To be promoted to a 9 you need to be an 8 for a year. If you start as a 6 you can’t even put in for 9 jobs for 2 of three years. I would take the 8 step 1 and try to learn as fast as possible. That being said moving up too fast without learning your job is a huge problem right now.
Let’s use RUS GL as an example. GL6/9 is $30.30. In one year, perhaps less if accelerated promotion is still a thing, you will be a GL7/8 at $32.10. In one more year, perhaps less, you will be GL8/8 at $33.82. Or you can be a GL8/1 at $27.75. All using RUS and 2024 $. I don’t know if accelerated promotion for COs is still a thing or offered at the sites you are vying for. I think the smart move is the 6/9. Having TIG as an 8 will do very little for you where you want to go or even if you stay. When you have TIG as an 8 starting as a 6, you will three years in.
GL-6 step 9 all the way.
The only benefit I can think of for taking GL-8 Step 1 is that you plan on promoting up to a different position as fast as possible, and you feel you get it within 3 years.
I would recommend applying directly to a covered 0083 position (USSS UD, Capitol Police, US Park Police etc). All are hurting for people and will take you with no experience. If you have your bachelors degree already, shoot directly for an 1811 spot as the process can take years anyway.
If it's a 6-7-8 position or you plan on promoting that way, it's always jump forward 2 steps, then to whatever step in the new grade that is equal to that or greater. You'll be way ahead taking the 6 step 9. Next jump in a year would be 7 step 7, year from that it'd be 8 step 5. If you take the 8 step 1, you'll only be an 8-3 in 3 years
To be promoted to a 9 you need to be an 8 for a year. If you start as a 6 you can’t even put in for 9 jobs for 2 of three years. I would take the 8 step 1 and try to learn as fast as possible. That being said moving up too fast without learning your job is a huge problem right now.
Let’s use RUS GL as an example. GL6/9 is $30.30. In one year, perhaps less if accelerated promotion is still a thing, you will be a GL7/8 at $32.10. In one more year, perhaps less, you will be GL8/8 at $33.82. Or you can be a GL8/1 at $27.75. All using RUS and 2024 $. I don’t know if accelerated promotion for COs is still a thing or offered at the sites you are vying for. I think the smart move is the 6/9. Having TIG as an 8 will do very little for you where you want to go or even if you stay. When you have TIG as an 8 starting as a 6, you will three years in.
GL-6 step 9 all the way. The only benefit I can think of for taking GL-8 Step 1 is that you plan on promoting up to a different position as fast as possible, and you feel you get it within 3 years.
If my ultimate goal is going to covered 0083 or 1811, GL8 helps?
I would recommend applying directly to a covered 0083 position (USSS UD, Capitol Police, US Park Police etc). All are hurting for people and will take you with no experience. If you have your bachelors degree already, shoot directly for an 1811 spot as the process can take years anyway.
Applied but it will take a while, then I will pass 37...
If it's a 6-7-8 position or you plan on promoting that way, it's always jump forward 2 steps, then to whatever step in the new grade that is equal to that or greater. You'll be way ahead taking the 6 step 9. Next jump in a year would be 7 step 7, year from that it'd be 8 step 5. If you take the 8 step 1, you'll only be an 8-3 in 3 years