Content-Type:               text
Content-Length: 00000000041
 
I'm sorry that these are always so long.
 
Content-Type:               text
Content-Length: 00000008020
 
 ==============================================================================
Walter D. Kingsborough
Zone Archeologist
Sam Houston National Forest
National Forests and Grasslands in Texas
Raven Ranger District
P.O. Box 1000
New Waverly, Tx. 77358
(409) 344-6205 fax:(409) 344-2123
internet:[log in to unmask]
 ==============================================================================
Opinions and viewpoints are purely those of the author and in no way represent
the policies of the USDA Forest Service nor the opinions and viewpoints of any
official representative of the Forest Service.
 ==============================================================================
 
To:Tom Wheaton and HISTARCH
 
Re:Working for the Government
 
Previous Comment:
"Of course, a contractor's shovel bum (please, no ofence intended: I've been
one) generally works under the same conditions, though usually with some form
of per diem."
 
Tom Wheaton's Reply:
"Shovel bums may get per diem, but rarely any benefits, advancement and
probably much lower pay than a GS-5. You Mentioned that a GS-5 gets to make
field decisions. But what are the education/experiential requirements for a
GS-5, GS-7 etc.? And what are the salary ranges for these positions? I think
the HISTARCH audience would appreciate learning these things."
 
I'm not sure what I've gotten myself into here, but I have to preface the
following with a reminder to always apply the above disclaimer (the one that
immediately follows my address). This is not only to protect myself but also to
remind the readers that I speak only from my personal experience, which, in the
scope of government or private employment, is quite narrow and relatively short
term.
 
Mr. Wheaton and I are not in disagreement. The purpose of my first posting on
this subject was to express my opinion that I was better off, in the long term,
with the government than as a shovel bum in the private sector. Now, before I
get any contractors coming after me let say that I have never had any problems
with any of the contractors for whom I have worked. They paid what they could
pay based on a competitive bid for the job. Two GS-5's currently working for
the Forest Service have told me that they are taking home less than they did
working for contractors, but, looking long range, prefer to remain with the
government if they can (i.e. if budgets will allow). This is the point I wanted
to make in the first place. Even though, at the lower levels, the short term
take home may be less with the government, the long term prospects are better
exactly because of the benefits and advancement potential.
 
In calendar year 1995, the GS-5 step 1 salary (barring a possible additional
locality pay based on location of the duty station) is S9.30/hr or S19,405.00/yr
 before taxes, health, life, and compensation insurance premium
payments, and retirement contributions. The GS-7 step 1 will be S11.52/hr
(S24,038/yr) and the GS-9 will be S14.09/hr (S29,405/yr: again, subtract taxes,
health, life, and compensation insurance payments, and retirement
contributions). My net take home per pay period (pay is calculated on a two
week period with a base of 80 hours) as a GS-5 temporary was around 75% of
gross. Now I'm not really complaining: remember that I, personally, based on my
own experience, prefer government employment.
 
A temporary employee is not eligible for health insurance until after one year
(and then must pay the full premium) and is never eligible for the retirement
program. [NOTE: Government employees are always covered by workers compensation
insurance for injuries or illnesses that are work related (a contribution to
this insurance is also withheld from the gross pay)]. However, a temporary,
seasonal, or part time employee does receive 4 hours of annual (vacation) leave
and 4 hours of sick leave per pay period. After 3 years the annual leave is
increased to 6 hours per pay period. For me, the annual and sick leave was a
definite draw, even without health insurance. Beginning in calendar year 1995,
temporary employment will be restricted to positions of a duration of 1/2 year
or less. Other non-permanent positions will be term positions. The difference
will be that a term employee will be immediately eligible for health insurance
(with the government paying up to 75% of the premium), life insurance, and
retirement (ergo, government will be more attractive in the short as well as in
the long term).
 
Now, as to experience and education. I have not yet been involved in writing a
position description, but, in general, the experience and education
requirements for any government position are defined by the Office of Personnel
Management (OPM, Washington, D.C.). In general, a GS-5 position requires a
Bachelor's in Anthropology with course work emphasizing archeological theory
and practice (or related fields, or course work and one year specialized
experience). A GS-7 position requires two years graduate course work
emphasizing archeological theory and practice (or a bachelors and one year
specialized experience, or related fields, or at least one year of work at the
government GS-5 level or equivalent non-goverment). A GS-9 position requires a
graduate degree in anthropology with emphasis on archeological theory and
practice (or two years graduate course work and two years specialized
experience, or related fields, or specialized experience, or at least two years
at the government GS-7 level or equivalent non-government). It is very
important to note the educational and experience equivalences. I know of at
least one GS-5 archeologist who holds a Bachelors in Biology and 9 years survey
and excavation experience. That nine years specialized experience does count.
 
As to responsibilities. Usually, a GS-5 position description will include
statements such as "design and execute field surveys," "test sites for
eligibility," or "make recommendations as to elilgibility." I do not know how
much these statements can vary from position to position, but in general,
usually (though, possibly not always) a GS-5 is considered to be a professional
archeologist who does not have to be micro supervised in the field. It is
assumed that a GS-5 archeologist knows how to conduct a reconnaissance or
inventory survey and how to test a site for eligibility. If this turns out not
to be true (in any particular case) the SHPO (who must be given an opportunity
to comment on survey designs and eligibility recommendations) will let the
Ranger, Forest Supervisor, or Forest Archeologist know about any
 shortcomings. As you move up through GS-7, -9, and -11 or -12, the
 responsibilities increase
in number and complexity. As a GS-9 Archeologist, my main responsibility, after
field work, is to advise the Ranger and staff on issues of compliance with
NHPA. That means, if someone has a complaint about how my Forest is handling
Heritage resources, I am directly in the path. At the same time I have to make
judgements on how much is enough and how much can be done given my budget. All
of this means that I spend more time casing paper and less time in the field.
Right now I have two temporary GS-5's who are doing most of the fieldwork. If
the budget does not allow them to remain here for the full year, then I will
have to do the field work and the paper work. But, once again I am not
complaining (well, not very much) because I still like the benefits. So, you
have to decide for yourself: short term take home, or long term benefits (or
beginning in 1995, short term benefits). Of course, there are other options not
yet mentioned: be a contractor rather than work for a contractor, or continue
with education and research (which I would have done if I had had more
confidence in my academic potential). As it stands, I hope I am done with this
topic, but if anyone does have any further questions please feel free to
address me by list or at [log in to unmask]
Thank You. Wally.