Pros
Helping out fellow citizens. There is great job security, even in poor economic times. The health plan which carries over to retirement and is the same health plan enjoyed by members of Congress is very comprehensive, employees only have to pay about 30% of the premiums. Pension, with benefits for spousal survivors, is ironclad and is pegged to inflation so that there are increases for cost of liviing indexes.
Cons
Wages are not as high as in the private sector. Everytime there is a change in administration, i.e., the presidency, especially if the new president comes from the other party, there is a wholesale change in senior, i.e., political, management and in priorities. Great job security also carries a downside, it is very difficult to get rid of deadwood.