Pros and Cons of CES (Cyber Excepted Service)

[Aitrus]

I've been notified that almost all of the jobs on my installation are being converted to Cyber Excepted Service (CES). I understand that this is a conversion from the GS to the GG pay scale, and am still learning about the rest. I've been given the option to convert or remain as GS, and in the future whenever I vacate my position it will automatically convert to CES at that time.

Does anybody have any additional information to share? What are the pros and cons of staying with competitive vs going to CES?

[mjedlin66]

I've never even heard of it. But if it's anything like the "pay-band" systems, you'll almost certainly be better off.

[searight]

Hope you already got your answer but here is my personal assessment.

1. Slightly easier to hire/onboard new employees.
2. Step 11 and 12 allowed for GS-12/13/14s for a limited amount of personnel
3. Everything else the same as the old archaic GS system (No pay banding & no relief for the GS 15 Step 7 Pay Cap)

[Aitrus]

Thanks for the insight, searight. That's the broad strokes of what I'm seeing as well. I'm not in a TLMS job code for the installation I'm at, so it won't make much difference for me at this point, I think. I have until the middle of next month to make my decision to stay GS or move over to GG.

[evilanne]

Aitrus,
I think the big difference is that it is considered "noncompetitive" i.e. excepted service which allows them more flexibility in hiring. See Q26 & 27 https://dl.dod.cyber.mil/wp-content/upl ... ESFAQs.pdf. With it being easier to hire under this authority, it follows that it should also be easier to fire employees. I believe they generally have longer probationary periods and used to have fewer rights under the MSPB but I you would have anything to worry about according to their FAQs

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversig ... d-service/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excepted_service
https://www.mspb.gov/studies/adverse_ac ... ioners.htm

[IRQVET]

Interesting, never heard of this pay band before. But with so many jobs going virtual . . .