DHA (Direct Hire Authority) helped me go from a GS-5 to a GS-7 and now from a GS-7 to GS-11 with promotion potential to get to a GS-12 next year if approved by my new supervisor and at least fully successful appraisal. I took a ladder position and they put me at a 11 from a 7. My time in grade as a 7 was about to be completed next month so I could have went to a 9. I went to a job fair and they loved what they saw on my resume plus my supervisor gave a great reference. This is my 2nd year in with the government. Next year on my 3rd anniversary date I gain more PTO hours. Private sector experience, education, and my current experience helped me move up so quickly. Very exciting.
My resume has been qualified for GS12. But after many interviews I wasn't getting the position I wanted. So I settled for IC-06 or GS-06. I had to take a huge pay cut compared to private sector. What should I do to get at least 9 or 11?
I started when I was still in college at a GS 3 at the commissary. 3 agency and 6 years later i will be at a GS 12 in January. It’s a lot of dealing with BS but it can be done
GS13-GS15 will be highly competitive. The only thing that would help is networking within your department or facility for others to give you great references. It is always best to keep great relationships. They will pay off later down the road.
The reason why GS-12 is the most populous position is because the ladder position max out at a GS-12 and many people don’t bother to interview for the GS-13. There are some that max out at a GS-13 and it’s the same situation again. Going to GS-14 to GS-15 is the hardest to do! Those are senior positions and may need a good referral to get up there within a year or two from a GS-13!
Currently a GS-12 hitting step 9 at the end of the year. Actually got hired under NSPS as a YA-2 then converted to the GS schedule. Thanks for the video.
There are a number of other factors that tend to be kept silent for some agencies. It usually depends on what sector one gets into, as well as what series. Those areas that tend to have slow progression rates and problems keeping people, also tend to be those fields where the opportunities, pay and benefits are much better in the civilian world. You'll still see some nepotism, 'unusual selection' processes, selected people groomed for advancement, and the like in various areas. A number of other factors seem to be omitted, but the path to that gs15 is rare. The higher up the ladder, the less authorized positions there are, and the field gets extremely tight. If one's very flexible, easily adapts to change, and willing to relocate often, then that path up becomes a bit easier. If one desires stability, then advancement almost vanishes as many fields may have a gap preventing direct advancement up through an agency locally.
It can be difficult to rise through the grades in the same agency/office. Often times the best chance you have at advancing is by applying at another agency or office. Many people in the D.C. area bounce around between several agencies. Thanks for watching!
I'm a GS-14 now and I am excited to cap out at a GS-15 on the pay scale after 52 weeks within the same agency. I was looking for the demographics of employees who are a GS-14 and GS-15. I started out as a GS-9.
My agency tops out the highest is 13 unless you want to go into management grades 14 and 15, actually from GS 12 and up is supervisory jobs, good for you.
A lot of IT/developer jobs have a GS-5/GS-15 ladder mainly because it would be nearly impossible to keep a developer in the feds at a GS-7/9 making 50k-ish a year depending on location when they can triple that salary in the private sector doing more "interesting" jobs. Special Agents have long ladders as well. I believe the US Marshal (USMS) has a GS-5/GS-13 ladder before they have to compete for promotion. Many other SA jobs have a GS-7/GS-12 ladder. It really depends on the job.
Wassup Jonathan, I'm fresh out of college, I earned a bachelors degree in Public Accounting, with only a few months work of Volunteer experience in a junior staff accounting position. What grade level do you think I'd most likely start?
