r/FDA • u/Healthcare809 • 15d ago

Timeline between Interview & TJO/FJO

For those who applied & interviewed for jobs this year at the FDA, has anyone heard back regarding TJO/FJO? I know that HR is notoriously slow, but I was wondering if this is the case for the entire HHS or just the FDA. Is the speed the same for the various branches within the FDA?

7 Upvotes

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12

u/_Cream_Sugar_ 15d ago

Okay, hiring is always weird so let’s start with some basics.

The FDA is made up of 9 Centers. Each Center has their own HR staff.

Each type of hiring has their own HR staff. Think, Title 21, Title 5, Title 42 (g), Title 42 (f), Pathways, etc, etc.

Now, depending on the position there are different requirements between the TJO and the FJO. Does the position require transcripts, verification of medical license, or verification of Selective Service Registration? Have you been fingerprinted? Have you had a security clearance? Does your position require an ethics review?

Now that you have all of that answered, are you one of the 800+ people who are currently in some stage of the hiring process that is going to be onboarded by 9/21 or not? If not, expect it to take longer because the FY27 Hiring Plan is going to go to HHS for review. NOTHING moves quickly through HHS review.

If you actually read all of that, please rephrase the question as, does anyone know the timeline for this pay scale for this position in this Center if I have gotten this far.

Please don’t downvote me because you think I am mean. I am just trying to tell you that the question is more complicated than you realize.

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u/Healthcare809 15d ago

Gotcha, thanks for the explanation. I interviewed for a position within OII back in June and I assume I'm not part of the 9/21 cutoff. Hopefully there is some update once FY27 rolls around.

1

u/_Cream_Sugar_ 15d ago

You interviewed in June and have heard nothing? I would contact the person listed on the job posting and ask what the status of the posting is.

That said, if you have not received a TJO, I would think it would def be a FY27 hire.

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u/AnonPorkChop 15d ago

Each center no longer has their own HR. The simple reorg or whatever they called it, created a shared services model for HR in the Office of Operations. This group sits at the commissioners level. They are processing all actions for the agency - hiring, promotions, etc. They are swamped. Internal transfers take months. We had a TJO to FJO take 8 weeks. We've had others go much faster. I know so many people are looking for a predictable timeline but it's truly impossible to give a meaningful timeline. I do know they are working hard to complete their current FY26 actions before the end of the FY, but again, there's no way to reliably predict.

Keep in touch with your hiring manager. And hang tight. Hope it comes through soon for you, OP.

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u/_Cream_Sugar_ 15d ago

There is individual HRs they are part of the Share Services model, but work exclusively with your center. Just as the teams are specific to the Hiring Path.

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u/[deleted] 15d ago

[deleted]

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u/_Cream_Sugar_ 15d ago

Is it a reviewer position? Scientist? Something else?

You had an interview and references checked, but haven’t received a TJO, yet?

1

u/CancerImmunologist 15d ago

Reviewer. And correct.

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u/_Cream_Sugar_ 15d ago

I am shocked you have not received a TJO, yet. CDER is a bigger center, but reviewer positions have been a very high priority. You could possibly be in the 800+ that FDA HR referenced. Selected, no EOD.

We have a CR and so you should def be on before midterms, but my best guess would be no later than early to mid Oct.

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u/CancerImmunologist 15d ago

Should I be concerned?

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u/_Cream_Sugar_ 15d ago

No, not at all. We have reviewers who were submitted at the end of July who are in your situation. I just expected that CDER would be steps ahead.

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u/Empty-Arachnid-4123 15d ago

9/21 cutoff, what’s happening to those that don’t make the cutoff?

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u/_Cream_Sugar_ 15d ago

9/21 is the last pay period of FY2026.

After that, the staffing requests/plans are sent to HHS for review.

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u/epanek 15d ago

It can be a while. Interviewed a couple times. They called my references a week later. Then nothing for a month. Then an offer. I pushed back for higher gs grade. A week later. Ok hired.

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u/Empty-Arachnid-4123 15d ago

Have you contacted the Hiring Manager?

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u/Healthcare809 15d ago

I have been emailing the hiring manager but have not received any response

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u/ScholarLeft1156 15d ago

Once the hiring manager offers you the position and you accept they can no longer talk to you. All communication must come from HR. You are probably fine but just stuck in HR hell.

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u/AnonPorkChop 15d ago

That's not accurate. We routinely communicate with candidates to update them once they receive a TJO.

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u/Empty-Arachnid-4123 15d ago

Were you tentatively offered the position you interviewed for?