Pros
(Comment: I'm not sure why everyone's reviews here have not depicted which agency they work for. Is this something which should not be disclosed...?) I guess I'll go out on a limb here, and disclose my employers: I have been working for the FedGovt since 1995 (21yrs Jan2016). I have worked 10yrs with the IRS submission processing-data entry, 5yrs Federal Investigative Services Division (FISD) which is the background investigation unit of OPM, and currently with US CBP/USBorderPatrol. All of my co-workers, and peers throughout these 21yrs have been very hard-working people, and completely dedicated to each agency's mission. They have always been job-conscious, loyal, trustworthy, and a pleasure to be around. For me, that is the most important "Pro" for any career, or any job in general. My employment with the IRS was something which made me feel accomplished at the end of the day, and the workload was fast-paced. FISD was also important work, crucial mission to ensure background investigations for Federal employment were complete and accurate. USBP work is also fast-paced, but because of political influences, our mission is not always top priority. However, I do enjoy my work here, and believe I do make a positive contribution. The most important accomplishment any Federal worker can have, is knowing they make a difference, and in knowing they are providing their very best for all of America's taxpayers / citizens.
Cons
The management level employees I have worked with have always been a disappointment. Aside from the 10yrs w/the IRS, management with each agency have been extremely overpaid, lazy, and careless. With USBP the management staff are continually rotated in/out, leaving permanent department employees in a constant state of "re-inventing the wheel" syndrome. In the 6yrs with USBP, I have seen 7 immediate supervisor changes, 5 next level changes, and our Chief of Sector has rotated out 6 times now. The department I work in, currently has 6 supervisors for 13 employees... yes you read that right 6/13. Every time a new immediate supervisor comes in, they want to "change things", even though it adversely affects everyone in the department. It might be a law enforcement thing, but every new supervisor wants to "leave their mark" before moving on (even if it is unnecessary, disruptive or foolish). Each supervisor is assigned to our department for no more than 2yrs, but you would be amazed at the havoc they can create in those 2 short years! USBP also has a big problem with promoting those who are liked, as opposed to the quantity of those who perform. It's a buddy system here. You're either promoted "out" for being unliked, or promoted "in" because their buddy decides it to be so...and it's always a promotion to move along the unliked. Yes, there are some good leaders, but the ratio of good AND qualified remains a big question mark. One other "con" I have is how this agency abuses, and outright steals overtime benefits. Uniformed employees believe they are entitled to 2hrs OT/day even if they are not required to remain at work. Most of the time, USBP agents are hanging around, complaining of the lack of work there is to do in the office, but stay to collect OT funds. This is a HUGE ongoing problem, with no resolution on the horizon...ever. Overall USBP is a good-ole-boys-club for management level staff. The agents in the field are some of the greatest around. They are extremely frustrated with the political mess we are in right now as a nation, unable to complete their mission effectively, but they DO give it their all every single day. My hats-off to them. However, the over staffed management positions detailed or employed in USBP's administrative/office settings have abused their overpaid positions, and are an ineffective bloated element within USBP.