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Nuclear Materials Courier
Federal law enforcement position providing armed escort, security, and protection for transportation of nuclear materials and other sensitive government assets across the United States.
What GS-0084 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 |
| GS-15 | $125,133 | $129,304 | $133,475 | $137,646 | $141,817 | $145,988 | $150,159 | $154,330 | $158,501 | $162,672 |
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-0084, as written.
Nuclear Materials Courier Series Requirements
Education:
- GS-5: Bachelor's degree in any field
- GS-7: 1 full year of graduate-level education OR bachelor's with Superior Academic Achievement
OR
Experience:
- GS-5: 3 years of progressively responsible experience including security, law enforcement, or military
- GS-7 and above: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
Special Requirements:
- Must be a U.S. citizen
- Must obtain and maintain Top Secret security clearance
- Must meet rigorous medical and physical fitness standards
- Must successfully complete Department of Energy specialized training
- Must qualify with firearms and defensive tactics
- Must be able to travel extensively
- Maximum entry age of 37 (with exceptions for veterans)
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-0084
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
Security Forces
Air Force Security Forces guard nuclear weapons storage areas and ICBM missile fields, the closest active-duty analog to OST courier duty. Weapons qualifications, use-of-force training, and an existing security clearance transfer directly.
Skills that carry over: Armed security, Nuclear surety, Protective operations, Weapons handling, Convoy security.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-8, GS-9.
Military Police
Convoy and protective-security experience, use-of-force training, and physical-security operations map straight to armed nuclear-materials escort.
Skills that carry over: Armed security, Convoy security, Physical security, Weapons handling, Use-of-force.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-8, GS-9.
Master-at-Arms
Antiterrorism and force-protection duty, armed watchstanding, and weapons proficiency match the OST protective-force mission.
Skills that carry over: Armed security, Force protection, Weapons handling, Access control, Security operations.
Usually opens at: 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
- Transport nuclear materials securely
- Maintain armed security during transport
- Operate specialized transport vehicles
- Respond to security threats
- Coordinate with security agencies
Key competencies
Protective Services
Ability to provide armed protection for nuclear materials transport.
Security Procedures
Knowledge of physical protection and security protocols.
Firearms Proficiency
Skill in safe handling and accurate use of weapons.
Tactical Operations
Ability to respond to security threats and attacks.
Emergency Response
Knowledge of emergency procedures for nuclear incidents.
Convoy Operations
Skill in secure convoy and transport operations.
Communication Systems
Ability to operate secure communication equipment.
Physical Fitness
Ability to meet demanding physical requirements.
Vigilance
Skill in maintaining alertness during extended operations.
Regulatory Compliance
Knowledge of DOE security and nuclear transport regulations.
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-0084
What is a Nuclear Materials Courier?
A GS-0084 Nuclear Materials Courier is a federal law enforcement officer providing armed escort and security for nuclear materials transportation. These couriers work for the Department of Energy's Office of Secure Transportation, protecting highly sensitive government assets during transport across the United States.
How much does a Nuclear Materials Courier make?
Nuclear Materials Couriers earn between $52,205 (GS-9 Step 1) and $82,108 (GS-11 Step 10) under the 2025 GS pay scale, plus Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) adding 25%. With per diem for extensive travel and locality adjustments, total compensation often exceeds $80,000-$110,000.
What are the requirements for GS-0084 positions?
Nuclear Materials Courier positions require a bachelor's degree OR equivalent experience, plus passing rigorous physical fitness tests, medical exams, psychological evaluations, and obtaining a Top Secret/Q clearance. Candidates must be willing to travel extensively (up to 300 days/year) and work away from home.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0084?
Yes, military experience is excellent preparation. Military Police, Security Forces, Infantry, and personnel with nuclear security or convoy escort experience have directly applicable skills. Combat arms experience, weapons proficiency, and tactical training are highly valued. Existing security clearances expedite the hiring process.
What is the career progression for Nuclear Materials Courier?
Couriers enter at GS-7/9 and progress to GS-11 full performance. Supervisory positions include Team Leader, Unit Commander, and management roles at GS-12/13/14. The Office of Secure Transportation provides specialized training and tactical certifications throughout the career progression.
How do I apply for GS-0084 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS.gov for 'Nuclear Materials Courier' or '0084' series. The DOE Office of Secure Transportation posts openings periodically. Your federal resume should emphasize law enforcement experience, firearms proficiency, convoy operations, and willingness to travel extensively. Be prepared for a lengthy security clearance process.
Ready to apply for GS-0084?
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.