Pros
Work with the public, all ages from kids to seniors Coworkers really know their stuff and are some of the nicest people you'll meet Management fits my style- hands on when needed, otherwise gives staff what they need to do well and steps back Room to grow is there, just need to be opportunistic and make a good case Decent benefits- health, retirement, etc but only for full timers Some perks for part timers Flexible scheduling Solid pay- higher than similar private sector positions in the Ed, Childcare, and Parks/Rec arenas
Cons
None I know of but have heard internal politicking can be bad, depending on the department and it's own policies. HR is painfully slow, particularly for PRCS and LCPS (parks and schools), likewise for other agencies I've applied to. However, talking with HR reps over the years, it seems they are often short-handed (lots of paperwork, not enough people to handle it when the glut is high).