Bureau of Diplomatic Security - Security Protective Specialist (SPS)

[LivindaDream]

I wanted to opening a discussion on this new position with DS. My .02 cents - this new position is a no-brainer for any current contractor looking to make inroads in the U.S. government or DSS for that matter. In addition to an extremely competitive starting salary and Foreign Service employee benefits, you get something even more valuable: a TS clearance!

Now, we can debate a contractor salary versus FP-04 with 35% Diff/35% Danger + O/T. And, some of us may even dismiss 2 government sponsored R&Rs to the US, and 1 local R&R to the region. Or, just as easy forget about Sunday Differential, Night Differential, or Holiday pay.

But, from where I sit, if you are looking for a stepping stone into stable employment and marketable credentials - and you are a Iraq/Afghanistan/Israel contractor, this sounds like a good deal.

If you read the annoucement, there is a BEX involved. So, not every contractor will succesfully convert.

[CavLT]

I have already seen some gripes in the SA thread about how this position is "temporary."

If I wanted to do the PMC thing, this is the route I would take. You aren't going to get the same benefits or a chance to count your time towards retirement from any of the PMCs... Not to mention the fact that your time with them is just as temporary if not even moreso.

The pay is good for a reason, but the job isn't meant to be a career.

[ignignokt373]

Everyone I have talked to about it has the same issues. And that would be the part where it states in the Annoucement about being 13 months up to 5 years.

Yeah, you would become a status employee if you weren't already but it would suck to be employed for 13 months then out of work.

I think State will have no problem filling the slots but will be ticking a lot of folks off in the end when they can them after a year or two and they don't have any other jobs for them to do.

Just my nickle.

[LivindaDream]

A valid point, the reality is: if you are a young man or woman on a security contract your days were numbered a long time ago. And if you were not actively pursuing some other form of employment, which most contractors were not, a year from now it will be like ground hog day.

The Contractors I spoke with would love a federal law enforcement job, but most lack the minimum requirements; an undergraduate degree. Somebody convinced these guys/gals that a security contractor job was a stepping stone toward something else; something more permanent with whom I don’t know. Many truly aspired to be a “contractor.” This new SPS position has the opportunity to open more than a few doors – doors most do not even know exist.

Instead of looking at the short-term aspect of the job, they should ask “where do you I want to be 2-3 years from now and will this opportunity will help me get there?”

[ignignokt373]

the reality is: if you are a young man or woman on a security contract your days were numbered a long time ago.

If one is looking for a "running and gunning" contract, you are correct. Those are going to go away or at least down to not that many. The new Admin is wanting to do away with those types of joibs. Hence, these openings.

But, I still see contract security work out there, especially with the military. It makes since to hire out FP/Static/Training positions and have the troops doing other things as it is going to cost the Admin a ton of money to make all the stuff out there (and there is a ton of stuff out there) into USG jobs.

As I stated in the other thread, contracting has been going on since the Revolutionary War. Since Vietnam, it's been through the roof. It would cost huge sums of money to make it go away. I think Hillary has realized that as she's not said much about it (other than the BW issues). In the campaign, she wanted to do away with it completely. Amazing what happens once folks take over and the "Oh Crap" after they have been briefed better.

Like I said, the biggest issue I have talked to folks about is the a fact that these positions are permenate. They are term, from 13 months to 5 years. I (along with a few others I have talked to, including some support folks in my office) would be hard pressed to take jobs like that because of the time limits. I'd hate to be trained up, deployed, then told "Thanks, but you're not needed any more" after a year. Or be worried about coming to work one day in Iraq or Afghanistan and being told to pack up. Personally, if I was running things, I would hate to have that runnning in the back of my mind of my team as they are escourting folks in country.

Just my nickle.

[Tirofijo]

Like I said, the biggest issue I have talked to folks about is the a fact that these positions are permenate. They are term, from 13 months to 5 years. I (along with a few others I have talked to, including some support folks in my office) would be hard pressed to take jobs like that because of the time limits. I'd hate to be trained up, deployed, then told "Thanks, but you're not needed any more" after a year. Or be worried about coming to work one day in Iraq or Afghanistan and being told to pack up. Personally, if I was running things, I would hate to have that runnning in the back of my mind of my team as they are escourting folks in country.

That's the way it is now. Ask the guys working for MVM that all had to scramble when they lost their contract. (Or the guys working for BW.) If you are looking for job security, you are probably in the wrong business.

After all, wasn't that the selling point of the military using so many contractors. "Sure, we are paying these guys outrageous sums compared to the E-4s and E-5s that would normally be doing this, but the good part is we only have to pay them for the limited time that we need them."

[ignignokt373]

[QUOTE=Tirofijo;1663016] That's the way it is now. Ask the guys working for MVM that all had to scramble when they lost their contract. (Or the guys working for BW.) If you are looking for job security, you are probably in the wrong business.

True, but the folks I talked to over there said that most got jobs due to the fact that they were already in country and had CAC Cards which made them a better candidate to hire than someone CONUS.

One can only suspect that the folks from BW are going to be getting on with whatever company takes over for them, minus the management.

After all, wasn't that the selling point of the military using so many contractors. "Sure, we are paying these guys outrageous sums compared to the E-4s and E-5s that would normally be doing this, but the good part is we only have to pay them for the limited time that we need them."

Perhaps, but as stated, the Millitary has been using contractors in the field since the Revolutionary War. More so since Vietnam. Go to Bosnia, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi, Egypt, etc... And you will see a lot of contractors (both foreign and Expats) there on long term contracts making some good money.

[LivindaDream]

Perspective - if you are a retired person looking to augment retirement income, pay off some bills, etc., then yes, taking advantage of the myriad of contractor opportunities since the Revolutionary war makes perfect sense. However, do we really have 20 something and 30 somethings out there looking for continuous contracts in a war zone into perpetuity. If so, then I am completely out of touch.

[Mountaineer]

I had some questions about the SPS position:

1. What is the actual gross pay likely to be? (FP4 $52.221 + 35%
Post Differential +35% Danger + OT + Additional Pays = ?)

2. Other than having completed the TS clearance and Med Exam, how would a SPS employ have a leg up to getting a DS Agent job?

[Scout0315]

This position would make you a shoe in for a 0084 courier job (DOE). It would give you measurable experience in all the KSA areas, TS, and suitability determination.