Why Government Service at EIA
Flexible Workplace and Work Schedules
EIA has evolved into a hybrid workplace, where most of our employees have the option to work remotely from nearly anywhere in the United States. We embrace Alternate and Flexible Work Schedules, which allow employees to tailor their work schedule to their preference instead of the eight-hours-a-day, five-days-a-week standard.
Pay
Most EIA employees are paid according to the standard federal General Schedule (GS) pay system. All these positions have an assigned pay grade that, along with locality pay, determines the pay range. Within each grade, a series of steps (from step 1 through step 10) determines the exact salary. Most EIA positions are GS11 to GS14 with salaries ranging from $66,214 to $144,976 (perhaps more depending on locality pay), and many positions have built in opportunities for advancement to the next GS level.
Generous Holiday and Leave Package
- Employees receive 11 paid federal holidays per year.
- Employees receive vacation time (called annual leave) that varies with the length of federal service (13 days of annual leave per year for the first 3 years of employment, 20 days per year for 3 to 15 years of service, and 26 days per year after 15 years). Employees can carry over up to 240 hours of annual leave.
- Employees receive 13 days of sick leave each year. Unused sick leave never expires and protects employees from loss of salary due to an extended illness.
- The Leave Transfer Program allows employees to donate their annual leave to fellow employees who have used up their own sick and annual leave and would otherwise be in a non-pay status.
- Numerous special leave categories for voting, preventative health, maternity/paternity, taking care of aging parents and more are offered.
Insurance
- EIA employees have a choice of an extensive array of health insurance plans (including dental and vision). Costs are shared by the agency, and options include fee-for-service plans and health maintenance organizations. The employee's portion is hassle-free and paid through payroll deductions.
- Low-cost life insurance coverage is also available. This coverage will be based on annual salary and includes payments for loss of limbs and eyesight, in addition to accidental death.
Retirement & Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)
All new employees are eligible to participate in the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS). FERS is a three-tiered retirement plan with the following components:
- Social Security Benefits
- Basic Benefit Plan
- Thrift Savings Plan
The Thrift Savings Plan is a tax-deferred retirement savings plan for federal employees. Benefits include:
- Tax deferral on contributions of up to 11% of earnings
- Choice of six investment funds
- A loan program
- Portable benefits if you leave government service
- A choice of withdrawal options
- Automatic 1% agency matching
Flexible Spending Accounts
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) enable eligible employees to pay for certain medical and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
Mass Transit Subsidy
The Subsidy for Energy Employees' Transit (SEET) program is designed to promote the use of public transportation to conserve energy resources. EIA SEET participants receive a quarterly benefit that can be used to help offset the commuting fares of participating regional transit providers such as Metro.