Current non supervisory GS14. Should I become GS15 supervisor?

[Anonymous]

My experience mirrors the poster below. It also helps tremendously to have a deputy, a game changer! I would add that what drove me to take the position was that I was put in a position where I can create a vision of what I wanted to program to move towards and then execute. Sure, it can be stressful if it doesn't work out, but what are they going to do, fire me?! (I kid I kid).

Anonymous wrote:I was in your situation two years ago, 7 years into my federal career, and this is what I'd say:

- even when you're being promoted to manage your own office, being a manager is a completely different job than the SME job you have currently. Personally, I was interested in the promotion because I was bored with my SME job. The supervisory job has it's ups and downs, but it has been a new professional challenge, which has been satisfying.

- being a manager requires a completely different skill set than being a subject matter expert. Your SME experience is secondary, and may be - depending on your office - significantly less relevant than you think. You might want to talk with hiring manager or other managers at your level to learn more about the skills that are needed to be a good manager.

- being a manager entails dealing with people and their problems, even when you have very high performing staff. I have no low performers on my team, and yet I swear to god, being a manager is like parenting children who come to you to fix every little problem that they have.

- does the job set you up for the long term career trajectory that you want? my promotion puts me in line to be the SES over my office, likely within the next 15 years. I'm actually worried that I will get railroaded into the position just because that's the way my agency works. At this time, I don't want a promotion beyond my current position.

- don't take the job for the money. that would be foolish because the pay difference is nominal. Even the little pay bump if I did get the SES position isn't enough to be worth it (in my opinion).

- as the manager, you set the culture for the office. you do the hiring, you control the quality of the training, you are the one who is responsible for working with lower performers to improve their performance.

- how reasonable is the chain of command above you? first line supervision sucks if your chain of command has unreasonable expectations and will not support you if you find you recommend pushing back on unreasonable expectations - especially in the federal gov't where every office I see if short staffed. if the people above you will never say no to their leadership, you will likely find yourself frustrated and unhappy with the position. I actually like being a manager but from what I hear from others at my level in my agency, I absolutely would not do this job for a problematic chain of command. If you're on the fence about the promotion, don't take it if you don't think your chain of command is unreasonable.

- likewise, do you actually like your chain of command? Do you think they make reasonable decisions? You will work closely with these people, and they will become your new professional peers (because the people you used to work alongside will no longer be your friends after you become their manager).

- I personally don't work many more hours than I did before becoming a supervisor. Typically 40 hours a week, with some crunch periods here and there where I work a couple of extra hours a week to wrap up an urgent project. But that's a boundary I establish and enforce myself, so if you aren't great with boundaries, your work hours will probably creep up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Non-supervisory, capped 14-10 here and hell no I wouldn’t trade it for a supervisory GS-15. But unlike the OP, my retirement is much sooner (3-5 years).

NP - This is me except 7 years to retirement. I've moved positions as a 14, but I am bored. I want to do more. I understand the supervisory part is hard, but how do escape being bored at your job? I just need more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Non-supervisory, capped 14-10 here and hell no I wouldn’t trade it for a supervisory GS-15. But unlike the OP, my retirement is much sooner (3-5 years).

NP - This is me except 7 years to retirement. I've moved positions as a 14, but I am bored. I want to do more. I understand the supervisory part is hard, but how do escape being bored at your job? I just need more.

You’re on the glide path to retirement. I wouldn’t veer off. Seek relief from boredom outside of work. That’s my plan and I’m 10 years out as a 14/10.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was in your situation two years ago, 7 years into my federal career, and this is what I'd say:

- even when you're being promoted to manage your own office, being a manager is a completely different job than the SME job you have currently. Personally, I was interested in the promotion because I was bored with my SME job. The supervisory job has it's ups and downs, but it has been a new professional challenge, which has been satisfying.

- being a manager requires a completely different skill set than being a subject matter expert. Your SME experience is secondary, and may be - depending on your office - significantly less relevant than you think. You might want to talk with hiring manager or other managers at your level to learn more about the skills that are needed to be a good manager.

- being a manager entails dealing with people and their problems, even when you have very high performing staff. I have no low performers on my team, and yet I swear to god, being a manager is like parenting children who come to you to fix every little problem that they have.

- does the job set you up for the long term career trajectory that you want? my promotion puts me in line to be the SES over my office, likely within the next 15 years. I'm actually worried that I will get railroaded into the position just because that's the way my agency works. At this time, I don't want a promotion beyond my current position.

- don't take the job for the money. that would be foolish because the pay difference is nominal. Even the little pay bump if I did get the SES position isn't enough to be worth it (in my opinion).

- as the manager, you set the culture for the office. you do the hiring, you control the quality of the training, you are the one who is responsible for working with lower performers to improve their performance.

- how reasonable is the chain of command above you? first line supervision sucks if your chain of command has unreasonable expectations and will not support you if you find you recommend pushing back on unreasonable expectations - especially in the federal gov't where every office I see if short staffed. if the people above you will never say no to their leadership, you will likely find yourself frustrated and unhappy with the position. I actually like being a manager but from what I hear from others at my level in my agency, I absolutely would not do this job for a problematic chain of command. If you're on the fence about the promotion, don't take it if you don't think your chain of command is unreasonable.

- likewise, do you actually like your chain of command? Do you think they make reasonable decisions? You will work closely with these people, and they will become your new professional peers (because the people you used to work alongside will no longer be your friends after you become their manager).

- I personally don't work many more hours than I did before becoming a supervisor. Typically 40 hours a week, with some crunch periods here and there where I work a couple of extra hours a week to wrap up an urgent project. But that's a boundary I establish and enforce myself, so if you aren't great with boundaries, your work hours will probably creep up.

