The hunting part is over for now. Its down to 2 choices....Bailiff at the local Sheriff's Office or academy coordinator at a training center in the next county over. I think I'm going with bailiff. This has been a very stressful decision, this whole thing has been stressful. So, here's how it works out:
Money: Bailiff is a pretty big pay cut, where as the academy job would be right around that I'm making now. I discussed this with husband and he seems to be ok with the pay cut. He manages the money, so I have to believe him.
Drive Time: Both jobs require my own vehicle. The academy job is about 1 - 1.5 hrs each way. Bailiff is about 20-30 minutes each way. With gas being $2.87 a gallon here, I think the shorter drive is the best. Besides we all know about my ADD/driving issues
Movement/promotional opportunities: The academy is not nearly as big as where I'm at now. Just a director, 3 coordinators and a staff assistant. Not alot of room for movement. Being a Bailiff gets me into the Sheriff's office and gives me some more opportunities to move perhaps to training or the psych. services later on. Plus I get to maintain my law enforcement certification without taking on extra work.
Stress Level: Academy coordinator = Higher stress; Bailiff= lower stress. Yes, with Bailiff I would be in what's called a High Risk category, but from what I hear the stress is pretty low. Also, I know the Capt. out there and he's a great guy to work for.
All in all, I think the Bailiff position is the best fit right now. Sure the money sucks, but I'll get to focus on finishing my degree, take some time to reorganize and de-stress. Either way I'm a nut case, because I hate change. But everything happens for a reason, right, so lets all just double up on our Prozac and hang on for the ride.
8 comments:
I'm having trouble defining terms. Is a bailiff down there a courtroom deputy sheriff up here?
For the most part, if I am equating, you are probably right about the low stress factor; but, there are moments in a courtroom that the atmosphere is quite high stress, an example being Atlanta's Brian Nichols saga.
Be safe.
dave~ You are correct. Down here a bailiff is a court deputy. And you are right about the possibility of high stress. I actually like that and do miss that part of being a cop.
Totally off point. I have a friend who's a sergeant in the Atlanta Police Department. I noticed you used the word cop. He doesn't say it, but, from conversation, I know he doesn't like the word. What is the officer of the law consensus?
dave~ Some officers don't like it. I'm not sure why though. Historically, it referred to the copper badges worn by the early London police force. I think most don't really care.
This is completely off topic.... but there is something totally erotic about a woman not only carrying a firearm, but knowing she is actually trained to use it.
I have been over here and thought long and hard about what to say on the job dilema. I still have no words of advice. I think this line is bullshit, but I will use it anyways in lieu of good advice:
Be happy in what you do
ryan~ In 10 years of law enforcement I have never heard that before...really...
Actually, as a woman in LE you get two reactions. Men who think its totally hot or guy who are completely afraid of you.
Thank you for the non-advise line of BS, its correct though. I think I will be.
coolness
Hey....
I just wanted to let you know that I was going away for a few months, but I'll be back to check up on you and your new job later on.
Best wishes and have a great summer.
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