Home / Federal careers / GS-0028
Environmental Protection Specialist
Performs environmental protection work including environmental assessment, compliance monitoring, and program management.
What GS-0028 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 |
| GS-14 | $106,382 | $109,928 | $113,474 | $117,020 | $120,566 | $124,112 | $127,658 | $131,204 | $134,750 | $138,296 |
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-0028, as written.
Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Administrative and Management Positions
Individual Occupational Requirements: There are no Individual Occupational Requirements for this series.
Education and Experience Requirements (Group Standard):
This is a two-grade interval series. Positions follow the GS-5, GS-7, GS-9, GS-11, GS-12 progression pattern.
| Grade | Education | Experience | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | Bachelor's degree in any field from accredited college/university | 3 years progressively responsible experience, 1 year equivalent to GS-4 | Equivalent combinations qualifying |
| GS-7 | 1 full year graduate education OR Superior Academic Achievement | 1 year specialized experience equivalent to GS-5 | Combinations of graduate education and experience |
| GS-9 | 2 years graduate education or master's degree | 1 year specialized experience equivalent to GS-7 | Combinations of graduate education (excess of GS-7 requirement) and experience |
| GS-11 | 3 years graduate education or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree | 1 year specialized experience equivalent to GS-9 | Combinations of graduate education (excess of GS-9 requirement) and experience |
| GS-12+ | Not applicable | 1 year specialized experience equivalent to next lower grade | N/A |
Superior Academic Achievement (for GS-7):
- Upper third of graduating class in college/university or major subdivision
- GPA of 3.0 or higher out of 4.0 as recorded on official transcript, OR 3.5 or higher in major field
- Election to membership in national scholastic honor society
Graduate Education: One year of full-time graduate education is the number of credit hours the school determines represents 1 year of full-time study. If unavailable, 18 semester hours satisfies the 1-year requirement.
Specialized Experience: Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position.
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-0028
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
Hazmat Coordinator
Environmental protection.
Skills that carry over: Hazmat Management, Compliance.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11.
CBRN Operations Officer
Direct match for environmental protection specialist. Focus on hazmat and CBRN expertise.
Skills that carry over: CBRN Operations, Hazmat Response, Decontamination, Defense Planning.
Usually opens at: GS-11, GS-12, GS-13.
Marine Science Technician Environmental
Environmental protection.
Skills that carry over: Environmental Inspection, Pollution Response, Compliance.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11.
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
- Conduct environmental assessments
- Monitor environmental compliance
- Manage environmental programs
- Review permits and plans
- Develop environmental policies
- Coordinate with agencies
Key competencies
Environmental Regulations
Expert knowledge of environmental laws and regulations (NEPA, Clean Air Act, etc.).
Compliance Monitoring
Ability to monitor and ensure environmental regulatory compliance.
Environmental Review
Skill in conducting environmental impact assessments and reviews.
Permit Management
Knowledge of environmental permitting processes and requirements.
Site Assessment
Ability to evaluate sites for environmental contamination and hazards.
Policy Analysis
Skill in analyzing and developing environmental policies.
Technical Writing
Ability to prepare environmental reports, permits, and documentation.
Stakeholder Engagement
Skill in working with regulated entities and the public.
Data Analysis
Ability to analyze environmental data and monitoring results.
Remediation Knowledge
Understanding of pollution prevention and remediation techniques.
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-0028
What is an Environmental Protection Specialist?
A GS-0028 Environmental Protection Specialist ensures federal facilities and programs comply with environmental laws including NEPA, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and RCRA. These specialists conduct environmental assessments, monitor compliance, review permits, and develop policies to protect air, water, and land resources.
How much does a federal Environmental Protection Specialist make?
Environmental Protection Specialists earn between $34,454 (GS-5 Step 1) and $138,296 (GS-14 Step 10) under the 2025 GS pay scale. Most positions are GS-11/12/13, earning $63,163-$117,034 annually. Senior specialists and program managers at GS-14 can exceed $106,000 plus locality adjustments.
What are the requirements for GS-0028 positions?
GS-0028 positions require education and/or experience in environmental science, policy, or management. While no specific degree is required, backgrounds in environmental science, engineering, biology, or chemistry are beneficial. Higher grades require progressively more specialized experience in environmental compliance, permitting, and program management.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0028?
Yes, military environmental experience is highly relevant. Environmental Program Managers, hazmat specialists, and those who managed environmental compliance programs on installations have directly applicable experience. Military training in pollution prevention, waste management, and regulatory compliance translates well to federal civilian environmental positions.
What is the career progression for Environmental Protection Specialist?
The career ladder follows GS-5/7/9/11/12/13/14 intervals. Entry-level specialists support compliance monitoring and assessments. GS-11/12 specialists lead environmental reviews and manage programs. GS-13/14 positions involve policy development, regional oversight, and managing large environmental programs across multiple facilities.
How do I apply for GS-0028 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS.gov for 'Environmental Protection Specialist' or '0028' series. Positions exist at EPA, DoD, DOE, and most federal agencies. Your federal resume should detail specific environmental regulations you've worked with, compliance experience, and any certifications. Highlight NEPA, hazmat, or environmental management system experience prominently.
Ready to apply for GS-0028?
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.