There are 21 salary grades in the Government's pay schedule; each grade has a series of steps. Upon first appointment, you will typically be placed in the first step of the grade for which you are selected, depending on your additional qualifications if in excess of the minimum qualifications advertised in the vacancy notice. Occasionally, exceptions can be made for applicants with hard to find or highly desirable skills. These exceptions are at the discretion of the Director of Human Resources and are not an employee entitlement.