Offered and accepted job with fed agency, what am I in for?

So I just got a new job as a sysadmin for a federal agency and was wondering what it's like to work for the government? Past few jobs have been mostly corporate settings. Last two were at big Silicon Valley corporations. Previous one dealt with cloud/storage and was very big but felt really laid back. Current one is a large software company and just full of politics and bureaucracy. What should I be expecting from a government job?

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scaredoftests

It all depends if you have a good program manager. Just observe the atmosphere a few weeks and you will see the lay of the land.

gncsmith

Will you be working as a government employee or a contractor?

fuz1on

Government jobs (once they like you as a contractor and 'reserve' an employee spot for you) secures you - pretty much - the best job security you'll ever have. You'll only be demoted/departmentally-switched if you ever perform poorly - expect lots of red tape and bureaucracy though.

brownwrap

Well, I am a government contractor. I have seen two people fired because they couldn't pass their certifications. As a system admin you need Security+ and a certification in the OS you are administering.

scaredoftests

I am a contractor as well. I had to pass my MTA certification the first month because the person before me couldn't do it in 6 months.

bermovick

One of the contracts at Scott had to get rid of a TON of their people because they couldn't pass their security+. That thing took me like 3 weeks to pass.

Contracting is pretty hit-and-miss. The first contract I worked was pretty good but when another company won the bid back in June they were pretty awful. I'm glad I'm moving on, but not happy that I wasn't someone who had a choice in HAVING to move on, if you know what I mean :}

Anonymouse

To answer question above I'll be a contractor. Hopefully Security+ isn't that hard if I need to get it to keep my job! They didn't mention it in my interview and I don't remember seeing it in the job ad. I think it'll be good, some of the other contractors have been there almost as long as I've been alive.

SaSkiller

Yeah, i've never been so lucky to have a employee position reserved for me.

Burnsie

Anonymouse wrote: »

So I just got a new job as a sysadmin for a federal agency and was wondering what it's like to work for the government? Past few jobs have been mostly corporate settings. Last two were at big Silicon Valley corporations. Previous one dealt with cloud/storage and was very big but felt really laid back. Current one is a large software company and just full of politics and bureaucracy. What should I be expecting from a government job?

No offense meant with this comment, but since you asked about what working for the government would be like AFTER you accepted the job, you're going to be just fine.

But seriously, if you've dealt with a company that you thought was bureaucratic, making the move to Fed Contracting is like moving from Little League to the Major League. As others have said, it all depends on the group you're with. Either way, good luck!

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tsimmns

Nice, what GS level are you starting out at? This is my ultimate goal, Government Job as like a GS13. However with no IT experience I'm slowly trying to get into it. Any degrees or just past experience?

Cyberscum

That's like asking an engineer. "what does an engineer do?"

It all depends on your mission and position.

I have been at jobs that support operational nuclear missions and I have been at jobs where there is literally nothing to do for months on end.

Burnsie

And bring a few books with you for the first couple weeks of "work". The last contract I on boarded for it took three weeks to get my CAC and user account login. And even longer to get my admin account. You may literally sit there for weeks without anything to do. If you're in a good group they will have you spin up on hardware/software training and other IA related training that won't require a login.

Hell, for the duration of one contract I didn't even have a desk. I had to build one out of broken furniture and boxes. Thanks, USMC!

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bermovick

My wife took nearly a year to get her CAC when she was brought on. It was pretty ridiculous.

In comparison, the job she just started a couple weeks back got it in 3 days.

scaredoftests

bermovick wrote: »

My wife took nearly a year to get her CAC when she was brought on. It was pretty ridiculous.

In comparison, the job she just started a couple weeks back got it in 3 days.

That is crazy!! A year. The first time for me, it took about 1.5 months. The Second time around, since I had been on base before, had a CAC before and a Secret clearance, it took 3 weeks. Even then I was going nuts, just reading and watching other people. I was also studying for Security + the first time and then my MTA the second.

Cyberscum

bermovick wrote: »

My wife took nearly a year to get her CAC when she was brought on. It was pretty ridiculous.

In comparison, the job she just started a couple weeks back got it in 3 days.

WTH, I have seen these long periods for clearances, but not for a freakin CAC. Wow

Burnsie

A year? Seriously? That's nuts. I can understand if it is the first time getting a clearance and a CAC it can take a while, but that's just impressive.

My personal record for fastest time to get a CAC was 6 days. No one could believe that it was possible to do so.

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bpenn

I got a new CAC on day one. Course, I have two CACs because I am an AF Reservist. Our contract rep was on point so I got fairly luckly.

Anonymouse

tsimmns wrote: »

Nice, what GS level are you starting out at? This is my ultimate goal, Government Job as like a GS13. However with no IT experience I'm slowly trying to get into it. Any degrees or just past experience?

Not sure what GS level it is. I tried to google the term and match it up with my salary but don't really know which one to match it up to. I was a sysadmin two jobs ago which helped a lot.

Burnsie

As a contractor, you are not a GS classified employee. While the job you will be doing could be done by a GS, pay, benefits, promotions, etc are all very different.

More info: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-systems/general-schedule/

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ArabianKnight

Never had to wait this long, I am on month 11 now waiting to get my "badge" for work.

SaSkiller

Digital Network Analyst in Hawaii... Hmm. That term is only used in one place... And they happen to have an operating location in Hawaii...

Robertf969

Stay away from Hawaii unless its a vacation. Cost of living is so insane you will need to be GS just to afford it, but yet they still use a ton of contractors. I guess if you are single and don't mind sharing a studio apartment in Waikiki and commuting an hour and a half to go 20 miles to work on one of the bases then go for it.

Blackout

I will second the Not moving to Hawaii, I spent 8 years of my career there. The Cost of living is insane, and your only going to get a shack for 500K. If your single it might be a good place as you can rent out a room. But with a Family its a no go.

Cyberscum

^^^^
I believe he was talking about Arabian Knight. I don't think the OP is considering Hawaii.

QuantumCPU

How many years of IT experience qualifies you to even apply for a sys admin position?? (if you already have the certifications desired)

tsimmns

Federal jobs are strange. Usually it depends, if you any experience I would apply to everything on USA jobs. It's better than not applying. While you might not get hired at least you will know from the feedback if you qualify or not. A Bachelors qualifies you for GS 5 it states and a master's qualifies you for a GS9

curtisc83

QuantumCPU wrote: »

How many years of IT experience qualifies you to even apply for a sys admin position?? (if you already have the certifications desired)

I have about 15 years of exp and an advanced degree with the required DOD Directive Certs and got picked up for a 2210 GS11 (Network) position in Texas. I didn't know anyone where I work at (NETCOM) so me getting hired was solely on my background, edu and interview skills.

ArabianKnight

I pay 1600 a month for a 500 square foot apt

TranceSoulBrother

As a contractor, learn to say these words "sorry, I can't do it. It's not in my PWS" lol

Cyberscum

QuantumCPU wrote: »

How many years of IT experience qualifies you to even apply for a sys admin position?? (if you already have the certifications desired)

My first fed job (3 years ago) I was hired as a 2210 GS-11 with 3 years IT exp and only Sec+. Right place right time.