Pluspunten
If you want to be a public servant, the mission is pretty outstanding (protecting human health and the environment). Many of the staff are very smart, very committed, very passionate. If flexibility is your thing, then you have flexible schedule, work at home, great leave.
Minpunten
Management is generally unable and unwilling to manage the expectations of political appointees. Employees and management are more adverse to change than private sector. Shrinking resources and expanding workload means you'll get more work (and usually not the projects you want) if you are a high performer. Limited mobility and promotion seems predetermined-it is a misconception that once you are in, you can move around-this is virtually impossible.