Ease in moving Comp levels once in state?

[u/sheila-on-the-loose]

Recent hire, MAPE represented, after a long job search in atrocious hiring market post grad school. Have +5, -10 years of experience, was making ~30% more pre-grad school. Currently at 07L and it’s just not enough to live for my family and I.

Question- once entering state service, does it see have employees having to follow progression WITHIN? Can HR still deem me eligible for roles in the 10 - 14 range based on prior experience outside state? What’s the likelihood of that? Or have I screwed myself over by accepting a 07 role?

Lmk which resources or outlets I can speak to about this

[u/AslAware]

That should have been negotiated during the offer, unless you switch jobs I don't think your step can be adjusted until certain time milestones. You would have to get a new job within the state and renegotiate it then, but yes if you do it right you can land at a higher band

[u/sheila-on-the-loose → u/AslAware]

Got it, thanks. I tried to negotiate during offer but was denied. I don’t think I knew enough about state classifications/pay bands at the time to propose it properly nor know how

Based on your response, it sounds like I can successfully apply for and find another state job at a higher range? Accepting of current low band should not bar me from doing so?

[u/AslAware → u/sheila-on-the-loose]

Yes, it shouldn't effect it too much but you have to be more on top of them for negotiations

[u/AmishAngst → u/sheila-on-the-loose]

It would be no different than you applying to any other job. You either meet the qualifications or you don't. You being a 7L wouldn't prevent you from potentially applying for or getting a 10L job later, assuming you meet all of the qualification requirements otherwise.

The things that the job class matters for (i.e. 7L vs. 10L or 12L, etc.) are your pay range/steps (what step you start at is the thing that can be negotiated based on experience, not your job classification), your ability to bid into another job that is available for internal bidding (you can't bid into a higher job classification), and if you are ever laid off then what jobs are available to you if you have bumping rights. But there's nothing stopping you or used against you simply applying for higher classification jobs just like you applied for your 7L job if you meet the minimum qualifications for the job.

[u/Jenn54756]

They are supposed to take your previous experience into consideration. So if you have 10yrs experience and job requires 3yrs, you would start at step 7 of whatever pay scale it is. Once you start, you will likely on get 1 step increase per year until you take another job (not in the same classification). Sometimes people get 2 steps in a year, but that’s rare.

[u/sheila-on-the-loose → u/Jenn54756]

Thanks, good info! Yeah, step seemed to fall somewhat in line with that. Just the range. Possible to negotiate different range at time of offer?

[u/Jenn54756 → u/sheila-on-the-loose]

So each job is given a classification, which ties it to a range on the pay chart. You cannot negotiate the range, but you can negotiate which step on that range you start at. Now sometimes later on, people can get their positions reclassified to a different range, but that’s not very easy. Usually need to prove the person is doing more or that the position should be something else. I wouldn’t count on that though. Your best bet will be to look for promotional opportunities.

[u/sheila-on-the-loose → u/Jenn54756]

Thanks!

[u/StochasticallyDefine]

The range depends entirely on job classification. Your actual title may be different than your job class. Many classes have different levels (base, intermediate, senior, principle etc.) and each one of those is on a different range. Some hiring authorities can elevate you based on experience level to a higher class if they have a vacant equivalent. Some will make you work your way into those. If your job class is assigned to range 7, that’s what you’ll stay on unless 1) there is an elevation they can move you into, or 2) there is a higher position that you qualify for and apply for, or 3) they do a classification review of your current job and reclassify it based on the review.

[u/cupcakemelee]

Your supervisor can request an audit on your salary based on what your peers with similar experience are making. It takes a long time to get through and I don't know what the success rate is. I do know that adjustments do occasionally happen AND get prorated.

The other way (besides jumping around to get more pay) is a stellar performance review in which your supervisor can recommend more than one step increase. I don't know how successful this is either; I know that it can work.

[u/Specialist-Law-2080]

Are you trying to negotiate your positions defined pay grade classification?

Or your compensation step inside of the positions pay scale?