FYI... Manage your expectations with this agency and their HR. I've been in the federal government for quite a few years and currently do relevant work (not a commissioned examiner). I was recently offered an examiner position, but at a much lower pay than I currently have as a federal employee (~$45K lower). After the initial offer, I was told they needed my SF-50 to negotiate the pay. After a week, they came back and said, "A higher salary cannot be supported". Obviously, I declined. I was offered the CN-40. Ironically, my currently salary falls within the CN-40 range, but they refused to match or even get close. What they offered was not even at the top of the CN-30. The good thing is I was just putting out "feelers", not in NEED of a new job. I'd hate to think someone had hung their hopes on this opportunity and had a similar experience.

You've heard wrong. If that were the case, what would stop someone from jumping from job to job, at their current grade, just to increase steps with each transfer?

If you take a lateral, you keep your same grade and step. If you take a promotion, there is the two step rule to set the step. If you take a voluntary demotion to a lower grade, they may or may not match your current salary with steps, it is the agency's call.

If it's a demotion then it would make sense but I got the impression that it was either lateral or higher paying job and poster was offered less and hence the SF-50 comment. I am new so I could be wrong but it does not make sense if the applied job is higher grade than current.

I applied to a position within this agency in February as well. Had interviews in May then NOTHING. I'm kinda stressed because I really want this position.