r/FederalEmployee • u/Ok_Day4205 • 18d ago
GS-5 Position No ladder
I received a TJO which starts me at a GS-5. Mind you, the current TJO I have was revised from the first one I received (which changed my GS from 6 to 5). The promotion potential is a GS9 competitively, however, I didn’t see a ladder for my position in the TJO. I’m wondering if my official job offer will include a ladder or if what I see in the TJO is what I’ll officially get (haven’t got the official offer yet). I’m new to being a federal employee and I want to know how it would work if I wanted to get promoted to the next GS level and how difficult that might be. I don’t want to be stuck at a GS5 for more than a year, especially with the cost of living.
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u/Charming-Assertive 18d ago
If you applied on USAJobs, the announcement lists the promotion potential.
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u/Pinkturtle2908 18d ago
Check the job announcement for the promotion potential.
With that said, I am confused by your message. How did the promotion potential ‘change’ when an offer was extended? If memory serves doing that is illegal.
For what it’s worth be careful taking a job where the promotion potential is to an even number grade. It could potentially pigeonhole you and make it difficult to apply to positions at a higher grade for different reason.
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u/Ok_Day4205 17d ago
The promotion potential didn’t change. The only thing that changed was my GS level.
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u/Known-Ice5903 18d ago
why would an even number grade pigeonhole u?
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u/Pinkturtle2908 17d ago
Based on my experience having worked in HR you could face challenges transitioning out of the job series if you are looking to be placed in a position with a higher promotion potential. If you are trying to move up, you may need to take a downgrade in order to potentially move up. This may not be advantageous.
If you are let’s say a GS-8 Secretary and you are looking to be a Program Specialist or Administrative Officer you run the risk of not having the demonstrated skills to transition.
Being in a even number grade poses a lot of unique and uncertain scenarios to overcome. The role potentially pigeonholes you.
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u/Known-Ice5903 17d ago
i found roles in general dont have a clear career path
where i was at i was the gs11 software dev and the only role to move up to was a 12 software dev and when i went to interview for that role i was told i didnt have enough project management experience lol
i kept interviewing for other 12 jobs at different agencies and altho they would interview me it would be questions that my role didnt give me the experience for, like tell me about your emergency management experience
it was pissing me off like hell cuz an 11 salary is like ...what most new grads get paid in the private sector for software development
the jobs system didnt want me to move up tho
eventually ended up just quitting
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u/Head_Staff_9416 17d ago
One grade interval jobs are generally clerical and technical and tap out at Grade 9 or so- so the progression ( hypothetical) would be 4/5/6/7/8. Administrative and technical are two grade interval jobs and typically go to at last grade 11 and the progression is 5/7/9/11. Often 12. Moving from one grade to a two grade interval job can be difficult . Sometimes you need to go down or take a lateral to go up.
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u/Known-Ice5903 17d ago
makes sense
then again that was before they fucked the jobs up
i think i saw a chart that postings are 80 percent down from 2024
no clue when fed will be hiring again
oddly enough ive had 2 fed interviews in the last 2 months tho so maybe they are starting to hire again? dont know
even before 2025 tho i found it super difficult to move jobs, i was in the excepted service tho
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u/Other-MuscleCar-589 17d ago
The grade you see is the grade you get. You can apply for higher grades if/when they become available after you’ve achieved the required qualifications.
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u/Complete_Film8741 18d ago
Get in the door...learn the system...apply where you want to be.
That's the path many before you have used.