I just read your post, so this may be too late to be of any use to you.
I am a DoD civilian dentist working in Japan. I found this position on USAJobs and followed the process described there. I was specifically recruited for my current location (Japan). I work for the local Navy dental command and my period of employment is for two years, renewable for up to five. Not sure what happens after five years - I have been told not to worry because if I wanted to stay I probably could. When it comes time for me to leave if I wish to continue as a civil service employee I would have first choice of any open federal dentist jobs elsewhere (if there are any). So job security seems pretty good if want to make government service a long term career.
I am definitely a permanent civilian employee (not a contractor). I do not work for a job contracting service, nor was I recruited by a contractor. My direct employer is the U.S. government (the Department of the Navy, a branch of the Department of Defense). Technically, I am under the NSPS system for civil service (look it up - lots of stuff on the Internet). The former GS system is being phased out. The main differences between NSPS and GS are pay grade steps and the evaluation/promotion and bonus process. I can't really compare the two systems because I have only been NSPS. I believe for the first year of my employment I am on a "trial" basis, which is an escape clause for DoN in case I turn out to be grossly incompetent. So far they haven't threatened to fire me
.
I have previous experience as a general dentist, so I had a "track record" they could look at during my hiring process. The requirements (education and experience) for the DoD civilian dentist jobs were posted on USAJobs but I can't remember specifically what they were. The application process was long - it took about 10 months to complete and I had to keep checking back to let them know I was still alive
. Lots of paperwork, emails, faxes, etc. I had several part time jobs in the interim so I wasn't starving, and I didn't have any school loans to pay off.
I took a chance on the overseas government job but I am happy to say that it has worked out pretty well so far. I enjoy my life overseas and my wife likes Okinawa. Japan is great. In addition to my base salary I am eligible to receive an offbase housing allowance (currently up to a maximum of $55K a year). And I receive a "post allowance" (currently about $600 a month I believe) that is pegged to the local currency exchange rate. This gets me a very nice living accommodation offbase and some living expense money while I can also save a good portion of my base salary. I could have chosen to live in military housing onbase, but after comparing the two I elected to live in town. I live in a high rise apartment building with a nice view of the ocean
. I'm within walking distance of a number of restaurants and shopping. The municipal bus stops near my apartment if I need to use it. My apartment is a 12 minute drive from the dental clinic. I ride my bicycle sometimes. The weather is great most of the year but it's hot during July and August.
I have SOFA status in Japan (SOFA = Status of Forces Agreement with the Japan government). I have a government ID card that gets me onto the bases and into government facilities, just like any active duty military servicemember. I receive commissary and exchange privileges and housing privileges for myself and my family members. I receive about 13 days of paid vacation a year
(not enough) and 13 days of paid sick leave (I will never use all of it) plus paid national holidays. If I stick it out, in a few years the number of annual paid vacation days increases.
In addition, I get all the benefits any federal employee receives (TSP, FERS, optional health insurance, life insurance, etc.). A special benefit I receive as a dentist is continuing education. I receive one funded CE course per year (they pay my airfare, hotel, and enrollment fees) back to a CONUS CE course. I also receive one unfunded CE course per year (they give me time off from work but I have to pay any transportation and lodging fees myself). I'm getting ready to attend the Hinman meeting this month at the Navy's expense.
My life as a DoD dentist is pretty good so far. A negative might be that I work fairly hard. My week usually consists of 40 hours of chairside dentistry and I see anywhere from 18 to 30 patients (restorative dentistry plus a lot of exams) during an 8 hour day. I work one restorative chair and two exam/RDH chairs as well as oral diagnosis/sick call rooms sometimes. I work longer hours (usually) and don't get the bigger bonuses that military dentists receive but I'm happy. Oh yes, one benefit in my situation is that I don't have to see after hours emergency patients. But that varies from location to location. I talked to a DoN dentist back in CONUS who did have to treat after hours emergencies, which was a bone of contention because he didn't like the remuneration for his after hours work. Not sure if it made any difference, but I made a point of telling them I didn't want to work after hours, and my evenings and weekends are free
.
PM me if you have any specific questions you think I might be able to answer.
