I don't think it's the federal pay system that's primarily to blame for
the lack of the 'best and the brightest” in government. One of the
problems is that the government advertizes for a particular field then
also tags 'supervisor' on to their tasks. Let me give you a specific
example. The Food and Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) has
approximately 1100 veterinarians in its workforce. Are they used as
veterinarians? Truth is…not really. Those stationed within meat and
poultry slaughter plants (one per shift) primarily are tasked with
supervising the food inspectors and performing administrative duties.
This agency has one of the largest groups of veterinarians in all of
the governement, and under-utilizes them. And further. this agency
doesn't want these veterinarians to do anything other than 'what they
are told to do'. A professional who is true to his profession can not
work under those conditions. We were taught to think and solve
problems, not to take orders.