Database - hijacked to gov't salary discussion

[damnit458]

Does anybody in MM know databases well? Specifically Access and SAS? Im trying to learn these both for where I work. Taking a three day class on SAS in a few weeks given by the gov, meanwhile teaching myself both using manuals I have from home/others in the office. Anyway I was just curious if there was anybody I might be able to shoot a question or two at, incase I need some help during the day. Thanks!

[Feersty]

What GS level are you getting Keith?

[damnit458]

What GS level are you getting Keith?

only 3. 4 is associate, which ill have next year if i come back.

Normal employees start out at what, 7 I believe?

[Feersty]

What GS level are you getting Keith?

only 3. 4 is associate, which ill have next year if i come back.

Normal employees start out at what, 7 I believe?

Ah depends, I was offered GS-5 step 3 obviously coming in with a bachelor's

[Sijray21]

What GS level are you getting Keith?

only 3. 4 is associate, which ill have next year if i come back.

Normal employees start out at what, 7 I believe?

Ah depends, I was offered GS-5 step 3 obviously coming in with a bachelor's

experience plus bachelor's should put you at a 7, but they'll try and give you a gs-5, they're stingy with their GS standings

with two years of college you should be up to a GS-4 and after grad you should get a gs-5 or 7

I started after 1 year of college at an internship with the DoS as a GS-3. I was then a GS-4, and they told me they could probably find me something at a GS-7, but they're hard to obtain, most likely they'll give you a GS-5 and you'll have to work your way up, but it usually doesn't take that long. I hear 4 GS levels in a couple years is possible with good work.



oh btw, i have an access 2002 book if you want to use it, you can get the a lot of info online anyway. I'm pretty familiar with MS Access and general database design. I used oracle 8, but the concept of all db's are one in the same. If you have an questions you can ask me i'll try my best to answer them. Most of us (mm-er's) that are in the IT field could possibly help you out as well. Just post up any problems in "technical discussion" i guess, lol. I've used it before for electronic technical questions.

[REED]

for GSA, they based our salaries (and GS level) almost completely on our GPA, anything below a 3.0 was a 5 and above was a 7, and i figured it was pretty standard across the agencies - and im deff. looking forward to moving thorugh these first few levels

[Ryan T]

Alright guys, inform this hick what this GS-level business is.

[Sijray21]

Alright guys, inform this hick what this GS-level business is.

GS levels are payscales for civic service governmet employee's

GS = Government Standing

The standings start low and go up to 15, they also have steps within each standings. Your standing and your step are based on your performance, evaluations, education, and work history. It's weird though, you could be a GS-14 step 9 and get paid more than a GS-15 step 1 through 4 or something.

This is just one kind of payscale used by the government. Some use FS (Foreign Service) SES (Senior Executive Standing), and various other levels for a payscale.

here is an example used by OPM (Office of Personnel Management)
http://www.opm.gov/oca/05tables/pdf/saltbl.pdf


they also have locality pay (based on where you are working that can increase your salary a certain percent -- the DC area is one of the highest :-D)

[white_2kgt]

for GSA, they based our salaries (and GS level) almost completely on our GPA, anything below a 3.0 was a 5 and above was a 7, and i figured it was pretty standard across the agencies - and im deff. looking forward to moving thorugh these first few levels

Not around here. The Govt is putting people at whatever level/step they need to get the same salery they would get at a private company. So people straight out of college are getting GS 8's midish steps.

--chad

[Sijray21]

for GSA, they based our salaries (and GS level) almost completely on our GPA, anything below a 3.0 was a 5 and above was a 7, and i figured it was pretty standard across the agencies - and im deff. looking forward to moving thorugh these first few levels

Not around here. The Govt is putting people at whatever level/step they need to get the same salery they would get at a private company. So people straight out of college are getting GS 8's midish steps.

--chad

i got offered the same deal as REED, but instead of 3.0 they told me 3.5

i'd love to work for the government, the pay was the only thing making me hesistate. If i could start at a GS-7 or 8 i'd be satisfied.

