Yes, both salary (well, what step you start at) and leave can be negotiated if you have experience directly relevant to the position you're applying for. They will always offer you a step 1 in whatever the grade is (if you're coming from the outside) you just have to know that you can ask for more. This does involve paperwork on the part of the hiring official (it's NOT typically left to the HR folks, they will just be the one's that request a paystub and list of benefits that you get at your current employer) so whether they want you enough to do it is another matter.

I did this when I came to the federal government several years ago and as a federal hiring manager I did this in order to bring on a private industry individual. They will typically offer the step that puts you just above your current salary (or the top step if your salary is beyond that). In both cases we also negotiated a service leave accrual date based on the number of years of experience in the private sector (and it doesn't mean you have to have been a contractor at that same agency).

Bottom line, some HR folks are not always aware of this option, you may have to ask.

Didn't know you could negotiate anything re: federal jobs. Not much anyway.

Most people try to get a higher salary, but the feds will not match a private industry salary, at least that is my experience. Now, if you are a fed, and applying for a lateral position, you will not get a pay cut.

So, for me, if I had worked for the agency I support instead of a contractor, I would have been a high step 14....probably 14-8 or 14-10.

when I applied for the job in the other area, advertised as a 13/14, the offer would have come in at the same level.

Coming from the outside, they often devalue external experience.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also I was able to get the step that was closest to the pay at my prior job. Not sure if you can get higher than that

Pretty sure it's the step that puts you closest to, but not below, your pay at your prior job. If you get a bonus at your current job, be sure they take that into account when determining your step.

only for a fed....

I'm not sure what that is supposed to mean. Don't most people try to get a higher salary when they take a new job?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also I was able to get the step that was closest to the pay at my prior job. Not sure if you can get higher than that

Pretty sure it's the step that puts you closest to, but not below, your pay at your prior job. If you get a bonus at your current job, be sure they take that into account when determining your step.

only for a fed....

I had a higher prior salary in a lower COL, and was still unable to negotiate a step increase. It took nearly 3 years to get back to my prior salary level.

Anonymous wrote:Also I was able to get the step that was closest to the pay at my prior job. Not sure if you can get higher than that

Pretty sure it's the step that puts you closest to, but not below, your pay at your prior job. If you get a bonus at your current job, be sure they take that into account when determining your step.

I was negotiating for a fed job....job was listed at 13/14, in a lower cost of living area. I was thinking I could afford to take a high-step 14, they offered me 13 step 1. I told them that I could not accept, and "negotiated". That involved me sending my Pay Stub.

They came back at 13 step 5. I pointed out that it was still more than 40% less than my current salary. They said take it or leave it...I left it.

Also I was able to get the step that was closest to the pay at my prior job. Not sure if you can get higher than that

I was also going to mention that leave is negotiable. I found that out after I took the job and a friend told me she had negotiated for a higher amount of leave. I didn't.

Leave is negotiable actually.

Leave accrual at my agency is negotiable if you have prior experience.

I agree with "pre-negotiating" telework - or at least clarifying expectations and policies. Many agencies have a telework maximum that you may not be able to negotiate up. But, who is allowed to telework is sometimes more subjective.

Sorry, I can't help with salary negotiation.

You can fight for a superior qualifications consideration to get the highest step possible. In my case that involved producing copies of my two most recent paystubs from my private sector employer. Also pre-negotiate teleworking so there is no question upon arrival that your agency will sign the "agreement." I don't think leave is negotiable, at least in my experience (at the State Department).

Anything specific other than salary to negotiate?

Seems leave is non-negotiable. Telecommuting? (Assuming the office allows it).

Any anyone know how much gray area there is in Step negotiation? What do you need to prove you should be at a certain step?

Thanks!