Oh, yes! Government employment, with all of the overhead that entails, like drug testing etc? And the job is to explain to ULTRA clueless users things they need to know and don't want to learn. People complain about supporting doctors, who assume their focused competence extends to all human knowledge. Politicians assume often their charm and power can substitute for understanding.
If i felt the need to do civic duty, I think I'd rather join the Army than take that job. At least there's the chance of shooting someone who deserves it there.
(Perhaps I'm still a little PTSD from my time supporting users)
* Edit: Calmer now; I have to say it's a great idea that Congress (and whoever else in government) could have a resource to tap for specialized knowledge in technical fields they currently lack coverage of. I can't imagine they can make the job attractive enough for me
When I applied to the USDS a few years ago, the interview process left me with the impression that "explain[ing] to ULTRA clueless users things they need to know and don't want to learn" was the core of the job, since the interview seemed to be testing that in lieu of actual technical skills. Left me wanting to go anywhere is, 18F, or any similar government program.
Of course, I also have 14 years of dealing with the DOD in technical capacities, so that didn't help.
If i felt the need to do civic duty, I think I'd rather join the Army than take that job. At least there's the chance of shooting someone who deserves it there.
(Perhaps I'm still a little PTSD from my time supporting users)
* Edit: Calmer now; I have to say it's a great idea that Congress (and whoever else in government) could have a resource to tap for specialized knowledge in technical fields they currently lack coverage of. I can't imagine they can make the job attractive enough for me