Home / Federal careers / GS-0241
Mediation
Federal mediator position facilitating conflict resolution, collective bargaining negotiations, and dispute settlement between parties in workplace, labor, and employment matters.
What GS-0241 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-0241, as written.
Mediation Series Requirements
Education:
- GS-9: Master's degree or 2 full years of graduate education in industrial relations, labor law, or related field
- GS-11: Ph.D. or 3 full years of graduate education, OR law degree (J.D.)
OR
Experience:
- GS-9: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-7
- GS-11 and above: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
Special Qualifications:
- Demonstrated skill in dispute resolution and conflict management
- Knowledge of collective bargaining processes and labor law
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-0241
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 are trained in legal research and writing, and often assist in resolving disputes, making them suitable for mediation roles.
Skills that carry over: Neutrality, Communication, Problem Solving.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Paralegal
Air Force Paralegals are involved in legal processes and dispute resolution, providing relevant experience for mediation.
Skills that carry over: Mediation Techniques, Active Listening, Problem Solving.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Yeoman
Yeomen manage administrative tasks and often mediate personnel issues, providing some applicable experience for mediation roles.
Skills that carry over: Active Listening, Communication, Problem Solving.
Usually opens at: GS-5, GS-7.
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
- Mediate workplace disputes
- Facilitate negotiations
- Conduct conflict resolution sessions
- Develop settlement agreements
- Train staff on mediation
Key competencies
Mediation Techniques
Expert skill in mediation and dispute resolution.
Neutrality
Ability to maintain impartiality in disputes.
Active Listening
Skill in understanding all parties positions.
Communication
Ability to facilitate productive dialogue between parties.
Problem Solving
Skill in identifying creative solutions to disputes.
Labor Law
Knowledge of labor relations laws and agreements.
Negotiation
Understanding of negotiation strategies and techniques.
Conflict Analysis
Ability to analyze underlying interests and issues.
Agreement Drafting
Skill in drafting settlement agreements.
Emotional Intelligence
Ability to manage difficult emotions in disputes.
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-0241
What is a Mediator?
A GS-0241 Mediator facilitates dispute resolution between parties in labor-management conflicts, workplace disputes, and other federal matters. These professionals help parties reach agreements through negotiation and conflict resolution techniques.
How much does a federal Mediator make?
Mediators typically earn between $63,163 (GS-11 Step 1) and $138,296 (GS-14 Step 10) under the 2025 GS pay scale. Most positions are GS-12/13/14, earning $75,706-$138,296 annually plus locality adjustments.
What are the requirements for GS-0241?
GS-0241 positions require extensive experience in mediation, labor relations, or dispute resolution. Entry typically requires GS-11+ equivalent experience. Training in mediation techniques and demonstrated conflict resolution skills are essential.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0241?
Military experience in labor relations, equal opportunity, or conflict resolution provides relevant foundation. JAG officers, IG investigators, and those who resolved workplace disputes have applicable backgrounds that support qualification.
What is the career progression for Mediator?
Mediators typically enter at GS-11/12 and progress to GS-13/14. The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) is the primary employer. Senior mediators handle complex cases and may supervise regional operations.
How do I apply for GS-0241 jobs?
Search USAJOBS.gov for 'Mediator' or '0241' series. FMCS is the primary employer. Your federal resume should detail specific mediation experience, training in ADR techniques, and demonstrated success in resolving disputes.
Ready to apply for GS-0241?
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.