Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:You need a PhD. Get in at GS13, do a good job for 2 years, then get to GS14. I've seen it for so many people..
This is agency and job dependent. Virtually everyone in my role has a Ph.D. It’s listed as a 12-13, and you have to apply to a separate senior position to get the 14. There are tons of people who don’t get the 14 for years and years because they only give it to the best couple of people each year.
I got mine relatively quickly (specialized in niche/challenging work) but to get a 15 you have to be in management and not all management positions are 15s even when they are a ton of work.