Since I have an associate degree and credit towards a bachelor's, should I negotiate for a higher pay grade on a VA job offer?

2023-04-25T22:12:23-04:00

I recently got a job offer for a medical support at the VA. I served 3.5 years active and am serving in the national guard currently (infantry)(E-4). I have an A.A degree and about 93 credit towards a bachelors in criminal justice. I was offered the job at a gs5 level and wanted to know if it’s ideal to negotiate to gs6?

Response by SPC James Neidig made Apr 26 at 2023 2:49 AM

2023-04-26T02:49:22-04:00

Probably NotA Good Idea To Request A Higher Pay Scale ! Most Entry Level Positions Are Fixed Pay Scale With Increases On A Set Time Frame.
Take The Job ! Get Your Foot In The Door And Then You Can Move Up Or Apply For Other Jobs In The System,
Once Your In , You Get Preference Over Anyone Applying Who Is Outside The System .

Response by COL Randall C. made Apr 26 at 2023 9:06 AM

2023-04-26T09:06:15-04:00

Negotiate to a GS-6? No.
Negotiate to a higher starting step on the pay scale? You absolute CAN negotiate for a higher step, but SHOULD you. It's possible if you're not just a 'round peg for the round hole' type of job.

First, if you're not that familiar with the General Schedule classifications and pay, you should read up on it*.

The GS pay scale is much like the military in that there is a base (your rank) and a 'step' (how many years you've been in). Unlike the military though you can sometimes negotiate starting at a higher step (most of the time, but not always, they will offer you a GS-x, Step 1 starting salary).

The bottom line is "what do you have to negotiate with" .. From USAJOBS, here is the comments regarding starting salary, “A new General Schedule (GS) employee is entitled to have pay set at step 1 of the employee’s grade. An agency may also opt to use the superior qualifications and special needs pay-setting authority to hire you with at a higher pay step. Under this authority, an agency may set pay up to step 10. An agency may use this authority based on the candidate’s superior qualifications or a special need of the agency for the candidate’s services. An agency must approve each determination to use the superior qualifications and special needs pay-setting authority prior to the candidate entering on duty. Contact the employing agency for information about its policy.”

You should absolutely check it out .. filling an open job request for the federal government is a long process for you and the agency, so they have incentive to having you accept, so just asking for a step increase isn't likely to tank the offer, but make sure you have your 'sales pitch' ready about WHY you should get a higher starting step.

There's a great LinkedIn article about getting your ducks in order regarding asking for a starting step increase you should read (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-superior-qualification-special-needs-pay-setting-angel-castro).
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* https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-systems/general-schedule/

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2023 11:43 AM

2023-04-26T11:43:13-04:00

There are some similar jobs within the GS system, particularly nursing, that have a higher starting pay, grade, and step based on amount of education or degree (tech, LPN, ASN-RN, BSN, APRN, etc). Most of these are fixed for initial hire based on position and not negotiable. You may be able to ask about any possible step increase to the set GS slot coming in with more education than required but the GS grade is not determined extemporaneously.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2023 12:08 PM

2023-04-26T12:08:38-04:00

Unless you have some experience that directly relates I don't think you are likely to get a better offer on this position.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Apr 26 at 2023 3:31 PM

2023-04-26T15:31:01-04:00

GS positions much like Military positions they are based on rank. What is the rank for the billet you were assigned? If you were hired for a GS-6 position that is the pay grade for that position. But if the position is a GS-6/7 position you have the potential for promotion beyond the standard step promotion.

I am a GS-11 and if I want to be promoted to 12 I will need to apply and be hired for a GS-12 position.

With all that said what is the AA in? Unless it is directly applicable to the job field I wouldn't expect a promotion just for having the degree.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Apr 26 at 2023 8:08 PM

2023-04-26T20:08:55-04:00

The grade scale is not negotiable, a step increase is. However, it is not the norm. The positions are very competitive and the candidates behind you if selected are generally as good. Also, there are t many positions that require college degrees, having a degree in a subject that does not relate to the position has no value other than your soft skills and their value. Can’t hurt to try.

Response by MSG Thomas Currie made Apr 27 at 2023 2:16 PM

2023-04-27T14:16:37-04:00

You already have several good answers, but since you don't understand the federal pay system I thought I might add a couple of comments.

As others have explained, each federal job has a specific pay grade that is based on the duties of that job -- not the qualifications of the individual other than that you must meet the minimum requirements for the job. (Yes, for any Personnel Specialists about to argue, there is technically the possibility of a job graded based on "person in position" where a job has unique duties related to the individual filling the job and that job will cease to exist if that person leaves -- but for our purposes here all jobs are graded on the duties, not the person).

In a few cases a job might allow advancement without further competition, in those cases the entry level would be one grade but an incumbent could be promoted to the next grade without having to apply for the higher grade job. In those jobs it MAY be possible to enter at the higher grade based on being extremely qualified but it isn't common.

Otherwise there isn't generally any "negotiating" for a higher grade. The hiring manager and the personnel center have determined that you meet at least the minimum qualifications for the job and you have been offered the job -- that is the job you have been offered and the pay that comes with it. In some cases management may have authority to have an employee start at a higher step within that pay grade (similar to time-in-service pay raises in the military) but that is rare. You can ask about starting at a higher step than step 1, but it isn't likely.

To be blunt, no one in the federal system cares that you "almost" have a bachelors degree. Almost doesn't count! Some jobs require a degree -- either you have the degree or you don't. A few jobs require a degree OR a minimum number of hours in a specific area -- again either you meet the requirement or you don't.

The federal pay system is built around qualifications and experience, but only RELEVANT experience counts. Education can sometimes be credited as experience, but again it usually has to be relevant education. Some administrative positions have more generic requirements but any specialized position requires specialized experience or education. Your Criminal Justice education probably won't make any difference toward a Medical Assistant position, but could count towards one of the VA Police Officer positions that the VA is recruiting at multiple locations.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 27 at 2023 3:03 PM

2023-04-27T15:03:20-04:00

I really have nothing of value to say. However, the most important fight is to get your foot in the door. That is Phase I. Then you can go to Phase II which is to move up given you are qualified.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Apr 28 at 2023 10:16 AM

2023-04-28T10:16:24-04:00

Work the step process!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2023 4:44 PM

2023-06-24T16:44:41-04:00

I would not recommend doing so. Depending on the career ladder or journeyman grade for the position, you will likely make GS-6 after one year. Get your foot in the door as a GS. I recently retired from the Fed Govt civilian. I initially qualified for a GS-12 based on my experience. The agency hiring was only offering GS-5/7s. I took the 7 knowing I would make 9 after year one, 11 after year 2, ad so on. It may seem unfair, but get your foot in the door. There are thousands upon thousands of people wanting Federal jobs/benefits that will never get them.