Fed Average Work Week

[FCSE]

I'm currently a 3yr Dallas Police Officer considering a move to a federal agency such as ATF.

I understand that LEAP pay comes with an additional 10 hours to a 40 hour work week.

A DPD rookie off probation would, without any educational, incentive, or shift differential pay, make an additional $15,000+ a year working an extra 10hrs per week at his OT rate.

In order to compare apples to apples GS + Leap is: [pay] / (52 * 50); While PD is: [pay] / (52*40)

Another way to look at PD is (10 *52 * [avg $rate for OT and extra jobs]) + [pay]) or simply [PD pay] * 1.25

For my department, who's pay sucks, the Feds don't really surpass the PD until GS-13. Even that's assuming I hadn't promoted to Cpl or even Sgt by the same time frame.

To my question... How many hours does a special agent typically work per week, especially in agencies such as the FBI, DEA, and ATF?

[Switchback]

There is no mandate to work that additional 10 hours. Most decent investigators will find themself working it, though. Now, outside of that fact, there is no average work week. Every agency is different and there is even a great variation within each agency, depending on where you are assigned and what you are doing.

Hell, my weeks even vary from pretty close to banker's hours all the way to just making it home to sleep (most nights).

If you like your job and you are making more than a$120K/year before you make Corporal (in a department that "whose pay sucks"), then why look elsewhere?

[FCSE]

Thanks Switchback, for your response.

I say our pay sucks as other agencies in the area pay a third more, but then again they are more restricted and controlled departments. For patrol, I couldn't be torn from Dallas, despite better pay (and equipment) from almost every major suburb PD in the area.

Entering my 3rd year, I'm beginning to thing about the next stage of my career. In the next few years, I'll want to start criminal investigations. That's where the Feds start looking more attractive.

I really don't see a capped out detective with a Bachelors working 10hrs per week on a extra job + OT making much more than $90K. I'm guessing a GS-13 of as many years would be well past 100k with step.

As DPD Officers progress in rank past Sr. Cpl, the ability to work OT lessens, especially departmental OT which is what I prefer.

The Feds look real good at GS-13. Add to that the better resources, bigger cases, and the knowledge that convictions result in more time served than in the State system.

A officer at 9yrs (6 away for me) would make about $77K working 10 additional hours per week. In that same time, I would do well to make GS-12 making about the same assuming step 3+.

You mentioned $120K, the D/FW locality (19.95%) and has GS-13 at 110K at step 10. Am I underestimating the federal pay scale or real world take home pay?

Also, I know it's rare, but if there is a non-entry level position posted, say GS-11 to 13, what are the chances of a local Police Detective who works major felonies being seriously considered for the position?

[charlydevo]

Thanks Switchback, for your response.

I say our pay sucks as other agencies in the area pay a third more, but then again they are more restricted and controlled departments. For patrol, I couldn't be torn from Dallas, despite better pay (and equipment) from almost every major suburb PD in the area.

Entering my 3rd year, I'm beginning to thing about the next stage of my career. In the next few years, I'll want to start criminal investigations. That's where the Feds start looking more attractive.

I really don't see a capped out detective with a Bachelors working 10hrs per week on a extra job + OT making much more than $90K. I'm guessing a GS-13 of as many years would be well past 100k with step.

As DPD Officers progress in rank past Sr. Cpl, the ability to work OT lessens, especially departmental OT which is what I prefer.

The Feds look real good at GS-13. Add to that the better resources, bigger cases, and the knowledge that convictions result in more time served than in the State system.

A officer at 9yrs (6 away for me) would make about $77K working 10 additional hours per week. In that same time, I would do well to make GS-12 making about the same assuming step 3+.

You mentioned $120K, the D/FW locality (19.95%) and has GS-13 at 110K at step 10. Am I underestimating the federal pay scale or real world take home pay?

Also, I know it's rare, but if there is a non-entry level position posted, say GS-11 to 13, what are the chances of a local Police Detective who works major felonies being seriously considered for the position?

I'm a GS-13/4 in Texas. I make about $118,000. I barely work 40 hours a week. I'm in an Intel assignment. The downside is frequent travel, because our AOR is huge. But, I really don't put in any extra hours. I don't know of any locals in my area that earn comparable pay without being in management. But, you indicated that you will not want to leave Dallas. My advice then is to stay away from federal agencies. Any of the big agencies will make you sign a mobility agreement and you will be subject to transfers at the whims of the agency. Granted, forced transfers don't happen often, but forced TDY happens all the time. I'm in Tucson for the month of October and there is nothing that I can do about it.

To answer your last question, ICE commonly hires current LEO's at the GS-12 level. But, the hiring process is very shady. You'll have to get to know an agent who will submit your resume. I don't know much about ATF hiring, but they don't hire too often.