Without experience just education at an undegrad level your looking at a GS7. Graduate degree GS9. If you rank high in your class maybe a higher step. If fully certified as an accountant and a good internship for experience maybe a GS11, but this is less like @@cjg1832
I believe nepotism and who the hiring manager likes plays a big role. I have been with my agency for 15 years, I have been found best qualify for jobs more than 3 times still not getting the job not selected. I made an appointment with the hiring managers for the job I want, one told his secretary did not want to see me, the meeting is cancelled and the other hiring manager accepted me to come and see him. He couldn't tell me straight up why I was not selected for the position. I have outstanding evaluations, multiple certifications, multiple awards and recognitions. I still have not got the promotion. What is hurting me I am not mobile and I do not want to drive all if way to Los Angeles, San Diego the traffic is horrible, the wear and tear of my car. The quality of life I don't want to spend hours and hours on the freeway with heavy traffic.
Hi Armand, Thank you for this channel as it is very helpful especially for we new employees. Question #1: I was hired by (Direct Hiring Authority) as a G5, and this position advances to a GS-7, after I have a year at this position and lets say I obtain new credentials such as a Masters in Public Health Administration, would I still have to follow the grade levels or can I jump from a G-5 to a GS-10? I just want to ensure that I have a clear understanding of growth opportunity. Question#2: How do internal positions work? can these positions allow for such a Grade skip/ increase? taking into account your credentials/experience, without necessarily requiring that you must have worked at the previous grade levels? Thanks
Was gs12-step 10 with major locality pay IHS hospital, took a 90+ break in service, new army hospital with no major locality pay can only offer gs-13 step 6. Management cannot budge to offer step 10. Over a $40k different due to locality pay. There is a DHA on job listing. Both locations not desirable but willing to go for Step 10. Actually the new army position, super short on providers, they need 9 providers but only have 2. Are they just playing hardball? Can they really not offer me Gs-13, step 10?
The two-step promotion rule would apply. A GS employee promoted to a position in a higher grade is entitled to basic pay at the lowest rate of the higher grade that exceeds his existing rate of basic pay by not less than two step increases of the grade from which promoted. So, in the D.C. area a GS-7, Step 4 would be promoted to GS-8, Step 3. However, in most GS positions GS-8 and GS-10 are skipped. So, a GS-7 would end up being promoted to GS-9.
If the job is for a GS-7 with the promotion potential of GS-10 then every 12 months you have the ability to be promoted to the next GS grade until you reach GS-10. You would need to speak with the supervisor to understand expectations and benchmarks to get promoted. It is not guaranteed but possible. Once you reach GS-10 you would need to apply for another position either inside or outside of the federal agency to reach GS-11.
Thanks for the video! I had a quick question. If my career ladder is GS-10 to 11, would I just have to apply to get to 12 in the same position? Or do you have to change positions?
If your current position is GS-10 - GS-11, then you would have to apply to another position to get GS-12 (after you have 12 months TIG as a GS-11). You can apply for the job inside or outside of your current federal agency.
Hi sir, thank you for this video! I’m starting a position with a GS 5 Step 1 pay - this is my first federal government job and I don’t have much experience in this specific field. I guess my question is, after my 1 year probation at period, would I be able to move to GS 6? If so, would it be GS 6 step 1 or a different grade/step?
Congrats on the new job! If your job is a ladder position (meaning that there is promotion potential authorized for your job) then after 12 months you would be eligible for a promotion to GS-6. Your supervisor would have to approve it. If you are not in a ladder position, then after 12 months you would be eligible to apply to another GS-6 job either in your agency or at another agency.
I need some clarification on the lateral position part of your video. I currently have my eyes set on a posting that says pay scale :GS 7-11. Then at the bottom in the “promotion potential” it says GS12. So does this mean that every 12 months from your hired on grade that you can potentially go up a grade up to (GS12 )as you stated in the video. Or does it mean it’s only lateral to GS:11 and you must apply for GS 12 Thank you. Any insight will help.
@@armandcuret1 This is false. If it's listed as GS7 - 11, that means that they're hiring at the GS-7, GS-9, and GS-11 levels. They may not be hiring at the GS-12 level, because they want a development position where they can train them. The promotion potential being a GS-12 means that the ladder stops at GS-12.
