School me on government jobs

[TechHead87]

I just applied to work at my local military base in a civilian capacity (Army).

What should I expect? How different is this than the private sector?

 

[Alone]

It entirely depends on what your job will be. Seriously, you've given us nearly nothing.

 

[MarkXIX]

Yeah, what job? What base? What pay grade?

All of these make a difference in what I can tell you about it. I've been in federal service as a DA Civilian for over six years now. I am a GS-13, started as a GS-11.

 

[TechHead87]

Sorry about that.

The position is a video producer/director.

As a Producer Director independently produces and directs original broadcast journalism multimedia and audiovisual presentations requiring the application of imagination, creativity, and innovation. Uses web-based collaborative tools such as personal computer software programs, whiteboards, bulletin boards systems, chat forums, on-line presentation tools, etc., in the performance of assigned duties. Uses web-based synchronous audio/video conferencing to distribute work products and conduct staffing functions. Provides guidance on the feasibility of a production request and determines the television or audio-visual requirements, techniques, methods, and procedures to be used to achieve the objective. Conceptualizes and produces video productions, multimedia projects, and informational programs to publicize the mission of the command for both internal and external audiences. Plans, designs, and captures photographic images and video images into digital format.

Ad also says "Position may be filled as GS-11 developmental to GS-12 or full performance level GS-12." Not entire sure what that means.

 

[MarkXIX]

You will work for the Visual Information branch. You will have a lot of creative freedom to develop posters, publications, video and audio for various elements of the Army and various commands on the base. Pay scale can be found at the DFAS website under "Civilain Pay" link.

Developmental statement means that you will start out as a GS-11 or a GS-12, depending on your interview and existing experience. That is an excellent level to start out at, but expect people who aren't GS-11s or 12s and haven't been for their whole careers to hold it against you. After one year of satisfactory performance and based on your supervisor's recommendation, you CAN be non-competitively promoted to GS-12. GS-15 is the highest pay grade and is rougly equivalent to a Colonel. GS-11/12 puts you in the realm of a Captain in uniform.

 

[ModerateRepZero]

Ad also says "Position may be filled as GS-11 developmental to GS-12 or full performance level GS-12." Not entire sure what that means.

I'll take a stab and say that it means that you can be hired either as a GS-11 (pay grade) with promotion potential to GS-12 (next grade) or as a full-fledged GS-12. I'm assuming that there's 2 sets of requirements and that the GS-12 is more demanding, being a higher pay grade.

As for how different it is than the private sector? Depends on what you mean. As a recent govt hire (5.5 months), I can say that you're held to higher expectations (ie. no viewing of Wikileaks US classified material even if in public domain), and also have to deal with alot of govt. forms and rules/regulations....took months including 1 test and 1 interview before I got a tentative job offer but still went thru a few background checks.