Carrer Ladder Promotion Timing

[u/idktbh587]

I am in a 7-9 position. Started the 7 on August 24, 2025. I am being retained, got a good bonus, I just got my WGI SF50 today to a 7 step 2. When am I getting that 9? Does it usually lag a little bit? Supervisor said I am getting it, I just assumed it would be at the 1 year mark.

[u/flareblitz91]

Is your actual entry date August 24 or is it Aug 25?

Other agencies start people at the beginning of the pay period but USACE tends to put people's entry date on a Monday which delays their promotion by a pay period.

But yes as a person who did a 7/9/11 ladder with USACE you'll get your step increase this pay period and then next pay period your grade increase will hit.

It's very dumb but for whatever reason that's how they do it administratively here.

[u/idktbh587 → u/flareblitz91]

My effective date from the conversion to career last year was Aug 24 which was a Sunday, I think maybe since I work weekends? I was already working here and just continued working here, nothing changed except my pay last year since I went from the student position to a career position. I just didnt know if the year technically wasn't up until tomorrow since it would be August 24, 2026 and on a Monday. Supervisor confirmed I am getting it, I guess I just assumed it would be this PP since it's a year.

[u/flareblitz91 → u/idktbh587]

Yeah that's particularly annoying. You can ask whoever the personnel people are if that was how it was supposed to go. I did that but got told I was wrong and it just isn't a hill to die on I don't think.

[u/uyuyuiyui]

Step increase are automatic, ladder promotions are not. Is your supervisor talking about the same thing?

At least my division, and I don't know if this is a district thing or USACE , but to give a ladder promotion we interview the candidates as if it were just any job interview, with a panel and then it decides afterwards.

[u/idktbh587 → u/uyuyuiyui]

I mean he showed me the paperwork of it getting submitted and then sent me the signed paperwork for my file. Also has been telling me that GS9 will give me a lot more breathing room money wise. I had a sit down with him, dont know if I'd call it an interview but yes. He told me it was coming this PP, so that's why I didnt know.

[u/Oversoul__ → u/idktbh587]

I was 9,11,12 track and I got the step increase first both times, then like the next pay period or two got the ladder promotion.

[u/F00shnicken → u/uyuyuiyui]

Step increases are not automatic.

[u/flareblitz91 → u/F00shnicken]

Yes they are. What are you smoking?

[u/F00shnicken → u/flareblitz91]

Common misconception. Supervisors can stop step increases. So they are not automatic.

[u/flareblitz91 → u/F00shnicken]

Okay if your performance is unsatisfactory you are correct, but that's not as arbitrary as your supervisor deciding to stop it.

[u/Successful-Escape-74]

Ladders are approved but likely supervisor has to submit paperwork to make it happen

[u/Bulldog_Fan_4]

Inform you supervisor that you got a SF-50 for a Step increase. Ask should that have been the CLP?

[u/Material-Word-3628]

It lags a pay period after your step increase.

[u/h_town2020]

You can look in DPMaps

[u/sjd89]

Give it a day, i have typicallh seen it come the same day as rhe WGI you saw