Start job campaign now, and 'demo' pay

A Reader Writes:

I see all types of columns about a shortage of federal information technology workers. I'm an active-duty military IT specialist who will be retiring in about a year and a half. What outlook is there in federal employment for someone like myself?

Milt Replies

The only way to find out is to contact the Office of Personnel Management and government agencies that might have a need for your military IT background. A good resource is OPM's USA Jobs site (www.usajobs.opm.gov).

Learn which human resources people handle IT slots and establish contact. Tell them you're still more than a year away from retirement, but want to keep posted. They might even identify the hiring officials you should get to know.

This is a campaign you're mounting, so start thinking that way. Nothing is going to fall into your lap. Be persistent, but don't become a pest.

A Reader Writes:

Was there supposed to be a comparability in pay for General Schedule-positioned employees converted to Defense Department/Navy Department "demo" positions?

I believe the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command GS positions in the Washington, D.C., area were converted to a lower demo level than those at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Dahlgren, Va.

Milt Replies

Under the DOD Civilian Acquisition Workforce Personnel Demonstration Project, "broadbands" replaced GS grades. Each broadband covered two or more grade levels.

The use of broadbands was thought to provide a stronger link between pay and contributions to the mission of the organization. The demo retained occupational series and titles, and the classification process continued to adhere to OPM-approved classification criteria.

However, with the institution of broadbands to replace GS grades, the notion of "comparability" with GS pay has gone by the boards.

Zall is a retired federal employee who since 1987 has written the Bureaucratus column for Federal Computer Week. He can be reached at milt.zall@verizon.net.