Originally posted by: Aluvus
Originally posted by: njdevilsfan87
Seems like I should put the lowest of what they're looking for... because some of these seem high, like GS12... where it seems like entry level out of college should be GS5/GS7... but at the same time, GS5 seems below what I should be getting as an entry level engineer.
Fresh graduate with a bachelor's will generally start as a GS-5, in some cases GS-7. Government pay is lower than private-sector pay, simple as that. Some of that is made up in benefits (cheap insurance, education, 40 hr weeks). Please note that engineers typically use a different (better) pay scale than other federal employees. OPM's website is something of a PITA, but choose the current year here and that will cover at least the first few pay grades. There is also a locality adjustment typically of a few percent on top of that.
Why do they even need to ask this question... it'd be much easier if they just had some options like "intern, entry-level, senior X years experience" and etc.
If you have previous government service, there are sometimes-complicated grade and pay retention rules that the government must follow. But yes, it is a poorly-built system for people applying for their first gov't job.
Originally posted by: gotsmack
I started with a masters fresh out of school and got a GS-9. Engineers with a BS should start out with a 7 and then be promoted every year 7-9-11-12.
Originally posted by: Codewiz
Also the Department of Defense civilians are on a totally different pay system. One that is supposedly based on performance.
Originally posted by: schmedy
Government Pay for the same job between different agencies is a big mess. After I got out of the Marine Corps I worked for the DOD for a year, hired as a GS-11 with promotion potential to GS-12 in one year. I then took a job with the FAA, went back down to 11 for a year then back up to 12. We then moved out of the GS pay system in the late 90's to FG, then to FV and we now have letters instead of numbers. The buyout from GS to FG/FV moved most of us who were mid to high stepped 12's to above the pay bands. We no longer have longevity raises like steps and it is "supposed" to be based on performance but no so much really. Anyway in a nut shell bid in on the lowest you are willing to start at, all that matters is the promotion potential of the job, which will be listed in the bid. Another thing to realize is that the hiring process is typically slow, it could last well over a year before you even get any kind of contact, good luck all the same and if you have any questions feel free to pm me.
Originally posted by: Aluvus
Originally posted by: Codewiz
Also the Department of Defense civilians are on a totally different pay system. One that is supposedly based on performance.
Some but not all DoD civilians are under the NSPS.
Originally posted by: dbk
Originally posted by: gotsmack
I started with a masters fresh out of school and got a GS-9. Engineers with a BS should start out with a 7 and then be promoted every year 7-9-11-12.
how long did it take before you got hired?
Originally posted by: njdevilsfan87
Seems like I should put the lowest of what they're looking for... because some of these seem high, like GS12... where it seems like entry level out of college should be GS5/GS7... but at the same time, GS5 seems below what I should be getting as an entry level engineer.
Why do they even need to ask this question... it'd be much easier if they just had some options like "intern, entry-level, senior X years experience" and etc.