Sunday, April 10, 2011

14 trillion in debt, and they're still hiring

The Feds are 14 trillion in debt, and they're still hiring. 

Go here.  The posted salary ranges are truly astounding. 

Any other organization would be on a hiring freeze, filling any openings with internal candidates, slashing needless jobs and job functions.  Any other organization would be selling off unnecessary assets, land, equipment, and buildings. 

But no.  Instead, we're hiring "lead recreation assistants". 

THIS IS A FLEXIBLE-20 POSITION; PROVIDING A 20-HOURS GUARANTEED WORK WEEK AND LOGISTICAL SUPPORT (if required). In a patron usage facility, circulates among patrons to assure service is satisfactory; receives and resolves customer complaints; provides information and general instructions on the use of equipment, facilitates and machinery. Assists patrons in use of the facility by checking out equipment, providing safety instructions, demonstrating new equipment, teaching classes, etc. Plans, conducts, publicize and arrange support for special events, social activities, tournaments and related functions. Leads the work of other employees. Passes on to other workers instructions received from the supervisor and starts work. Distributes and balances work- load assuring that each employee has enough work to keep busy. Answers questions of other employees on procedures, policies, and directives. Provides leadership, guidance and oversight in program operations.


And....

The Department of Defense offers excellent benefits programs some of which may include:

Comprehensive health and life insurance
Competitive salaries
Generous retirement programs
Paid holidays, sick leave, and vacation time
Flexible work environment and alternate work schedules
Paid employment related training and education
Possible student loan repayment
Payment of licenses, certification, and academic degrees as applicable
Bonuses, incentives, and awards as appropriate for the job.

If we're 14 trillion in debt, and can't cut "lead recreation assistants" from the payroll at military bases in Germany....
If we can't even ask the question "why are we paying for the privilege of defending Germany?"....
If our soldiers in Germany aren't fighting anyone, and need "lead recreation assistants", then we are screwed. 

5 comments:

Dr Ralph said...

I saw nothing at all out of line in the salary ranges, especially given the locations. A random sampling: Admin Assistant - $28K, Nurse Practitioner - $68K. Receptionist - $8.50 an hour, laborer - $8.70 an hour, Health Technician - $37K.

Care to tell us which ones you found so astonishing?

And yeah, as with every other employer, there is bound to be turnover and positions to be filled. (shaking head)

The Whited Sepulchre said...

Doctor,
I don't see what you don't understand.
Your share of the unfunded liabilities that these jokers are running up is around $350K. Are you ok with that? Really?

Do you really think we need 60,000 troops in Germany? Troops that are so bored from defending Berlin from Hitler or Khruschev that they need recreation assistants?

Do ya think one of the soldiers just might have time, while guarding the Berlin Wall, to act as Recreation Assistant for his battalion? Or as an Administrative Assistant? Or laborer?

The Whited Sepulchre said...

I mean, seriously, lets fill some of these unnecessary positions from the ranks of other unnecessary employees.

68K for a nurse practitioner?

Dr Ralph said...

These aren't Candy Stripers dispensing bandaids. Nurse practitioners in many settings function practically like doctors. According to Salary.com the national average salary is $89k. So, yeah, $68k for someone with that kind of responsibility seems a bargain.

I don't quit follow the leap from this to 60,000 troops in Germany (which I'm fine with bringing home). In the mean time, excuse me if I refrain from saying, "Hey, you're not doing anything, pick up that empty drink cup," to the next guy I see in uniform at the airport.

I'm sure there are many areas where we could agree on cost savings, but bitching about a random jobs board with no context and salary ranges without comparable private sector salary ranges is just downright lazy.

The Whited Sepulchre said...

Doctor,
What we have here is a failure to communicate.

We are 14 trillion dollars in debt.
That's 14 trillion.
We could confiscate the entire earnings of "the wealthy" for this year. All of it. It wouldn't pay for what we're spending.

I've never seen comparisons of public sector vs private sector responsibilities and compensation that make sense. What with early retirement and bennies, it's apples and oranges.

I'll post a few more from a different point of view, to see if I can make myself clearer.