4 ms·

> GS-7, and max, maybe, but would be hard, GS-11. I’m guessing that this was actually a 7/9/11 position, with automatic annual promotions (apprentice, journeym

by csa 5y ago

> GS-7, and max, maybe, but would be hard, GS-11. I’m guessing that this was actually a 7/9/11 position, with automatic annual promotions (apprentice, journeyman, master, iirc). Still… that’s really low for someone who can get a decent tech job in the private sector. Note that an ambitious person with the right skill set could probably be GS-15 in the DC area in their late 20s, and they would hit the GS salary cap soon thereafter. I’m not necessarily saying that’s a good thing (total comp still low), but I just wanted to throw that out there.

dgfitz 5y ago
It’s rather hard to get hired in a spot over GS 11/12. It happens but it’s not common. From 13 on I believe promotions are in front of a panel. Getting hired as a 15 would usually imply the hire-e was recruited.
- csa 5y ago
  Apologies if I wasn’t clear… I meant that a motivated and skilled person who enters federal service at the age of 22 in a 7/9/11 position could probably be GS 15 in their late 20s in tech in the DC area. You’re absolutely right that getting directly hired into a higher level is much tougher, although not impossible if you are connected.
  - dgfitz 5y ago
    Being in that area with friends who are highly connected in this arena and climbed ladder quickly, it’s a stretch to get a 15 in your late 20s
    - csa 5y ago
      Just curious, and slightly belaboring a point… Are they in DC? 14s and 15s are relatively easy to access in a few fields in the DC area at a young age (tech and contracting are the two fields I know people who have fast-tracked in the GS system in DC). Anywhere else… not so much. Those are usually mid-career or late-career positions outside of DC area.
dogman144 5y ago
No that's an incorrect assumption, I dug into it. GS 7 and walk through the steps as normal for that role, jump to a higher GS via a job change/similar.
- csa 5y ago
  > GS 7 and walk through the steps as normal for that role, jump to a higher GS via a job change/similar. If that’s the case, then they should approximately never get applicants who could also get private sector jobs. I wonder if they are targeting vets who got a small amount of programming under their belt while serving… or something like that. Not even being a 7/9/11 for an in demand technical area (esp. if in the DC area) strikes me as extremely short-sighted.

by csa 5y ago

dgfitz 5y ago

It’s rather hard to get hired in a spot over GS 11/12. It happens but it’s not common. From 13 on I believe promotions are in front of a panel. Getting hired as a 15 would usually imply the hire-e was recruited.

csa 5y ago
Apologies if I wasn’t clear… I meant that a motivated and skilled person who enters federal service at the age of 22 in a 7/9/11 position could probably be GS 15 in their late 20s in tech in the DC area. You’re absolutely right that getting directly hired into a higher level is much tougher, although not impossible if you are connected.
- dgfitz 5y ago
  Being in that area with friends who are highly connected in this arena and climbed ladder quickly, it’s a stretch to get a 15 in your late 20s
  - csa 5y ago
    Just curious, and slightly belaboring a point… Are they in DC? 14s and 15s are relatively easy to access in a few fields in the DC area at a young age (tech and contracting are the two fields I know people who have fast-tracked in the GS system in DC). Anywhere else… not so much. Those are usually mid-career or late-career positions outside of DC area.

dogman144 5y ago

No that's an incorrect assumption, I dug into it. GS 7 and walk through the steps as normal for that role, jump to a higher GS via a job change/similar.

csa 5y ago
> GS 7 and walk through the steps as normal for that role, jump to a higher GS via a job change/similar. If that’s the case, then they should approximately never get applicants who could also get private sector jobs. I wonder if they are targeting vets who got a small amount of programming under their belt while serving… or something like that. Not even being a 7/9/11 for an in demand technical area (esp. if in the DC area) strikes me as extremely short-sighted.