The difference may be that attorney positions are excepted service positions. So just for an example, here are the descriptions for how to qualify for GS-14 or GS-15 for a recently posted attorney position with DOJ (emphasis added):thestigs wrote: ↑Tue Mar 29, 2022 7:34 pmInteresting. Thank you. My understanding from my gov't experience (but not at DOJ) is that time-in-grade isn't specific to a position type, it's just "have you been a GS-XX for 52 weeks." Looks like it'll be a long 3.5 years for me.Anonymous User wrote: ↑Tue Mar 29, 2022 2:32 pmThe thing is that you don’t have time-in-grade for GS 15 if the GS 15 is a legal position. Your experience has to be legal experience. It’s great that you have other experience but it’s not relevant for an attorney position.
The April review is when my corner of DOJ reviews pay and promotion stuff. Not sure if every component handles it this way. But if GS 12 requires one year of legal experience, you’re not going to have that the April after you start in September. It sounds like people who start at GS 11 who are just a little removed from one year of experience can get the opportunity to move up sooner, but if you’re talking about starting the fall after graduation that probably doesn’t apply to you.
Grade Specific Qualifications:
To qualify at the GS-14 grade level, applicants must have at least two and a half (2.5) years post J.D. legal experience, one of which was specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-13 grade level. Examples of specialized experience include: performing legal analysis and formulating recommendations to senior managers; composing pleadings, briefs, and other court documents involving legal issues in civil or criminal litigation; and conducting civil or criminal litigation.
To qualify at the GS-15 grade level, applicants must have at least four (4) years post J.D. legal experience, one of which was specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-14 grade level. Examples of specialized experience include: independently performing legal analysis; composing pleadings, briefs and other court documents involving unique and/or difficult legal issues in civil or criminal litigation; conducting highly complex civil or criminal litigation; and leading paralegals and support staff.