Gl/gs Question

[biggiofan84]

HEY ALL,
I have a question, and to some it may seem crazy, but to me it is an honest question.
I am about to apply for a position with CSB, and it says on the website, that once you pick a pay-grade (GL-5,7, OR 9) YOU MUST stick with that grade, even if you are actually a higher grade. How hard is it to determine what grade you are? and Can you move from Gl-5 to Gl-7 after a few years?
I just dont understand how the pay/rank schedule works!

Any help is greatly appreciated!! Thanks!

[Piggy]

This is where filling out your application is very important. They're not going to let you pick, they're going to pick for you.

You have to put as many of the qualifications that you have for the job. One thing to look at, is if the job has promotion potential.

Here's an example. My previous job I was a GS-06 with no promotion potential. That means if I stayed there 30 years, I'd retire at a GS-06.

I transferred to another agency and they bumped me up based upon my qualifications to a GS-7, with a promotion potential of GS-12. That means every year that I meet the standards, I get bumped up to levels on the GS-pay scale. Keep in mind, two levels isn't standard, just what my job does.

Here's the GS pay scale. Another thing to confuse you and cause you to beat your head against the wall, you can get step increase. Here's the scale:

http://www.opm.gov/oca/08tables/html/RUS.asp

Even if you have no promotion potential, you'll still get step increases. For example, let's say you qualify and start out as a GS-7. You would make $36,882, and if you were there for 10 or 20 years, your pay would max out at $47,864.

Keep in mind, congress usually votes in a 2% or more increase every year so this scale changes for the better every year.

Also keep in mind, after three years you will be a permanent federal employee (not career-conditional) which means you have a better chance at getting other jobs if you're looking to transfer. If you get into the federal system, take whatever they can start you out at and stay there for three years. Of course during the interview you don't want to tell them you plan on leaving as who knows, you may enjoy what you do or find a position within the same agency that pays better. But there's always room to move around in the federal system.

Sorry if this is still confusing. It is confusing even after you know how it works. It's part of working for Uncle Sam. Now you know why your taxes are so confusing.

[Sierra]

HEY ALL,
I have a question, and to some it may seem crazy, but to me it is an honest question.
I am about to apply for a position with CSB, and it says on the website, that once you pick a pay-grade (GL-5,7, OR 9) YOU MUST stick with that grade, even if you are actually a higher grade. How hard is it to determine what grade you are? and Can you move from Gl-5 to Gl-7 after a few years?
I just dont understand how the pay/rank schedule works!

Any help is greatly appreciated!! Thanks!

GS is the standard payscale for federal employees.
GL is the payscale for certain federal law enforcement employees. It is a higher payiing scale then the GS.

You can enter service on different paygrades, but you must qualify for that paygrade. For example, to enter service as a GL5, you must have a bachelor's degree or equivalent education, work experience equivalent to a GL5, or a combination of the two. You may also enter if you have worked as a GL4 for a given time (I think a year). Higher paygrades have the same style of requirements, but will be more advanced (such as a master's degree). There will be a worksheet in your application packet to attempt to enter as a higher paygrade (at least there was with ICE and BPA).

You can put in for the same position under different paygrades if you qualify. If you meet the requirements, you may put in for, let's say Border Patrol Agent, as a GL5 and a GL7. They may offer you a position as a GL5 rather than GL7 for whatever reason. Once you have accepted as a GL5, you cannot say you want GL7 instead, you chose to be a 5.

Advancement runs as follows: My position runs from GL5 to GL9. This means that the lowest scale employee will enter service as a GL5. People in this position will top out at GL9. I will automatically advance from GL5 (how I entered) to GL7 on my anniversary date and from GL7 to GL9 on my second anniversary. I will then begin moving along on the steps. It may be different for some agencies, but this is how mine works.

Hope that helped.

[Stub]

How hard is it to determine what grade you are?

For federal service, OPM defines the qualification standards for each grade. Here is the link:

https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/index.asp

If you know the job series that you are applying for, use this link to determine your qualification standards:

https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/s.../a/num-ndx.asp

Can you move from Gl-5 to Gl-7 after a few years?

That depends on your job series. Typically, one year of service will result in a promotion from GL-5 to GL-7, for those in the GL pay band.

This is where filling out your application is very important.

Piggy is on the money. Supporting documentation to justify a grade increase after application submission will not likely yield favorable results. Generally, what you put on that application is the only content that will be considered when assessing your eligible grade.

If you get into the federal system, take whatever they can start you out at and stay there for three years.

My suggestion would be to start federal service at the highest possible grade and step. If you transfer within the federal service, other OPM regulations will play a key role in maintaining your pay. For example, the maximum payable rate rule.

https://www.opm.gov/oca/pay/html/MPRRule.asp

GL is the payscale for certain federal law enforcement employees. It is a higher payiing scale then the GS.

...only for grades 3 through 10.

A while back someone posted an excellent explanation of the federal pay system. It was very informative and spot on. If I can find it, I will post the link.