getting hired at a higher step in a GS grade

[Anonymous]

I'm about to interview for a government job that I really want. I am a partner in a law firm, and the job is listed as GS 11/12. Because of financial pressures, I cannot take the job if I'm hired in at GS 11 or even at step 1 of GS-12. I could probably swing something in the middle of GS-12.

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?

[Anonymous]

Bring it up with your on boarding specialist during negotiations. During hire, they will tell you the grade they are hiring for and you may be able to negotiate step depending on prior experience.

[Anonymous]

Agree with the pp.

The people interviewing you and the HR specialist handling the hire can't offer it to you, since they aren't allowed to negotiate against themselves, so it is up to you to raise the issue. Mention to the attorneys who are recruiting you that you will be hoping to seek an advanced step based on superior qualifications, experience and current income. Just as a heads up - though I doubt it will surprise them.

The formal request comes when the HR representative calls you to extend an offer. S/he will say they're offering you a GS-12 step 1. You have to reject the offer (politely), and ask for the advanced step. Then if the lawyers hiring you want to go to bat for you, they will have to write a bunch of memos and get it approved by various committees. They'll probably ask you for current pay stubs. Expect this to delay the hiring process by a few weeks. Also, if they offer you a GS 11 and not a 12, find out why - they may have made a mistake or overlooked some experience.

Other things you can ask for, but might not get: 6 hours leave per pay period instead of 4 (based on prior non-federal service), student loan payment or a recruitment incentive (getting rarer these days I hear).

You can also delicately ask the people hiring you what the likely path would be to a 13 or 14 for you. This may be one of those offices where they bring people in at a 12 and then try to bump them up as soon as they can. Or not.

[Anonymous]

I have never heard of a partner taking anything below a 14 (at worst). Wtf?

[Anonymous]

Partner where? Not all partnerships are remotely equal.

[Anonymous]

Op here.

Thank you for the advice.

So I'm not really being recruited by any attorneys, just applying to a posting through USA jobs. I don't know anyone who matters in the office unfortunately.

I am a partner at a firm that specializes in the work the agency does. Very well respected, great firm. I deserve GS 14. But they aren't hiring for that and this is a job I've wanted for a long time. Very passionate about the work. So I want to get in the door. Apparently they promote as a matter of course to 13 after a year but even 13-1 would be a real stretch for me financially. Small kids, childcare, mortgage, etc. I hate to lose this opportunity because of money.

To the PP who said to talk to the lawyers recruiting me, do I call someone after I get the job? Or in the initial interview?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here.

Thank you for the advice.

So I'm not really being recruited by any attorneys, just applying to a posting through USA jobs. I don't know anyone who matters in the office unfortunately.

I am a partner at a firm that specializes in the work the agency does. Very well respected, great firm. I deserve GS 14. But they aren't hiring for that and this is a job I've wanted for a long time. Very passionate about the work. So I want to get in the door. Apparently they promote as a matter of course to 13 after a year but even 13-1 would be a real stretch for me financially. Small kids, childcare, mortgage, etc. I hate to lose this opportunity because of money.

To the PP who said to talk to the lawyers recruiting me, do I call someone after I get the job? Or in the initial interview?

Ps op here obviously I meant if I get the job. I know I'm not a shoe in. Just trying to think optimistically and proactively just in case.

[Anonymous]

When they promote you from 12 to 13, you won't start back at step 1. Look up the two-step promotion rule. A 12-10 promoted would be a 13-6 I think.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When they promote you from 12 to 13, you won't start back at step 1. Look up the two-step promotion rule. A 12-10 promoted would be a 13-6 I think.

I saw that rule but I think because 13-1 makes so much more than 12-1 that if you got promoted from 12-1 to 13 you would still start at 13-1. Neither 12-1 nor 13-1 would really work for me unfortunately. If I'm going to make it work I need to get in at least halfway up the 12 scale.

[Anonymous]

In my experience they will max you out (assuming your current salary is way above what your maxed out federal salary would be) for whatever the grade offered. Presumably you have the years of experience needed for a GS 12 (heck I think you can be a 12 straight out of law school!) - so you would go in as a 12. And, you would get a step 10. At least that is how it works at my agency (DOL).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In my experience they will max you out (assuming your current salary is way above what your maxed out federal salary would be) for whatever the grade offered. Presumably you have the years of experience needed for a GS 12 (heck I think you can be a 12 straight out of law school!) - so you would go in as a 12. And, you would get a step 10. At least that is how it works at my agency (DOL).

If you are right I will cry with joy.... If I get the job of course....

[Anonymous]

If anything, I would take the interview, network like crazy and blow them away. If they really love you, they will create a GS 14 job for you. But right now you're a little overqualified for this job. We hire at a GS11 for lawyers right out of law school.

[Anonymous]

Is this just a posting you found on USA jobs or do you know the office? (Also do you have veteran's preference?) Just want to keep your expectations realistic...

[Anonymous]

Veteran's preference is not an issue for attorney jobs (they tell us it is a "thumb on the scale" for equivalent candidates, but in the past few years I've never have a case where candidates are equivalent. i.e., former JAGS really don't have any relevant experience for my agency).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When they promote you from 12 to 13, you won't start back at step 1. Look up the two-step promotion rule. A 12-10 promoted would be a 13-6 I think.

I saw that rule but I think because 13-1 makes so much more than 12-1 that if you got promoted from 12-1 to 13 you would still start at 13-1. Neither 12-1 nor 13-1 would really work for me unfortunately. If I'm going to make it work I need to get in at least halfway up the 12 scale.

Right. Was assuming they brought you in at 12 step 10.