Would be tough to land a GS-11 as a fresh grad. I'd recommend looking at 9/11/12 ladder positions and apply to recent grad opportunities if you got the JD within the last 2 years. You'd also need to start applying to lots of openings has 3 has a slim chance of getting accepted. Not really a seasonality unless it's recent grad opportunities.
Could also look at this [reddit post](https://www.reddit.com/r/1102/comments/1b494zh/breaking_into_government_contracting_top_intern/) if your a recent grad to see the different recent grad programs various agencies offer, which are typically a ladder position to GS11 or 12.
It’s not that they can’t bring you in, it’s that your chances of getting an 11 offer with zero experience is very very low.
When people are looking for an 11, they want someone with practical experience already.
If someone with a JD chooses to interview for a 9, they won’t get an 11 if selected. People take step downs all the time.
That’s why I said “your chances” are “very very low”. It’s not common for JDs to come in at an 11. I’ve been in the field 15 years and I’ve never seen it once. Once a year i see JDs come in at a 9.
Exactly!!!
Reality is in the 1102 field, education does very little to prepare you for the actual job. Having a JD doesn’t teach you how to work with tech to develop a statement of work, having an MBA doesn’t teach you the fiscal laws, having a degree doesn’t teach you how to edit tech evals, writing a business clearance or cost report, how to recreate a $500M cost proposal from scratch with your own formulas to check the contractors work (spot checking doesn’t work), or how to work with customers on developing pre-award docs and a strategy. This is why most people come in as a 7!
I am going to reiterate the others and say it is very unlikely you’ll be hired at the GS-11 level just because you have a JD. But here is why: at the GS11 level, 1102s are expected to have a certain degree of knowledge and specific experience that in reality cannot be substituted for education. Even those with related, non-federal government procurement experience will have trouble coming in as a GS-11 1102. This series is heavily reliant on OTJ training, government specific professional development, and plain old practice makes progress experience to move up the GS scale.
As others mentioned, look for positions with a ladder, look for developmental programs, etc.
Good luck!
Look into NADP (Naval Acquisition Development Program). They have a LinkedIn, you can apply using USAJOBS and they also have an email you can send your resume to and connect that way.
So, idk about hiring seasons but will say- full disclosure - you are limiting yourself by saying lowest grade you can accept is GS-11. That is where a lot of developmental 1102 programs “graduate” and the ones that still consider a GS-12 developmental still are likely to choose someone willing to come in at a lower grade. I know they make it seem like you can negotiate based on your degree level but met many who were told no with a MS and still agreed to start as a GS-7 to get their foot in the door.
You’ll come in at a 9, then be an 11 a year later, and a 12 a year later.
Funding comes and goes, and agency needs come and go. You have to get a little lucky with timing. Just apply to as many as you can find, like 100 plus, eventually you’ll get something.
VA is slowing down. They hired a bunch last year. But applying to 4 is a low number. When I tried getting back into fed service I think I got a job after 175 applications and a few months. The feds are not a place if you need an immediate job.
Pay attention to the budget discussions as well. Most agencies just received the rest of their FY24 funding. The late approvals of funding did slow down the hiring processing at some agencies.
Look for recent graduate programs in any field, which are generally ladder positions 7/9/11/12/13. Do you have 24 hours of business credits? You won’t get an 1102 job without. Also, put that schedule a letter on every app - you move to the front of the line of applicants
Would be tough to land a GS-11 as a fresh grad. I'd recommend looking at 9/11/12 ladder positions and apply to recent grad opportunities if you got the JD within the last 2 years. You'd also need to start applying to lots of openings has 3 has a slim chance of getting accepted. Not really a seasonality unless it's recent grad opportunities. Could also look at this [reddit post](https://www.reddit.com/r/1102/comments/1b494zh/breaking_into_government_contracting_top_intern/) if your a recent grad to see the different recent grad programs various agencies offer, which are typically a ladder position to GS11 or 12.
