how does federal pay work?

[Anonymous]

For attorneys? If I start as a GS-14, step 6, and then move to GS-15 in a year (as I was told might be possible), what step do I move to? Once at GS-15, how log does it take to move up steps? thanks

[Anonymous]

Google OPM pay and promotions.

[Anonymous]

Also look into the two step rule. Assuming you were still a step 6 when promoted, you'd move into the equivalent (rounding up) salary on the gs 15 scale of a 14 step 8.

Once you are a 15, there are fixed time periods for when you move up a step (called within grade increases). If your manager wants to help you out there is a chance you can skip ahead with quality step increases.

Obviously there are a lot of rules around this. But you're a lawyer so I figure you can take it from here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Google OPM pay and promotions.

All of this is public info on opm.gov.

[Anonymous]

It takes 1 year to move from step 1-2, 2-3, 3-4
It takes 2 years to move from step 4-5, 5-6, 6-7
It takes 3 years to move from step 7-8, 8-9, 9-10

Based on the two step rule mentioned above you'd go from 14-6 to a 15-3.


(I'm not sure why everyone on this thread is being so unhelpful. Yes the info is on opm.gov, but it's a big site and the federal process can be confusing if you're not part of it. I've been a fed for 15 years and only found out about the two-step rule in the last year or so. In the time it took to send OP to opm and snark about lawyers you could have just answered the question.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It takes 1 year to move from step 1-2, 2-3, 3-4
It takes 2 years to move from step 4-5, 5-6, 6-7
It takes 3 years to move from step 7-8, 8-9, 9-10

Based on the two step rule mentioned above you'd go from 14-6 to a 15-3.


(I'm not sure why everyone on this thread is being so unhelpful. Yes the info is on opm.gov, but it's a big site and the federal process can be confusing if you're not part of it. I've been a fed for 15 years and only found out about the two-step rule in the last year or so. In the time it took to send OP to opm and snark about lawyers you could have just answered the question.)

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It takes 1 year to move from step 1-2, 2-3, 3-4
It takes 2 years to move from step 4-5, 5-6, 6-7
It takes 3 years to move from step 7-8, 8-9, 9-10

Based on the two step rule mentioned above you'd go from 14-6 to a 15-3.


(I'm not sure why everyone on this thread is being so unhelpful. Yes the info is on opm.gov, but it's a big site and the federal process can be confusing if you're not part of it. I've been a fed for 15 years and only found out about the two-step rule in the last year or so. In the time it took to send OP to opm and snark about lawyers you could have just answered the question.)

Thank you.

This. And as attorneys we (at least at my non-DOD agency), we move a whole grade each year until we hit GS-14. So, I started right out of law school
As a GS-11, in 2013. GS-12 in 2014, and just got promoted to GS-13 in 2015. 13 to a 14 is by supervisor discretion because you should be able to work totally independently by then. My co-worker never does her own work, and did not get promoted to a 14, even though she's eligible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It takes 1 year to move from step 1-2, 2-3, 3-4
It takes 2 years to move from step 4-5, 5-6, 6-7
It takes 3 years to move from step 7-8, 8-9, 9-10

Based on the two step rule mentioned above you'd go from 14-6 to a 15-3.


(I'm not sure why everyone on this thread is being so unhelpful. Yes the info is on opm.gov, but it's a big site and the federal process can be confusing if you're not part of it. I've been a fed for 15 years and only found out about the two-step rule in the last year or so. In the time it took to send OP to opm and snark about lawyers you could have just answered the question.)

Op is an attorney. Figuring this out should be trivial.

[Anonymous]

Be careful if they promise a grade increase in a year. My DH got that promise, too, and is still waiting 3 years later, even though he's a top performer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Be careful if they promise a grade increase in a year. My DH got that promise, too, and is still waiting 3 years later, even though he's a top performer.

Sounds like he's not really a top performer then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Be careful if they promise a grade increase in a year. My DH got that promise, too, and is still waiting 3 years later, even though he's a top performer.

Sounds like he's not really a top performer then.

Not PP but with the fallout from budget cuts and sequestration, there's a slot and headroom problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It takes 1 year to move from step 1-2, 2-3, 3-4
It takes 2 years to move from step 4-5, 5-6, 6-7
It takes 3 years to move from step 7-8, 8-9, 9-10

Based on the two step rule mentioned above you'd go from 14-6 to a 15-3.


(I'm not sure why everyone on this thread is being so unhelpful. Yes the info is on opm.gov, but it's a big site and the federal process can be confusing if you're not part of it. I've been a fed for 15 years and only found out about the two-step rule in the last year or so. In the time it took to send OP to opm and snark about lawyers you could have just answered the question.)

But your answer about the two step rule is not consistent with the answer given above. So, again, check out the website....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Be careful if they promise a grade increase in a year. My DH got that promise, too, and is still waiting 3 years later, even though he's a top performer.

Sounds like he's not really a top performer then.

Not PP but with the fallout from budget cuts and sequestration, there's a slot and headroom problem.

It doesn't matter though. If someone is hired into a 12/13 position - the position is budgeted for funding at the 13 level. Managers can give any excuse they want, but if they truly wanted to promote PP's DH - they would find a way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Be careful if they promise a grade increase in a year. My DH got that promise, too, and is still waiting 3 years later, even though he's a top performer.

Sounds like he's not really a top performer then.

Not PP but with the fallout from budget cuts and sequestration, there's a slot and headroom problem.

It doesn't matter though. If someone is hired into a 12/13 position - the position is budgeted for funding at the 13 level. Managers can give any excuse they want, but if they truly wanted to promote PP's DH - they would find a way.

Not that I have to defend myself, but he has always had the highest ratings, but as PP said, with sequestration and budget caps, they can only have x# of 14's in a group. His boss has gotten him quality step increases, but no grade. Also, his supervisor told him that the HR person he spoke with about grade increases was speaking out of line. Someone has to leave for him to get a promotion.

Just want to make sure that OP finds out and understands what is involved in promotion to the next grade. DH now knows to ask the question at future interviews (what do I have to do to get a grade increase?), and I want to make sure OP does that, too.

[Anonymous]

OP sorry to break it to you but I don't think you'll get the 15 in a year. Will you be a supervisor? We have 0 non supervisory GS15 lawyers.