Would you even consider an SES job these days?
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Anonymous
| My SES took the DRP. I was selected to act. I work in a very small office so every personality can really make or break the group. When the position is able to be filled after 9/30, I’m trying to to decide if I risk applying or step back to my normal role gratefully as I’m currently doing my regular job and the executive job. Not that I’d be guaranteed to get the position or anything, but I’m feeling very much like, the devil you know versus whoever would be insane enough to apply for an SES at this juncture. But is it even worth sticking your neck out? It doesn’t seem like they’ve gotten around to whatever nightmare is coming for SES and I’m not old enough for VERA (I have 20 years of service, but not the age) or anything should they decide to further decimate the SES. |
Anonymous
|
I think it really depends on whether you are at a targeted agency, what your politicals are like, and how safe is the job you'd be stepping back into.
For example, if you're already a manager at an ignored agency, I think being SES would not represent a big increase in risk. If you're a BU independent contributor at an agency that's constantly in the headlines, maybe being SES is not trouble you want to borrow. I have no idea if they've got anything specific planned for SES ... but I kind of doubt it? SES are already vulnerable to, e.g., being moved, so they could have done that right away. There may also be better exit opportunities for you if you do have that title on your resume. |
Anonymous
| Feels like every agency is targeted agency though. Some more than others. OP, personally I’d not. We are barely 6 months into this madness. |
Anonymous
| OPM is implementing a forced rank system for career SES. |
Anonymous
| Would being an SES significantly improve your options if you leave? That's what I'd be thinking about. |
Anonymous
No. Why would you think that? |
Anonymous
It could - it depends on the title and what those private sector options are. Don't pretend titles like Director or General Counsel carry no weight. |
Anonymous
Only if they can bring in business. Not all SESs can do that or in position to do that. Not to mention GC rules. |
Anonymous
This plus the administration has declared SES job protections are unconstitutional and career SES serve at will. So consider that too. Though many lawyers may soon be Schedule F so it may all be much the same. |
Anonymous
| Keep your head DOWN, OP. |
Anonymous
Huh? GC at a company doesn't bring in business, plus is OP even a lawyer? A Director of R&D or procurement is going to have options. It completely depends on what OP does for a living and what the industry climate is. There are plenty of situations where I wouldn't feel safe to take an SES job. But somebody is going to take that job and be OP's boss. OP needs to be clear eyed about actual risk (vs dooming) and actual exit plans in her specific situation. |
Anonymous
Because I've seen the exits they've made at my agency. But your experience may vary. |
Anonymous
This comes down to the specifics of the job and the person. I don’t think being SES per se gives you significantly better options. But the tyoe of people who become SES often have better outside options, and certain titles will also give you better options. |
Anonymous
|
Can you even apply? Have you been to charm school? I actually thought I heard the ses school got shut down by this admin?
I personally wouldn’t want to be an SES. Even a GS15 is hell at my agency. They have so much responsibility and barely get paid any more. Ours testify in front of Congress yearly. The only benefit would be if you had a deputy and no direct reports. Supervising other managers is easier than supervising non managers too. I love what I do but you couldn’t pay me to be SES. It’s not worth 80k more. |
Anonymous
| No way |