Home / Federal careers / GS-0160
Civil Rights Analysis
Federal position analyzing civil rights compliance, investigating discrimination complaints, developing equal opportunity policy, and enforcing civil rights laws at federal agencies.
What GS-0160 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-0160, 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-0160
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
Legalman
Legalmen have expertise in legal documentation and client interaction, which is beneficial for investigating discrimination complaints and compliance reviews.
Skills that carry over: Investigation Skills, Interviewing, Civil Rights Law.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Paralegal
Air Force Paralegals are trained in legal procedures and documentation, providing a strong foundation for civil rights analysis and policy development.
Skills that carry over: Legal Analysis, Interviewing, Technical Assistance.
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
- Analyze civil rights compliance
- Investigate discrimination complaints
- Develop civil rights policy
- Conduct compliance reviews
- Provide technical assistance
Key competencies
Civil Rights Law
Expert knowledge of civil rights laws and regulations.
Investigation Skills
Ability to investigate discrimination complaints thoroughly.
Interviewing
Skill in interviewing complainants, witnesses, and respondents.
Legal Analysis
Ability to analyze facts and apply civil rights standards.
Report Writing
Skill in preparing investigative reports and findings.
Mediation
Ability to facilitate resolution of discrimination complaints.
Policy Analysis
Skill in analyzing policies for discriminatory impact.
Data Analysis
Ability to analyze data for patterns of discrimination.
Communication
Skill in explaining civil rights requirements.
Compliance Monitoring
Ability to monitor and enforce civil rights compliance.
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-0160
What is a Civil Rights Analyst?
A GS-0160 Civil Rights Analyst investigates discrimination complaints, analyzes civil rights policies, and ensures federal compliance with civil rights laws. These specialists work at agencies including EEOC, DOJ, and federal agency civil rights offices.
How much does a Civil Rights Analyst make?
Civil Rights Analysts earn between $52,205 (GS-9 Step 1) and $117,034 (GS-13 Step 10) under the 2025 GS pay scale. Most positions are GS-11/12/13, earning $63,163-$117,034 annually plus locality adjustments.
What are the requirements for GS-0160 positions?
GS-0160 positions require education and/or experience in civil rights, law, public policy, or social sciences. Entry-level positions accept relevant degrees. Higher grades require progressively more specialized experience in civil rights investigations or policy analysis.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0160?
Military experience with EEO programs, investigations, or policy compliance provides relevant foundation. Those who served as EEO counselors, investigators, or worked in military justice have transferable skills. Understanding of regulations and investigative procedures is valuable.
What is the career progression for Civil Rights Analyst?
The career ladder typically follows GS-9/11/12/13 intervals. Entry-level analysts support investigations. GS-11/12 analysts lead cases independently. Senior positions involve complex investigations, policy development, and program management.
How do I apply for GS-0160 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS.gov for 'Civil Rights' or '0160' series. Major employers include EEOC, DOJ Civil Rights Division, and agency civil rights offices. Your federal resume should highlight investigative experience, analytical skills, and knowledge of civil rights laws.
Ready to apply for GS-0160?
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.