is GS-14 high?

[AndrewR]

People have already answered the first question, but a brief note on GS equivalency. The higher GS-15 steps are considered flag equivalent, but that may depend on what the job position is. SES is the position beyond GS-15 Step 10, but it's also usually politically appointed which means new administration, new appointee. GS-15 is the last position where you can actually do a job rather than manage or oversee a department. I think there is also a different scale for the Foreign Service over at the State Department. I do know that the SES-1 equivalent there is FS-1.

Now, there's a quirk addendum to the GS-15 being the highest, and I am not sure what the story is. There is a GS-16 rank, but I think it is solely reserved for AAFES (Army and Air Force Exchange Service). I know it exists in some capacity because there is at least one on the island here right now.

One last thing that I just saw the other day. There is also something called GSE, as in GSE-12. It stands for GS Equivalent and is for contractors.

 

[woodie1]

All this talk about GS-15 being the highest has me confused. I could have sworn that When I was a Gov't Contractor I worked with Scientists, Drs., and other higher educated people with GS-17,18,19s. I think the positions were Congressional appointments but still in the Civil Service Sector.

 

[AndrewR]

Further note regarding equivalency. GS-7 is the first level considered a mililtary officer equivalent. It's also the first one that qualifies for COLA (at least overseas). My wife is trying for a GS-9 position right now -- say a prayer that she gets it!

 

[Deleted member 4644]

Two questions:

If I become a govt lawyer, what GS is that... or is it approaching SES?

Realistically, do you get crap for pay ? IE, do you have to wait 30 years before you get GS-15?

 

[gopunk]

thinking of leaving ms eh

 

[Ameesh]

Originally posted by: gopunk
thinking of leaving ms eh

nope. i love working at ms.

 

[cmdavid]

Originally posted by: LordSegan
Two questions:

If I become a govt lawyer, what GS is that... or is it approaching SES?

Realistically, do you get crap for pay ? IE, do you have to wait 30 years before you get GS-15?

with an engineering degree its very easy to start off as a GS-12 or GS-13.... and if you're willing to move around you can get from a 12 or 13 to a 15 easily within 10-15 years.... i say 2 or 3 years as a 13.... 4 or 5 years as a 13... 7 or 8 as a 14.... that could mean if you went straight to the GS job right outta college with your BSE you could be a 15 by the time you were 35-40...
as for the lawyer question, i have no clue...

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: LordSegan
Two questions:

If I become a govt lawyer, what GS is that... or is it approaching SES?

Realistically, do you get crap for pay ? IE, do you have to wait 30 years before you get GS-15?

Most government lawyers out of law school would start as GS-12s, though it depends on the branch of government. In localities that have a hard time finding candidates, a lawyer with a few years of experience might find work as a GS-13, and might progress to GS-14 or 15 over time.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

FYI, here are the current GS pay tables.

 

[notfred]

I wish I was a GS-14. I'm not going to even mention where I fall on that chart....

 

[cmdavid]

Originally posted by: notfred
I wish I was a GS-14. I'm not going to even mention where I fall on that chart....

3?