Would you go?

The job listed below is an actual job available through the State Department. This struck me because I am at least nominally qualified for this job based on years of experience although some of the specifics that they are looking for I haven't done. Anyhow, with the 35% bonus for being in Iraq and the 35% hazard pay the minimum would be approximately $150,000 for one year of work. That's roughly 2-3 times the average for someone in my line of work in a government position (private can be significantly more).

This thread isn't to debate the right or wrong of us being there, but to ask a more personal question. Would you go if the job was what you do for a living?

I think that I would go if I didn't have a wife and kids. The opportunity would be amazing despite the danger involved and would likely get you your pick of jobs when you returned.

My second thought on this is that it upsets me that I could never get even the lowest salary listed for this job doing it here in the states for a government agency. We spend billions reconstructing things there, when our own infrastructure is falling apart.

USA Jobs website wrote:PRT Senior Urban Transportation Planner - (Iraq)

SALARY RANGE:�93,822.00 - 143,471.00 USD per year
OPEN PERIOD:�Thursday, May 31, 2007 to Tuesday, September 04, 2007
SERIES & GRADE:�AD-0301-05/05 POSITION INFORMATION:�Full Time�Temporary Excepted Appointment NTE 13 months
PROMOTION POTENTIAL:�05
DUTY LOCATIONS: � few vacancies - Washington DC/TDY to Iraq

WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED:

Open to all U.S. citizens

This announcement has been extended.

Compensation includes salary plus danger pay and post differentials paid at the rate of 35% each. Please see benefits section for specific details.

Current permanent Federal employees interested in a detail to this
position, please send your resume to: [email protected] with
the position title and announcement number in the subject line.

JOB SUMMARY:

The U.S. Department of State is the lead U.S. foreign affairs
agency. Our mission in Iraq is to support the sovereign, democratic
rights of the Iraqi people to govern themselves, defend their
country, and rebuild their economy. The Iraq Reconstruction
Management Office (IRMO) was established by National Security
Presidential Directive (NSPD) 36 to facilitate this mission. Join
IRMO and help shape a freer, more secure and prosperous Iraq.

Compensation includes salary plus danger pay and post differentials paid at the rate of 35% each. Please see benefits section for specific details.

This position is located in one of 20 Provincial Reconstruction
Teams (PRT) in Iraq. PRTs directly support U.S. policy priorities
by shaping the provincial and municipal political environment and
supporting Iraqi moderates, maintaining provincial-level capacity
development efforts, and facilitating transition of capacity
development activities from U.S. Government to Iraqi Government
funds.

The incumbent serves as a Senior Urban Transportation Planner with
responsibility for providing a broad range of expert technical and
advisory services in support of the U.S. capacity-building mission
in Iraq. The Senior Urban Transportation Planner is a key member of
the PRT, working actively with the PRT Team Leader and
representatives of various U.S. agencies and the military, as well
as aid organizations and the Iraqi government, to build Iraqi
capacity and self-reliance.

THIS POSITION IS BASED IN IRAQ.

Additional Information:

You are encouraged to read the entire announcement before you
submit your application package. Your application may not get
full consideration if you do not follow the instructions as
outlined.

KEY REQUIREMENTS:

* Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance
* TEMPORARILY ASSIGNED TO IRAQ
* Must be able to obtain a medical clearance
* Must be able to obtain an ethics clearance
* U.S. Citizenship required

I am not moving anywhere where the people of the area wouldn't mind seeing me dead...

So, if this was in a place that we had not just done our military business, maybe...

Sarge wrote:
The job listed below is an actual job available through the State Department. This struck me because I am at least nominally qualified for this job based on years of experience although some of the specifics that they are looking for I haven't done. Anyhow, with the 35% bonus for being in Iraq and the 35% hazard pay the minimum would be approximately $150,000 for one year of work. That's roughly 2-3 times the average for someone in my line of work in a government position (private can be significantly more).

This thread isn't to debate the right or wrong of us being there, but to ask a more personal question. Would you go if the job was what you do for a living?

I think that I would go if I didn't have a wife and kids. The opportunity would be amazing despite the danger involved and would likely get you your pick of jobs when you returned.

My second thought on this is that it upsets me that I could never get even the lowest salary listed for this job doing it here in the states for a government agency. We spend billions reconstructing things there, when our own infrastructure is falling apart.

If I was young and stupid again, I MIGHT. Put in as much time as you can stomach, and when you get home, you've got a nice nest egg to build a future with, and hopefully some job experience that won't look bad on a resume.

There's no getting around it though, there's a reason why you get paid that much - the possibility of ending up on Al-Jazeera bound and kneeling, with a bunch of masked men with machetes around you. That's why they're offering the big bucks, of course. No one would do it for what you'd make safe and sound in the USA.

It's a risk - but one that could set you up for a nice future, if you make it through, like 99+% of ppl do. If I were Jewish or a Muslim, I'd never do it, as I imagine that would put an extra-big bullseye on your back. I would bet they'd hate a Muslim working with the infidels. . .

ETA: Upon reflection, If I were young, and had a marketable skill, I think I'd stay home. Now, if I DIDN'T have such a skill, I might go over and serve food in the cafeteria or something. They have job openings for relatively unskilled labor as well, or at least they did a couple years ago, and they pay a great deal more for those jobs as well.

We discussed this at work a while back. Since I have a wife and kids, there is no way I would go. When we debated this, Network Engineers were getting 250K a year. If I was single, I still don't know if that would be enough money. After all, money isn't everything and you only get one life, unless your Hindu, then you get to be reincarnated as a cock roach..... 😈

As for being upset, I had never really thought about it, but I agree. If they are paying that much, then the company that hires you is billing 2x or more than that much to the government. Guess who foots that bill. Yep, you and I. Then again, we've already determined that I'm jaded....

I'd do it in a heartbeat.

It seems similar to being a civillian security contractor except I would assume that if it is through the government you are going to be safer. Who really knows about that since you are never really sure what might happen. If I did not have prior commitments then it would be very attractive. You won't be working with screw ups either. The requirements listed there are a bit more difficult to pass than you may think.

I'd like to say that I am no way disrespecting those of you that have been there. You have my utmost respect and you don't get paid near enough for what you do.

With that said, isn't it a bit different to be over there without a weapon or military training? I dunno, but if I was over there, I'd rather be in the middle of a group of guys who had my back, rather than a contractor doing a job.

Wow, this brings back memories. I had a similar opportunity back in 1984 to go to Africa to work on a project in the oil fields. I didn't of course go because it was a real shithole with a civil war raging on, and the oilfields were a hugh target. It was 4x's what I made at the time too. The only protection to workers at the time was one small detachment of UN peacekeepers.

I wanted to go, but there was a couple of kidnappings and I'd just gotten married. I've kinda regretted not having the balls to go tho. My other two friends did go and had no problems. Me, I just stayed home and was threatened by american unions for the next couple of years.