[Mike]

GS = Government Standing

i think it actually means general schedule and here is a table listing all the figures: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.opm.gov/flsa/oca/04tables/html/gs.asp">http://www.opm.gov/flsa/oca/04tables/html/gs.asp</a><!-- m -->

[Sijray21]

GS = Government Standing

i think it actually means general schedule and here is a table listing all the figures: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.opm.gov/flsa/oca/04tables/html/gs.asp">http://www.opm.gov/flsa/oca/04tables/html/gs.asp</a><!-- m -->

i like my definition better

[damnit458]

The pay does start off a little low, but within a few years you've caught up with the private sector. My father is an associate commissioner (SES)here at BLS, so he's been through it all. He said you can move up through the gs rankings up to about 9 before you have any competition from other employees. After that its more merit based than before, and more competitive.

GS levels are based on grades as people have posted, even for someone as low as an intern like me. Because I have a high gpa Im making more money than a normal gs-3 would make. My mother works at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and she said her office wont even hire you if you have less than a 3.5 coming out of college.

Again pay wise, it seems like the private sector is ahead in the begining and end years, but you are pretty much even w/it in the middle. I looked at salaries for statisticians entering out of college (w/both BA and/or masters) and its not the best salary to begin with. However, I was told that assuming you're not a moron and you work hard you will rise about 3 gs levels in the first 3-4 years, which is a good increase in money. Not to mention if you come in w/your masters you start as a gs-8

Edit: To be fair statisticians are in demand right now in both the private sector and the gov, so the salaries are a LITTLE better than another major might get, but the idea is the same. Within a few years you will be earning a good amount of money. And from what ive experienced here, it would not be bad at all to work for the gov. I can set my own hours (as long as im here from 9:30-3:30 (Core Hours). I can work an extra hour every day and take every other friday off. ETC ETC. Your in the heart of DC (Im learning to love union station ). And most importantly, to me anyway, its a stimulating place. There are lots of people in BLS who publish stuff periodically, who I can talk with on a daily basis. Its a great place to work IMO

[damnit458]

Upon seeing that chart the payrates for statisticians might have been a decent amount better :oops: . I dont have what he gave me on hand, but I seem to remember it saying w/in four years assuming a step up in GS level almost every year which isnt hard, your making somewhere in the area of 60-65 thousand a year

[.RJ]

4 years to make 60-65 isnt too bad...... and the stability/benefits/laziness of a gov't job

[Sijray21]

Upon seeing that chart the payrates for statisticians might have been a decent amount better :oops: . I dont have what he gave me on hand, but I seem to remember it saying w/in four years assuming a step up in GS level almost every year which isnt hard, your making somewhere in the area of 60-65 thousand a year

exactly, which isn't bad at all. I enjoyed my time with the gov't, i hope you enjoy yours as well. One thing i like about it is how they push for higher education and they'll fund it as well. Go for an MBA and they'll fund it with a contract that you have to work for them for an additional number of years. I'm kind of attracted to that. Most of the jobs on USAjobs.gov have that minimum 3.5 or 3.2 (which luckily i can make thanks to last semester). Kinda limits options....wish i tried a little harder for my sophomore and junior semesters.

4 years to make 60-65 isnt too bad...... and the stability/benefits/laziness of a gov't job

i know! plus you work 8 hours a day and the job security

[KPWSerpiente]

My daddy's a GS14. Is everyone impressed now?

All I really wanted to do in this thread was correct RayJay but Mike beat me to that.

-T

[Sijray21]

All I really wanted to do in this thread was correct RayJay but Mike beat me to that.

-T

ass

[Mike]

My daddy's a GS14. Is everyone impressed now?

My girlfriend's Dad has been a GS15 (or whatever the highest is... based on the chart is seems 15 would be) for like 20 years... Once you hit that you start getting bonuses... His bonus is bigger than his salary

SUGA MAMA!

[G.Irish]

My friend from high school (some of you know him, Horace, the guy with the Afro) who is my age is a GS13 already...