Asking for step increase

Okay so basically my boss told me on Day 1 of my job that he was going to bump me up a grade to GS-06 in 3 months. Now 1 month into the job he says “oh I found out I can’t actually do that only if I went in at a GS04 would he be able to bump me up.” So in light of this, in a couple months I want to ask for a within step increase to compensate my salary. One reason is I know my position has a high turnover rate which is frustrating the office rn, and my job involves field work and I plan on asking just before winter (when they couldn’t likely hire/train someone) How exactly do you think I should go about asking for this? This is my first job and I’ve never asked for a raise before or anything so I’m nervous. Hoping for any advice or thoughts

Edit: thank you for letting me know this isn’t possible, my boss 100% lied to me about how those processes work. Definitely should have looked into this myself. Does anyone have any advice on alternatives?

in usajobsby Penner0

18%

SouthernGentATL

None of that is happening. Ignoring the “bump you up a grade” which isn’t possible but it’s too much to explain, waiting time between steps is set by statute. Barring being given a quality step increase, you can’t get a step increase off schedule.

Penner0

So basically my boss lied and took advantage of my nievity

SouthernGentATL

Who knows. He really may have had no idea.

You say this is your first job but don’t tell us anything else. For what it’s worth, getting any federal job today is extremely competitive and often you will never get through the initial application if you don’t have veterans preference or absent some other hiring authority. I think most here will tell you how desirable a job with the Federal government is for many reasons. Although, it’s not without its drawbacks.

You haven’t asked but my advice to you is frankly, keep your head down. Do a good job and after you have 52 weeks in grade begin to look for other options. If you tell us more about series, grade and if you were hired in a career ladder or not, we may be able to give you some good advice.

I started with the fed right out of high school as a temp. I stayed for 38 years and retired as a member of the SES. It can be a great career.

Penner0

Hydrologic technician, USGS, GS-05

Penner0

I don’t really see what’s so desirable, my friends in the private sector have the same benefits + the same time off + more pay. Only thing u can argue for me is job security but they said it’ll take 3years to become permanent and get that security?!? What makes it desirable to you?

SouthernGentATL

You are “permanent” so to speak when you finish your probationary period. At 3 years you go from career conditional to career. You may want to look at OPM to understand that.

Also, account for your increasing annual leave accrual after year 3 and year 15. With that annual leave and 11 paid holidays, often federal service offers more time away and a better work life balance than private sector.

I am not familiar with your occupation but looking at USGS it seems the series runs to the GS-12. Of course you can also look at other occupations for which you may be qualified.

Really not trying to twist your arm but you really are in a situation many would go to any length to get. If, however, it’s really not for you and you don’t see a long term benefit I would advise you to go private sector.

Penner0

My boss said that after recent grad is done he’s converting me to a term for a year, then renewing that term again for another year. He said it takes 3 years which seems like he’s taking advantage of me.

SouthernGentATL

Wait, what kind of appointment are you on? How did you get the job?

SouthernGentATL

And no, three consecutive term appointments will not result in an automatic conversion to permanent

Penner0

That’s the thing he’s telling me he will do that when he could just endlessly give me terms and then fire me whenever no consequences

Penner0

Recent graduate pathways position, I just applied on USA jobs and got it no connections

SouthernGentATL

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/students-recent-graduates/

Read and understand this. What you want out of Pathways is conversion to competitive service. If this guy, who has already proven incompetent, is telling you this I would find another job.

SouthernGentATL

Also suggest you learn a bit more about federal careers, etc. There are pinned posts from Head_Staff here you may find useful.

Get the experience you can but start looking for something else today if you can find something outside. If you want to stay in government, when you meet the requirements for conversion under pathways then ask to be converted to competitive. If they will only convert to term then leave.

The more you write, the more it’s clear your supervisor isn’t very savvy. Unfortunately, you have not been helped with a clear and correct understanding of federal employment either.

Continue thread...

Penner0

It’s not a ladder thing either I go 5-6-7-8etc

SouthernGentATL

https://www.reddit.com/r/fednews/s/cm0zQzB1ut

There are several Reddit threads on this. This one may be helpful.

damandamythdalgnd

It’s federal law and out of time increases can only come through QSI…which is tied to evaluations. So yeah…no

EHsE

you can’t receieve a raise like that. you get a step increase after a year or as a QSI, which is rare and requires high performance to justify

Puzzleheaded_Bus_385

Your boss is an idiot who doesn’t understand federal management.

NinjaSpareParts

^{^} Exactly this.

SouthernGentATL

I wondered if the boss was as new as OP?! Does seem phenomenally uninformed or, well stupid, for a federal supervisor with any experience.

Penner0

I’m coming to realize that, any good alternatives?

SouthernGentATL

Get 52 weeks time in grade and apply for promotion opportunities at your agency or other agencies.

Healthy-Prompt771

Your boss should have known what they suggested wasn’t possible. A step increase at this juncture is also impossible. You may receive a QSI with your first Eval which can result in 2 step increases at the same time.

Dangerous_Scar2297

Yeah not gonna happen.

Pitiful-Flow5472

This is not possible. The only way to get an additional step is a QSI. You can’t just get steps “to compensate” you

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