Home / Federal careers / GS-0020
Community Planning
Performs professional community planning work including land use planning, zoning, and urban development.
What GS-0020 pays
2025 base rates, before locality. Most federal employees add a locality adjustment on top.
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Step 9 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | $34,454 | $35,603 | $36,752 | $37,901 | $39,050 | $40,199 | $41,348 | $42,497 | $43,646 | $44,786 |
| GS-7 | $42,679 | $44,102 | $45,525 | $46,948 | $48,371 | $49,794 | $51,217 | $52,640 | $54,063 | $55,486 |
| GS-9 | $52,205 | $53,945 | $55,685 | $57,425 | $59,165 | $60,905 | $62,645 | $64,385 | $66,125 | $67,865 |
| GS-11 | $63,163 | $65,268 | $67,373 | $69,478 | $71,583 | $73,688 | $75,793 | $77,898 | $80,003 | $82,108 |
| GS-12 | $75,706 | $78,229 | $80,752 | $83,275 | $85,798 | $88,321 | $90,844 | $93,367 | $95,890 | $98,422 |
| GS-13 | $90,025 | $93,026 | $96,027 | $99,028 | $102,029 | $105,030 | $108,031 | $111,032 | $114,033 | $117,034 |
Base pay only. Locality pay adds 15 to 40 percent or more depending on where the job sits. Source: OPM 2025 General Schedule.
Qualification requirements
OPM's standard for GS-0020, as written.
Degree: community planning; or related field such as urban affairs, architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, sociology, geography, economics, political science, or public administration that included at least 12 semester hours in the planning process, socioeconomic and physical elements of planning, urban and regional economic analysis, and development finance.
Note: Applicants with degrees in related fields, such as those listed above, who do not have the 12 semester hours of specified course work must have had at least 1 year of work experience in community planning acquired under the supervision and guidance of a community planner.
OR
Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in one of the above disciplines, or a combination of related courses totaling at least 24 semester hours in any combination of the above disciplines of which at least 12 semester hours were in the planning process, and socioeconomic and physical elements of planning, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
What this means if you served
- Write the duties, not the billet. OPM credits military experience on the work performed, and does not use rank or pay to judge specialized experience.
- Put the training and certifications you earned in service on the page. They count here.
- Claim your veterans preference on the application. It is not applied for you.
- No positive education requirement here, so qualifying experience can stand in for the education.
How to qualify for GS-0020
1Review Qualification Requirements
Read the OPM qualification standards above to understand the education and experience requirements for your target grade level.
2Find Your Grade Level
Grade follows the scope and complexity of the work you can document against the announcement, not the rank you held. OPM does not use military rank or pay when it evaluates specialized experience. Roughly: GS-5 entry, GS-7/9 junior, GS-11/12 journey, GS-13 and up senior.
3Gather Documentation
Collect your DD-214, SF-50 (if applicable), transcripts, certifications, and any training records that demonstrate your qualifications.
4Build Your Federal Resume
Two pages. USAJOBS has enforced that limit since 27 September 2025 and will not accept a longer resume from a Title 5 agency posting, so the space has to answer every qualification requirement. Include hours worked per week, supervisor contact details, and the accomplishments with numbers on them.
5Apply on USAJOBS
Search for open positions, carefully answer all assessment questions, and submit your application before the closing date.
Military jobs that map to this series
Civil Affairs Specialist
Civil Affairs Specialists are involved in planning and executing civil-military operations, which include community engagement and development planning.
Skills that carry over: Community Planning, Stakeholder Coordination, Regulatory Compliance.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Navy Diver
Community Planning. Environmental diving experience — pier surveys, harbor assessments — translates to waterfront facility planning and environmental compliance.
Skills that carry over: Environmental assessment, Facility planning, Regulatory compliance, Project coordination.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11, GS-12.
Engineering Aid
Engineering Aids assist in planning and executing construction projects, which involves skills applicable to community planning.
Skills that carry over: Land Use Analysis, Environmental Review, Zoning Regulations.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Your record can qualify you even when your code is not on this list. The crosswalk is a starting point, not the gate.
Typical duties
- Develop community plans
- Analyze land use
- Review development proposals
- Coordinate with stakeholders
- Ensure regulatory compliance
- Conduct public meetings
Key competencies
Planning Principles
Knowledge of community planning theories, principles, and practices.
Land Use Analysis
Ability to analyze land use patterns and development proposals.
Zoning Regulations
Understanding of zoning codes and land use regulations.
Environmental Review
Knowledge of environmental impact assessment requirements.
Public Engagement
Skill in facilitating public meetings and gathering community input.
GIS Technology
Ability to use geographic information systems for planning analysis.
Report Writing
Skill in preparing planning reports and recommendations.
Stakeholder Coordination
Ability to work with developers, agencies, and community groups.
Policy Analysis
Skill in analyzing and developing planning policies.
Transportation Planning
Knowledge of transportation systems and their impacts on communities.
Words the announcement will use
Use the ones your record actually supports. A rater is matching your experience against the specialized experience statement, and a keyword with nothing behind it does not survive that.
Questions about GS-0020
What is a Community Planner?
A GS-0020 Community Planner performs professional planning work for federal agencies, including land use analysis, zoning review, urban development planning, and community impact assessments. These planners work on military installations, national parks, federal facilities, and support community development programs.
How much does a federal Community Planner make?
Community Planners earn between $34,454 (GS-5 Step 1) and $117,034 (GS-13 Step 10) under the 2025 GS pay scale. Most full-performance positions are GS-11/12, earning $63,163-$98,422 annually. Senior planners and program managers at GS-13/14 can exceed $90,000-$130,000 with locality adjustments.
What are the requirements for GS-0020 positions?
GS-0020 positions require education and/or experience in community planning, urban planning, or related fields. A degree in urban planning, geography, or public administration qualifies for entry-level positions. Higher grades require progressively more specialized experience in land use planning, environmental review, or community development.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0020?
Military experience in facilities management, base planning, civil affairs, or engineer units can support Community Planner qualifications. Installation Master Planners, civil affairs officers, and those involved in base realignment have relevant experience. Combined with relevant education, military planning experience demonstrates the analytical and coordination skills needed.
What is the career progression for Community Planner?
The career ladder typically follows GS-5/7/9/11/12/13 intervals. Entry-level planners assist with studies and analysis, while GS-11/12 planners lead projects and coordinate with stakeholders. GS-13/14 positions involve program management and policy development. Opportunities exist at DoD, Interior, HUD, and other agencies with land management responsibilities.
How do I apply for GS-0020 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS.gov for 'Community Planner' or '0020' series. Positions are found at military installations, national parks, and agencies like HUD. Your federal resume should emphasize planning projects, GIS skills, public engagement experience, and environmental review knowledge. Include any AICP certification or relevant master's degrees.
Ready to apply for GS-0020?
A rater matches your record against the announcement's specialized experience statement, inside two pages. BMR writes that shape from your own experience: competency headers, real scope, hours per week, and the supervisor detail the rater checks.