Federal employee markets U.S. at employment event
Toolbox
By Cristina Kumka Staff Writer - Published: November 5, 2009
CASTLETON — She started making $29,000 a year and now, 13 years later, Kim Ainsworth is making more than $120,000.
Ainsworth told about a dozen Castleton State College employees, students and alumni that they could look it up — her annual salary is public record.
She works for the federal government.
On Wednesday, an hour after the college ended a job fair that drew about half of the employer vendors it had at its last fair, the executive director of the Greater Boston Federal Executive Board said she had a message.
A federal government job pays, and in more ways than one, she said.
"As a result of retirements, we are doing a lot of hiring … a massive amount of hiring," she said.
Despite a faltering economy, the U.S. federal government — the country's largest employer — is looking for civilian employees due to a number of factors coming to fruition this year, according to Ainsworth.
About half of the 2.1 million Americans working as civilian federal employees nationwide are eligible for retirement, Ainsworth said, showing slide after slide of data as she spoke.
The average age of those currently employed is 49 and the average age of new hires is 32, she said.
In the next three years, the government plans to hire 250,000 new people, according to Ainsworth.
Secondly, the federal government is taking back the functions of departments it previously contracted out — the U.S. Air Force and the Department of Homeland Security.
And some jobs are in demand, such as computer experts and people who know how to do contracting and acquisitions, she said.
Ainsworth said she's paying a 19-year-old to develop a Facebook page for her at her Boston office.
Although she didn't take resumes or applications at Castleton Wednesday, Ainsworth promoted the Web site usajobs.com, fielded questions and said networking or making contact with the right people before the job is even advertised, was key.
Civilian employees hold a myriad of roles —diplomats, hairdressers, teachers and librarians.
"We hire everything from administrative assistants, astronauts, zoologists and everything in between," she said.
Part of her job is to market the government as a viable employer. In 2001, President George W. Bush conducted a survey that showed one in six Americans said they wouldn't work for the United States because they didn't know what it involved.
Ainsworth said employees don't have to work in Washington, D.C., get up to five weeks vacation time, at least a two percent raise each year and are assured an income even after they stop working.
As a result of her being in the Federal Employees Retirement System, Ainsworth said, "When I retire, I will have three revenue streams"— Social Security, a 401(k)-type plan and a defined benefit salary based on number of years worked.
You don't have to be politically connected or have a degree in public administration to be a civilian employee, but you do have to make security clearance and clear a background check, she said.
You couldn't have defaulted on a federally subsided loan or mortgage, Ainsworth said.
If the government hired you tomorrow, Ainsworth said, the average entry-level job pays $41,500 a year if you have a bachelor's degree.
"I love my job," Ainsworth said shortly before ending the hour-long presentation.
Castleton alumnus Andrew McQuerrey of Danby said he will be leaving knowing that a better job with the government is not too good to be true and not out of reach.
"It was very informative," he said.
"Especially in the Rutland area where my friends and I are working with four-year bachelor's degrees in kitchens."
For open government positions, Ainsworth recommends job seekers start their search at the Web site, www.usajobs.com.
cristina.kumka@rutlandherald.com
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