Such an excellent post. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

I'm going to say NO.

I took this job two years ago. Honestly I think my direct reports think I do 20% of the work that I do. They have this perception that managers just sign time sheets and sit back and relax. Instead I do the same work as them, review all their work, and then tons of managerial BS. I just really don't think it's worth it for 10k more.

I personally took my job because I had a terrible manager who was over me. When she left (6 months after coming in), I knew I could never again work for someone else. I was the right person to run my division. So I think basically if you want to make a difference, but have double the work and less credit, take the job. Otherwise, just enjoy your non supervisory 14.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was in your situation two years ago, 7 years into my federal career, and this is what I'd say:

- even when you're being promoted to manage your own office, being a manager is a completely different job than the SME job you have currently. Personally, I was interested in the promotion because I was bored with my SME job. The supervisory job has it's ups and downs, but it has been a new professional challenge, which has been satisfying.

- being a manager requires a completely different skill set than being a subject matter expert. Your SME experience is secondary, and may be - depending on your office - significantly less relevant than you think. You might want to talk with hiring manager or other managers at your level to learn more about the skills that are needed to be a good manager.

- being a manager entails dealing with people and their problems, even when you have very high performing staff. I have no low performers on my team, and yet I swear to god, being a manager is like parenting children who come to you to fix every little problem that they have.

- does the job set you up for the long term career trajectory that you want? my promotion puts me in line to be the SES over my office, likely within the next 15 years. I'm actually worried that I will get railroaded into the position just because that's the way my agency works. At this time, I don't want a promotion beyond my current position.

- don't take the job for the money. that would be foolish because the pay difference is nominal. Even the little pay bump if I did get the SES position isn't enough to be worth it (in my opinion).

- as the manager, you set the culture for the office. you do the hiring, you control the quality of the training, you are the one who is responsible for working with lower performers to improve their performance.

- how reasonable is the chain of command above you? first line supervision sucks if your chain of command has unreasonable expectations and will not support you if you find you recommend pushing back on unreasonable expectations - especially in the federal gov't where every office I see if short staffed. if the people above you will never say no to their leadership, you will likely find yourself frustrated and unhappy with the position. I actually like being a manager but from what I hear from others at my level in my agency, I absolutely would not do this job for a problematic chain of command. If you're on the fence about the promotion, don't take it if you don't think your chain of command is unreasonable.

- likewise, do you actually like your chain of command? Do you think they make reasonable decisions? You will work closely with these people, and they will become your new professional peers (because the people you used to work alongside will no longer be your friends after you become their manager).

- I personally don't work many more hours than I did before becoming a supervisor. Typically 40 hours a week, with some crunch periods here and there where I work a couple of extra hours a week to wrap up an urgent project. But that's a boundary I establish and enforce myself, so if you aren't great with boundaries, your work hours will probably creep up.

This post is so insightful and incredible. I wish it could be stickied to the top of this forum.

My team and my agency are both top performers, but I have to deal with my team's work and personal problems daily. Truly like children. You have to manage their workflow, their professional relationships with each other, their training and then deal with their personal lives.

I also didn't realize that I would lose all friends when I became a manager. Even if you have wonderful direct reports, there is a wall there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would rather have a side hustle than be a supervisor.

What can you do as a Fed? I am not talking about working at Home Depot or driving uber but something that uses more intellect.

I am the pp and don't particularly mind doing outside work that's less intellectual! Grading bar exams, baby/petsitting, and nonpartisan election work have all been okay for employees at my agency. The closer the work is to what we do at our jobs the less likely that it's allowed. But for me I like the contrast!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Non-supervisory, capped 14-10 here and hell no I wouldn’t trade it for a supervisory GS-15. But unlike the OP, my retirement is much sooner (3-5 years).

NP - This is me except 7 years to retirement. I've moved positions as a 14, but I am bored. I want to do more. I understand the supervisory part is hard, but how do escape being bored at your job? I just need more.

I would not do it just because you are bored but I would read the very good post someone just did on why/when to do it and if that sounds attractive to you I would go for it. Seven years is a decent chunk of time— long enough to learn a new job and accomplish some things but a long time if you are already very bored and stagnated.

[Anonymous]

When I started my federal career, I was told the unicorn job that everyone dreamed of was a fully remote non-supervisor GS-14. I have been a 14 now for over 15 years, and as a 14/10, there is nothing that would get me to switch to dealing with staff, EEOC and labor issues, and endless leader reports. I have 5 1/2 years until retirement and will stay this grade - but will take leadership development courses and other skill enhancement classes for my post retirement consulting work.

[Anonymous]

If one is currently a GS 14 step 4 and is promoted to a GS 15 in the same office, will that person become a GS 15 Step 1 or GS 15 Step 4 ?

Thanks in advance !

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If one is currently a GS 14 step 4 and is promoted to a GS 15 in the same office, will that person become a GS 15 Step 1 or GS 15 Step 4 ?

Thanks in advance !

You need to look at the pay chart. You'll get what is just higher than your current job, I'm guessing either step one or two.

[Anonymous]

Here, I found it for you - gs-15, step 1. https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/pdf/2024/DCB.pdf

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the two most recent responses.

[Anonymous]

There’s a 2 step rule for promotions: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-administration/fact-sheets/promotions/

But in your case, it still works out to a 15-1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Non-supervisory, capped 14-10 here and hell no I wouldn’t trade it for a supervisory GS-15. But unlike the OP, my retirement is much sooner (3-5 years).

Same I am seven years from retirement. I email my supervisor on vacation and she responds. Nope I am not doing that. All the 15s I know work much harder. I work hard and do my job well, but I do not want to be in the hook and have SESs calling all hours and having to check in while on leave.

I am good now.