Government proprietary systems job

mooed_music

I recently started my fist IT job as an IT service desk technician. I was hoping this would be a good place to get experience to eventually move on to harder and better paying jobs. It looks like 90 percent of what I will be doing is with proprietary tools and systems. How bad is this for someone who is wanting to eventually (1 or 2 years) work for a private company? also i feel like i may be under paid. what should i have expected for a helpdesk job with the army needing a secret clearance? thank you.

TomkoTech

It's going to depend on the location. And the job post should have stated the GS ratings for that position along with what is required for each step in the grades listed.

The bad thing about government positions is there is little room to negotiate. The salary is what it is at your experience/qualifications.

Is there a possibility of you getting a TS clearance while you are there?

ScrawnyRonnie

I applied for a help desk position that requires secret clearance. They responded to me with a questioner and it asked if I would accept the pay at $29.9k. Little less than what I already make in private sector in the same type position. Not sure if they were willing to wait for a clearance to go through as well since I don't currently have one.

TomkoTech

Is this an actual government position, or is this contract/temp work? If it's an actual government/federal position it should have a GS rating for the position based on skills. 29.9 would be like a GS-4 step 1 which is what I was offered when I started school and was looking into the VA's SEEP.

So if this is in fact a government position I would make sure it isn't something that is temporary.

mooed_music

it's contracting.

TomkoTech

If it's contract work and they are under paying I'd keep looking for another position.

networker050184

Non transferable skills on proprietary systems is not the best kind of experience to have. It is certainly better than none though.