Question for federal employees...

[carpetbagger]

I've been jumped from a step 04 to a step 07 in my pay grade, which is a Title 38 health professional grade basically similar to the GS system. I was due for a step up to 05 as of July 1, but I'm wondering what in tarnations is going on. I'm not aware of having won any superior performance awards, nor am I aware of any recalculations of steps.

I called my HR, who swore that it must be correct because that's what's in the computer and on my 50. Obviously, I'm taking this all with a grain of salt, expecting some type of correction, but on the other hand, they did sound sincere. Not wanting to look like a clock watcher, I haven't asked my timekeeper or supervisor about this.

Does this make any sense?

[MercutioATC]

1. Maybe they reassessed your position or facility?

I'm no longer on the GS scale, but when they reassessed a facility they occasionally gave an in-grade (step) increase rather than changing the grade itself. That's all I can think of.

[sbj405]

2. Don't spend the money yet

I'm not aware of being able to bump that much, other than QSI (quality step increases). Have you seen a copy of the SF-50 or the SF-52 that your supervisor submitted?

If you have some old timers around you may ask them, I find that they know a hell of a lot more about the federal personnel system than anyone in HR.

[carpetbagger]

3. Thanks for your suggestions.

My guess, or my hope, would be that they reassessed my position. I'm not aware of anyone ever getting a two-step QSI, just happening to coincide with a scheduled step increase. That would make sense, since I think most of the people in my profession are at the same grade, and my organizational chart has some vague references to grade and step, although some others may just have higher steps since it's typical for steps to be assigned based on level of experience (I came in with six years experience after my terminal degree, the others had 15 or 20+ years).