We encourage you to first visit the Office of Personnel Management website as well as our considered defense intelligence community organization's home page to review all officially listed employee benefits. 
Federal Jobs come with a wide variety of compensations, benefits and career stipends. Here are some that are commonly available and will enhance your career profile. Employees working in the Federal Government may be eligible to receive many of the following.
1. SECRET, TOP SECRET, or Sensitive Compartmentalized Information [TS SCI] security clearance; a huge financial benefit and personal advantage in the job market. Earn between $15,000 - $45,000 more than uncleared colleagues and obtain a significant increase to one's marketability in the job market.
2. Lots of time off. 10 federal holidays; minimum 12 annual sick days and 12 days annual leave.* [retired military with campaign credits routinely receive 14 or more annual leave days].
3. Rock solid job security in a time of economic uncertainty. Most federal civil servants have to complete a 1 or 2 year probationary period. After that it is very difficult to lose your job unless you do something really bad.
4. Credit hours paid for hours worked over 40 hours per week. [credit hours are similar to annual or sick leave; they accumulate as time to be taken off]. Credit hours roll into overtime paid if unused after 6 months. Many employees draw on sick or annual leave to roll these hours into OT pay.
5. Many Agencies pay direct overtime for hours in excess of 40 hours per week. These can be paid at time and a half rate which adds significantly to your pay check.
6. Civil Servants often may enroll into the federal employee health benefits program. There are a number of subsidized “Blue Cross/Blue Shield” coverage plans available with varying deductibles.
7. Employment and an exciting job that allows you to meet with others and visit incredibly interesting places within the USG. Finally see what few U.S. citizens can regarding what really goes on in relation to what you see and hear on TV.
8. Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program. This is a low cost, valuable life insurance coverage plan.
9. Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). Put up to 10% of your annual salary away before taxes into a 401-equivalent retirement plan with 5% match.
10. “Quality of Life” benefits that may include: TDY travels with excellent per diem rates. Many travel in the USA and frequently worldwide with hotels, meals and all official travel expenses paid. E.g. conference fees, airline baggage charges, official phone calls, etc.
11. Travel compensation hours paid. This benefit allows you to obtain credit hours taken on Saturday and Sunday when traveling or TDY.
12. Gas reimbursement when traveling within the Washington D.C. area on work-related matters. E.g., if you work at the Pentagon and have to travel to a meeting or conference in Charlottesville/National Ground Intelligence Center [NGIC] you may receive per diem payment for gas costs by mileage.
13. Many Agency employees may compete for numerous educational, deployment and rotational assignments.
-Service Command & Staff and War Colleges
-Weekend, nightly or full-time programs to obtain a bachelors or masters degree
-Some Agency employees may apply to deploy forward to Iraq, Afghanistan, Qatar and other GWOT-related positions. Deployments are usually for for six-twelve months and many receive a cash bonus for volunteering.
14. Many offices unofficially allow the “59 minute Rule” in effect on Fridays before Holidays, as a reward for strong performance, or when DC traffic causes you to arrive late. This is not chargeable and a gratis hour.
15. Like to work out and stay physically fit? Many Agency civil servants can fill out a form, and with doctor and supervisor approval, work out 3 days a week for an hour each session [max 3 hours] with no time charged to you.
16. Need time off to vote in major elections? Government and military employees routinely receive 3 hours uncharged time off on election days to vote in the morning or evening.
17. Need a flexible work schedule to meet your personal and family needs? Many Agencies allow civilian employees an opportunity to develop alternate work schedules to meet your needs. Those who need time to care for an elderly or sick relative, need time to address child care issues, or have other mitigating reasons may discuss these matters with their supervisor. If the reasoning is valid and the mission will support, the employee may be approved for a work schedule that allows you to work extra during the week on certain days to ensure you have the time off needed for recurring personal matters.
18. Notice heavy sleet or snow falling when you wake up in the morning? As many have heard on the radio, federal employees frequently get delayed arrival, liberal leave authorized or uncharged leave if facilities are unable to open due to severe weather.
Now that you have seen the extent of these great benefits and quality of life opportunities routinely available to assigned civilian employees, please ask yourself how your present job and career track size up. If you've decided its time for a strategic change in your professional career, FCPS career placement professionals stand ready to serve your needs and help you to make this a reality. Please give us a call toll free at 1-877-242-0044 for a free assessment or drop us a short note via e-mail to help us understand what you desire and how we can be of assistance.