Home / Federal careers / GS-0029
Environmental Protection Assistant
Performs environmental protection support work including data collection, monitoring, and administrative support.
What GS-0029 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-4 | $30,795 | $31,822 | $32,849 | $33,876 | $34,903 | $35,930 | $36,957 | $37,984 | $39,011 | $40,038 |
| GS-5 | $34,454 | $35,603 | $36,752 | $37,901 | $39,050 | $40,199 | $41,348 | $42,497 | $43,646 | $44,786 |
| GS-6 | $38,407 | $39,687 | $40,967 | $42,247 | $43,527 | $44,807 | $46,087 | $47,367 | $48,647 | $49,927 |
| GS-7 | $42,679 | $44,102 | $45,525 | $46,948 | $48,371 | $49,794 | $51,217 | $52,640 | $54,063 | $55,486 |
| GS-8 | $47,265 | $48,841 | $50,417 | $51,993 | $53,569 | $55,145 | $56,721 | $58,297 | $59,873 | $61,449 |
| GS-9 | $52,205 | $53,945 | $55,685 | $57,425 | $59,165 | $60,905 | $62,645 | $64,385 | $66,125 | $67,865 |
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-0029, as written.
Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Clerical and Administrative Support Positions
Individual Occupational Requirements: There are no Individual Occupational Requirements for this series.
Experience and Education Requirements by Grade Level:
| Grade | General Experience | Specialized Experience | Education |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-1 | None | None | None |
| GS-2 | 3 months | None | High school diploma or equivalent |
| GS-3 | 6 months | None | 1 year above high school |
| GS-4 | 1 year | None | 2 years above high school |
| GS-5 | None | 1 year at GS-4 level | 4 years above high school |
| GS-6+ | None | 1 year at next lower grade | Generally not applicable |
General Experience: Progressively responsible clerical, office, or other work that indicates ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position to be filled.
Specialized Experience: Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled.
Education: One year of full-time academic study equals 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or approximately 36 weeks at 20+ classroom hours per week. Education above high school is generally acceptable through GS-5; graduate education is rarely creditable above this level.
Combining Education and Experience: For grades GS-3 through GS-5, applicants may substitute education for experience. Express both as percentages; combined must equal at least 100%.
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-0029
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
Engineering Aide
Engineering Aides often assist with environmental surveys and data collection, providing a moderate fit for environmental monitoring roles.
Skills that carry over: Field Work, Data Recording, Laboratory Support.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Water Support Technician
Water Support Technicians have skills in water purification and environmental testing, which are relevant to environmental protection tasks.
Skills that carry over: Sample Collection, Equipment Operation, Data Recording.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Marine Science Technician
Environmental Protection Assistant. Good entry point for E-3 and E-4 MSTs.
Skills that carry over: Environmental monitoring, Sample collection, Data entry, Compliance support.
Usually opens at: GS-5, GS-7, GS-8.
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
- Collect environmental data
- Monitor environmental conditions
- Support environmental programs
- Maintain records
- Assist with inspections
- Prepare reports
Key competencies
Sample Collection
Skill in collecting environmental samples (water, air, soil) using proper techniques.
Equipment Operation
Ability to operate environmental monitoring and testing equipment.
Data Recording
Skill in accurately recording environmental data and observations.
Laboratory Support
Knowledge of basic laboratory procedures and quality control.
Field Work
Ability to conduct field work in various environmental conditions.
Documentation
Skill in maintaining sampling logs and chain of custody records.
Safety Procedures
Knowledge of safety procedures for handling environmental samples.
Regulatory Basics
Understanding of environmental regulations and compliance requirements.
Report Preparation
Ability to assist in preparing environmental reports.
Computer Skills
Proficiency in data entry and using environmental databases.
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-0029
What is an Environmental Protection Assistant?
A GS-0029 Environmental Protection Assistant provides technical support for environmental programs including sample collection, monitoring, data recording, and laboratory assistance. These technicians support Environmental Protection Specialists by conducting fieldwork, maintaining equipment, and helping ensure regulatory compliance.
How much does a federal Environmental Protection Assistant make?
Environmental Protection Assistants earn between $30,795 (GS-4 Step 1) and $67,865 (GS-9 Step 10) under the 2025 GS pay scale. Most positions are GS-5/6/7, earning $34,454-$55,486 annually. Full-performance technicians at GS-8/9 can earn up to $61,449-$67,865 plus locality adjustments.
What are the requirements for GS-0029 positions?
Entry-level GS-4/5 positions require general experience or relevant education/training in environmental science or laboratory work. Higher grades need progressively more specialized technical experience in environmental sampling, monitoring equipment operation, and data collection procedures.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0029?
Yes, military experience with environmental monitoring, water quality testing, hazmat handling, or laboratory work is directly applicable. NBC specialists, water treatment operators, and those who supported environmental compliance programs have relevant skills. Military attention to detail and procedural discipline are valued in these technical roles.
What is the career progression for Environmental Protection Assistant?
Environmental Protection Assistants progress from GS-4/5 (entry) through GS-7/8/9 (full performance). Strong technicians can advance to GS-0028 Environmental Protection Specialist positions with additional education and experience. The assistant track provides hands-on foundation for environmental careers.
How do I apply for GS-0029 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS.gov for 'Environmental Protection Assistant' or '0029' series. Positions exist at EPA, DoD facilities, national labs, and other federal sites. Your federal resume should highlight sampling experience, equipment operation, laboratory skills, and any environmental certifications. Field work experience and attention to documentation are important.
Ready to apply for GS-0029?
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.