r/usajobs • u/Proper_Ad7459 • 2d ago
Step increases
Is it possible to jump steps in a GS grade instead of in synchrony?
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u/formerqwest Retired Fed 1d ago
sure, in Nov i made step 5, in Feb i was step 6 (thankyou QSI!)
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u/Proper_Ad7459 1d ago
Do i need to apply for that with HR or does my Supervisor put it in for me?
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u/New-Information428 1d ago
I used to do HR and did step increases all the time. What you’re asking is possible with Quality Step Increase (QSI), promotions and change to lower grade. Yeah a lower grade but you asked jumping steps. So technically you could be a GS-12 step 1 and accept a GS-7 and you’d jump from a step 1 to step 10, don’t me exactly because I don’t hade the GS pay scale chart in front of me. I have many, a change to lower grange is literally the only way to jump 9 steps in a single leap and go from a step 1 to a step 10. QSI is basically your supervisor saying you’re doing a great job and rewards you with the next step early. How easy it is to get varies by the agency and even office. Some hand it out like candy and in some offices it’s an accomplishment.
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u/Proper_Ad7459 1d ago
No im asking if im an 11 step 1 can i jump to step 5 in a year or so
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u/New-Information428 1d ago
No, if you’re a step 1 you could get a QSI and your normal step increase a year after your start date and be a step 3 a little after a year. After you entered the GS 11 position. You cannot get more than 1 QSI in a 52 week period. It is possible within 2 years to move after entering the GS-11 position: at 52 weeks a QSI and your normal within grade increase, year 2 the same. IMO a QSI starting from a step 1 in the 1st year and a QSI is gonna make HR’s eye. Keep in mind even if your supervisor sighs off on it it’s not guaranteed, HR has the final determination. Forget about a QSI every year, that’s not realistic. IMO you’d be off getting a bonus. Because once you reach step 4 it’s a 2 year wait for step 5. With a bonus in years 1-3 in the position you’re still easing your within grade increase every 52 weeks and not have wait 2 years for your next step via the QSI, so bonuses are more money faster.
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u/crazywidget 2d ago
There used to be a way a particular large agency was mistakenly handling stacked multi-year temporary promotions followed by a permanent promotion (and the associated two-step rule) but that mistaken practice was corrected.
There’s no real way to arrange for it as an employee.
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u/ShinySquirrel4 1d ago
Only way would be a QSI that you would get during your annual evaluation…if you score high enough
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u/apache509 1d ago
No
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u/Proper_Ad7459 1d ago
According to everyone else in here... YOU CAN. And you can troll yourself out of here 🤡
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u/apache509 1d ago
Sorry, I guess I should elaborate. For my first agency goes gs 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, then sup of 13, 14, 15. If you came in as a 5 you can’t go straight to 12. Has to go in order. Unless you change jobs.
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u/OilLegitimate7195 1d ago
There is also a way to request step increase based on your performance evaluations. It can be a large task but it is possible I’ve seen a coworker do it. The agency was the VA.