Occupational Family DB Equivalent GS Grades GS1-GS4( I) GS5-GS11 (II) GS12-GS14 (III) GS14-GS15 (IV) >GS15 (V)
There is no direct correlation of rank between a civilian GS employee and a military officer. However, the responsibility of a GS-13 is similar to that of a Major (O-4). A Major can be a supervisor for a GS-13, but a GS-13 usually will not supervise a Major. In some organizations a GS-13 may have the same level of responsibility as a Lieutenant Colonel (O-5), but it is not that common. Like anything else in the military, there are exceptions to almost every rule.
Special agents are paid as federal law enforcement officers, and subject to locality and LEAP (Law Enforcement Availability Pay) - LEAP is essentially required overtime in the amount of 25%. If the junior SA (GS7) makes $50k and operates in an area with a 25% locality pay, his pay will be 50+12.5 = 62.5k. Add LEAP and you get 62.5 + 15.63 = $78,130 before taxes and deductions. A GS13 will be in the six figure territory. Additionally, federal law enforcement are entitled to retire after 20 years of service (like the military) instead of the 30 typically required for other federal positions.
A NH series falls under the new AcqDemo program. (DOD Civilian Acquisition Workforce Personnel Demonstration Project (Say that 5 times)). Personnel in the Business & Technical Managers Project are shrouded within the system to prevent abrasion from standard GS managers. They are finicky that way. To surmise a NH-03 pay band. Bottom of the barrel is GS12 step1, high on the pork, GS 13 step 10. A NH-04, now that's real money! You must be well versed in life cycle projects. There is a three tier certification process. Level I must be completed quick, fast, and accurately, or the contingent contract will be enacted and the new hire will become newly unemployed. This is the wave of the future in government, and many weeds are being abolished.
Postal inspectors are the U.S. Post Office's own armed police force. The Postal Inspection Service, the eldest of federal law enforcement services, supports, protects and defends the integrity of the U.S. postal system and its customers and employees. Postal inspectors prevent illegal or dangerous use of the mails. When criminals use the postal system to defraud, threaten or endanger American citizens, postal inspectors investigate, arrest, detain and convict them. Successful candidates for the position of postal inspector receive thorough training for 12 weeks at the Post Office's Strategic Learning Services in Maryland. These professionals undertake investigations and provide the security functions necessary to keep the mails running smoothly. Postal inspectors are expected to perform basic law enforcement activities including carrying firearms, making arrests, providing testimony, preparing reports, serving subpoenas and pursuing and restraining suspects. They must be physically fit and under the age of 37 to serve. Candidates for the position will need to complete the entire recruitment process to be successful. Eligibility requirements for postal inspectors include American citizenship, being between the ages of 21 and 37, have a four year degree from an accredited college, have no felony convictions, write and speak English competently and must be willing to relocate. Many postal inspectors work long hours, especially in complex investigations. Criminal, administrative and civil violations of postal laws are the jurisdiction of the Postal Inspection Service. Specialized forensic techniques and cutting-edge technologies are often used in postal cases. Countering and preventing mail fraud, mail theft, post office robberies and child pornography through the mails are all aspects of a postal inspector's job, as is recovering missing postal transport equipment. These officers also screen mail considered potentially dangerous in order to protect the postal system, its employees, customers and infrastructure. Postal inspectors investigate people who use the mails in extortion or fraud schemes. At high profile events such as the Superbowl or the Olympics, postal inspectors provide special mail screening to prevent acts of terror. New postal inspectors' salaries correspond to the GS9 to GS12 level, depending on their qualifications. The pay ranges from approximately $40,000 to $73,000. The average salary for postal inspectors is $63,000. Postal inspectors also receive locality pay and law enforcement availability pay. Locality pay ranges from 13% to 34% of the base salary depending on the area of the country.