Serving on the U.S. Digital Service Talent Team
We’re looking for technical recruiters and talent operations specialists to join our talent team! Meet some of the current members, learn about what they do, how they’re making an impact, and why you should consider joining.
Sherika Ekpo, She/Her, Head of People Operations, from Washington, DC
What’s it like working on the USDS talent team?
I’m lucky that I get to come to work with really smart and fun people every day. Together the team strategizes on how to hire digital service experts, like engineers, designers and product managers who do amazing work and have tremendous impact across the country.
Why should someone consider joining the team?
I can tell you that this experience will be different than anything you’ve ever done. You’ll grow as a person and develop in ways you couldn’t have imagined. USDS gives you the opportunity to serve your country in a unique way, and being part of the team will surely make a difference.
Jordan Ginn, He/Him, Technical Recruiter, from Tacoma, WA
How did you end up at USDS and what has your experience been like?
Because this place is weird (tours of service and all), I’ve become the most senior member on the talent team in just over 2 years. Also, because this place is weird — I love it. I’ve followed a strange career trajectory to get here…one that began as a high school teacher in the Bronx. I’ll save the long story but I sold out (went corporate) in 2010 as a “head hunter” and loved the work. However, in 2016 I realized I missed the public service aspect of my former career. So I joined USDS in 2016 and the rest is history.
Why should someone consider joining the team?
The work is incredibly rewarding because every time I bring someone into the organization I think about the impact each hire can have. Is this new person going to help 10,000 people? Save 1,000 lives? Give access to 1M users? I used to help companies grow and make profits…now in my two years I can literally say millions of Americans have been impacted by my efforts. Am I a hero? Hero is a big word — one that certainly applies to me. A superhero? I dunno…but yeah, probably that too. Come join us and be a hero. (I’m joking…sort of).
Tammy Dao, She/Her, Talent Operations Specialist, from Springfield, VA
What was it like when you first joined the talent team?
When you first join the USDS talent team, you’re asked to read the orange cord article, that basically explains how when you’re new to a team you have the best chance of noticing the “unsightly items, processes, and practices that don’t fit or don’t make sense.” When I started, I took a step back and noticed the scoring system for interviews at USDS. This was my orange cord moment. I dug into the data of interview scoring and presented it to our leadership. It was scary to do that as a new person, however when you looked at the data it was clear to me and everyone else that we needed to revamp how we leveled our interview scores. It was great to feel like I could make a difference as a new member of the team.
What made you decide to join?
I came to USDS after talking to Jordan Ginn, who is currently a recruiter at USDS and a friend of mine that I also worked with prior to joining. It was clear to me the passion and love he had for USDS, no matter how hard and weird the work was, and he kept talking about how it was so satisfying to work for a mission driven organization. So I decided to give it a shot. I looked at the website and was like, there is nothing else like this! You have the ability to work directly with candidates, and to get that person to apply is really exciting, especially if they end up joining our team.
Michael Rivera, He/Him, Technical Recruiter, from St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
What is your role on the talent team and what made you decide to join?
I am a technical recruiter with USDS. I focus on bringing engineers, product managers, and designers into the bureaucracy that is federal government, to make it a better place. I also dabble in larger recruitment strategy, partnering with my USDS colleagues to build a consistent employer message that can resonate with folks.
I’m here because I didn’t want to work somewhere that builds widgets (or apps I guess). I admired the mission of USDS, and I admired the desire to take really big swings to help make tech better in government. The stakes are high; improving tech in this space can often save actual lives, which makes it a hard proposition to turn down if you can help in some way.
Why should someone consider joining the team?
Because, it’s dope. It’s also hard. But hard in a good way. We often can’t compete with private sector “perks.” We often ask people to make tremendous sacrifices to join us, but I feel the impact you can provide, and the direct line between the work you do and the people it helps is so exponentially greater than anywhere else you work, that it’s worth it.
The best of technology.
The best of government.
And we want you.
We’re looking for the most tenacious designers, software engineers, product managers, and more, who are committed to untangling, rewiring and redesigning critical government services. You’ll join a team of the most talented technologists from across the private sector and government.
If you have questions regarding employment with the U.S. Digital Service, please contact us at usds@omb.eop.gov and visit usds.gov/join.
Kelsey Hastings, digital marketing and content at U.S. Digital Service.
