So, I told about my RIF Notice, but I never told about the happy follow-up. I was granted a placement. Human Resources looks for a vacancy at the same pay grade in another county agency and looks at your resume to find one where you might possibly be able to fit.
It was a big surprise. The day before, they had offered me a half-time Librarian I position. I had to do a lot of agonizing. Is half a job better than no job? I’d need Unemployment compensation either way — I definitely can’t make ends meet in a half-time job.
I decided to turn it down, so they asked me to come in to the office and sign off that I was not interested in any part-time placement. When I did, they showed me two Management Analyst I positions! Now, admittedly I was a little annoyed that these were the same paygrade as a Librarian I, yet they don’t require a Master’s degree (like a Librarian position does) and they don’t supervise anyone (like my position did). However, I did feel like I could do the work — and my paychecks would continue!
So — for three days now, I’ve been working as a Management Analyst I for Family Services, the Office for Children, Community Education and Provider Services. Basically, we issue permits for family day care homes that have too few children to be licensed by the state. We also manage the USDA Food Program for all the providers in the county, including School Age Childcare Centers and Head Start programs.
It looks like my job will mainly be managing data, which I admit I find interesting. I’ll also do quite a bit of unannounced visits to monitor compliance with the USDA Food Program. So maybe I’ll get to see kids after all.
I am really sad to be away from the books and book lovers of the library, and the sweet children with their parents. (The not sweet ones? Not so much!) However, there are some perks. The biggest is that I am still getting paid! But also the hours are much much nicer — 8:00 to 4:30, instead of two days a week 12:30 to 9:00 pm, as I would have to do at the library once the hours are changed. No more weekends either.
It was strange to come into work and not have to scramble to get the library open! And I don’t have to worry about problems with the building or customer complaints! I’m laughing afresh at people who think the library is a calm and peaceful and quiet place to work. Working in an office is about a hundred times quieter! And without having to be open to the public, they are very flexible about working hours, so I could change my schedule if I found it was too hard to get there by 8:00. (So far, I’m almost making it!)
Now, I admit that I will still be looking for a librarian position. I got that Master’s in Library Science to become a librarian. However, it’s nice to be looking while I actually have a job — and it looks like I’m going to enjoy this job very much while I have it. So who could ask for anything more?