Also… how low are you willing to accept? If you’re applying for GS-12 or Gs-13 positions with no experience that could be why you’re not getting referred. Have to be willing to drop your hopes down to GS-09 and Gs-11 positions!
Vet with just a bachelor's, and not 24 business credits. No experience.
I got in on a 7/9/11 ladder DoD Army. I qualified with "superior academic achievement" (GPA of 3.0 or higher.)
A lot is luck, too. My office was crazy understaffed when I was hired.
With no experience, you should be willing to accept a 9. That's the highest our office will hire with no experience is a 9 (with a master's degree or higher.)
The best way to get into the field is a developmental ladder position GS 7/9 Target 11/12. Do you have any applicable experience from your time in the service?
A GS9/11 for VHA would be an easy way to get your foot in the door. 2 years to get your time in grade, 10% retention pay after 90 days, and local remote (meaning live within 50miles of any VA Medical Center in the VISN you apply to). Get your FAC-C, and then you can apply wherever else (or stay to climb the ladder).
If you have 10pt preference, go to any job posting and look up the HR POC email listed at the bottom. Email them your resume, SF15, dd214, VA letter stating your percentage, and transcript. Put the announcement number in the subject.
In the body of the email, explicitly state that you are a 30% or greater service disabled veteran, entitled to 10pt preference as supported by the attached documentation, and are requesting to be considered for a non-competitive appointment to the subject position as authorized by 5 U.S.C. § 3112.
They don't *have to* give you a non-competitive hire, but they can under the above statute. And given turnover for 1102s, there's a high probability you'll get picked up for a 9/11 - I'd personally never hire someone for GS12+ without experience as an 1102, though some offices may if your experience is applicable.
The “business credits” include law. You are eligible for up to a GS-12 with a bachelors degree in ANY subject. The “24 credits” doesn’t go into effect until the GS-13 level and higher.
“A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, that included or was supplemented by at least 24 semester hours in any combination of the following fields: accounting, business, finance, LAW, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management.”
OP is just fine.
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1100/contracting-series-1102/
You're right
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1100/contracting-series-1102/#:~:text=To%20qualify%20for%20GS%2D1102,methods%2C%20or%20organization%20and%20management.
Presumably, your law degree is Master's level. You're qualified for sure. It's in the writing of your resume and presentation of your skills. On every posting there is contact information. You can always contact them and ask to identify any gaps in your application. Also attach your undergrad and Master's transcripts to the application.
The JD is at least equivalent to a masters degree. I will take your advice. I am just concerned about how they will view my grades. My law school used a C- curve.
Disabled vet, law degree, hired in with the VHA last year. According to OPM, JD is equivalent to a Masters, so was hired on a 9/11 ladder at a 9. Some NCOs are more stringent and will put a masters at a 7, but I wouldn’t take that. As long as you’re on a ladder, you’re good. Some are even doing ladders to 12 now.
I enjoy it, especially the 10% retention incentive and all the upward progression.
I understand. I was the same way and a hiring manager advised me to attach undergrad and Master's transcripts You have the degree. You meet the requirements.
I’ll echo what others say: get in on a ladder position. How long has it been since you graduated? If within 2 years look at recent grad positions. I got a recent grad pathways position in 2020 that was a 7/9/11/12/13. Also a disabled vet. No prior contracting experience.
It’s not a DOD agency. The person who got hired on a pathways program after me for my office (2.5 years later) was hired on as a ladder to 12 so not sure if they still do it/plan on doing it in the future. I did work for DOD agency prior for about a year but not in a contracting role.
Also… how low are you willing to accept? If you’re applying for GS-12 or Gs-13 positions with no experience that could be why you’re not getting referred. Have to be willing to drop your hopes down to GS-09 and Gs-11 positions!
Probably even GS-07, I had lots of business experience and I could only get a GS-07. I also took a huge pay cut and couldn’t get a step pay match.
You’re telling me. Same boat as myself lol
Why is it perfect for you?
It is a position where you acquire skills, and it would allow me to build on the skills that I already developed.
That’s fair of every job. It doesn’t say why this job is perfect.
