Federal Job Question: Skipping a Grade in the Government

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think you can if you are a current Fed and haven't met the time in grade requirement. I was a GS-13 PhD scientist but had other GS-14/15 level experience. Despite my experience I could never clear the HR screen for GS-15 positions. So I left for a senior position at an NGO for a couple of years and then re-applied back in the government for a GS-15 and got it. Because the NGO paid decent it only made sense for me to take the new GS-15 job at the max salary. It was a risk to leave but my other Fed friends think I am a genius. Of course you're only a genius when the risk works.

Not true, if there is a position open to all US citizens (i.e. not Merit Promotion) you can apply and technically should be evaluated on all of your experience. If you apply MP, they will look only at time in grade of your last position. This can also be risky, because if you don’t apply via MP, there is a greater chance you won’t make the cert (greater competition). But, it can be done. That said, in my case, I had to argue with HR and hiring manager at offer stage, they offered a starting grade and step based on time in grade only, I had to make the case my private sector experience is what put me over the top, made me best qualified candidate, and at the higher grade.

[Anonymous]

If the announcement is open to US Citizens then yes you can; if only to your the employees of your agency then no

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think you can if you are a current Fed and haven't met the time in grade requirement. I was a GS-13 PhD scientist but had other GS-14/15 level experience. Despite my experience I could never clear the HR screen for GS-15 positions. So I left for a senior position at an NGO for a couple of years and then re-applied back in the government for a GS-15 and got it. Because the NGO paid decent it only made sense for me to take the new GS-15 job at the max salary. It was a risk to leave but my other Fed friends think I am a genius. Of course you're only a genius when the risk works.

Not true, if there is a position open to all US citizens (i.e. not Merit Promotion) you can apply and technically should be evaluated on all of your experience. If you apply MP, they will look only at time in grade of your last position. This can also be risky, because if you don’t apply via MP, there is a greater chance you won’t make the cert (greater competition). But, it can be done. That said, in my case, I had to argue with HR and hiring manager at offer stage, they offered a starting grade and step based on time in grade only, I had to make the case my private sector experience is what put me over the top, made me best qualified candidate, and at the higher grade.

I disagree. As a GS-13 with 5 years at that grade I applied for a GS-15 under both MAP and DE and did not make the cert on either. Reason given was "does not meet time in grade", despite having GS-15 level experience. In other words I needed to be officially be a GS-14.

[Anonymous]

What is a GS five step 10 pay equivalent to a WG 10 how many years if you were GS five step 10 verse a WG 5 Step 10

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think you can if you are a current Fed and haven't met the time in grade requirement. I was a GS-13 PhD scientist but had other GS-14/15 level experience. Despite my experience I could never clear the HR screen for GS-15 positions. So I left for a senior position at an NGO for a couple of years and then re-applied back in the government for a GS-15 and got it. Because the NGO paid decent it only made sense for me to take the new GS-15 job at the max salary. It was a risk to leave but my other Fed friends think I am a genius. Of course you're only a genius when the risk works.

Not true, if there is a position open to all US citizens (i.e. not Merit Promotion) you can apply and technically should be evaluated on all of your experience. If you apply MP, they will look only at time in grade of your last position. This can also be risky, because if you don’t apply via MP, there is a greater chance you won’t make the cert (greater competition). But, it can be done. That said, in my case, I had to argue with HR and hiring manager at offer stage, they offered a starting grade and step based on time in grade only, I had to make the case my private sector experience is what put me over the top, made me best qualified candidate, and at the higher grade.

I disagree. As a GS-13 with 5 years at that grade I applied for a GS-15 under both MAP and DE and did not make the cert on either. Reason given was "does not meet time in grade", despite having GS-15 level experience. In other words I needed to be officially be a GS-14.

+1 the problem is that unless they know you and specifically are interested, you won't make it past the BS HR screening up front. It's not like someone substantive is really digging into your resume when they do the initial cut.