Home / Federal careers / GS-0244
Labor Management Relations Examining
Examines labor relations matters, grievances, unfair labor practices, and collective bargaining issues.
What GS-0244 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-0244, as written.
Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Administrative and Management Positions
Individual Occupational Requirements:
Education: Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- labor relations, industrial relations, personnel administration, business administration, economics, labor economics, labor law, political science, accounting, or law. Courses in at least 24 semester hours in these subjects are creditable toward qualification.
OR
Experience:
GS-5 (General Experience): Experience that demonstrated ability to deal effectively with people, ability to analyze organizational practices and problems, or ability to undertake research assignments and prepare clear, concise statements or reports of findings.
GS-6 through GS-10 (Specialized Experience): Experience that demonstrated the objectivity and discretion necessary to collect and evaluate facts fairly, to relate facts to issues, and to prepare conclusions and recommendations objectively. Such experience must have included:
- Conducting investigations and analyzing facts in disputes
- Negotiating or dealing with management representatives, labor organizations, or attorneys in the resolution of disputes
- Preparing reports, analyses, and recommendations in writing
GS-9 and Above: In addition to above requirements, must demonstrate familiarity with federal and state labor laws, economic principles, collective bargaining practices, and employer/union organizational structures.
GS-11 and Above: Specialized experience must have been gained either in: (a) Labor economics and collective bargaining (union official, industrial relations position, mediation/arbitration, teaching labor relations), OR (b) Labor law (legal practice, teaching labor law)
Education and Experience Requirements (Group Standard):
| Grade | Education | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | Bachelor's in labor/industrial relations, business, economics, law, or related (24 semester hours) | 3 years progressive experience with analytical/interpersonal skills |
| GS-7 | 1 year graduate education OR Superior Academic Achievement | 1 year specialized experience equivalent to GS-5 |
| GS-9 | 2 years graduate education or master's | 1 year specialized experience equivalent to GS-7 with labor law/collective bargaining knowledge |
| GS-11 | 3 years graduate education or Ph.D. | 1 year specialized experience in labor economics/collective bargaining OR labor law |
| GS-12+ | N/A | 1 year specialized experience at next lower grade |
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-0244
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 in the Navy are trained in legal research and documentation, which aligns with the examination and analysis duties of labor management relations.
Skills that carry over: Legal Analysis, Interviewing, Investigation.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Paralegal
Air Force Paralegals are experienced in legal proceedings and documentation, providing a strong foundation for examining labor relations issues.
Skills that carry over: Legal Analysis, Investigation, Interviewing.
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
- Investigate unfair labor practices
- Analyze grievances
- Examine collective bargaining
- Conduct labor relations hearings
- Write examination reports
Key competencies
NLRA Knowledge
Expert knowledge of National Labor Relations Act.
Investigation
Skill in investigating unfair labor practice charges.
Election Procedures
Knowledge of representation election processes.
Legal Analysis
Ability to analyze facts and apply labor law.
Interviewing
Skill in taking statements and testimony.
Report Writing
Ability to prepare investigation reports and decisions.
Hearing Procedures
Knowledge of administrative hearing processes.
Neutrality
Ability to remain impartial while enforcing labor law.
Communication
Skill in explaining legal requirements to parties.
Case Management
Ability to manage multiple cases efficiently.
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-0244
What is a Labor Management Relations Examiner?
GS-0244 Labor Management Relations Examiners investigate unfair labor practice charges, conduct representation elections, and examine collective bargaining disputes. They work primarily for the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), remaining neutral while enforcing the National Labor Relations Act and protecting workers' rights to organize.
How much does a federal Labor Management Relations Examiner make?
GS-0244 positions typically start at GS-7 ($42,679) for entry-level examiners and progress to GS-12 ($75,706-$98,422) for experienced field examiners. Senior examiners and supervisory positions can reach GS-13 ($90,025-$117,034). NLRB regional offices in high-cost areas add significant locality pay.
What are the requirements for GS-0244 positions?
You need a degree with 24+ semester hours in labor relations, industrial relations, economics, business administration, or law—OR equivalent experience conducting investigations, negotiating disputes, and preparing analytical reports. At GS-11+, you need demonstrated experience in labor economics, collective bargaining, or labor law practice.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0244?
Yes. Military experience handling grievances, conducting investigations (IG, legal, or administrative), negotiating with unions on base, or writing investigation reports qualifies. JAG paralegal experience, command investigations, and labor relations work with civilian employees are particularly relevant. Document specific cases you handled.
What is the career progression for Labor Management Relations Examiners?
Entry-level examiners start at GS-7/9 with promotion potential to GS-12. Senior field examiners reach GS-12/13. Supervisory roles as Regional Director or Deputy lead to GS-14/15. Many examiners transition to federal labor relations specialist roles at other agencies, or private sector labor law and HR positions.
How do I apply for GS-0244 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS for 'Labor Management Relations Examiner' or 'NLRB Field Examiner.' Positions are almost exclusively at the National Labor Relations Board regional offices. Emphasize investigation experience, report writing, and any labor law coursework. Veterans preference applies, and NLRB actively recruits diverse candidates with strong analytical skills.
Ready to apply for GS-0244?
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.