Assume you have a choice between two jobs…

[Anonymous]

Both federal jobs.

One is GS-14, supervisory. You know the agency well, there’s some potential for promotion to GS-15. Job is currently remote, but if you get called back to the office the commute would be 1 hr each way, up to 3 days per week. Competitive service.

One is GS-14, non-supervisory. New agency to you. promotion beyond GS-14 unlikely. Job is in office 5 days a week with no option for WFH, but commute is 20 minutes one way. Excepted service.

If it matters, assume you are a woman with 2 elementary aged kids.

Which job should you take?

[Anonymous]

One is GS-14, non-supervisory.

[Anonymous]

Depends upon child care.

Also, does either position require a commitment of a certain number of years (it is often 3 years for lawyers) ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Depends upon child care.

Also, does either position require a commitment of a certain number of years (it is often 3 years for lawyers) ?

Both kids are in aftercare programs near the home, husband picks them up on his way home. This will not change.

There is no time commitment with either job. Both are general administrative positions.

[Anonymous]

OP are you currently competitive or excepted service? Have you given consideration to what switching means? Not an area I’m deeply familiar with but seemed worth raising.

Do you currently supervise ? Do you enjoy it ?

Do you like what you know about agency A or are you more intrigued by agency B?

[Anonymous]

Do you like supervising in a government setting? And how many people would you supervise?

Personally, no amount of money could make me want to supervise in a government setting, especially a large team. So I'd take job 2, especially since non-supervisory 14 roles are fairly rare, especially if you don't have a very specialized in demand skill (economist, lawyer, etc.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP are you currently competitive or excepted service? Have you given consideration to what switching means? Not an area I’m deeply familiar with but seemed worth raising.

Do you currently supervise ? Do you enjoy it ?

Do you like what you know about agency A or are you more intrigued by agency B?

OP. I am currently in competitive service. A little worried about switching to excepted, but not too much (my husband is excepted service and has not had any problems).

I am currently a supervisor. There are bad bits, but overall I enjoy it. I know that non-supervisory would be easier though.

I generally prefer everything I know about agency A. It is more in line with my educational background and I feel more connected to the mission

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you like supervising in a government setting? And how many people would you supervise?

Personally, no amount of money could make me want to supervise in a government setting, especially a large team. So I'd take job 2, especially since non-supervisory 14 roles are fairly rare, especially if you don't have a very specialized in demand skill (economist, lawyer, etc.)

OP. I don’t mind supervising. Some parts are frustrating, I admit. But my team would be 3-5 so not too overwhelming.

[Anonymous]

The first one. I’m in a non-sup 15, excepted, and it’s a dead end. Unless that’s what you want…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP are you currently competitive or excepted service? Have you given consideration to what switching means? Not an area I’m deeply familiar with but seemed worth raising.

Do you currently supervise ? Do you enjoy it ?

Do you like what you know about agency A or are you more intrigued by agency B?

OP. I am currently in competitive service. A little worried about switching to excepted, but not too much (my husband is excepted service and has not had any problems).

I am currently a supervisor. There are bad bits, but overall I enjoy it. I know that non-supervisory would be easier though.

I generally prefer everything I know about agency A. It is more in line with my educational background and I feel more connected to the mission

Sounds like the supervisory position has more going for it. Like you, I don’t mind supervising - I even enjoy it. The potential for growth to a GS 15 is definitely a plus. Remote is definitely a plus. Do you mind sharing what agency? Curious what their current RTO stance is. Sounds like you would be remote within the commuting area. If they did say you had to go in, you could explore half days or make the jump somewhere else.

[Anonymous]

The first one because that sounds like it will make you happiest, you believe in the mission and it has growth potential. Your kids are only little for a minute - I think it’s a bad idea to make a whole life decision around that if you don’t have to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP are you currently competitive or excepted service? Have you given consideration to what switching means? Not an area I’m deeply familiar with but seemed worth raising.

Do you currently supervise ? Do you enjoy it ?

Do you like what you know about agency A or are you more intrigued by agency B?

OP. I am currently in competitive service. A little worried about switching to excepted, but not too much (my husband is excepted service and has not had any problems).

I am currently a supervisor. There are bad bits, but overall I enjoy it. I know that non-supervisory would be easier though.

I generally prefer everything I know about agency A. It is more in line with my educational background and I feel more connected to the mission

Sounds like the supervisory position has more going for it. Like you, I don’t mind supervising - I even enjoy it. The potential for growth to a GS 15 is definitely a plus. Remote is definitely a plus. Do you mind sharing what agency? Curious what their current RTO stance is. Sounds like you would be remote within the commuting area. If they did say you had to go in, you could explore half days or make the jump somewhere else.

OP. The first position is with NIH. I currently work at NIH and have for 10 years. NIH has been very flexible with remote work (yes, I am local remote). There are currently no rumblings of a return for anything more than once a pay period…except for Top 5 leaders. I’m just worried about future changes,nand this other opportunity fell in my lap that is closer to home.

[Anonymous]

Remote remote remote with the possibility for advancement and staying in the competitive service.

(Unless position 2 is at some really cool agency like the smithsonian, in which case I would 100% live out my indiana jones dreams and be a baby panda researcher or whatever.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Remote remote remote with the possibility for advancement and staying in the competitive service.

(Unless position 2 is at some really cool agency like the smithsonian, in which case I would 100% live out my indiana jones dreams and be a baby panda researcher or whatever.)

Ha! There are some that would say position 2 is at a really cool agency. I’ve just never dreamed of working there or anything (it’s not the Smithsonian). This is OP and I appreciate the input.

[Anonymous]

NIH is far saner than HHS or FDA.