Relo to HODGDON, ME info please (Bangor, Houlton: fit in, rent, attorney)

[syracusewinter]

Hi everyone. I am in for a big move...maybe. I was just laid off my job in Syracuse, NY. I may have an offer with the Border Patrol for a position in Hodgdon, Maine. The pay to start is half of what I made before I was laid off, it starts at $30,000 and in three yrs I'll be around $45,000. I have three little boys, two elementary age, and my wife is a gr8 stay at home mom. I'm no stranger to hard work and I'll also have some income coming in from my NY National Guard pay...prob will try to transfer in to a Maine unit. Is it possible to make it up there in the county on that pay? I love Maine but have never been north of Bangor. In Cuse we get heavy duty snow and cold so I'm use to that. I would rent for a year to scope out the area and use my GI bill to buy a home in the $50-80,000 range after that. Am I nuts to try to pull this off? I'll have about 20Gs in savings and two paid off cars (w/ snowtires). Just need a reality check cause I really want this to work. Schools are another big concern. And for the record I am not bringing with me any "flatlander" attitude about how things should be different. We are a hardy independent breed here in central NY and I greatly admire the tough like minded folks in Maine. Where I live most folks don't think twice about helping eachother out but won't do everything for someone all the time either. The whole teach a guy to fish thing. All the people in Maine I have known are good hard working folks w/ the same type of ideas. That is the environment I want my kids to grow up in even if I'm not making some huge corporate paycheck. Thank you in advance for your responses.

[moughie]

Go for it! If I were in your shoes, I would not hesitate.

If you have lived through Syracuse winters, you will be fine in Northern Maine!
Also as a native upstate NY'er , I know you will fit in just great. Very similar mentality and attitudes- very independent and hard working also. It is a great place to live in with young children.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

You'll do fine here and if you will be an agent you'll get lots of overtime. If you'll be in the office you'll probably get less overtime. Depending on education wife might get work as a teacher's aide.

[diablogun]

What kind of job is it with BP? I work for CBP and am waiting for a transfer to somewhere up there.

[syracusewinter]

Thanks for all the responses.. It is an SES position. Sounds like the opportunities for OT will be low but understand I have to put my dues in. diablogun since you have some first hand experience do you think SES is a good way to go? How are the benefits? I have 12 years military time I may buy back if the #'s work. GS5 pay to start but I'm not just doing it for a job but as a career. Is there a good chance I can stay put in that position and not have to move my family again? Thanks again.

[diablogun]

Originally Posted by syracusewinter

Thanks for all the responses.. It is an SES position. Sounds like the opportunities for OT will be low but understand I have to put my dues in. diablogun since you have some first hand experience do you think SES is a good way to go? How are the benefits? I have 12 years military time I may buy back if the #'s work. GS5 pay to start but I'm not just doing it for a job but as a career. Is there a good chance I can stay put in that position and not have to move my family again? Thanks again.

Hi :-)
I am unsure what you mean by SES, I thought that meant Senior Executive Service? But obviously not, or you wouldn't be a GS-05. I am currently a CBPO, so I can get you some information if I know the position you are taking. Is it perhaps a mission support specialist? Let me know and I'll get you any information you need.

[syracusewinter]

it is a Sector Enforcement Specialist. Thx

[dramamama6685]

Originally Posted by syracusewinter

it is a Sector Enforcement Specialist. Thx

Welcome and good luck!

[diablogun]

Ahh, that is with ICE, or is it BP?I thought you were coming to CBP. All the abbreviations will drive you crazy :-) That looks like a pretty good job, it is a GS-11 full performance level, so you can make a decent living without being stuck at the lower grades.
There are opportunities; if you want to get into a sworn position, the pension is better. I don't know very much about ICE or BP, but the folks I meet that work there seem to be pretty happy with it.
You absolutely want to buy that military time back, though it will cost you a bit. That will be twelve percent towards your pension in the long run, which is significant. Once you get onboard, you'll never leave us, especially working in areas where the wages are not very high. Where I work I make more than almost every local agency or attorney for that matter, and get to work with some nice folks. Of course, I do want to go to Maine soon, so I'll DM you when I find out where I'll be :-)

[kellysmith]

SES was formerly called LECA. I believe that stood for Law Enforcement Communications Assistant. The job is radio dispatch. I thought the journeymen grade was GS 9, but it might have recently changed. You're right, there's not much OT, but it does get your foot in the door. There hasn't been much turnover in Houlton over the past but there are additional staff being added. I would highly recommend Houlton Sector if you want to work with some great people. Shift work is part of the deal however...it's not 8 to 4 everyday. Once you are a federal employee, you might get hired as a CBP officer and not have to move, but the days of local candidates having the edge are gone. Indianapolis comes up with the hiring list and the local folks have to pick from that. One LECA recently hired on with the Air Marshalls. Another tried to get on as a CBP officer, but failed the physical. Another is trying to get a different BP position. Another took a different BP position here in Houlton. (so you can see there is possibility to move up) To move up into a Border Patrol Agent position you will have to spend 2 years on the southern border. That does come with a promise to be relocated back North after 2 years. (if you are hired into that program) There are ICE positions in Houlton, but again they are highly sought after and usually filled by transfer by a GS 11. I believe ICE positions are GS 12 journeyman grade.
Good luck!!