Waiting game

Warning - there's a lot of Foreign Service language in this one. I apologize to those who don't know all the acronyms. 

Months ago, I was talking to the CLO Assistant in Jamaica and asked her what jobs would be opening during this transition season. Two that she listed peaked my interest: CLO Coordinator and Housing Assistant.

I applied and interviewed for both. During the interview for the housing assistant position they mentioned wanting to fill the position as soon as possible to help during the transition season. "When can you start," they asked. "September, 1st," I replied. Internally I knew I'd just lost the job, but I kept my attitude up so that I was still putting my best voice forward (it was a phone interview since I still lived in Manila). One question I had during the interview was what security clearance level was required for this job. No clearance they said - just a background check.

Imagine my surprise when I was offered the housing assistant position. I discussed the offer with the hubby and a friend at work. They both advised me that housing assistant was better than CLO Coordinator for me. I emailed Jamaica HR back, accepting the position and asking them to remove my name for consideration with the other job. 

I was so excited! I had just secured my employment for our three years in Jamaica. I filled out a form for my background check and thought I was done with it. 

About a month into my home leave I received an email from the HR rep in Jamaica asking me to check my email and find the one from someone in HR in D.C. and fill out the forms. Three or four days into home leave someone from HR in D.C. had sent instructions on filling out the dreaded security clearance form. I got worried when the computers we had on home leave didn't fit the requirements for the government site. Finally after we got our UAB in D.C. and our new computer with it, did I have the correct browser for it.

I filled it out and sent it in. Someone from DS emailed me the next day and asked a quick question about one thing on it. She then emailed me back after I answered and said they have everything for my background check. 

Since I just had a clearance granted this February, I feel like this should be a very short process, but we'll see. Hopefully I'll still start working on September 1st. 

Right now I'm just playing the waiting game.