As a IT professional who is trying to transition to a government position I have seen the numerous problems. Any position which is opened is usually for current government employees or a single very low level position in which thousands of people apply and are required to take extensive pay cuts. As for being a person who does the work and keeps the government systems online I also see that moving government employees around is not always the best actions to satisfy the position for a decision maker.
Numerous IT contractors working all over the country have been transitioned into government positions without loss of pay or benefits. I would like to see this opportunity extended to many other bases all over the world.