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

[Anonymous]

I am doing that right now OP - went from a non-sup 15 to a supervisory 15. I hate every min of it. Long story but i really didn't have a choice... be careful. people suck and they will stress you out.

[Anonymous]

Being a supervisor is like a having a whole other job on top of your normal job. And none of it is fun, it's a ton of admin and people problems.

[Anonymous]

The way government employees talk about retirement is sad. “Only 15 years to retirement.” That’s a lot time and you could accomplish a lot.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely not. Supervising employees, especially civil servants, is a nightmare. HR will tie your hands, and upper management will drop all their problems on your lap. You might consider a Program Management position (eg taking responsibility for executing a bigger chunk of your agency’s mission with commensurate budget authority). But don’t manage people.

[Anonymous]

You have to know what you’re getting into and what you’re going to get out of it. I’ve been a GS-15 supervisor for over 5 years. For the first year I loathed it and was sure I’d made a mistake. Then I gradually realized how much better I could make the place in terms of reforming and creating policies, and replacing poor performers. It was gradual. 5+ years in I have a great team who all work well together and work hard, and a well functioning office. It took a lot to get here. I don’t like supervising just for the sake of supervising - I’m not someone who enjoys being the center of attention- but I do like making the decisions and achieving goals. I think my team likes and respects me - and I certainly like and respect them.

I would never ever go for SES. That’s pure management. No thanks. As a first line supervisor I still do and teach the subject matter area and that’s what I like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Being a supervisor is like a having a whole other job on top of your normal job. And none of it is fun, it's a ton of admin and people problems.

This. I'd describe supervising as being a combination therapist and punching bag. And then you still have a whole other job to do.

[Anonymous]

Have fun approving leave requests and time sheets. At least you’ll get to brag about “being a manager.” Like anyone cares.

[Anonymous]

99 pct of fed managers who encourage you to be a manager are miserable with their own life choices and want company. All of them would happily reverse course if possible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. DH has been pushing for me to gun for SES, which means I need more experience than my current role. But last time I was on a high-pressure project, I was incredibly stressed and didn’t deal with it well.

The only reason I would want to make a move is because I don’t really like my current role.

Don’t let your partner push you around.

My partner went from a non sup 15 to a sup 15 and they love it. They like coaching and developing people, however. They’re not pushing for SES and plan to be in that role until retirement in 12-15 years. They complain sometimes about the frustration of some of the administrivia but in general rather like working more with people than just being a SME.

Your mileage may vary…but only you know what you want to do. Do not let your partner push you into something that may not be right for you, and if you are asking us the question, it may not be right for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

+1. DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE the stress that comes with managing people. You might get along with them all now, but as their supervisor you may/will see and learn about things you aren't aware of now as a peer.

I manage a team of 11. People will bring you their personal problems and that can be very stressful: drinking/substance abuse problems, divorce, custody battles, internal politics/drama, and their expectations often do not align with their actual work or contributions in terms of promotion and career develop. At any given moment I'd say 2 people on my team are going through personal drama which affects their work and 1 person that feels they should be promoted and are bitter that they haven't yet - and therefore are like a cancer on team morale at time.

There is NO, ZERO, ZIPPY way I would take on this stress, high pressure, fire drill ready, responsibility without a material increase in pay. If you were 30yrs old and aspiring to SES than sure. But you really do have the golden ticket... to be an individual contributor with the same pay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

+1. DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE the stress that comes with managing people. You might get along with them all now, but as their supervisor you may/will see and learn about things you aren't aware of now as a peer.

I manage a team of 11. People will bring you their personal problems and that can be very stressful: drinking/substance abuse problems, divorce, custody battles, internal politics/drama, and their expectations often do not align with their actual work or contributions in terms of promotion and career develop. At any given moment I'd say 2 people on my team are going through personal drama which affects their work and 1 person that feels they should be promoted and are bitter that they haven't yet - and therefore are like a cancer on team morale at time.

There is NO, ZERO, ZIPPY way I would take on this stress, high pressure, fire drill ready, responsibility without a material increase in pay. If you were 30yrs old and aspiring to SES than sure. But you really do have the golden ticket... to be an individual contributor with the same pay.

This is accurate in my experience as a GS15 supervisor. But I enjoy it!

[Anonymous]

Why the hell would you want to do more work for the same amount of $?

[Anonymous]

This thread is depressing. I wish more people could see this and do something about the fresh hell that is being a federal supervisor. And to the pp above- it is not signing timesheets and approving leave. That stuff takes me 5 min a week.

I’m a supervisory GS14. The GS 15 positions in my field are even more awful.

There’s so much I love about my role and the effect I have, but supervising poor performers is painful. It’s like rounding up toddlers and trying to get them to work. And a few toddlers will hate you and actively undermine you. Others will file EEO suits against you (same age and gender and race as me). I wish someone could make it easier to get rid of the poor performers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

+1

[Anonymous]

Another GS-15 supervisor here that says hell, no! You’ll work far more hours, be incredibly stressed, deal with paperwork and people problems, and for what? Nothing. not a penny more than what you’re already making. My dream was to be a 15-non supervisor!