Do I want to pursue supervisory position (GS-15)?

[Anonymous]

Currently GS-15 non-supervisory. Like my current manager - he’s pretty hands off. Get along fine with my current co-workers, team members, etc. Work is meh. Don’t love it, but pretty low stress these days.

Have opportunity to apply for supervisory position - I’ll get more info on scope of responsibilities from uppers, but for now, just crowd-sourcing DCUM experience. I keep hearing terrible things about supervisory GS-15 positions. Mainly worried about having to respond to fire drills and personnel issues.

[Anonymous]

I should add, I’m about 15 years away from retirement.

[Anonymous]

I mean, do you like supervising people? That's pretty much the question. You're a non supervisory 15 already, so it won't be more money, likely, what makes you interested in this move?

[Anonymous]

No

[Anonymous]

Hell no. Don’t do it.

I love both supervising and running/directing programs. I’m patient and organized with my staff. At least 1 of my employees a year needs a PIP and that occupies a lot of my time and energy. There are so many steps- a “pre-PIP” warning and plan, formally offering them reasonable accommodations and working through that, and then finally the actual PIP. It’s like a marathon to get someone fired, but if you don’t, they start spoiling and ruining the entire office. You can’t tell who will be lazy and refuse to do work when you’re hiring either. It’s surprised me quite a few times. It drives me crazy how hard it is to fire someone even when they’re not doing any work at all.

[Anonymous]

I made a similar lateral move and have been supervisory for the last 4 years. I think it was a mistake. In a few weeks, I'm moving back to a non-supervisory job at the same pay. I have about 20 more years of work, and only SES above me. It doesn't make sense in this phase of life to push so hard for no reason. The pay isn't worth it.

[Anonymous]

Is your boss sticking around? Will this supervisory 15 supervise you?

The only reason to do this is if you fear your boss is leaving and you see bad writing on the wall about a new supervisor.

The other reason is for your ECQs, if you want to go SES.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely not. You have the magic ticket right now. Unless you are interested in becoming SES, there is no reason to add extra responsibilities for the same amount of pay. Most of the supervisors I know purchased personal liability insurance to guard against potential disgruntled employees.

[Anonymous]

Do you think you'll be a good supervisor? Are you gunning for recognition and awards for yourself?

[Anonymous]

So, should you seek out more responsibility for the exact same pay, which either is now or is soon to be capped?

No.

[Anonymous]

Non sup 15 is the golden ticket in the government.

[Anonymous]

Like others say, don't do it if you are at all on the fence about it. You will likely have some high performers and some really low performers on your team and it is VERY difficult, if not pretty impossible, to raise their level of performance to something that would be passable in the private sector. Add in the unwarranted EEO complaints and it's pretty soul crushing.

[Anonymous]

What comes after this? If there isn’t a 16 or 17 over you then don’t do this. Unless you have plans to move into a higher paid job that requires supervisory experience.

[Anonymous]

No, you a non supervisory 15 is a unicorn position. The one exception would be if you ever want to move to SES, you'll probably need supervisory experience.

[Anonymous]

No. One or two bad, non-fireable subordinates who are toxic or malingerers and whose output you are responsible for will make your life awful.
Bern there, done that. I quit for a job outside government at lower pay, just to stay alive.