Home / Federal careers / GS-0309
Correspondence Clerk
Federal position processing, tracking, and managing official correspondence, written communications, and documentation for federal agencies and government programs.
What GS-0309 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-0309, 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: Organizations should apply the Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Clerical and Administrative Support Positions alongside 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-0309
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
Yeoman
Yeomen are responsible for preparing, processing, and managing official correspondence, directly aligning with the GS-0309 role.
Skills that carry over: Written Communication, Organization, Computer Skills.
Usually opens at: GS-5, GS-7.
Yeoman
Coast Guard Yeomen are tasked with managing and processing official correspondence, making them ideal candidates for correspondence clerk roles.
Skills that carry over: Written Communication, Organization, Customer Service.
Usually opens at: GS-5, GS-7.
Administration
Air Force Administration personnel handle official communications and documentation, providing a strong foundation for correspondence clerk duties.
Skills that carry over: Attention to Detail, Customer Service, Computer Skills.
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 official correspondence
- Route incoming mail
- Track correspondence status
- Maintain correspondence files
- Prepare outgoing materials
Key competencies
Written Communication
Skill in composing clear correspondence.
Attention to Detail
Accuracy in proofreading and formatting.
Organization
Ability to track and manage correspondence flow.
Customer Service
Skill in responding to inquiries professionally.
Computer Skills
Proficiency with word processing and tracking systems.
Time Management
Ability to meet correspondence deadlines.
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-0309
What is a federal Correspondence Clerk?
GS-0309 Correspondence Clerks process, track, and manage official correspondence for federal agencies. They route incoming communications, maintain correspondence files, prepare outgoing materials, and ensure timely responses to official inquiries. They're the backbone of agency communications workflow.
How much does a federal Correspondence Clerk make?
GS-0309 positions typically range from GS-3 ($27,434) to GS-6 ($38,407-$49,927). Most positions fall at GS-4 to GS-5 ($30,795-$44,786). Locality pay adds 15-40% in major metro areas. Senior correspondence specialists at large agencies may reach GS-7.
What are the requirements for GS-0309 positions?
At GS-4, you need 1 year of general clerical experience or 2 years of education above high school. Higher grades require specialized experience in correspondence processing. Strong written communication, attention to detail, and proficiency with word processing systems are essential.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0309?
Yes. Military admin experience processing official correspondence, routing messages, maintaining files, or preparing written communications qualifies. If you worked in an S-1/admin shop, orderly room, or handled command correspondence, that experience translates directly. Document specific correspondence duties on your resume.
What is the career progression for Correspondence Clerks?
Entry at GS-3/4 with progression to GS-5/6. Many transition to Program Support Assistant (GS-0303), Management Analyst, or Administrative Officer roles. Strong writers often move into public affairs, congressional liaison, or communications specialist positions at higher grades.
How do I apply for GS-0309 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS for 'Correspondence Clerk' or 'Correspondence Specialist.' Highlight your written communication skills, attention to detail, and any experience managing official communications. Your military correspondence training and experience with message traffic are valuable qualifications.
Ready to apply for GS-0309?
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.