Since joining the NTSB in 2000 as an Air Safety Investigator, I have had the opportunity to work for three different regional directors/chiefs, in three different regional offices.  Each office has provided a unique experience related to aviation accident investigation, given the different environment and terrain aspects of each region. 

At the end of 2008, my family and I moved from Castle Rock, Colorado to Green Bay, Wisconsin, where I became a fulltime teleworker.  Many may ask, why on earth Green Bay, isn’t that in Canada?  To some, the weather and climate may mirror what our friends to the north deal with over nine months out of the year, but to my family and me, it is home. 

I started teleworking on a part-time basis during my tenure in the Denver office.  The decision to request to telework from Wisconsin was nothing short of a no-brainer.  My wife and I spent a majority of our young lives in the northeast Wisconsin area, and we relished the thought of raising our two wonderful children in the Midwest, near their grand-parents, uncles, aunts, and cousins.   In addition to the family benefit, the Wisconsin school system, private and public, consistently ranks at the top of the list of schools in the United States.  Green Bay was a perfect fit for us, mainly because family and education are two of the most important values my wife and I consider in any decision for our family. 

My presence here is a benefit to the agency in many ways, including favorable geographic coverage for accidents, no wasted time commuting, energy savings, and, NOT being hindered by “snow days” that can sometimes shut down a regional office in the Midwest.   Not to mention the fact that teleworking makes me an even more highly-motivated, happier employee.

Prior to moving to Wisconsin, I spent four great years in the Denver office and four-and-a half years in the Arlington office.  The interaction, socially and professionally, is what most of you know as part of the “office” environment was great!  You could not ask for a more supportive and enjoyable staff to be around.   

My “office” now includes me, my computer, my telephone, and four beige walls with a few pictures.  The office interaction now comes by way of email, telephone, and the occasional text message.  Talk about an adjustment!  The adjustment is what comes to mind to most people when you mention that you are a full time teleworker.  Initially, that was what crossed my mind as the biggest adjustment I would face; however,  I was wrong.  The bigger adjustment pertained to how this situation would affect my wife and family. 

My wife, our 4-year-old little guy, and nearly 2-year old daughter, now know that husband/dad is just a few steps away in his “office.”  For those of you who enjoy the blessings that young children have to offer, you may understand why this “office” environment would be tough on any wife or husband to constantly shield the teleworker from the family during work hours.  This separation is necessary to be in the telework program.  However, just when the kids have it out of their mind that dad is located in the house, I decide to take a few minutes break, go upstairs for a glass of water or snack and disrupt the hard work mom put into getting that thought out of our little ones’ minds.  Every day, every week, every month, that has become less and less of a challenge for mom and the kids – a couple of gates and deadbolts may have helped as well. 

Teleworking requires that you have a dedicated workspace.  My office is removed from the general living quarters of the home; one aspect I felt was important and needed.  This location provides a buffer or feeling of removal from the home environment.  Fortunately, prior to our move, I was able to finish our basement and design my office and its location within the basement.  And, in order to accomplish my work as an Air Safety Investigator, I needed to properly equip my office.  In addition to the equipment provided by the agency, there are a number of initial investments that  are needed: a dedicated telephone line (not required, but I’ve found it useful), a high-speed internet connection, phone, printer, printer ink, scanner, desk, chair, file cabinets, and  other miscellaneous items. One other valuable “office” asset was the  "separate" physical office location within my home. 

Another telework question for me involved my management and how would I keep them satisfied and confident I was dedicated to my position ( i.e. getting my work completed).  My personal theory for resolving any management doubts about telework involves continuous communication.  Whether through email or telephone, I must keep my director or supervisor in the loop on my activities, accident investigations, or projects.  In reality, this is no different from the typical office environment, other than that the “down- the-hall visit” rarely occurs.  Personally, I communicate with my superiors on a sometimes daily, and most definitely, weekly basis, which may involve anything from a five -minute telephone call to a three-hour drive to the Central Regional Office in Chicago for a face- to-face visit.  Completing the mission of the agency and my official duties is fairly transparent through delivery of accident investigation reports, safety recommendations, safety accomplishments, briefings and countless other activities.  If these products are not moving forward, it would become pretty clear to management that I am not completing my work assignments.

Teleworking  is not for everyone, from the standpoint of the type of position you hold, your own self-discipline, or whether you need a constant change from four walls in a home office.  In my opinion, commitment and dedication are two of the numerous traits that a teleworker must maintain in order to be successful in the program.  Fortunately, our agency has embraced this program, with full-time and part-time options, making the NTSB one of the federal government’s best places to work.