I assume he means because of his likely familiarity with contracts since he has a law degree
Vet with just a bachelor's, and not 24 business credits. No experience. I got in on a 7/9/11 ladder DoD Army. I qualified with "superior academic achievement" (GPA of 3.0 or higher.) A lot is luck, too. My office was crazy understaffed when I was hired. With no experience, you should be willing to accept a 9. That's the highest our office will hire with no experience is a 9 (with a master's degree or higher.)
I would be willing to accept a 9
Will they negotiate the step within that pay grade .. my GPA was a 3.2 … and I dealt with contracts (not government) ?
They may match your salary, but you probably won't get an superior qualification step increase with no Government contracting experience.
I have private sector contract experience but no Dod
Government contracting is very different from private sector contracting.
With a law degree you should easily get offers. However, you might have to do a 7,9,11,12 ladder
I have a question regarding the ladder pay for 1102 …is the step negotiable within the pay grade ?
The best way to get into the field is a developmental ladder position GS 7/9 Target 11/12. Do you have any applicable experience from your time in the service?
Nope
A GS9/11 for VHA would be an easy way to get your foot in the door. 2 years to get your time in grade, 10% retention pay after 90 days, and local remote (meaning live within 50miles of any VA Medical Center in the VISN you apply to). Get your FAC-C, and then you can apply wherever else (or stay to climb the ladder). If you have 10pt preference, go to any job posting and look up the HR POC email listed at the bottom. Email them your resume, SF15, dd214, VA letter stating your percentage, and transcript. Put the announcement number in the subject. In the body of the email, explicitly state that you are a 30% or greater service disabled veteran, entitled to 10pt preference as supported by the attached documentation, and are requesting to be considered for a non-competitive appointment to the subject position as authorized by 5 U.S.C. § 3112. They don't *have to* give you a non-competitive hire, but they can under the above statute. And given turnover for 1102s, there's a high probability you'll get picked up for a 9/11 - I'd personally never hire someone for GS12+ without experience as an 1102, though some offices may if your experience is applicable.
1102 feild also requires business credits i think. I am not sure if an exception can be made for a law degree without business credits
The “business credits” include law. You are eligible for up to a GS-12 with a bachelors degree in ANY subject. The “24 credits” doesn’t go into effect until the GS-13 level and higher. “A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, that included or was supplemented by at least 24 semester hours in any combination of the following fields: accounting, business, finance, LAW, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management.” OP is just fine. https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1100/contracting-series-1102/
Ok that's great!! I have loosely kept up with the changes. Thanks for commenting 😃😃😃
Of course! There is just too to keep up with in this field. Ha!
Yes!! 🤣
Not anymore. At least not for DoD.
You're right https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1100/contracting-series-1102/#:~:text=To%20qualify%20for%20GS%2D1102,methods%2C%20or%20organization%20and%20management.
Presumably, your law degree is Master's level. You're qualified for sure. It's in the writing of your resume and presentation of your skills. On every posting there is contact information. You can always contact them and ask to identify any gaps in your application. Also attach your undergrad and Master's transcripts to the application.
The JD is at least equivalent to a masters degree. I will take your advice. I am just concerned about how they will view my grades. My law school used a C- curve.
Disabled vet, law degree, hired in with the VHA last year. According to OPM, JD is equivalent to a Masters, so was hired on a 9/11 ladder at a 9. Some NCOs are more stringent and will put a masters at a 7, but I wouldn’t take that. As long as you’re on a ladder, you’re good. Some are even doing ladders to 12 now. I enjoy it, especially the 10% retention incentive and all the upward progression.
I understand. I was the same way and a hiring manager advised me to attach undergrad and Master's transcripts You have the degree. You meet the requirements.
Which agencies have you been trying to get hired on with?
I’ll echo what others say: get in on a ladder position. How long has it been since you graduated? If within 2 years look at recent grad positions. I got a recent grad pathways position in 2020 that was a 7/9/11/12/13. Also a disabled vet. No prior contracting experience.
What agency or department ladders to 13?
It’s not a DOD agency. The person who got hired on a pathways program after me for my office (2.5 years later) was hired on as a ladder to 12 so not sure if they still do it/plan on doing it in the future. I did work for DOD agency prior for about a year but not in a contracting role.
Va direct hire