Is it possible to enter as a GS15?

[Anonymous]

Just starting to look at going from the private sector to Fed. govt. Is it possible to come in as a GS 15?

[Anonymous]

Yes, at least I did as an attorney with DOJ. This was in 2006 though.

[Anonymous]

In most parts of the govt GS15 is reserved for managers (obviously not true everywhere, just as not every agency is under the GS scale), but if you managed to get hired for a GS15 position and had enough experience to convince them you deserve to be placed at 15, then I think it's possible. I think there have been people who have come in at the SES level even.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, at least I did as an attorney with DOJ. This was in 2006 though.

DOJ is one of the better agencies for finding GS-15 work (at least for attorneys). In my agency to be a 15, you have to be a manager.

[Anonymous]

Yes. Happened at the FTC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just starting to look at going from the private sector to Fed. govt. Is it possible to come in as a GS 15?

Yes, came in as GS-10 last year at HHS. Took a pay cut. Seems to have caused some resentment among peers (nothing overt, just heard this through the grapevine--before I assumed people were just generally not that friendly.)

[Anonymous]

What kind of job are you looking for, OP?

[Anonymous]

I'll add that what's hot right now in the federal government is e-discovery attorneys. Almost every agency is looking for an attorney that can guide them through all the new caselaw and technology in this area. If you have IT and e-discovery expertise, you can basically write your own ticket.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just starting to look at going from the private sector to Fed. govt. Is it possible to come in as a GS 15?

Yes, came in as GS-10 last year at HHS. Took a pay cut. Seems to have caused some resentment among peers (nothing overt, just heard this through the grapevine--before I assumed people were just generally not that friendly.)

Do you mean 15? What type of position? Just wondering if only attorneys can come in at a 15.

[Anonymous]

I came in as a GS-15 (not an attorney). I also faced unexpected blowback from folks in the agency. It seems to have mostly faded now but my first year was hell.

[Anonymous]

I've seen people come in as GS-15 positions (non-atty). They are supervisory positions, and the people had significant leadrship experience in the field.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I came in as a GS-15 (not an attorney). I also faced unexpected blowback from folks in the agency. It seems to have mostly faded now but my first year was hell.

I would not treat you any differently, but I would be significantly upset as well. Many of us have worked as feds since college and are trying to climb the ladder inside. When someone comes in from the private sector right into a 15 it hurts morale because we feel like we've dedicated our careers to understand the internal workings of the govt and now we're left explaining the system to you and someone inside missed a promotion.

[Anonymous]

I just got hired as a Fed (GS-12, and I call myself lucky) and have been wondering: do folks other than my manager know my grade?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just got hired as a Fed (GS-12, and I call myself lucky) and have been wondering: do folks other than my manager know my grade?

Yes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just starting to look at going from the private sector to Fed. govt. Is it possible to come in as a GS 15?

Yes, came in as GS-10 last year at HHS. Took a pay cut. Seems to have caused some resentment among peers (nothing overt, just heard this through the grapevine--before I assumed people were just generally not that friendly.)

Super annoying to hear about a new co-worker taking a pay cut!