Can you serve as GS 13 for 8 months, then change agencies accept GS 12, then 3 years later, go to another agency take a GS 13 and serve at that grade for 4 months and then apply as a GS 14?
Your time in grade should not restart when you change job within the agency or to a new agency. The main challenge is having the HR specialist reviewing your resume understand that you have a total of 12 months experience in the grade. However, if it is an open to the public job announcement then you could qualify on other experience without following GS TIG rules.
Hello. I accepted a GS 5 position with a 'target grade of GS 6' back in December of 2021. I have been wondering if there are any indicators that will show if I will get that Grade Increase in December or if it will be a step increase? Or perhaps, with my luck, no increase at all.
Hi, potential benchmarks or goals needed for a grade increase is usually discussed with the supervisor during the mid-year or quarterly performance review. If that does not happen, I would suggest you reach out to your supervisor to schedule time to discuss goals or expectations tied to a grade increase. If you do not get a grade increase at the 12 month mark then you will more than likely still get a step increase unless someone tries to block it. Thanks for watching!
Hi, Mr Curet. I have a complicated work issue. Any input is appreciated. I hold a GS-10 position. Working in Federal/ DoD for 12 years. 4 years back we had a mass promotion in "our department", all GS-10 promoted to GS-11 but since I'm a foreign graduate, Credentialing personnel said Medcom mandates all foreign college transcripts undergo RE-evaluation by a different credentialing school and that the previously assigned evaluating school during my entry is no longer recognized. Recently, got everything done and the hospital is having mass promotion to all GS-10 to GS-11 to "other departments" and in "our departments" for nursing assistant. Credentialing office, HR and CPAC do not know how to start my case since my application was years back, different RPA, as they said and cannot be with this current mass promotion. Any thought?
Most job series can be promoted based off experience but it seems that in your situation you need specific college credits or a degree to advance. If your organization is attempting to promote all GS-10s to 11s can they qualify you solely based on experience or is the education a hard requirement?
Thank-you for your insight, Mr Curet. The mass promotion in our department includes associate and BS degree holder. I am a BS for 26 years in US (12 years with DoD). Most associates at work have less work experience than me but got the promotion since it is mass promotion. I am very qualified for GS-11 except my foreign college transcript needs reevaluation by a different credentialing school which I just completed. Now the department heads do not know how to start processing my GS-11 since I had applied years back. Does my department head have to request for a new GS-11 position announcement to CPAC for me to apply at USA jobs? I am very glad you mention education qualification because we questioned those level of education as well (associate vs bachelors) at work related to promotion. We got no reply.
Thank-you, again for the reply. Before I came to US, I underwent CGFNS (Philadelphia based) foreign credential evaluation, eventually, granting me CGFNS certificate, to NCLEX to professional licensure in US. During my DoD work entry, I was assigned a different credentialing school for my foreign school credentials (Florida based) but now it's not recognized for my GS-11 promotion. Medcom wanted only CGFNS according to our hospital credentialing officer. I presented my official certificate from CGFNS but the full-page report directly from CGFNS. So, for foreigners applying in healthcare in DoD, make sure you have the right credentialing school. Time and money wasted. Yes, we all had previously applied in USA job during our mass promotion.
Yes, you can Jamie. You would be using your other experience outside of your GS-11 position to compete for the open to the public job annoucements. Thanks for watching!
If they hire me at the highest grade available for that job, that means that there is not much of a growth for me other than the 10 steps within that grade?
Thx for info! Question, I applied for a GS6 position with pay ranging from $41-54,000 and the interview panel made a point to say that’s a base pay that they start out as…so, if he was hinting that I could possibly get more if I get picked, can I try to negotiate a higher GS level or can probably only go certain amount of steps above on same pay grade…it says GS6 with no promotion looks like….it’s security at an army base hospital…thx fir any input!
