Home / Federal careers / GS-0305
Mail and File
Federal position performing mail processing, file management, records distribution, and document control services at federal agencies, military installations, and government facilities.
What GS-0305 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-2 | $25,142 | $25,738 | $26,568 | $27,319 | $27,590 | $28,398 | $29,206 | $30,014 | $30,822 | $31,638 |
| GS-3 | $27,434 | $28,349 | $29,264 | $30,179 | $31,094 | $32,009 | $32,924 | $33,839 | $34,754 | $35,660 |
| GS-4 | $30,795 | $31,822 | $32,849 | $33,876 | $34,903 | $35,930 | $36,957 | $37,984 | $39,011 | $40,038 |
| GS-5 | $34,454 | $35,603 | $36,752 | $37,901 | $39,050 | $40,199 | $41,348 | $42,497 | $43,646 | $44,786 |
| GS-6 | $38,407 | $39,687 | $40,967 | $42,247 | $43,527 | $44,807 | $46,087 | $47,367 | $48,647 | $49,927 |
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-0305, as written.
Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Clerical and Administrative Support Positions
Individual Occupational Requirements: There is no OPM qualification standard for this series. If a standard is needed to fill positions in this series, the employing agency should contact OPM for assistance.
Note: Agencies should use the Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Clerical and Administrative Support Positions in conjunction with any agency-specific requirements.
Experience and Education Requirements by Grade Level (Group Standard):
| Grade | General Experience | Specialized Experience | Education |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-1 | None | None | None |
| GS-2 | 3 months | None | High school diploma or equivalent |
| GS-3 | 6 months | None | 1 year above high school |
| GS-4 | 1 year | None | 2 years above high school |
| GS-5 | None | 1 year at GS-4 level | 4 years above high school |
| GS-6+ | None | 1 year at next lower grade | Generally not applicable |
General Experience: Progressively responsible clerical, office, or other work that indicates ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position to be filled.
Specialized Experience: Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled.
Education: One year of full-time academic study equals 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or approximately 36 weeks at 20+ classroom hours per week.
Combining Education and Experience: For grades GS-3 through GS-5, applicants may substitute education for experience. Express both as percentages; combined must equal at least 100%.
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-0305
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
Postal Clerk
Direct translation to mail and file positions. Highlight postal operations, mail processing, and customer service.
Skills that carry over: Postal Operations, Mail Processing, Customer Service, Distribution, Documentation.
Usually opens at: GS-4, GS-5, GS-6.
Postal Specialist
Direct translation to postal/mail positions. Highlight postal operations, distribution, and customer service.
Skills that carry over: Postal Operations, Distribution, Customer Service, Documentation, Compliance.
Usually opens at: GS-4, GS-5, GS-6.
Administration
Air Force Administration personnel manage records and correspondence, which translates well to mail and file responsibilities.
Skills that carry over: Attention to Detail, Organization, Records Management.
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
- Process incoming and outgoing mail
- Maintain filing systems
- Distribute documents
- Operate mail equipment
- Track mail and packages
- Ensure proper document storage
Key competencies
Organization
Ability to maintain orderly filing and mail systems.
Attention to Detail
Accuracy in sorting and filing materials.
Physical Ability
Capability to lift and carry mail containers.
Equipment Operation
Skill with mail processing machines.
Records Management
Knowledge of filing systems and procedures.
Reliability
Dependability in processing time-sensitive materials.
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-0305
What is a federal Mail and File Clerk?
GS-0305 Mail and File Clerks process incoming and outgoing mail, maintain filing systems, distribute documents, operate mail equipment, and ensure proper document storage. They work at federal agencies, military installations, and government facilities managing the flow of physical correspondence and records.
How much does a federal Mail and File Clerk make?
GS-0305 positions range from GS-2 ($25,142) to GS-6 ($38,407-$49,927). Most positions are GS-3 to GS-5 ($27,434-$44,786). Add locality pay of 15-40% for metro areas. Federal benefits, job security, and retirement add significant value beyond base salary.
What are the requirements for GS-0305 positions?
At GS-3, you need 6 months of general clerical experience or 1 year of education above high school. At GS-5, you need 1 year of specialized mail/file experience at GS-4 level. Physical ability to lift mail containers and operate mail processing equipment is often required.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0305?
Yes. Military experience in mail rooms, S-1/admin shops, document distribution, or records management directly qualifies. If you sorted mail at your unit, maintained files, or processed correspondence, that's exactly what they're looking for. Your DD-214 documents this experience.
What is the career progression for Mail and File Clerks?
Start at GS-3/4 with promotion potential to GS-5/6. This role often leads to Program Support Assistant (GS-0303), Administrative Officer, or Records Management Specialist positions. Many use it as an entry point to federal service, then move into higher-graded administrative careers.
How do I apply for GS-0305 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS for 'Mail Clerk,' 'File Clerk,' or 'Mail and File.' These positions exist at most federal agencies. Emphasize organizational skills, attention to detail, and any mail room or records experience. Veterans preference applies and significantly improves your chances.
Ready to apply for GS-0305?
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.