Fact of the Day
Neil Armstrong was a GS-13 when he walked on the moon.
COMMENTS
Post a Comment
By using this Service you agree not to post material that is obscene, harassing, defamatory, or otherwise objectionable. Although GovExec does not monitor comments posted to this site (and has no obligation to), it reserves the right to delete, edit, or move any material that it deems to be in violation of this rule.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Government Executive Staff Correspondent Alyssa Rosenberg takes a look at news affecting the management and operations of the massive federal bureaucracy.
Interesting factoid. Can you cite a definitive source? According to a paper posted on the National Academy of Public Administration's web site, "'[t]he first man on the moon was a GS 15,' says FederalNewsRadio.com
columnist Mike Causey, referring to Neil Armstrong and his civil-service grade." http://www.napawash.org/pc_human_resources/transitions_present/nye.pdf (page 7).
In all fairness, I have not verified this information.
Daniel Posted Thursday, July 2, 2009 7:20 AMA GS-13 Astronaut, huh? Hhhmmmm lets see now…
Evaluation Statement
Knowledge Required by the Position (Factor 1)
Clearly at the “mastery” level; at the top of the factor.
Supervisory Controls (Factor 2) and Guidelines (Factor 3)
Not a lot of opportunity to make independent decisions here. Everything has been well planned out by a large project team Armstrong kept in constant contact with the earth, who managed the process step-by-step (hint; that’s why they call it “mission control”). Not much opportunity to deviate from the established guidelines either
Complexity (Factor 4) and Scope and Effect (Factor 5)
Just getting to the moon was an incredibly complex event -- at every stage in the process. Likewise the scope and effect of this historic first walk on the moon was without parallel. Both are at the highest level for two factors, respectively.
Personal Contacts (Factor 6) and Purpose of Contacts (Factor 7)
Personal contacts are with other members of the flight team (e.g., other astronauts, mission control staff) in a tightly structured setting where the roles of all parties are clearly spelled out. The purpose of these contacts is primarily to exchange information. Not much to support a high factor level, here. Not like we found life on the moon, and the incumbent suddenly became an earth envoy.
Physical Demands (Factor 8) and Work Environment (Factor 9)
The rigors of being in space, and the moonwalk, clearly support the highest levels for both of these two factors.
Conclusion
The tight supervisory controls and guidelines over the position, combined with few opportunities for personal contacts external to NASA personnel, probably preclude the position from being credited with higher factor levels which would in turn support a higher grade level.
Other, Related Thoughts About Going to the Moon (from a “Travel” Perspective)
Didn’t have to use “Govtrip”
Don’t know how its reflected on the GSA schedule, but the moon, probably has a low per diem rate…especially when you consider that NASA is providing all meals and lodging.
Similarly, The Foreign Cost of Living Allowance, is also likely to be very small (if there even is one) given that there is no real shopping opportunities, making it difficult to project expenses.
But…just imagine how much Armstrong would have been paid for the mileage, if the Apollo rocket had been his POV! (Anyone know the mileage rate for a Saturn 5?)
"Yup, Im a Classifier" Posted Thursday, July 2, 2009 11:06 AM