Thanks for watching! You can negotiate the step level if you are new to the federal government. For a GS-6 the difference from Step 1 to Step 10 can be between 11 - 15k a year depending on the location. The time to negotiate is after the tentative job offer and before the final job offer. At that time, you can send a memo to the HR Specialist on why you are a superiorly qualified candidate that deserves a higher step. Best wishes.
Ok thx….so, would it be wise to try and go to say, like a GS11 or 12 from even though it’s GS 6, if I have the experience? I have 10 years security experience working in federal buildings although through contracted company…I make equivalent to GS12 or 13 working through government contract status under homeland security…thx again!
Having 10 years of work experience tells me you should be aiming higher than GS-6. I think GS-11 - GS-12 should be a good grade to target. Also, you must consider the opportunities in your area. Strengthen the resume and keep applying!
@@armandcuret1 sorry to bother you again, but I’ll be content if I can get happy medium for the GS6 position if they allow me to climb some more steps for pay for that position to get me closer to what I make now…but at same time I don’t want to sound too greedy so trying to get all the pay I can without pushing it too much…because I know the benefits are worth a lot also…I don’t want them thinking I’m getting foot in door and then leaving also…my security experience didn’t involve me managing others so that’s where I’m at now even though I have 10 yrs experience…so, what do you think? thx again!
@@TheDonutman44 Even with no management experience, I still believe you can probably qualify for a GS-11 with 10 years of experience. It also depends on your area, metropolitan areas tend to have higher GS grades. If you need a job, then I would accept the GS-6 and try to get a higher step. If you do not need a job right now, I would hold out for a GS-11. It is up to you and your situation. Wish you the best.
Usually, new federal employees are placed on probation for 12 months. On your 12 month mark, usually you are eligible for a step increase. If you enter as a GS-11, step 1 then on your 12 month mark you would then be a GS-11, step 2.
Within-grade step increases are based on an acceptable level of performance and longevity (waiting periods of 1 year at steps 1-3, 2 years at steps 4-6, and 3 years at steps 7-9)
If you are in a ladder position such as a GS-9/11/12, then after 12 months you would be eligible to receive a promotion to the next grade. However, if there is no promotion potential in your current position you would have to apply for your promotion. 12 months time in grade is the minimum requirement to advance to the next GS grade.
That would depend on if you are currently in a ladder position. If there is room for promotion in your job position then you would need to discuss it with your supervisor but the minimum time in grade is 12 months. If you were promoted to GS-11 next year then the two step promotion rule would take place which would probably have you at GS-11 step 3.
You do not need any prior government experience to start off at a high grade. I have seen people come in from the military and the private sector and start as a GS-14 or GS-15. It depends on your experience.
Ok thank you for that information :). From what I've seen on the listings on USAjobs it seems like I should at least be able to start at maybe GS-9 (I could be wrong). I have 4 years part-time experience as IT Support, 1 year 7 months as full time IT Support Specialist, COMPTIA A+ cert, RHCSA (Red Hat Certified System Admin) cert, Bachelors in IT Management, and going to get the Security+ soon. @@armandcuret1
Yes. You would leverage your six years of experience. Keep in mind, it still depends upon your location, job series, type of experience and of course your resume.
Civilian job is currently a project manager the MBA is Operations Management. Just wondering if GS 9 could be obtained or if I could apply. Also when you retire from GS positions do you get a pension?
@@julianagil6598 Yes, a GS-9 or above probably. When you work for the federal government for 5 years you are eligible to collect a pension as soon as 57 years old (in most cases).
I got accepted for a gs5/gs7 position. I wanted to start at higher step than gs7 step 1 but they keep saying no. Can I negotiate a higher step to start at?
Congrats! It depends on the agency. Usually you can negotiate step level by submitting a memo to HR showing you are a superiorly qualified applicant. Or if you were making more money in your previous job by showing your last pay stub/earning statement.
