Home / Federal careers / GS-0313
Work Unit Supervising
Federal position supervising clerical and administrative support work units, coordinating office operations, and managing staff performing administrative functions at government agencies.
What GS-0313 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-0313, as written.
Qualification Standard for Supervisory Positions with Group Coverage for Clerical and Administrative Support
Individual Occupational Requirements for GS-0313:
This standard excludes supervisory positions requiring specialized knowledge of subordinate roles or performance of nonsupervisory duties from another series.
Experience Requirements: Applicants must demonstrate 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level showing knowledge and skills for supervisory duties. This includes demonstrated ability to:
- Motivated, trained, and worked effectively with subordinate employees
- Planned and carried out work effectively
- Accomplished the quality and quantity of work expected within set limits of cost and time
- Communicated effectively both orally and in writing
- Responded to and furthered management goals
- Developed improvements in or designed new work methods and procedures
Experience may come from work leader roles, senior clerk/technician positions, or similar assignments demonstrating significant responsibility and independence.
Experience and Education Requirements by Grade Level:
| Grade | Specialized Experience | Education |
|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | 1 year at GS-4 level | 4-year bachelor's degree |
| GS-6+ | 1 year at next lower grade level | Not applicable - experience required |
Note: Education substitution is generally not available for supervisory positions at GS-6 and above. Applicants must demonstrate supervisory experience and competencies.
General Experience: Progressively responsible clerical, office, or other work that indicates ability to acquire supervisory knowledge and skills.
Specialized Experience: Experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities to supervise clerical and administrative support work, including planning, assigning, and reviewing work of subordinate employees.
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-0313
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 perform administrative and clerical duties, including supervising office operations and managing personnel records.
Skills that carry over: Leadership, Communication, Planning, Technical Knowledge, Workflow Management.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Administrative Specialist
Marine Corps Administrative Specialists handle clerical and administrative tasks, often supervising support staff.
Skills that carry over: Leadership, Communication, Problem Solving, Planning, Workflow Management.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Administration
Air Force Administration personnel manage office functions, supervise administrative staff, and ensure efficient workflow.
Skills that carry over: Leadership, Communication, Problem Solving, Planning, Technical Knowledge.
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
- Supervise support staff
- Assign and review work
- Train new employees
- Evaluate performance
- Manage workflow
Key competencies
Leadership
Ability to guide and motivate staff.
Communication
Skill in giving clear instructions and feedback.
Problem Solving
Ability to resolve work issues effectively.
Planning
Skill in organizing and distributing work assignments.
Technical Knowledge
Understanding of supervised work processes.
Employee Development
Ability to train and mentor staff.
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-0313
What is a Work Unit Supervisor?
GS-0313 Work Unit Supervisors lead clerical and administrative support teams at federal agencies. They assign and review work, train new employees, evaluate performance, manage workflow, and ensure their unit meets production and quality standards. These are first-line supervisory positions over support staff.
How much does a federal Work Unit Supervisor make?
GS-0313 positions typically range from GS-5 ($34,454) to GS-8 ($47,265-$61,449) depending on the size and complexity of the supervised unit. Larger work units or those at major agencies may reach GS-9. Locality pay adds 15-40% in major metro areas.
What are the requirements for GS-0313 positions?
You need 1 year of experience at the next lower grade demonstrating supervisory competencies: leading staff, planning work, achieving quality/quantity standards, training employees, and communicating effectively. Prior experience as a work leader or senior clerk helps qualify. Education rarely substitutes at GS-6+.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0313?
Yes—military supervisory experience is highly valued. If you led teams, assigned work, trained junior personnel, or managed work sections, that directly qualifies. NCO experience supervising admin shops, supply sections, or support units translates perfectly. Document the number of people supervised and specific leadership duties.
What is the career progression for Work Unit Supervisors?
Work Unit Supervisor is a stepping stone to higher management. Many advance to Administrative Officer (GS-0341), Management Analyst, or Program Manager positions at GS-11+. Your demonstrated supervisory experience opens doors to leadership roles across federal agencies in various administrative series.
How do I apply for GS-0313 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS for 'Work Unit Supervisor' or 'Supervisory Clerk.' These positions exist across all federal agencies. Emphasize your leadership experience, team size, training responsibilities, and measurable accomplishments improving productivity or quality. Veterans with NCO experience are strong candidates.
Ready to apply for GS-0313?
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.