I'd half expected the call...

[Luna]

So, my cell phone rings.  It's the benefits manager at the university that let me go back in June.

They're hiring, since the chick that was supposed to take over my duties had a stress-caused stroke within a month, went out on leave, ran out her medical leave, and never returned.  (No word on her current condition, I DID ask.)  The boss who let me go is semi-retiring to three days a week.

The benefits manager asked if she could call me, and was told that I would certainly be considered, the boss would go to bat for me... but I have to apply TODAY, and send an email essentially begging for another chance.

Pros:  The benefits are excellent.  Salary would be less than I was getting, but more than I am getting.  I know the place, I know the people, I know the job.  Free tuition, good medical, lots of vacation time.

Cons:  They need me NOW, and I'm committed here until the end of February.  Screwing this place would also screw the temp agency, which has saved my bacon several times.  I know the people, and they treated me poorly when I was down...  and the one who would be there as my full time boss once boss semi-retires is unavailable today to discuss, she is on vacation in Hawaii.

What do?

[Suu]

Call the temp agency today and let them know that you've been offered a full-time position elsewhere, and if they could get a new temp in at the school district.

[Luna]

Call the temp agency today and let them know that you've been offered a full-time position elsewhere, and if they could get a new temp in at the school district.

New temp would be lost, this place is mid-transition.  Also, position was not OFFERED, I am just welcome to apply.

Trying to decide if going back there is worth it.  I would constantly feel like they are waiting to get rid of me, again... and the place made me crazy.  (Literally...  At one point I had a note from a shrink taking me out on FMLA for stress.) 

[Phox]

If you have to apply today, just go ahead and apply. You can always turn down the position if you decide it isn't worth it.

[Luna]

If you have to apply today, just go ahead and apply. You can always turn down the position if you decide it isn't worth it.

True...

Will have to be after work, since the system requires I upload a resume, which I don't have with me.  I DO miss going to classes...

[Suu]

If you have to apply today, just go ahead and apply. You can always turn down the position if you decide it isn't worth it.

This.

[Richter]

If you get the job offered you can always explain you've had to commit through Feb.
They've ridden half - ass this far, let them feel even more grateful when you can show back up.

[AFK]

If you have to apply today, just go ahead and apply. You can always turn down the position if you decide it isn't worth it.

THIS.

I did the same thing.  I recently accepted a new job at the same time I was applying for a state job.  I still went ahead and interviewed for the state job.  If I get offered that job, I can turn it down if it won't work out.  I think it's a perfectly fine path to take. 

[Luna]

If you get the job offered you can always explain you've had to commit through Feb.
They've ridden half - ass this far, let them feel even more grateful when you can show back up.

They've apparently got the boss running it, and he's gone to part time next week... and there's nobody else full time in the department.  This amuses me, that he's been going batshit with whoever he can scrounge from Finance for help.

And, lukewarm fuzzy that, now that he's DONE the job, he understands it isn't as easy as he thought it is.

[Reginald Ret]

First: Congratulations on being asked for a job, that is not as common as some people think and a true compliment.

Second:
Apply for the job, don't start there until your other job has a semiacceptable replacement. 
  Don't wait for the perfect replacement, you sound like the type who falls for the irreplacable trap.
    i.e. being such a perfectionist that what you think is doing the job good enough is actually 10 times as well as they were expecting. On top of that you give 20% extra.
      pro-tip: they only ask so much of you because they expect you to only give 10%
        This is no excuse to stop working so hard, that's a good habit, besides you know you couldn't do a worse job even if you wanted to.
          That is the main reason they want you back, they realised no one else can do this shit as good as you did.
            Unless i'm reading you wrong, I don't know you well enough   

Ask more money. Even if it's only one cent per month, they need you so they should be willing to admit that you are worth more now.
This could be skipped if you have bad prospects for work but it sounds like you are doing ok.

[The Good Reverend Roger]

Apply for it, then make a decision if they make you an offer.