Home / Federal careers / GS-0136
International Cooperation
Coordinates international cooperation initiatives and manages relationships with foreign governments.
What GS-0136 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-0136, 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-0136
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
Foreign Area Officer
Navy Foreign Area Officers specialize in international diplomacy and cooperation, providing a direct skill set match for this GS series.
Skills that carry over: Diplomatic Relations, Program Management, Policy Analysis.
Usually opens at: GS-11, GS-12.
Foreign Area Officer
Foreign Area Officers have direct experience in managing international relations and negotiating agreements, making them ideal candidates for international cooperation roles.
Skills that carry over: Negotiation, Policy Analysis, Cross-Cultural Skills.
Usually opens at: GS-11, GS-12.
Civil Affairs Specialist
Civil Affairs Specialists are trained to work with foreign governments and manage international relationships, aligning well with international cooperation roles.
Skills that carry over: Program Management, Diplomatic Relations, Cross-Cultural Skills.
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
- Coordinate international programs
- Manage foreign relationships
- Negotiate international agreements
- Analyze international issues
- Support diplomatic initiatives
Key competencies
Program Management
Ability to manage international cooperation programs.
Diplomatic Relations
Skill in working with foreign governments and organizations.
Cross-Cultural Skills
Ability to work effectively across different cultures.
Negotiation
Skill in negotiating agreements and partnerships.
Policy Analysis
Ability to analyze international policy issues.
Grant Administration
Knowledge of foreign assistance and grant management.
Communication
Skill in written and oral communication in international contexts.
Language Skills
Proficiency in foreign languages (often required).
Project Coordination
Ability to coordinate multi-national projects.
Regulatory Knowledge
Understanding of international cooperation 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-0136
What is an International Cooperation Specialist?
A GS-0136 International Cooperation Specialist coordinates international partnerships, manages relationships with foreign governments, and facilitates cooperative programs. These professionals support defense cooperation, international development, scientific collaboration, and diplomatic initiatives across federal agencies.
How much does an International Cooperation Specialist make?
International Cooperation Specialists earn between $52,205 (GS-9 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. Overseas assignments may include additional allowances and benefits.
What are the requirements for GS-0136 positions?
GS-0136 positions require education and/or experience in international relations, foreign affairs, or program management. Higher grades require progressively more specialized experience in managing international partnerships, foreign military sales, or cooperative programs.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0136?
Military experience with foreign military sales, security cooperation, international liaison, or overseas partnership programs is directly applicable. Those who worked with allied forces, managed FMS cases, or coordinated international training programs have relevant experience that translates well.
What is the career progression for International Cooperation Specialist?
The career ladder typically follows GS-9/11/12/13/14 intervals. Entry-level specialists support program coordination. GS-12/13 specialists manage country programs or partnership portfolios. Senior positions involve program direction and policy development for international cooperation initiatives.
How do I apply for GS-0136 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS.gov for 'International Cooperation' or '0136' series. Major employers include DoD, State Department, and USAID. Your federal resume should highlight international program experience, language skills, and cross-cultural coordination. Security clearance eligibility is typically required.
Ready to apply for GS-0136?
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.