I have a good one folks, but let me lay it out for you...

I want to start off by saying that I am looking for that job that I can call a career job. One that will be benefical to my family and to me intellectually and financially. I like my current job, regardless of my comments below, but want to do the right thing. Please read on...

Current Situation: I am employed at a non-profit healthcare company. Will have been there two years this coming year. I have come in not expecting any type of pay raise/increase as of yet, although I recevied one of about 3 or 4%, which is based on peer assessments, corporate scorecards and other things related. My boss and their boss (dept head) threw a little more in because I was the only one doing the job of 3 ot 4 - words spoke from their mouth. I was/am still grateful for the increase (as I did not ask for one) as I believe in working hard and keeping exepctations realistic until you truly achieve something. So I can tell that they must like me somewhat. The dept head though, long story short, has been there a long time, not open to change (even though they preach to us about it) and seems to have dirt on everyone (including exec mgmt) and has threatened to use it against them. On top of that they have done things like bring the koolaid into work (think about it), cuss out vendors-coworkers, call out people, its an environment where you do nto feel comfortable even if your liked. So obviously it is safe to say that this person is in their own little "bubble" and cannot be touched. No one likes this person, and this person is a very hard person to get along with - but they do get along with some people, my boss and myself being two of those people. So I am grateful for that obviously. But I know how they treat others behind their back is how they will treat you behind your back - Management 101. The only issue with the current job is that I am definetly being stifled creativity-wise. I can do much much more, and have proposed it, got it in writing and everything, but they keep saying "you are too busy", or "you have this coming up", all the while I sit sit sit, and do smaller mundane things. The majority of the company cannot stand this person who I work for through my manager, but for some reason are afrais of them. Politics at the company are ridiculous, and there seems to be issues in management - not so much inexperience, but lack of interest to want to do right. But despite all of that, I am there to make a difference and I like the job and what it provides for my family and I financially. I love the place and everyone else loves everyone else, except for this one person. Get rid of them and I think that the politics would still be there, but creativity would blossom, yada yada yada. So that is what is keeping me, is that chance.

Alright, now for the dilemma, recently I started passively looking at opportunities out there just because I want to make sure that if I am to start my career where I am at, or whetever, that it is a place where I have a chance at doing it, but most importantly, can take care of my family. Recently a position has surfaced in my area for a position similiar to my current, but offers me the ability to work from home most days, while needing to drive into the nearest big city once every week or two. Along with that, the opportunity offers salary (more than what I am making now), benefits and other options (stock/401k). It looks to be a company looking for consultants to telecommute - home base being on the east coast, but looking for talent to start an office near where I am to expand operations.

The kicker, I have done research on the company and have found some information, but not enough to satisfy me. Although, I have found that the company does exist, and I have contacts who  I have spoken with and phone numbers and email addresses thus far. I have been contacted back and had the 1st interview (get to know you and your skills (with the hiring manager)), the 2nd interview (technical (with the programmer and CTO)) and then the 3rd soon to come (follow up and get to know you in person). Mind you that this company has no office near where I am at, yet, they are looking to open one - so all interviews thus far have been conducted via phone, plus the holiday season as well. But this 3rd will be in person, since the person interviewing is physically in the area but doesnt have any office cause its a telecommuting job, I guess I am not quite sure if I really think there is a chance yet. I am educated enough to know that I would not burn a bridge to follow a hunch, heck no, plus supporting a family, no way. But I have had conversations with the hiring manager, and he seems to have the approach that they want to see if I have the skills and personality over the phoen, then meet in person to assess then, and then discuss the opportunity more. So in that respect it has been a slow going with the process, which I feel is a good things. They are not trying to get me to start next week or anything, but the are trying to find candidates and will probably make decisions afterthe holidays I believe, but not sure.

So my concerns, the telecommuting opportunity sounds decent, but, we have yet to discuss full terms of employment. I have been told that this is a full-time salaried telecommuting position, with travel to the new office that gets set up with the staff that gets hired on there. Right now it seems as this may be a ground floor opportunity, the only thing is legitimacy. In the 3rd interview, I plan on asking a multitude of questions and voicing my concerns over evey matter form why you want to open a office here to will there be a signed/notorized contract, everything. I know that there are a lot of scams, but there are also those opportunities that are ground floor that are honestly true jobs telecommuting with travel invlolved, that work. I am looking for a career that includes that because I want to provide the best that I can for the fam. So any suggestions, on whether I should investigate the telecommuting opportunity, stay where I am at, look for something entirely different, any advice would be appreciated. For the record, my main objective is to stay where I am at, hope this negative person gets outed or turns a new leaf, but investigate the telecommuting opportunity to see if it pans out. Help..............