[Switchback]

Also, I do not know many ATF guys who are happy with their job.

[JeffW]

I am not a Fed but a local assigned to a Federal Task force. Most of the guys I work with do real good on their time off. Most are leaving the office at 5, but when a hot deal comes in, it not over till it's over.

I remember working many night overnights and just being able to get home to change and go to my regular job. We have also spent many a Saturday and Sunday working hot collateral leads on a fugitive. Especially one that is wanted for a violent crime or crime against children. It just depends on what is going on. Even the court monkeys come out on evenings and weekends if needed.

But some times the Feds are the fastest employees I have ever seen. They are so fast that they can home by 4 when they get off at 5.

[FCSE]

I'm a GS-13/4 in Texas. I make about $118,000.

That's about $25K more than the '09 LEO GS pay scale at opm.gov, is that from paid overtime, incentive pay, or something I'm completely missing?

But some times the Feds are the fastest employees I have ever seen. They are so fast that they can home by 4 when they get off at 5.

Sounds like an average day at the in-service academy.


Thanks for the great answers guys. I'm gathering as much information so I can make the best decision.

[Switchback]

Your math is off... you are fogetting the 25%.

[charlydevo]

That's about $25K more than the '09 LEO GS pay scale at opm.gov, is that from paid overtime, incentive pay, or something I'm completely missing?




Sounds like an average day at the in-service academy.


Thanks for the great answers guys. I'm gathering as much information so I can make the best decision.

Most federal criminal investigators are paid LEAP. That is 25% of base pay added to every check. LEAP is meant to cover whatever extra hours are worked. We are on a salary, and don't get OT.

Plus, a few grand for language pay.

[Big Sexy]

ICE commonly hires current LEO's at the GS-12 level.

Not to disagree, but from what BIG has seen, we normally hire 1811 laterals at the GS-12. Non 1811 feds may get a pay match, but very few that BIG has seen have gotten 12's, unless of course they were 1811 laterals.

As for the original poster coming off the streets from a local gig & getting a 12, the OI has become a lot more generous in the years BIG must have been sleeping, a la Rip Van Winkle.

To the original poster, as LEAP has been explained it's an extra 25% added to your base pay. But be forewarned, when you're called out Saturday night and don't get home until Monday night. It isn't OT & you get nothing extra, it's all LEAP, which is paid to you upfront.

[charlydevo]

Not to disagree, but from what BIG has seen, we normally hire 1811 laterals at the GS-12. Non 1811 feds may get a pay match, but very few that BIG has seen have gotten 12's, unless of course they were 1811 laterals.

As for the original poster coming off the streets from a local gig & getting a 12, the OI has become a lot more generous in the years BIG must have been sleeping, a la Rip Van Winkle.

To the original poster, as LEAP has been explained it's an extra 25% added to your base pay. But be forewarned, when you're called out Saturday night and don't get home until Monday night. It isn't OT & you get nothing extra, it's all LEAP, which is paid to you upfront.

I don't really know dude. When I was leaving SAC/NY, the DSAC at my office put the word out that we should forward the resumes of active LEO's to our recruiter for consideration for GS-12 slots. I didn't know anybody that was interested at the time, so I looked into it no further. Maybe 1811 status is a requirement. It shouldn't be, though. (IMHO)

The LEAP thing can be good or bad. It's always good to know that you have 25% over time coming to your check whether you work OT or not. It isn't so good when you work 50% extra hours and only get the 25% extra pay. But, I'm in an Intel gig now and the LEAP is pure awesomeness.

[charlydevo]

By the way, Big, now that I'm in an Intel slot, do you want me to forward all of my HSIR's to you so that you can decide whether or not you want to disseminate them?

[FCSE]

I thought the "SALARY TABLE 2009-DFW (LEO)" I was using already included LEAP because it said "LEO", but apparently not. That changes everything.

Link: qqq.opm.gov/oca/09tables/html/dfw_leo.asp <---- replace qqq. with www (my account can't post direct links yet).

[Switchback]

I thought the "SALARY TABLE 2009-DFW (LEO)" I was using already included LEAP because it said "LEO", but apparently not. That changes everything.

Link: qqq.opm.gov/oca/09tables/html/dfw_leo.asp <---- replace qqq. with www (my account can't post direct links yet).

LMAO
Did you see why I was a bit confused by your statement? There are places that make more than us as LEOs (without OT), but they are few and far between, such as some Long Island departments.

[smcc360]

Also, I do not know many ATF guys who are happy with their job.

But... but, they keep winning that workplace happiness survey every year! Every year!

Look! This is them-