Job Responsibilities
My major job responsibilities are providing technical assistance
and monitoring Pre-school programs that are funded directly from
the Federal level to local agencies. For most of the time, I
also was responsible for the fiscal aspects, including funding,
reviewing audits, etc.
The technical assistance might be requested, or might show up in
applications, where additional information is needed or
corrections must be made in order to fund a grant. Monitoring of
grantees is done through regular reports, statistical reports and
through regularly scheduled or surprise on-site visits. On-site
visits usually involve taking a team of anywhere from 5 to 25
people with expertise in family support, child development,
program design and management or finance, and spending a week
digging into all aspects of the program to ensure that services
are provided and funds are well=spent.
The requirements include flexibility, writing ability, speaking
ability, and being able to read between the lines.
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Job Requirements
A background, including a degree, in child development,
behavioral science or public administration is required. Because
of the way the hiring system is set up, new graduates have little
chance of getting an interview, let alone getting hired. Heavy
emphasis is placed on experience, so that those with an excellent
education, but no experience will have difficulty getting past
the application stage.
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Uppers
Once you get past the "career conditional" stage, job security, at least in my
area, is a plus. Having a variety of job activities keeps it from being
monotonous, while the travel keeps you on your toes. There aren't "exotic"
places to travel to, but you do get off the beaten path.
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Downers
The downside is the lack of up to date equipment, working in
cubicles, and putting up with bureaucracy - this is the
government, after all. Although some of our work is autonomous,
most of it is set for us, and there is little choice in what is
done.
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Lifestyle
The agency is very diverse, and the hours are flexible. In most instances,
there are opportunities to work off site as flexiplace (besides the travel).
Most of the travel is very intense, with long hours, but credit is given so time
can be taken off at a later date.
There is little socializing within the agency, other than as individuals.
Business travel is primarily as individuals, although occasionally there will be
more than one person going on a trip.
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Compensation
Base pay is good, although not equivalent to private industry -
regardless of what Congress has said, Federal salaries do not
match the private sector. There is no such thing as a bonus or
stock options. Benefits include health insurance, part of which
is paid by employees, based on the plan you choose. Life
insurance and a generous deferred compensation plan are also
available. The deferred compensation can be put into one of
several funds with varying income rates and risk levels.
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Advice to Jobseekers
If you are interested in getting into this area, I would strongly
suggest that you look to the contract side, unless there are
major changes in Congress and the administration. Much of the
work that I do is being contracted out and there is no guarantee
that a new employee will continue to have work. The work goes
on, however, so those going to work for the contractors should
continue to do well.
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