Been in federal government for almost 10 years here in DC. When I first got here jobs were plentiful, but in the past 4-5 years it seems impossible to get into the federal govnerment (state and local probably different). I work for a FIRREA agency so the pay is higher, benefits are amazing, and its basically life-work balance (work from home 3+ days a week, can make up YT hours etc) not to mention, pension etc. if you can get here, you should.