What is a federal GS employee?

GG (GENERAL GOVERNMENT) – A pay plan for grades similar to the General Schedule. The GG pay plan is used by many agencies who hire employees on a temporary or term basis. GM (GENERAL MANAGER) – An employee formerly paid under the Performance Management and Recognition System (PMRS).

Is a GS job a federal job?

The coding systems used to classify federal jobs vary by agency, but the most common system is the General Schedule (GS). In nearly all cases, Federal employees must be U.S. citizens….GS Levels by Education.

GS-1	No high school diploma
GS-2 (GS-3 for clerk-steno positions)	High school diploma or equivalent

What are the GS ranks?

One way to mapping between military ranks and civilian GS grades is to look at what each level gets paid….Equivalent Civilian to Military Ranks.

Civilian Grade	Military Rank	Army Title
GS-6	E-5	Sergeant
GS-6, GS-7	E-6	Staff Sergeant
GS-7	E-7	Sergeant First Class
GS-7	E-8	Master Sergeant or First Sergeant

What is a GS-7 level mean?

The GS-7 pay grade generally marks an entry-level position. GS-7 is usually the starting grade for scientist, engineers and other professions who are starting directly out of university or who otherwise have limited relevant experience.

How do I become a GS employee?

Education Requirements: High school graduation or equivalent; 1 year above high school; General Requirements: Progressively responsible clerical, office, or other work that indicates ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position to be filled.

How long does it take to go up the GS scale?

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). It normally takes 18 years to advance from step 1 to step 10 within a single GS grade if an employee remains in that single grade.

What is a GS-10?

GS-10 is the 10th paygrade in the General Schedule (GS) payscale, the payscale used to determine the salaries of most civilian government employees. The GS-10 pay grade is generally held by white-collar employees in mid-level positions.

Is GS-14 a good position?

GS-14 is a high-level position for individuals who have excelled in their field. This pay grade is usually used for supervisors, high-level technical specialists, and those who’ve earned advanced degrees. The science, engineering and research positions at this level are roughly equivalent to a university professorship.

How does GS scale work?

In the GS system, pay is based on three factors: grade, step, and location. Grades run from 1 to 15 with 15 receiving the highest pay. Your grade is based on education, experience, and position. Some positions are limited in terms of what grade they can be paid at.

How hard is it to get a GS-14 job?

To qualify for a position at the GS-14 level, you must have a minimum of one year of experience at the GS-13 level. Depending on the position, candidates may be able to substitute education for some of the required experience. Job titles for GS-14 employees include the following: Administrative officer.

What is a GS-11?

GS-11 is the 11th paygrade in the General Schedule (GS) payscale, the payscale used to determine the salaries of most civilian government employees. The GS-11 pay grade is generally held by white-collar employees in mid-level positions.

Can I retire after 20 years of federal service?

To be eligible for a retirement through VERA, you either need to be at least age 50 with 20 years of service, or you can be any age with 25 years of service.

Do GS positions get a pension?

Most current federal employees are covered by two pension plans: a defined benefit (DB) program known as the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and a defined contribution (DC) program called the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).

What is a GS-15?

GS-15 is the 15th paygrade in the General Schedule (GS) payscale, the payscale used to determine the salaries of most civilian government employees. The GS-15 pay grade is generally reserved for top-level positions such as supervisors, high-level technical specialists, and top professionals holding advanced degrees.

How are GS positions classified and paid?

Each agency classifies its GS positions and appoints and pays its GS employees filling those positions following statutory and OPM guidelines. The General Schedule has 15 grades–GS-1 (lowest) to GS-15 (highest). Agencies establish (classify) the grade of each job based on the level of difficulty, responsibility, and qualifications required.

Who is responsible for GS classification standards and qualifications?

GS classification standards, qualifications, pay structure, and related human resources policies (e.g., general staffing and pay administration policies) are administered by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on a Governmentwide basis.

What is locality pay for GS employees?

Most GS employees are also entitled to locality pay, which is a geographic-based percentage rate that reflects pay levels for non-Federal workers in certain geographic areas as determined by surveys conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

How do GSGS employees advance to higher grades?

GS employees may advance to higher grades by promotion at certain intervals (generally after at least a year), as determined by OPM regulations and qualification standards and agency policies, up to the full promotion potential advertised in the job announcement.