Steping Down In Grade Question

[TXICE]

Im currently a GL-9 and transferring to a different office in the same position without a break in service. The new position is an entry level GL-7 position, but "they" say Ill come in at a GL-7/5 to match the pay. I have the option after 90 days of submitting a memo and gaining my GL-9 back. What if i dont submit the memo and spent a year at the GL-7/5 position? After that year, where in the GL-9 grade would I be?

[Kimble]

Im currently a GL-9 and transferring to a different office in the same position without a break in service. The new position is an entry level GL-7 position, but "they" say Ill come in at a GL-7/5 to match the pay. I have the option after 90 days of submitting a memo and gaining my GL-9 back. What if i dont submit the memo and spent a year at the GL-7/5 position? After that year, where in the GL-9 grade would I be?

I'm confused. You say you're going to a different office, keeping the same position, and you're being downgraded in your salary grade? When you say you're going to a "different office", do you mean transferring to a different location or to a different agency (ex: ICE DRO to ICE OI)? If you're staying in the same agency but just transferring locations, why in the world would they downgrade your salary grade for a transfer?

[TXICE]

I'm confused. You say you're going to a different office, keeping the same position, and you're being downgraded in your salary grade? When you say you're going to a "different office", do you mean transferring to a different location or to a different agency (ex: ICE DRO to ICE OI)? If you're staying in the same agency but just transferring locations, why in the world would they downgrade your salary grade for a transfer?

It is a lil confusing. Im staying with DRO. I applied again as a "new hire" off the nationwide announcement in an attempt to change offices. The new hires only come in at a 5 or 7. I was selected off the "new hire" announcement even though Im currently on the job. This is really the only sure way to change offices for guys on the job already. Ill be taking the GL7 step 5 pay because im a GL 9 step 1 currently. This will match my pay, but my question still stands. Did I confuse you more? :D

[Nole795]

It is a lil confusing. Im staying with DRO. I applied again as a "new hire" off the nationwide announcement in an attempt to change offices. The new hires only come in at a 5 or 7. I was selected off the "new hire" announcement even though Im currently on the job. This is really the only sure way to change offices for guys on the job already. Ill be taking the GL7 step 5 pay because im a GL 9 step 1 currently. This will match my pay, but my question still stands. Did I confuse you more? :D

I guess ICE does thing differently. In my agency it would be a just a lateral move to a new office. Your pay and seniority would stay the same. I dont get how an agency can bring you on as a new hire in the same position that you are already in. Of course, we are talking about the Federal Govt.

I would recommend you contact your HR Specialist and ask.

[Joeyd6]

You are getting screwed no matter how you look at it and I suggest you check with your FLEOA rep or somebody else in the organization who actually has a clue. Just because you are being told "....that is the way it is...." does not mean it is correct or legal. The Merit Systems Protection Board handles these issues in accordance with OPM regulations. And those regulations are clear: when you are staying within your own agency, and the same series, they CAN NOT take away money or your grade if the only thing changing is your location.

As GS 9, step 1, which you are now, you make: $40,949.

As a GD 7, step 5, you will make: $37,941.....A LOSS OF $3,008 immediately.

Also consider as a GS 9-1, on your one year anniversay, you would be bumped to GS 9-2, or $42,314. That is $1,365 more a year or an additional $113.75 a month. You will loose that money, so now you are at a loss of $4,373. And the loss continues your whole career as your bumps to next step are now delayed, compounding the loss. Hope that move is worth a loss of about $16,000 to you.

But to your original question....a GS 7-5 would move to GS 9-1 after 1 year of satisfactory performance.

[Motorolanut]

joeyd6 is totally on the 100% mark with that answer, That's a screw job if I ever heard one. Talk to the real HR rep, NOT a freaking contractor out of Laguna CA or wherever. DHS Contractors are like Car Salesman they will do anything or tell you anything to make the sale (get you on board). Ask who the Lead or Supervisory HR Specialist who supervises the contractors work and speak with them directly.

Also it will look a little strange if you ever leave and go to another agency.
You will have to explain how you got downgraded to move to another region.
If you don't explain that; it will look like some kind of performance based issue and that you were held as a GL-07 due to lack of performance.

Moving to a new region (Home office) is a great thing if it makes you and your family happy. Just don't turn a blind eye and lose at least a year in time and grade plus $$$$. The last thing you want is to start all over again
with the FNG's.:D

[SHSURobert]

If I remember correctly, some current IEA's apply to open, entry-level announcements within their own agency just to get to a different office. I don't know if that is considered a transfer or not, but I think this was the position TXICE was in. Then again, I could totally be wrong...

[BP348]

If I remember correctly, some current IEA's apply to open, entry-level announcements within their own agency just to get to a different office. I don't know if that is considered a transfer or not, but I think this was the position TXICE was in. Then again, I could totally be wrong...

+1

And I agree with Joey don't drop from a GL-9 step 1 to a GL-7 step 5 and take the pay loss. You should be able to transfer over at the lower grade but with out the pay loss. I don't have a pay scale but I would think that it would be a GL-7 step 6 or step 7 = GL-9 step 1.

If the GL-5 step?? is higher then you may get a bonus. When you go back to the GL-9 you may qualify for the GL-9 step 2.

You also need to check into the whole time in grade thing. If I remember right congress just did away with it.

[TXICE]

If I remember correctly, some current IEA's apply to open, entry-level announcements within their own agency just to get to a different office. I don't know if that is considered a transfer or not, but I think this was the position TXICE was in. Then again, I could totally be wrong...

That's exactly what Im doing.