Final answer:
The numerical pay grade is not used as a form of address in professional settings. Proper titles based on position, educational achievements, or personal preference, such as 'Dr.' or 'Mr./Mrs./Ms.', should be used instead. The General Schedule (GS) defines pay levels based on qualifications but does not dictate forms of address.
Step-by-step explanation:
In professional and civil service contexts, the numerical pay grade is not used as a form of address or title in place of the proper title of address of grade. Instead, individuals should be addressed by their respective titles, such as 'Dr.', 'Professor', 'Mr.', 'Ms.', or 'President', depending on their position and personal titles. The General Schedule (GS) is a pay scale used within the United States civil service, organized into fifteen grades each with ten steps that represent the education, competencies, and experience required for various positions. When writing formal correspondence, one should not use the GS level as a form of address. For example, instead of writing to someone as 'GS-13 John Doe', one should use a proper salutation based on their actual title, like 'Dear Dr. Doe,' if they hold a doctorate or 'Dear Mr. Doe,' if no other titles are known. It's important to use the highest ranking or preferred title if the individual has multiple titles and to default to a gender-neutral title such as 'Dear Hiring Committee:' in the absence of specific information about the recipient's title.