Real people do these jobs. Talk about a hard day at work. The federal jobs described below, and many more not listed here, deal with some of America’s most complex issues and problems.

What I want to know is this: Are these jobs worth the money, or any amount of money, that the employee receives for the headaches, frustrations, difficult negotiations, etc., that will undoubtedly go into these positions?

Take, for example, the State Department analyst who is responsible for promoting communication and cooperation among the various government agencies and private sector organizations that support the US mission in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. This employee is the ultimate negotiator and must demonstrate optimal patience, negotiation skills, flexibility, and the ability to navigate complex national and international security issues.

Is this job worth $51,630.00 – $81,204.00 a year?

Here are some real-life examples of challenging federal jobs:

1. DC Ranger: Is this job worth $89,033.00 – $115,742.00 a year?

Homework:

Negotiate the terms of right-of-way permits authorizing the use and occupancy of National Park Service lands within the various units of the National Capital Region in response to requests made by the government of the District of Columbia for a wide variety of municipal projects, from the US Army Corps of Engineers for wetland rehabilitation and utility facilities and upgrades, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority for new and expanded metrorail facilities, from private utility companies for new and expanded telecommunications facilities and electric power lines, and from a variety of federal facilities, State and local government agencies for various utility connections, including those of a sensitive nature serving agencies of the Department of Defense and Homeland Security.

My take:

This federal employee must be an incredible multitasker, problem solver, negotiator, communicator, and coalition builder. He or she needs to know the ins and outs of real estate and be tough and KEEP their LAND (The American Public’s Ground). To me, this job seems like too much for one person. This work should be divided among at least 2-3 workers, so that each team member can specialize and work with a particular topic or target audience.

2. USDA Stakeholder Analyst: Is this job worth $62,467.00 – 97,333.00 a year?

Homework:

Maintain contacts and establish relationships with organizations including, but not limited to, those representing segments of the dairy, beef, poultry, swine, and equine industries; horticulture production; biotechnology industries and associations; wildlife organizations; and animal welfare interests.

My take:

It amazes me that this work serves to protect not only humans with regard to food safety, but also animal welfare. This analyst should be a subject matter expert who can speak to all kinds of agricultural experts and represent USDA on all kinds of issues and requests from defense and manufacturing organizations with specific interests to protect. This USDA stakeholder analyst will represent the US taxpayer before these groups. This is an important job, because we all like to eat healthy food and we all like to be outdoors.

3. Principal Scientific and Technical Advisor (CSTA) for Flight Loads/Aeroelasticity: Is this job worth between $114,600.00 and $168,500.00 per year?

Homework:

Serve as the FAA’s recognized expert for structural loads in fixed-wing aircraft and define and promote new technologies in flight and ground loads to establish leadership in the field.

My take:

This job is a lot of pressure for one person. Airline manufacturers will depend on new and updated payload policies from this chief scientist, who must continually update his expertise in new technologies. American public life depends on this work.

4. Veterans Administration Budget Analyst: Is this job AD-0560-13/15 worth undisclosed dollars?

Homework:

Congressional estimates of veterans’ needs for the costs of providing emergency, acute, and long-term care, specialized care for female veterans, treatment of illnesses resulting from exposure to environmental hazards, and residential and community care.

My take:

America’s veterans have tremendous needs and the VA has tremendous budget challenges. This budget analyst must analyze, present solid facts, be a strong advocate and negotiate for vets and families. This person helps thousands of people.

5. Army Food Service Worker: Is this job worth $9.98 – $13.16 per hour?

Homework:

Clean the cafeteria with a ‘task sequence’. Perform a variety of tasks that have multiple steps or a sequence of tasks that require attention to work operations in a kitchen or dining room following established procedures.

My take:

This food service worker must be diligent, responsible, upright, and hard working! Military personnel will appreciate a clean and organized kitchen. This is a good job to help the morale of the soldiers and their families.

ABSTRACT

All of these positions will require specialized experience to land the job. But they will need MUCH more than that. The competencies needed to perform well in these positions will require: communications, interpersonal relationships, negotiation, advocacy, coalition building, problem solving, vision, strategic thinking, subject matter knowledge, and more.

The people who are hired for these positions will handle some of the biggest challenges facing the federal government today. These positions require more participation and performance than average. Are you interested in dedicating yourself to a complex and important mission? If so, read more jobs like these at USAJOBS.gov.