Jobs for former government workers (Madison, Middleton: transfer, living, cost of living)

[Redsilas77]

My husband and I are thinking of retiring in Wisconson, primarily around the Madison/Middleton/Waunakee/Cross Plains/Verona area when we retire in about 8 years. I plan to look for work full time and my husband will be just retired. We liked the area primarily because the education system is rated high and so is UW Madison. Are there contracting jobs for former government employees in the area (I know we have TONS in N VA, but we want to leave this area). I can always look for something else, but it's what I know and familiar with.

[whoathere]

Government workers in what field?

[Redsilas77]

I'm admin, so I can be pretty fluid anywhere.

[7G9C4J2]

The state of Wisconsin uses contract workers in many agencies, and also has "project positions," which are jobs that are created for a single purpose or project with a finite end in mind. The state job-search site is here: State of Wisconsin Government Jobs - Job Search, and you would do a search for jobs in Dane County, in whatever category you are interested in. I'd suggest that you use the default setting of All Agencies, since specifying Dane County will limit it to jobs within a reasonable driving distance. You can choose between full-time, part-time or shift work for hours as well.

Hope that helps - good luck in planning your retirement.

[XIII13Thirteen]

Redsilas77: I have a background contracting work with the federal government and I have been looking for work here for over 7 months. I am currently leaving Madison, Wisconsin because there is no work here for me. If you ask me this is not a good place if your background is similiar to my own. I have a business management and accounting degree and worked in contract administration for over 7 years ...the local industry doesn't know what to do with me. I think it is similiar to being a big Wall Street trader and moving here. Your background is impressive, but they don't know where you'd fit. You seem overqualified for some people interviewing you and others will consider you for a job, but only want to pay you $30K in a field that is likely outside of what it is you actually have expertise in.

Contract work here is related to the commercial industry only. State government work focuses on grants instead of contracts most of the time and in my experience HR does not see it as transferable. The national guard positions are open primarily to existing employees or enlisted men/women. You pretty much get the idea. Basically, if your background is working with or contracted to the federal government; I'd not move here. This is where many careers go to die or a place to start a new one.

[bler144]

Originally Posted by Redsilas77

My husband and I are thinking of retiring in Wisconson, primarily around the Madison/Middleton/Waunakee/Cross Plains/Verona area when we retire in about 8 years. I plan to look for work full time and my husband will be just retired. We liked the area primarily because the education system is rated high and so is UW Madison. Are there contracting jobs for former government employees in the area (I know we have TONS in N VA, but we want to leave this area). I can always look for something else, but it's what I know and familiar with.

Contracting I'm less sure of, but the Forest Service (Dept. of Ag) operates at least one facility in Madison. Forest Products Laboratory - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

But I'm not aware of that area as a hotbed of federal jobs or contracting more generally - most go to Chicago. Being the state capitol you could certainly look at options for applying your expertise to state government or contracting.

[KittyTwoShoes]

Unless you're going to consider a complete career change and a cost of living decrease, I would look elsewhere. The is the Veteran's Affairs as a possibility, but most of the Federal contract work is around DC, San Antonio, California and various other pockets around the US, but not big in the Midwest.