Tentative Fed Gov't Job offer...need advice

[Anonymous]

Given that the offer is 5 % more than your current salary, I think it will be difficult to negotiate a higher starting salary. You may be more successful negotiating vacation, i.e., additional hours of annual leave.

[Anonymous]

Former OPM atty here again: Please take the time to look at 5 CFR 531.211 and 531.212. These are the regs that REQUIRE the agency to start a new employee at the lowest step in the GS-level for which the employee is being hired EXCEPT where the agency can show "superior qualifications or a special needs determination." (That's what I was referring to as "hard to fill" positions earlier.)

I'm not going to go into the details the the regs b/c you can look it up yourself if you are, in fact, "superior." I imagine that many, if not all, of those PPs who have received starting pay higher than a step 1 had knowledge/skills of a very specific nature (i.e. they practice a particular niche in law or science).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Former OPM atty here again: Please take the time to look at 5 CFR 531.211 and 531.212. These are the regs that REQUIRE the agency to start a new employee at the lowest step in the GS-level for which the employee is being hired EXCEPT where the agency can show "superior qualifications or a special needs determination." (That's what I was referring to as "hard to fill" positions earlier.)

I'm not going to go into the details the the regs b/c you can look it up yourself if you are, in fact, "superior." I imagine that many, if not all, of those PPs who have received starting pay higher than a step 1 had knowledge/skills of a very specific nature (i.e. they practice a particular niche in law or science).

Well, I did not, and I got a step 2. If I'd had that much knowledge/skills, I would have started as a GS-14 instead of 13. I had plenty of legal experience but none in the specialized subject matter.

Of course, I've since realized that my agency's HR is pretty screwed up, so it could've been a mistake on their part ...

[Anonymous]

I was offered a position at GS12 step 1 and was able to get the same salary as my previous position based on proof which took me to a GS12 Step 6 (it had to be in GS12). I couldn't get anything more than that. it this is 5% more than your current salary, I'd say you are SOL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:the benefits are decent family friendly hours and job stability. you are not going to get fired no matter how badly you f-up. the pay isnt what youd get at say a major accounting/law/lobbying firm but you may keep your sanity.

This

This depends on the job, the division, and the agency. The notion that all Fed jobs allow for more work/life balance and "family friendly hours" is wrong. I left a federal GC position because I could get three times more money in the private sector working the 12 hour days I was putting in. That plus the absurdity of the agency bureaucracy drove me away.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you all for the great and informative feedback. I will look into the regs a PP suggested. I would be brought in as a GS13 equivalent. The offer is tentative pending the completion of my security clearance which is currently in process. I am guessing that the hiring agency received a preliminary report or I would not have received the tentative offer. I have been with my company 12 years and during that time earned certain certifications/credentials that could make me worth more at other private companies but I don't want to change to another private company. I do project work and I worry each time my project is coming to an end that there may not be another project available, or the only project opening is not geographically appealing (long commute/relocation/travel) and I will be laid off. I want the security of the Federal government and also (hopefully) the more predictable hours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thank you all for the great and informative feedback. I will look into the regs a PP suggested. I would be brought in as a GS13 equivalent. The offer is tentative pending the completion of my security clearance which is currently in process. I am guessing that the hiring agency received a preliminary report or I would not have received the tentative offer. I have been with my company 12 years and during that time earned certain certifications/credentials that could make me worth more at other private companies but I don't want to change to another private company. I do project work and I worry each time my project is coming to an end that there may not be another project available, or the only project opening is not geographically appealing (long commute/relocation/travel) and I will be laid off. I want the security of the Federal government and also (hopefully) the more predictable hours.

Actually, without a job offer on the table, they are not allowed to do a background investigation. Hence why the offer is conditional. If you look through the wording, it's likely conditional on any number of things, such as successful granting of a security clearance (if required for the position) and the position still being available at the time your clearance comes through.

As for negotiating a salary higher than what you have now based on the theory that you're due a raise, your best bet is to wait out your raise -- if it's soon -- and then show pay stubs reflecting the higher amount to your potential employer. Some agencies will match the salary, although others will not. It all depends on the agency, the HR team and the criticality of your position.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Former OPM atty here again: Please take the time to look at 5 CFR 531.211 and 531.212. These are the regs that REQUIRE the agency to start a new employee at the lowest step in the GS-level for which the employee is being hired EXCEPT where the agency can show (That's what I was referring to as "hard to fill" positions earlier.)

I'm not going to go into the details the the regs b/c you can look it up yourself if you are, in fact, "superior." I imagine that many, if not all, of those PPs who have received starting pay higher than a step 1 had knowledge/skills of a very specific nature (i.e. they practice a particular niche in law or science).

Okay, but in practice, this is interpreted very liberally in some offices. My office is now routinely hiring attorneys at much higher than step 1. But now, all new hires are hired at more than a step 1. The attorneys have some subject matter knowledge, though nothing extraordinary, and the office writes up a justification that always gets approved.

[Anonymous]

Hello my question is that I received a tentative job offer from USCIS after I interviewed with them on Oct. 28. They told me that Human Resources would be contacting me. I have not heard anything back from them yet. I was just wondering how the process worked. Should I have gotten the Tentative Job Letter by now?

[Anonymous]

In my case I was offerred a GS 13 step 1 and declined on the basis of salary reduction being to great. I was lucky and ended up getting gs13 step 10 to start. They wanted me real bad. Same agency, other sections would not go above gs13 step4. So many variables. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've been told by a number of people working in several different bureaus of a particular agency that I would be brought in at a 15/10, which is what everyone with at least 8 years of experience coming from the private firms gets. I also was told that nothing could be done about the rate of accrual of vacation days, but that at this agency the supervisors allow you to elect to receive additional time off as a performance bonus in lieu of a monetary bonus.

A 15/10 with only 8 years of experience? Most people in my agency don't reach 15 until they have nearly 20 years in. "15" is typically associated with senior management, and demonstrates a long-term knowledge and view of the agency for whom you work. Not sure I could trust a senior leader who was a new-hire.

[Anonymous]

You revived a 4 year old thread to wish a poster "good luck." Honestly, WTF?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've been told by a number of people working in several different bureaus of a particular agency that I would be brought in at a 15/10, which is what everyone with at least 8 years of experience coming from the private firms gets. I also was told that nothing could be done about the rate of accrual of vacation days, but that at this agency the supervisors allow you to elect to receive additional time off as a performance bonus in lieu of a monetary bonus.

A 15/10 with only 8 years of experience? Most people in my agency don't reach 15 until they have nearly 20 years in. "15" is typically associated with senior management, and demonstrates a long-term knowledge and view of the agency for whom you work. Not sure I could trust a senior leader who was a new-hire.

They are most likely an attorney for whom a 15/10 would be a 200% paycut.