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Comment by pavel_lishin | Hacker News Reader

> Are there any other benefits?

> Additional benefits include professional development opportunities, networking with government and industry leaders, and a pathway to continued public service or private sector careers.

Given the lack of mention of any benefits prior to this, it sure sounds like "you'll get lots of exposure!"

edit: not sure if they just added it, or if I just missed it, but there is an FAQ entry on compensation:

> Compensation varies based on experience level and agency placement. Annual salaries are expected to be in the approximate range of $150,000 to $200,000. Benefits include health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and eligibility for performance-based awards.

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Yeah, given the primary benefit of government jobs like this is usually the stability, pension etc when you’re offering absolutely none of that you really need to look down the back of the couch for some benefits.

For me as someone that would potentially be interested in and qualified for one of these roles, the DOGE actions earlier this year and ongoing firing of nonpartisan & non-appointed that don't tow the current ruling party line ruined the stability benefit. I think it also casts doubt on the pension aspect, but I know less about what's required to get pension in US fed positions.

Is it stability when funding bills dont pass?

I think the stability is the traditional perk of government work (in exchange for a smaller salary). The funding trouble does make it seem like less of a fair trade…

I was super-interested in this years ago. My interest vanished when I encountered the “tour of duty” concept. I don’t make FAANG money so the pay was roughly a lateral move for me if it’d included retirement, but having it be time-bound rather than career-oriented was a huge turnoff. Was ready to make that my whole deal, potentially for the rest of my life.

The US going politically totally batshit crazy shortly after ended up making it for the best that I did’t join, but still, it struck me as weird that they had to set it up with that extra sting of “we have to make sure this is a sacrifice”.

> "you'll get lots of exposure!"

"Backed by the White House"

I don't think this is the kind of exposure most people are going to want, nor will they want this on their resume.

>Given the lack of mention of any benefits prior to this, it sure sounds like "you'll get lots of exposure!"

Well, they are also "partnering" with some private sector companies. I guess the idea is that candidates will put in their 2 years, then take their contact list and join federal sales arm of one of the private companies.

"Big Balls" and his ilk got a lot of attention.

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