1) You're working on something meaningful.
Look at what OpenGov is doing: making government financial data more transparent and accessible. Compare that with your average Yet-Another-Food-Delivery startup or "bringing the blockchain to an industry that doesn't need a blockchain."
2) The people you work for are unbelievably appreciative.
Every local government office we work with is so thankful for what we do. Basic features — scheduling an email reminder, scoping by geography, autocomplete — blows their minds. This goes back to (1), since you're helping them accomplish really meaningful objectives.
3) If you keep the hiring bar high, your team is incredible.
Passion is something you hear a lot about in the Valley, but how passionate can you really be about SnapChat. Maybe there are interesting challenges, but get a group together that wants to take on government and you're guaranteed to jump out of bed in the morning.
Precisely _because_ most people see working with governments to be a schlep, the ones who do self-select for passion.