I became a GS-15 at 36, with a PhD and 5 years of experience. I had been a contractor previously, but in a job that was a lower level. I think it sounds like you have great experience and should apply.

Anonymous wrote:OP here.

I am curious, how many of you who got to GS15 on your thirties are NOT lawyers.

We fly for meetings for week or longer several times a year, staying at the same hotel, having meals together, sitting in meeting room all day next to each other, so what are the chances my customer won't mention to my boss oh one of your people was interest in the deputy position. I am almost sure that the chances of my boss finding out is better than my chances of getting the job.

Sigh! it does sound like I am making excuses but why rock the boat when I am also OK where I am at the moment.

Apply! The fed gov isn't like the private sector. You're not penalized for trying to get new jobs. You're actually encouraged to keep moving around. My bosses have always cared about our career development and thought it was more important than their need for me.

My DH is a GS 14 engineer at 28. It happens if you're in demand and have the skills. He was recruited out of college though as a GS 9 and worked his way up.

OP here.

I am curious, how many of you who got to GS15 on your thirties are NOT lawyers.

We fly for meetings for week or longer several times a year, staying at the same hotel, having meals together, sitting in meeting room all day next to each other, so what are the chances my customer won't mention to my boss oh one of your people was interest in the deputy position. I am almost sure that the chances of my boss finding out is better than my chances of getting the job.

Sigh! it does sound like I am making excuses but why rock the boat when I am also OK where I am at the moment.

Anonymous wrote:I am Electrical Engineer with BS and ME with 11 years of total experience. I spent the last 6 years as a contractor doing the grunt work for my customer who is a GS15 in position X. Even though I am not the only contractor doing work for him, I am familiar with probably 60%-65% of what he does. Today I see a Deputy of Position X advertised as a GS15 in usajobs. I meet the education requirement (BS in EE). There is no specific number of years requirement other than "Applicant must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade". I am familiar with most of the other skills that is required. I would love this job even at a much lower GS level (say 13). The reason I do not want to waste time trying to get this job is that all of the GS15 that had position X were 55 and older which give me the feeling that they want someone with much more experience (I am only 35.) They also never have a deputy so I suspect that my customer wants to retire soon and this is succession planning rather than a job on its own. How many of you think I will get it, if I apply?

Well, GS-15s are unlikely to leave but they still have to keep aging. Who knows how young or old they were when they got the position!

I'm not an engineer, but I made GS-15 at 33 with 5 years at the agency and 9 years experience total. My predecessor was younger than 35 when she got the job I now hold. My boss is a year younger than I am. Everyone else, including direct reports, is much older.

All of which is to say, give it your best shot.

Anonymous wrote:The reason I do not want to waste time trying to get this job is

This is the wrong attitude to getting a fed job. Waste a lot of time applying to jobs.

^ sorry. I meant "from the announcement"

apply... just make sure you use the "key" words for the announcement in your application - avoid lower grade words like coordinated, supported..etc. Using the right words is the first step in.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In all probability, you will not get the job -- are you sure you have the equivalent of 1 year at a 14?

However, it can't hurt to apply.

OP here. I have no clue what "equivalent of 1 year at a 14" means.
I think it will hurt because I suspect both my customer and possibly boss (not a civil servant) might know that I applied for the job.

Unless this job is outside of normal government hiring practices, your customer will only know if you are found among the most qualified and your resume is passed along to them (assuming their the hiring manager). Your boss should not find out as that would be inappropriate information for your customer to share.

Certainly apply. I was a GS15 at 30.

Anonymous wrote:In all probability, you will not get the job -- are you sure you have the equivalent of 1 year at a 14?

However, it can't hurt to apply.

OP here. I have no clue what "equivalent of 1 year at a 14" means.
I think it will hurt because I suspect both my customer and possibly boss (not a civil servant) might know that I applied for the job.

In all probability, you will not get the job -- are you sure you have the equivalent of 1 year at a 14?

However, it can't hurt to apply.

I am Electrical Engineer with BS and ME with 11 years of total experience. I spent the last 6 years as a contractor doing the grunt work for my customer who is a GS15 in position X. Even though I am not the only contractor doing work for him, I am familiar with probably 60%-65% of what he does. Today I see a Deputy of Position X advertised as a GS15 in usajobs. I meet the education requirement (BS in EE). There is no specific number of years requirement other than "Applicant must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade". I am familiar with most of the other skills that is required. I would love this job even at a much lower GS level (say 13). The reason I do not want to waste time trying to get this job is that all of the GS15 that had position X were 55 and older which give me the feeling that they want someone with much more experience (I am only 35.) They also never have a deputy so I suspect that my customer wants to retire soon and this is succession planning rather than a job on its own. How many of you think I will get it, if I apply?