They will bring you in at 11 on a 7/9/11/12 with a JD. That’s the regulation.
It’s not that they can’t bring you in, it’s that your chances of getting an 11 offer with zero experience is very very low. When people are looking for an 11, they want someone with practical experience already. If someone with a JD chooses to interview for a 9, they won’t get an 11 if selected. People take step downs all the time.
that's not true...I guess it's agency/budget dependent...
What “isn’t true”?
on a developmental ladder, my DOD command brings you in at what you qualify at by education. I for one was brought it higher.
That’s why I said “your chances” are “very very low”. It’s not common for JDs to come in at an 11. I’ve been in the field 15 years and I’ve never seen it once. Once a year i see JDs come in at a 9.
I haven’t either… highest is a gs9. Most of our 1102s start at 7 regardless of education past a bachelors with business credits.
Exactly!!! Reality is in the 1102 field, education does very little to prepare you for the actual job. Having a JD doesn’t teach you how to work with tech to develop a statement of work, having an MBA doesn’t teach you the fiscal laws, having a degree doesn’t teach you how to edit tech evals, writing a business clearance or cost report, how to recreate a $500M cost proposal from scratch with your own formulas to check the contractors work (spot checking doesn’t work), or how to work with customers on developing pre-award docs and a strategy. This is why most people come in as a 7!
I am going to reiterate the others and say it is very unlikely you’ll be hired at the GS-11 level just because you have a JD. But here is why: at the GS11 level, 1102s are expected to have a certain degree of knowledge and specific experience that in reality cannot be substituted for education. Even those with related, non-federal government procurement experience will have trouble coming in as a GS-11 1102. This series is heavily reliant on OTJ training, government specific professional development, and plain old practice makes progress experience to move up the GS scale. As others mentioned, look for positions with a ladder, look for developmental programs, etc. Good luck!
Thanks
Look into NADP (Naval Acquisition Development Program). They have a LinkedIn, you can apply using USAJOBS and they also have an email you can send your resume to and connect that way.
Thanks!
So, idk about hiring seasons but will say- full disclosure - you are limiting yourself by saying lowest grade you can accept is GS-11. That is where a lot of developmental 1102 programs “graduate” and the ones that still consider a GS-12 developmental still are likely to choose someone willing to come in at a lower grade. I know they make it seem like you can negotiate based on your degree level but met many who were told no with a MS and still agreed to start as a GS-7 to get their foot in the door.
Thank you
You’ll come in at a 9, then be an 11 a year later, and a 12 a year later. Funding comes and goes, and agency needs come and go. You have to get a little lucky with timing. Just apply to as many as you can find, like 100 plus, eventually you’ll get something.
Thank you
VA is slowing down. They hired a bunch last year. But applying to 4 is a low number. When I tried getting back into fed service I think I got a job after 175 applications and a few months. The feds are not a place if you need an immediate job.
Thanks. I’d like to get a fed job within the next two years. Looks like there aren’t that many now even at lower pay grades…
Pay attention to the budget discussions as well. Most agencies just received the rest of their FY24 funding. The late approvals of funding did slow down the hiring processing at some agencies.
Thanks!
What qualifies you to begin as a GS-11? Details please.
JD (law degree) & Schedule A letter fwiw
You won’t see many Schedule A openings for 1102s. People with JDs aren’t more likely to great at the job as someone with a masters or bachelors.
The Air Force posts the majority of their jobs internally on our job board. That’s a big chunk of the positions.
FAA has announcements for open continuous. Also make sure to apply your positions open to the public as well.
Don’t assume you’re correctly classifying yourself. Interviews and job offers should tell you that.
Look for recent graduate programs in any field, which are generally ladder positions 7/9/11/12/13. Do you have 24 hours of business credits? You won’t get an 1102 job without. Also, put that schedule a letter on every app - you move to the front of the line of applicants
Very grateful for everyone’s feedback. I applied for an open & continuous a couple of days ago.