Pros
Steady work, fair compensation, great benefits, 4+ wks vacation depending on yrs of service, great location
Cons
Because of the advent of NSPS (pay-banding) I am now forced to make a career change in order to keep advancing. What they don't tell you is that when you are brought into NSPS, you'll be stuck within that pay band getting minimal salary increases until you get "promoted" to the next band. Even if you accept another position that is a significant increase in responsibility, you'll only receive a 5% pay raise unless it's considered a promotion. Under the old GS system (very flawed, I'll admit), a promotion to the next level meant at least a bump up to the minimum base salary for that particular position. If you are a younger employee looking to work your way up quickly, NSPS puts many roadblocks in front of you.