GS 12 versus GS 14?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To me, quality of life has value. I’d take the job where I think I’d be happier.

I agree, but I wonder if OP really knows what office dynamics are like at the 12. They paint the 12 as a respected key contributor. If never seen a 12 with much autonomy or who gets a strong voice in the room. My experience is that both of those start at 13 and by 14 you really get a voice

This really depends where you are. In my agency, program leads with PhDs or significant experience are 12s, and they make a lot of the day to day decisions. 13s do as well but tend to have an unfortunate combination of individual contributor duties plus supervision of staff. 14 is where you're basically a staff and funds manager all the time and not doing IC work at all. So it really depends what autonomy and voice mean to you - in my experience the work is fundamentally different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To me, quality of life has value. I’d take the job where I think I’d be happier.

I agree, but I wonder if OP really knows what office dynamics are like at the 12. They paint the 12 as a respected key contributor. If never seen a 12 with much autonomy or who gets a strong voice in the room. My experience is that both of those start at 13 and by 14 you really get a voice

This really depends where you are. In my agency, program leads with PhDs or significant experience are 12s, and they make a lot of the day to day decisions. 13s do as well but tend to have an unfortunate combination of individual contributor duties plus supervision of staff. 14 is where you're basically a staff and funds manager all the time and not doing IC work at all. So it really depends what autonomy and voice mean to you - in my experience the work is fundamentally different.

OP here. This is basically the 12 role, re: significant experience. As for the 14 role, if I hypothetically get it, the person could make my life (more) miserable/push me out so then I'd end up without a 14, etc. My supervisor said that this person may be intimidated by my credentials and I have no idea why. I try to be nice, but this person just...isn't.

[Anonymous]

If you take the GS12, you won't be eligible for the GS 14 again. You'd have to apply for GS13 jobs first. It can be a slog

[Anonymous]

Do 14s come up in your field often so that you could have reasonable assurance you could do a lateral move at some point if dealing with the coworker gets to be too much? Or are they rare. I think I'd take the 14 as long as you wouldn't be stuck for years waiting for someone to retire to be able to move on. But then again, even if 14s are rare, as a 14 then you could qualify for a 13 step 10 more easily somewhere else.

[Anonymous]

I find people like you describe direct their actions to those who allow them to treat them that way. I'd take the 14 and just apply for other 14s.

[Anonymous]

A nonsupervisory GS14 is one of the hardest roles to get. Take the 14 with the idea that you will leave after getting the 2 year experience. That way you can be eligible for all positions through GS15.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do 14s come up in your field often so that you could have reasonable assurance you could do a lateral move at some point if dealing with the coworker gets to be too much? Or are they rare. I think I'd take the 14 as long as you wouldn't be stuck for years waiting for someone to retire to be able to move on. But then again, even if 14s are rare, as a 14 then you could qualify for a 13 step 10 more easily somewhere else.

14s are decently available roles. I won't be waiting a decade--just a couple of years, a few at most. I know, on paper, it makes sense to take the 14. But this person truly is awful to work with (treats feds and contractors horribly, and nobody seems to care--which concerns me).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A nonsupervisory GS14 is one of the hardest roles to get. Take the 14 with the idea that you will leave after getting the 2 year experience. That way you can be eligible for all positions through GS15.

I thought it was a non sup 15

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do 14s come up in your field often so that you could have reasonable assurance you could do a lateral move at some point if dealing with the coworker gets to be too much? Or are they rare. I think I'd take the 14 as long as you wouldn't be stuck for years waiting for someone to retire to be able to move on. But then again, even if 14s are rare, as a 14 then you could qualify for a 13 step 10 more easily somewhere else.

14s are decently available roles. I won't be waiting a decade--just a couple of years, a few at most. I know, on paper, it makes sense to take the 14. But this person truly is awful to work with (treats feds and contractors horribly, and nobody seems to care--which concerns me).

It sounds like a horrible work environment. That kind of place can’t stay like that forever. Someone that out of line eventually gets moved out or leaves. Failing that, if you can’t stand it you can start looking for a lateral 14 or even a 15 to move to. The 14 role is still a much better stepping stone than the 12, all things being equal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do 14s come up in your field often so that you could have reasonable assurance you could do a lateral move at some point if dealing with the coworker gets to be too much? Or are they rare. I think I'd take the 14 as long as you wouldn't be stuck for years waiting for someone to retire to be able to move on. But then again, even if 14s are rare, as a 14 then you could qualify for a 13 step 10 more easily somewhere else.

14s are decently available roles. I won't be waiting a decade--just a couple of years, a few at most. I know, on paper, it makes sense to take the 14. But this person truly is awful to work with (treats feds and contractors horribly, and nobody seems to care--which concerns me).

If you take the 12, you are no longer eligible to apply for 14 roles

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do 14s come up in your field often so that you could have reasonable assurance you could do a lateral move at some point if dealing with the coworker gets to be too much? Or are they rare. I think I'd take the 14 as long as you wouldn't be stuck for years waiting for someone to retire to be able to move on. But then again, even if 14s are rare, as a 14 then you could qualify for a 13 step 10 more easily somewhere else.

14s are decently available roles. I won't be waiting a decade--just a couple of years, a few at most. I know, on paper, it makes sense to take the 14. But this person truly is awful to work with (treats feds and contractors horribly, and nobody seems to care--which concerns me).

THEN.WHY.DID.YOU.ASK?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do 14s come up in your field often so that you could have reasonable assurance you could do a lateral move at some point if dealing with the coworker gets to be too much? Or are they rare. I think I'd take the 14 as long as you wouldn't be stuck for years waiting for someone to retire to be able to move on. But then again, even if 14s are rare, as a 14 then you could qualify for a 13 step 10 more easily somewhere else.

14s are decently available roles. I won't be waiting a decade--just a couple of years, a few at most. I know, on paper, it makes sense to take the 14. But this person truly is awful to work with (treats feds and contractors horribly, and nobody seems to care--which concerns me).

THEN.WHY.DID.YOU.ASK?

CALM.DOWN.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do 14s come up in your field often so that you could have reasonable assurance you could do a lateral move at some point if dealing with the coworker gets to be too much? Or are they rare. I think I'd take the 14 as long as you wouldn't be stuck for years waiting for someone to retire to be able to move on. But then again, even if 14s are rare, as a 14 then you could qualify for a 13 step 10 more easily somewhere else.

14s are decently available roles. I won't be waiting a decade--just a couple of years, a few at most. I know, on paper, it makes sense to take the 14. But this person truly is awful to work with (treats feds and contractors horribly, and nobody seems to care--which concerns me).

If you take the 12, you are no longer eligible to apply for 14 roles

This. You will have to apply at a 13 and be that for a year before you become eligible for a 14.

[Anonymous]

I will note that you said you interviewed for both, but have not yet been offered both, this may very well be decided for you.
Are you currently a fed? Are you a 13?

[Anonymous]

Always take the 14 over the 12