Pros
- Opportunities to work on a wide array of important issues and the mission is inspiring - Most employees are very smart and dedicated and have diverse, interesting backgrounds - Management is respectful of staff - Opportunities for work in the field - Great work/life balance
Cons
- Criticism from all sides: environmental NGOs, environmental activists, industry groups, conservatives, tea partiers. They may disagree about why the EPA is terrible, but they all bash us just the same. It can be demoralizing. - Many bureaucratic policies and procedures prevent real work from getting done. - As in any government agency, it's hard to fire the underperformers. There aren't as many as the stereotype suggests, but those that are there pull the whole organization down. - Employees in the regional offices are often paid a full grade lower than employees in headquarters for doing similar work. There are no policies, memos or directives that explain why this is, but it's the reality nonetheless. - Low attrition rates mean that EPA is full of older men, especially in the regional offices. There are few opportunities for young people looking to join the agency.