[impostervt]

"U.S. Digital Service salaries are set in accordance with the General Schedule Pay Scale, which is capped at $160,300."

That's not bad, but not great for really high talent employees. I wonder how many people get that rate though.

https://www.usds.gov/join#compensation

[liyanchang]

Disclosure: I'm an engineer at USDS and these are my own opinions.

That's right. The US Government is probably not going to win on compensation - salary limits, no stock options, no lunch. However, while it's not a money making enterprise, it's enough to do just fine. I recognize the sacrifices that many of my colleagues have made to be here, not to mention the sacrifices that federal employees and contractors have made (some who are very good and could be making more in the private sector) and that makes this even more worthwhile.

The thing that government can offer is impact. I've always known that government has a big impact on people's lives but not sure if I could personally make an impact. That's what USDS, 18F, a number of other opportunities are offering.

This is not a job for everyone. But if you're a certain type, there's nothing quite like it.

[mattmcknight]

The government could do a lot more by adjusting the differentials for technical competence on the GS scale to be somewhere near market (up and down). However, assessing technical competence isn't exactly straightforward.

[steven777400]

As I mentioned in another thread, I work for state government and our IT salaries are capped at a max of around $87k/year (most positions are capped lower). As a result, it's extremely difficult to hire someone who isn't a net negative to the team.

Since we have no power to adjust salaries, we're looking at other avenues, such as doing more "direct from community college" in-training hires as well as non-traditional employment paths.

Unlike USDS and 18F, we don't even have exciting projects, a shortcut around bureaucracy, or cutting edge technologies to sell with. The only sales tool we have for candidates is "if you complete your 6 months probationary, you can essentially never be fired or laid off." Sometimes, that attracts the wrong sort of candidate, as you can probably imagine. :)

[vonmoltke]

I'm not sure that's much of an issue, since it is pretty good money (even in DC) for the 99% of us who aren't "really high talent employees".

[impostervt]

True, but I wonder what the "normal" rate is. As in, do they really get that much, or by stating that rate on their website are they really just trying to say "if you make a lot more than this and care a lot about money, don't bother".

[ryanmarsh]

Which is basically why I'm saving to go work there.

[zacharycohn]

Apply soon! We're hungry for help.

[Disclaimer: I work at 18F.]

[sbov]

Even if I made more than that in the private sector, I would be willing to take a minor pay cut for this sort of position. If you think about it, you're helping put taxpayer dollars to more efficient use, which includes your own.

[macintux]

Not sure how many people are going to take a 10% pay cut in hopes that 5 years from now their taxes might be a few bucks cheaper (which of course they won't be because the money would just be spent elsewhere).

Admirable intent, I'm suspicious of its prevalence.

[ryanmarsh]

They call it a tour of duty for a reason. $163k would be a massive paycut for me but I'd do it and happily burn savings to make a difference for the lives of my fellow veterans.

[sailfast]

Love your second sentence, but really wish they would stop calling it a "tour of duty". It's still a pretty solid amount of money (nevermind Federal benefits) but to really transform we need people willing to work over the long haul not just parachute in for short terms.

Also (slightly biased of course) I bet you get a bit addicted to the mission and that provides a non-monetary incentive to stick around a bit longer :)

[zacharycohn]

[Disclaimer: I work at 18F.]

It's referred to as a tour of duty because most of us are on 2 year appointments. At the end of that 2 years, there's an optional 2 year extension. These orgs haven't been around long enough for anyone to run out their second two years yet.

Personally, I love this format. It never would have even dawned on me to consider applying for a career position in the federal government, but when the job is time-limited, there's some decision making bug in the brain (even though I could have applied for a normal career position and then just left after 4 years!).

It's a great way to entice people to apply who never would have before.

We also need people in for the long haul. But lets solve one problem at a time!

[sailfast]

I love the format as well, and think it's a great idea. I'm currently on a two year term right now at a different org. The two year thing solves a lot (though non-status positions make it hard to hire for the longer term). I'm not objecting to that and agree that we have to start somewhere.

The thing that bugs me is more pedantic. Calling it a "tour of duty" immediately draws a comparison to a military tour of duty undertaken by our military which implies hardship, sacrifice, etc. I get that some people might be taking pay cuts to join or that it might require leaving your comfort zone, but I'd prefer that some sort of sacrifice on the level of heading to Iraq for a year without your family is not implied in the naming.

[vonmoltke]

Honestly, that format is one of the things that attracts me to the USDS (yes, I applied earlier today). I'd like to help some of the obvious inefficiency in government, but I don't want to commit my career to it.

[spacecowboy_lon]

Presumably you get the pension that goes with that

[vonmoltke]

Depends. My wife only has the $9000 in her Thrift Savings Plan after four years at the White House. She was a "political appointee", though, so she didn't get normal GS benefits.