Job starts at gs 5 but the max potential states 7. So I would need to do 12 months as a 5 then do another 12 months as 6 for the gs 6 cap? Just started my first federal job not too long ago. If anyone can clarify
It is possible but you would have to use "open to the public" job announcements or a different hiring path, such as VRA or Schedule A. Otherwise, you would have to follow "time in grade" rules which require you to stay in a GS grade for 12 months before being eligible for the next higher GS grade.
What if: You have lived in spain for 20yrs, worked ONLY For Spanish & Russian companies for the past 20+ , knowledge of ITAR, tariffs and know everyone at the spanish chamber of commerce, Barcelona city council, growing political & social trends and want to work for the US as a trade lead specialist.... 🤔
Do federal government jobs automatically start you out at a “ Step 1” or would certifications and experience play a role in what step they place you at?
Thanks for watching Hayward! Federal Agencies will usually give you a job offer starting at Step 1. If this is your first federal government job, then you can negotiate your step level based on being a superiorly qualified candidate. After the tentative job offer, you must take the initiative to negotiate usually by sending HR a memo before the final job offer.
@@armandcuret1 I just got a tentative offer for a GS 12 position and I’m requesting a higher pay somewhere between step 2 to step 4. In regards to writing the memo to HR, should I include the fact that I am relocating to another state ? Also, how long does security clearances typically take? I’ve not started the security clearance process yet. Are federal government agencies patient with new comers in regards to them relocating? Basically is requesting a 3-4 month start date too much to ask or does it depend on the agency needs?
@@haywardsmartin1923 Congrats! List your skills, competencies, experience, education, and/or accomplishments that you consider superior for a step increase. Also, if you were making less money in your last postion. Agencies are generally patient with new hires. Make sure you keep communicating with the HR specialist. Security clearance time depends on the level but with an interm, you usually can start work.
Armand, first of all, great channel. It is concise, informative, and easy to follow. My question is regarding ladder promotions. Is there a way to filter/search ladder promotion positions? For example, we can filter pay, series, locations, and can search "direct hires", but can we filter/search jobs with promotion potential?
Thanks for watching Angel! Aside from using the filter to search for "grade" there appears to be no direct way to search for ladder positions directly. You can select multiple grades in the "Top filter" section but then you would have to scroll and search for those positions with promotional potential.
This is good info and on the surface it sounds great. But it doesn’t take into account professional development. I’m a GS 7, I’ve been at my job 10 yrs. In that time I went back to school and now have my masters. In order for me to get the jobs I now qualify for I would have to leave my organization and apply after a year! Which is really unfortunate, if I have to leave to qualify for the job want, I probably won’t come back to the fed, since the pay on the outside is so much better.
@@ethan7062 Not jobless, but out of the organization. If I’m a GS7, the highest I can go is a GS9. The positions looking at are high GS levels. My education and experience qualifies me, but time in grade disqualifies me. Leaving my organization for a year would basically reset my time in grade. So if I was coming in from outside the federal system I would qualify with no problem, but coming from within the federal system I have to meet time in grade. I’m disqualified solely due to time in grade.
Are you eligible for Schedule A, 30% DV, VRA, DHA positions or Excepted Service? These appointments do not require TIG (52 weeks). Also Open to Public appointments do not require TIG, whether a you are a current federal employee or a civilian/former federal employee. However, the specialized experience needs to come from prior military/private sector/contract/volunteer experience, not lower grade GS grade or current grade (otherwise TIG counts).
@@armandcuret1 over 30% DV, but I don’t have a schedule A letter. So if I apply and they require SF50, I should submit it and answer yes under the tig question on usajobs? Thank you so much for the reply! This gives me some hope.
I would attach the SF50 if the job annoucement requires it and if you have the experience then click yes to the TIG question. A lot of job annoucements are now asking the applicant where they received their experience in an empty text box and filling that out could help them focusing on your nongovernment experience to qualify you. If for some reason HR disqualifies you for TIG when applying for the job announcement, email them and explain to them you are using your nongovernment experience.
