- 13:53:40
Dismissed out of hand? I only think I saw one resume and that guy didn't have PMEL school. Of course, they're probably reviewing them before they roll down to the smelly stuff I live in! :-)
We are a little fussy, but just with the PMEL school, as far as I know. Like I said, they get looked at a lot before I see them.
We've tried to make a point of having the school as a benchmark, so we have a starting point. As far a currency, I suppose they'd prefer to have someone who has recent experience with AF PMEL, so they can walk in and be productive. Another month down the road and they'd probably hire Bob from the feed store! :-D Just kidding, but there is a desperation threshold, I just don't know where it lies, and it appears as though we haven't reached it yet. Not that we'd have to be desperate to hire your guy, but we're still sitting pretty for numbers, and they aren't losing money on backlog fines, so there isn't any hurry for them....yet.
Please tell your guy I'm sorry, our loss is InLikeFlynns gain!
Well I guess you will get a tech when one day. Let's see if I had applied I would be round filed because I didn't have PMEL school?????????
I guess four years with ACC contract experience isn't good enough.......oh and the fact that you are looking for a K6 person...........you wouldn't want one that hadn't been through PMEL, but actually spent 20+ weeks learning Phys-D.......then blew through the AF course as more of a refresher.
I would be careful of requiring PMEL school..........not all of us out there were in the AF...........but hey what do I know
Quote from: InLikeFlynn on 04-04-2006 -- 08:38:27
MIRCS,
Its AF PMEL School or equivalent..............Army Navy Marine Corps. At happy valley we have piles of ex Navy personnel. And with this new contract, the Army contingent is growing as well.
But you see not all of us went through electronics courses.......I also have experience with the Yulista contract and know how atleast one of the site managers sees other branches of service...................all I can say is not very good
I don't think you'd be "roundfiled" MIRCS . What you have is experience, which is more important, in my book. Our wish list includes the PMEL school, or equivalent and someone who knows the ropes of an AF PMEL. Both would be great, but experience wins out in my book every time!
There's a lot of rules and regulations to learn in the contract PMEL world, and someone who has a leg up on that would really help. Especially since we're going to be on the recieving end of an AFMETCAL audit in July. :|
I'm thinking we need to do a reality show, along the lines of "The Apprentice".
Of course, we'd need someone who acutally WANTS a job here... :lol:
Hmmmm............being where I wanta be....NC........or being in the cold dark north......and under Bill Briggs again.......................................I would have to say........nope. But then again.....(throwing water on the bridge)......If circumstances change............well we all know the answer.
And on top of it all they have an audit upcoming.......also I don't believe that Kevin John and Jay Goletz could handle me being back in the AF system :-D
half a million/yr...........................I was stationed there in the late eighties!
Okay he just scared the crap out of me. Count me out in Minot..
Quote from: InLikeFlynn on 04-24-2006 -- 16:34:54
All my research points to Minot being a great place for families and out doorsy types. Freezer needs you. The USAF needs you! Flynn needs you! :? er, The USAF needs you!
I'd rather be someplace that's great for single guys and non-outdoorsy types.
Like a women's college campus. :roll:
I would need the assurance that the Dakota Lounge, Belle's, and Friday's were still in business. I seem to have misplaced several brain cells in these establishments during the 80's, and would now like them back.
Minot ND is the center of civilization and on a daily UPS truck route compared to the northern ARCTEK posts at Clear AFS (Anderson AK), or Greenland. Yeah, they need PMEL folks.
How cold is -50F? Not like San Diego with the perpetual sunburn!
What kind of pay and accomodations would an ex-PMELian have to look forward to in a 1-year stint at a chilly remote like Clear AFS? I hit the .mil Clear site, and it looks like GI's have everything except cabin fever taken care of, but how well are contractors taken care of?
$50K is okay, if that is the figure in my savings account at the end of the year (after taxes). If I have to pay for lodging, chow hall food, laundry, DSL, commuting (daily, or back to the thawed world), and to shop at the company store (shop-ette), Portland feels nicer already.
I can't think of a nicer town to be under-employed in than Portland. High-tech scrounging is fine.
Just wondering.
Karl
Anderson is only a 2 hour drive in summer from Fairbanks...4 hours in winter - if your tires haven't frozen to your parking space...and your engine turns over...and the ice fog isn't too bad.....and.....LOL
Freezer,
I take it you've got a lucky volunteer for Minot? Advert has disappeared off the Yulista site.
We got nuthin'! :cry:
I'll look into why it disappeared. My guess is that it's an automated system that assumes you'll have someone in a couple months!
Resume's have dried up (not that we got many) and things are looking less than hopeful.
We'll keep looking, there has to be someone out there that's a match for us.
We're like the fat guy looking for a date, you just have to keep trying until you either find the hot "chubby chaser" or you lower your standards and date the girl with a "great personality". :-)
I think they just decided to make you work a double seven days a week Freezer. :-D
For what it's worth, the job has been mysteriously re-posted on the Yulista web site.
We've been getting a few Army techs applying (2), we'll see where that goes. I don't have much experience with what they teach those guys. Could be good! :-)
We finally hired a new tech! :-) And I didn't even have to sell a kidney!
Apparently he's an ex-Marine, and has been working for the same company I think some of you do...begins and ends with an "S". He's supposed to start the 19th, if all works out!
Keeping our fingers crossed to see what he can bring to the table. :wink:
Congratulations on finally getting somebody. :-D
What area of the country is the new hire from? I know that he is not out of the primary standards lab @ "S". I'm just wondering if I know him?
Southwest, I think... :wink:
I don't know him then.
He's got a Sesame street name...not makin fun...just sayin... :oops:
Big Bird? :? That's strange. Or is it Snufalufagus? :?
Maybe it's Grover.
That's a really good guess...you should play the trivia game... :wink:
Or Elmo :?
Grover Keith
Nope, don't know him. :?
Coup really means he hasn't seen him on Sesame Street. :roll: