Home / Federal careers / GS-0090
Guide
Federal position providing information, interpretation, and guided tours to visitors at national parks, monuments, historic sites, museums, and federal facilities across the United States.
What GS-0090 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-0090, as written.
Guide Series Requirements
Education:
- GS-4: 2 years of education above high school with coursework in history, natural sciences, archeology, or related subjects
- GS-5: 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree
OR
Experience:
- GS-4: 6 months of general experience AND 6 months of specialized experience, OR 1 year of general experience
- GS-5: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-4
Special Requirements:
- Must have excellent oral communication skills
- Knowledge of the specific site, park, museum, or area of assignment
- May require ability to walk or stand for extended periods
- May require ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions
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-0090
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
Public Affairs Specialist
Public Affairs Specialists are skilled in delivering information to the public and can effectively communicate complex topics, making them well-suited for guiding and interpreting roles.
Skills that carry over: Public Speaking, Audience Adaptation, Customer Service.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Public Affairs
Air Force Public Affairs personnel are adept at communicating with the public and interpreting information, aligning well with the duties of a guide.
Skills that carry over: Public Speaking, Subject Knowledge, Interpretation.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Mass Communication Specialist
Mass Communication Specialists are trained in conveying information to diverse audiences, a key skill in providing engaging and informative tours.
Skills that carry over: Public Speaking, Interpretation, Customer Service.
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
- Conduct tours and presentations
- Provide information to visitors
- Interpret historical and natural features
- Answer visitor questions
- Ensure visitor safety
Key competencies
Public Speaking
Ability to deliver engaging presentations to diverse audiences.
Subject Knowledge
Expert knowledge of site history, natural features, or collections.
Interpretation
Skill in making complex information accessible and interesting.
Audience Adaptation
Ability to adjust presentations for different age groups and backgrounds.
Customer Service
Skill in providing excellent visitor experiences.
Safety Awareness
Knowledge of visitor safety and emergency procedures.
Communication
Ability to answer questions accurately and professionally.
Group Management
Skill in managing tour groups and maintaining engagement.
Accessibility
Understanding of accommodating visitors with disabilities.
Resource Protection
Knowledge of protecting resources while facilitating access.
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-0090
What is a Federal Guide?
A GS-0090 Guide provides information, interpretation, and guided tours to visitors at national parks, monuments, museums, and federal facilities. Guides share knowledge about history, science, and natural resources while ensuring positive visitor experiences at America's treasured sites.
How much does a federal Guide make?
Federal Guides earn between $27,434 (GS-3 Step 1) and $49,927 (GS-6 Step 10) under the 2025 GS pay scale. Most positions are GS-4/5, earning $30,795-$44,786 annually. Many guide positions are seasonal, with permanent positions at major facilities.
What are the requirements for GS-0090 positions?
Entry-level positions require general experience or education demonstrating ability to communicate effectively. Higher grades need experience in interpretation, public speaking, or education. Knowledge of history, natural science, or the specific resource being interpreted is valuable.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0090?
Military experience with training, briefing, or public speaking supports Guide positions. Drill instructors, training NCOs, and those who conducted military briefings have relevant communication skills. Military history knowledge and experience interacting with diverse groups translates well to interpretive work.
What is the career progression for Guide?
Guides progress from GS-3/4 (entry) through GS-5/6 (senior). Many advance to GS-0025 Park Ranger (interpretation) or GS-1001 General Education positions. Guide experience provides foundation for careers in interpretation, education, and visitor services throughout the federal system.
How do I apply for GS-0090 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS.gov for 'Guide' or '0090' series. National Park Service, Smithsonian, and other agencies hire guides. Your federal resume should highlight public speaking experience, subject matter knowledge, and customer service skills. Seasonal experience often leads to permanent appointments.
Ready to apply for GS-0090?
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.