Can you negotiate your GS grade or step on a federal IT offer? — what is and isn't negotiable in USAJOBS hiring, the step within-grade lever, EOD and 5 CFR 575 incentives, and a short script for the call — in Johnnie Pippin's voice.

If you're sitting on a tentative federal IT offer, this is the long-form answer to the search query your running search history already shows — grade band, step within grade, EOD date, and the 5 CFR Part 575 incentives. Four sections: what is and isn't negotiable in USAJOBS hiring, why the step within grade is your highest-leverage lever under 5 CFR § 531.212, the incentives package and the earliest-possible EOD conversation, and a short script for responding to the offer call.