getting hired at a higher step in a GS grade

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

On the OPM website, it says that "A new GS employee is usually hired at step one of the applicable GS grade. However, in special circumstances, agencies may authorize a higher step rate for a newly-appointed Federal employee based on a special need of the agency or superior qualifications of the prospective employee."

Anyone have any insight on the possibility of getting something like this? At what stage of the interview process should I raise this issue, and with whom? Any other advice anyone has?

We had this exact situation last month at my agency. The announcement clearly said that non-Feds would start at step 1. The applicant thought they could get the waiver above. But it was impossible. First of all, when they mean "superior qualifications" they don't mean a GS 11 program analyst, they mean a real national expert. For "special need of the Agency" they don't mean GS 12 budget analyst, they mean some person like an academic who fills a niche need. Our Agency let an excellent candidate go for a generalist GS 12 position because they would not budge on the step 1. However, we basically assured the candidate that we would promote to the next grade at the year's end as long as the candidate performed well. With all the Federal benefits (transit subsidy alone is $3000 untaxed dollars) they would more than make up for the one year of lower salary. They did not accept the offer.

I would not raise this issue until the offer is made. At that point you work with an HR specialist and start any negotiating process.

Ok that may be the case - but could only go on what the post said to which I was responding, and it said the posting made clear it was limited to step one.

Thanks for the timing advice. It sounds like this is a little different than your situation as the posting actually includes a range of salaries up to 12-10.... So it doesn't say non-Feds will start at step 1. I am definitely at the level of a national expert in this area of law and from my first interview it sounds like I do really fill needs in their office as far as expertise. But we will see. Going to be frustrating if I can't figure this job because of money. I'm excited about the job but like most people at this stage in life I just don't have the financial freedom I did when I was just out of law school in my 20s. Kids in preschool, mortgage, etc are a real pain sometimes!!

All fed ads includes the range of salaries up to step 10 of the highest grade they are hiring. That doesn't mean they are actually willing to hire at step 10. My old office usually refused to hire people above a step 1, even with outside experience at higher pay, because they got so many applicants. Not a lawyer though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

On the OPM website, it says that "A new GS employee is usually hired at step one of the applicable GS grade. However, in special circumstances, agencies may authorize a higher step rate for a newly-appointed Federal employee based on a special need of the agency or superior qualifications of the prospective employee."

Anyone have any insight on the possibility of getting something like this? At what stage of the interview process should I raise this issue, and with whom? Any other advice anyone has?

We had this exact situation last month at my agency. The announcement clearly said that non-Feds would start at step 1. The applicant thought they could get the waiver above. But it was impossible. First of all, when they mean "superior qualifications" they don't mean a GS 11 program analyst, they mean a real national expert. For "special need of the Agency" they don't mean GS 12 budget analyst, they mean some person like an academic who fills a niche need. Our Agency let an excellent candidate go for a generalist GS 12 position because they would not budge on the step 1. However, we basically assured the candidate that we would promote to the next grade at the year's end as long as the candidate performed well. With all the Federal benefits (transit subsidy alone is $3000 untaxed dollars) they would more than make up for the one year of lower salary. They did not accept the offer.

I would not raise this issue until the offer is made. At that point you work with an HR specialist and start any negotiating process.

Thanks for the timing advice. It sounds like this is a little different than your situation as the posting actually includes a range of salaries up to 12-10.... So it doesn't say non-Feds will start at step 1. I am definitely at the level of a national expert in this area of law and from my first interview it sounds like I do really fill needs in their office as far as expertise. But we will see. Going to be frustrating if I can't figure this job because of money. I'm excited about the job but like most people at this stage in life I just don't have the financial freedom I did when I was just out of law school in my 20s. Kids in preschool, mortgage, etc are a real pain sometimes!!

All fed ads includes the range of salaries up to step 10 of the highest grade they are hiring. That doesn't mean they are actually willing to hire at step 10. My old office usually refused to hire people above a step 1, even with outside experience at higher pay, because they got so many applicants. Not a lawyer though.

Ok that may be the case - but could only go on what the post said to which I was responding, and it said the posting made clear it was limited to step one.

[Anonymous]

From my own experience, it is easier to negotiate step than grade. To come in at a higher step, all they really needed was for me to provide a paystub of what I was previously earning. I ended up coming in at a step 10.

My (SES level) manager tried valiantly to write letters and even get recommendations from some other people to bring me in at a higher grade, but OPM would not budge. My issue was two-fold: (a) the way the job ad was written didn't allow them to count most of my post-doctoral experience toward qualifying for a higher grade even though it was highly relevant to the job and was probably what got me hired and (b) the application deadline was literally 1 week before I completed a year at the position that would count toward qualifying for the higher grade but the job ad said they would only consider your credentials at the time of application (nevermind it was like 3 more months before they actually contacted me). My supervisor did promise to promote me up a grade at my one year mark, and he held to that even when everyone else's promotions were being delayed due to budget issues (we were gearing up for the sequester).

Quite frankly I think the entire Fed hiring process is pretty messed up, especially for more specialized positions. But it is what it is. I am no longer a Fed, but I loved the work I did as a Fed and it was something I truly could not have done anywhere else. I'm less than 3 years our of civil service (including a long maternity leave) and earning almost 3 times my outgoing Fed salary, but I wouldn't trade that opportunity for anything. If you're good at your job and you have decent managers, it isn't that hard to move up the Fed scale in a short time...but recognize that the scale itself is pretty limited.

[Anonymous]

OP, they can promote you after a year to GS 13. If they insist on hiring you at a 12 just ask about benefits, poss of promotion etc. I'm telling you if there is one other person on the cert you are not going to get that waiver.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, they can promote you after a year to GS 13. If they insist on hiring you at a 12 just ask about benefits, poss of promotion etc. I'm telling you if there is one other person on the cert you are not going to get that waiver.

Thanks for the advice to you and the PP.

I am totally fine coming in at 12 and being promoted to 13. It's just the money between 12-1 and 12-10 is a huge difference.

A big concern I have now is that I looked at what people in the office make and some of them are still being paid very low. Not sure what the deal is, but I worry that what one of the earlier posters said is true, that they may not be willing to move me up the 12 scale because I would be making more than people who have been working there for awhile and graduated from law school earlier than me. It's either that (1) when they came in to the fed gov they just did not have any relevant experience that could move them up the 12 scale or (2) the office just really doesn't hire you up the 12 scale and brings everyone in at step 1. I hope it's the former.....