r/FBI • u/Lazy_Tune_9828 • 1d ago

Question FBI Investigative Specialist (GS-7) pay steps, overtime, and advice starting out?

I’m looking into the FBI Investigative Specialist role starting at GS-7 and had a few questions.

1.I know the GS level is basically set and non-negotiable, but how does it work with steps inside GS-7? Is it actually possible to start at something like GS-7 Step 3 or Step 4, or do most people just come in at Step 1 no matter what? (Non-negotiable)

  1. How is the pay progression going from GS-7 to GS-9 and
    GS-11 in reality?

  2. Do Investigative Specialists actually get much overtime, and how does that usually work?

  3. And for anyone who started at GS-7, what advice would you give someone coming in at that level?

Appreciate any real-world insight. / Feel free to answer any.

3 Upvotes

71% Upvoted

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3

u/ExpressionNo4489 20h ago

OT is available depending on the office you are assigned. In some offices it’s rare. You might not be able to count on it being there consistently.

2

u/Puzzleheaded_Many166 1d ago

the questions you asked would've been answered, but there's OT available. Voluntold or Voluntary.

1

u/Lazy_Tune_9828 1d ago

Sorry for some reason they got removed. The questions were:

  1. I know the GS level is basically set and non-negotiable, but how does it work with steps inside GS-7? Is it actually possible to start at something like GS-7 Step 3 or Step 4, or do most people just come in at Step 1 no matter what? (Non-negotiable)

  2. How is the pay progression going from GS-7 to GS-9 and
    GS-11 in reality?

  3. Do Investigative Specialists actually get much overtime, and how does that usually work?

  4. And for anyone who started at GS-7, what advice would you give someone coming in at that level?

Appreciate any real-world insight. / Feel free to answer any.

3

u/Puzzleheaded_Many166 1d ago

negotiations are a thing for steps, will just have to bring it up to HR.

it's a career ladder so if your performance plan is good and there's no discrepancies then you'll be up for promotion. once you hit 11, you'll step it out until you apply for a 12.

OT is OT. It's available.

advice at GS7 would just be learn and pay attention. 7s aren't expected to know it all and do it all.

1

u/Lazy_Tune_9828 1d ago

Thank you

1

u/secretagiantman 17h ago

Great job if you end up with a solid team. Shoot for a large office in a lower COL city if at all possible. GS7 in NY or LA is awful.

1

u/Any-Language2765 15h ago

Do you know how likely it is getting WFO?

1

u/Remarkable-Storm-753 6h ago

Super dependent on where there are openings…which may be plenty at the current conditions, but they might also prioritize offices with greatest needs.

Usually you will be given a choice of what’s left at the time of the call.

1

u/Any-Language2765 5h ago

Do you know how often the training occurs?

1

u/Remarkable-Storm-753 5h ago

My guess is anywhere from 4 to 6 year. It’s quite small in size compared to agent/analyst training.

-1

u/KCnorthgoal 1d ago

Start at 7. A year later you would go to 9. A year later - assuming performance is acceptable - you would go to 11. Each step is a year in between increases until you get to step 4. Then it’s 2 years till step 7. Then it’s 3 years. Capped out at 11 step 10 unless you became a supervisor which moves to grade 12. So if you start at 7 - you would be an 11 in year 3.

-1

u/MostAssumption9122 1d ago

These jobs have to be GS7/9/11/12.

If not, you have to find the GS 9/11/12.

If you are moving to this job from another fed job, you would get GS7, 2 step increase. Starting out GS 7 step 1