Pros
Amazing people to work with all around, a great majority are tireless civil servants. Great team relationship with end users (not so much across the programmers). Excellent cause (efficiently running an education business for the tax payers), and sense of purpose in what you are doing. Excellent time off package (23 holidays + 10 vacation + 5 personal + 5 sick). Very stable.
Cons
Pay seems well below market with no real way to grow beyond certain grades without getting into more stifling managerial positions. Medical benefits do not seem great compared to other employers. Department was disorganized in some parts with silos of knowledge, and/or fiefdoms, and at times took unprofessional stance toward software development, often just "making it work" despite many long term problems with the quick solutions that approach entails.
