What are gs -ratings on job applications?

[crrdsh]

I am applying for a government job and it had the following field in the application

Lowest Acceptable Grade *
Please select the lowest grade you would accept for this position.

options are like
gs01-15


Can anyone make any sense of these ratings for me? I am a recent college grad in Comp. Sci.

Thx

 

[Hoober]

Originally posted by: crrdsh
I am applying for a government job and it had the following field in the application

Lowest Acceptable Grade *
Please select the lowest grade you would accept for this position.

options are like
gs01-15


Can anyone make any sense of these ratings for me? I am a recent college grad in Comp. Sci.

Thx

It is the government's pay scale. I don't know what grade compares to what salary bracket, though.

 

[Fausto]

Here ya go.

They do vary somewhat depending on location and sometimes on your title.

 

[sohcrates]

GS-7 is usually the lowest starting level for a college degree...*maybe* a 5

 

[Drekce]

I am a Computer Engineer and work for the DoD. Right now I am a GS-9 (since I am a recent college graduate), but I make much more than is shown in that table becuase I am in a special salary rate due to my job desctiption (Computer Engineer).

To quickly sum up how it works (not completely correct though) you will start out as say a GS-7 step 1. Every year you can move up a step within that grade until you get to the 5th step where it now takes two years between steps. This is barring any promotions to new grades. If you get promoted to a new grade you will start out at a level that is >= a two step increase in your current grade. This is how you can start out in a grade at a step higher than one. Most of the people I work with are GS-13 or GS-14, I will be a 12 in about 2 years.

One of the best things is the benefits. They match my 401K up to 5%, I get 2.5 weeks of vacation + another 10 days worth of holidays. After three years those 2.5 weeks go up to 4 weeks. Good health coverage, life insurance and job security.