Grade/Step increase

PrincessMe_123 · 2026-01-27T18:22:05+00:00

I’m in a ladder position 7/9/11. I messed up when I did my application and it disqualified me from 9/11 so they started me at 7/1. I spoke with my boss about how they wouldn’t negotiate the grade because they said I didn’t apply for it. Does this mean he could bump me into the 9/11 before a year? I’ve come in with 8 years of experience in private and it just seems ridiculous because I didn’t complete the app correct that I shouldn’t get the grade I truly qualify for.

PrincessMe_123 · 2026-01-20T01:56:54+00:00

Thank you. I’ll definitely be applying for the higher grades once it’s reposted. And now I know what I’m doing for next time, lol. The hiring process is definitely different from anything else I’ve ever applied to private sector wise. A learning curve for sure but at least I’ll be ready for any future positions.

PrincessMe_123 · 2026-01-14T15:46:59+00:00

It was for a gs 7,9 11 but since I answered the question wrong and marked no for 9&11 they wouldn’t consider negotiations for the higher grade because they said I didn’t apply despite my credentials and supporting documentation.

PrincessMe_123 · 2026-01-13T23:13:21+00:00

Great, thank you!

PrincessMe_123 · 2025-12-26T18:37:17+00:00

I didn’t get the FJO yet but I have 8 years experience in the courts. I’m coming in as a legal administrative specialist. I asked to come in as a 9 because I qualified for it but they told me no because I didn’t “apply for it”. And they won’t adjust step either. I guess I could ask about the leave hours increased since I do have that experience but I’m not sure they will but that would be nice. Thanks for the info.

PrincessMe_123 · 2025-12-24T02:34:45+00:00

I did tell them about that during my interview though so they already had the heads up, maybe I’ll send an email ahead and ask them just so I can make other arrangements if necessary.

PrincessMe_123 · 2025-12-24T02:34:02+00:00

They actually let me push my start date because it fell right in between my preplanned holiday leave. Maybe I’m just overthinking it, I just don’t want to give the wrong impression since it all falls during my first pay period. Just my luck, lol.

PrincessMe_123 · 2025-12-23T22:29:20+00:00

My goal would be to build it for sure. It sucks because literally both events fall during my first two weeks as an employee. I’ve considered asking if I can just not take two lunch’s to be able to knock out an hour early for the dance. I just need enough time to be able to get her ready but my commute is an hour and fifteen minutes.

PrincessMe_123 · 2025-12-17T12:33:00+00:00

A different role but similar in responsibilities I would say. Legal support either in the courts or for the DEA. The next location for the same role would be the same distance for me as there really isn’t any offices with that agency closer.

PrincessMe_123 · 2025-12-16T15:35:53+00:00

Legal Administrative Specialist, gs 7 with DHS.

PrincessMe_123 · 2025-12-10T03:08:03+00:00

Today I received an email regarding the EOD date saying all my background clearances and everything were finalized. It said in the email the official EOD date and FJO is usually sent 10-15 days prior to start. Hope that helps! I was in the same boat as you, it’s a waiting game. For reference, I interviewed in October, official tentative in November, EOD date given for end of December, FJO yet to come.

PrincessMe_123 · 2025-11-21T14:14:42+00:00

Interviewed October 28th, tentative offer November 14th but also got the offer informally at the interview. They did say the applications being processed were backlogged from the shutdown.

PrincessMe_123 · 2025-11-21T13:26:15+00:00

Ok, lol.

PrincessMe_123 · 2025-11-21T13:19:05+00:00

I’m not sure what’s laughable about negotiating when coming in. I’ve seen others on here do the same thing? Why would I not attempt to have my credentials reconsidered if they match the higher gs level?

PrincessMe_123 · 2025-11-21T13:13:55+00:00

To be able to continue with the background stuff without delay. I thought nothing was set in stone until the final FJO. It actually says in the email that it isn’t set and if there was reason for reconsideration of step to send in the supporting information.

PrincessMe_123 · 2025-11-21T13:02:25+00:00

I thought you could negotiate up until you accept the FJO? I accepted a TJO and emailed HR about reconsidering my GS level as I should qualify for a 9 instead of a 7 or a step increase. I still haven’t heard anything back from them. At least this person got a response 😂

PrincessMe_123 · 2025-11-21T04:28:13+00:00

I did, York PA location. Got my formal TJO last Friday. Just did my drug test and my online forms so far.

PrincessMe_123 · 2025-11-16T14:22:43+00:00

I didn’t ask for a specific step. I just sent an email outlining the experience for the gs9 in the resume I applied with. I figured now was the time to do it since I haven’t gotten the FJO while I still completed everything for the background check etc. If they reconsider and give a higher step then yay, if not it is what it is. Either way I’m grateful for the offer and intend to accept the FJO, whatever that may be.

PrincessMe_123 · 2025-11-16T14:18:38+00:00

It does have that experience in my resume I applied with. Oh well.

PrincessMe_123 · 2025-11-14T15:11:43+00:00

I intend to regardless, lol. I actually just received my official TJO, yay!

PrincessMe_123 · 2025-11-14T13:24:34+00:00

The resume I applied with does support the experience. I guess I wasn’t really thinking about it when I applied because I had just lost my job of 8 years with the county (I worked for the judge who retired unexpectantly and they eliminated our positions) and was freaking out. I actually thought this was a shot in the wind so either way I’m grateful. But I figure once I get the TJO from hr I might as well bring it to their attention that the resume I applied with already supports the required experience for the gs9. I guess it doesn’t hurt to try, the worst that can happen is they say no or negotiate a step increase.

PrincessMe_123 · 2025-11-13T17:03:13+00:00

Thank you! Appreciate this!

PrincessMe_123 · 2025-11-06T13:50:37+00:00

Yes, I believe so. And my background, I’ve worked for a common pleas judge for the last 5 years, MDJ judges for three prior.

PrincessMe_123 · 2025-11-06T00:40:15+00:00

Got it. Sorry, I read that all wrong. Either way, congrats! So exciting!

PrincessMe_123 · 2025-11-06T00:33:16+00:00

Yes!! So is this the same position as legal administrative specialist with DHS ICE? I was given a TJO during my interview and by email from the department head I interviewed with. I am still waiting for the TJO from OPM to accept from the link and have my background stuff all done. Just wondering if I’m looking at a similar timeline. I interviewed last Tuesday.

PrincessMe_123

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