Thanks to everyone- for the support and good juju!!
I've now pushed it to the back of my mind since I spent the majority of the afternoon trying to get job IDs and badge updated- start of new fiscal year and end of last contract stuff. This particular job the guy called about would have been 4th to 5th on my list of favorites so I hope it works but am not going to worry too much if it doesn't. I'm trying to have faith that maybe it's for the best either way, given difficult child's upcoming release date. The guy had so many other resumes that it's unlikely I'll get the jobs, just due to odds of it.
I had a job interview with a private company about 8 mos ago and they checked my references (the same ones) and told me they were all good, so that shouldn't be a problem. It's the competition that might be- if someone from inside that agency is also applying for the job, especially.
I don't know that they would require a face to face interview. The fed gov agencies don't always do that. For one thing, most of the applicants aren't in the area so it's not feasible and for another, it does reduce intentional & unintentional discrimination and biasness in hiring not to meet face to face and go by verified credentials, experience, and references only. The job in HI a couple of years ago just gave me a phone interview, then proceeded with a tentative offer subject to the security clearance coming thru. I have the clearance now, which works in my favor for this job. A relocation would be involved, but not as drastic as going to HI.
Still, there is a point in that it could be 2-3 mos down the road before they need someone actually there working and I can't let this TH go and live in a hotel based on what I know today.
One day at a time, right?