[billburcham]

> I'm not sure how you characterize 18F as worse than non-startup private sector jobs

Just seems like there is a mismatch between 18F's (high) cool factor and the compensation structure. These pay rates do not strike me as "contracting" or "consulting" rates. They strike me as more in line with "full time employee" pay rates at ordinary private-sector (non-startup) companies. But the job term is capped like a contract job. I don't see the financial upside to match their statement that https://pages.18f.gov/joining-18f/pay-grades/:

"Due to the high-pressure nature of our work, it makes sense that people will move on after a couple of years."

Sounds all startupy without the startup upside.

[wslack]

> But the job term is capped like a contract job.

I work at 18F, but am speaking for myself here. Pay rates and length of service are both tied to existing rules for federal employment. The advantage of being part of the government (and thereby following these rules) is in the possible impact of our work, like working with the FEC to build a new website with intermediate releases: https://beta.fec.gov/