Home / Federal careers / GS-0318
Secretary
Federal secretarial position providing executive administrative support including scheduling, correspondence, meeting coordination, and office management for government officials and programs.
What GS-0318 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-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 |
| GS-7 | $42,679 | $44,102 | $45,525 | $46,948 | $48,371 | $49,794 | $51,217 | $52,640 | $54,063 | $55,486 |
| GS-8 | $47,265 | $48,841 | $50,417 | $51,993 | $53,569 | $55,145 | $56,721 | $58,297 | $59,873 | $61,449 |
| GS-9 | $52,205 | $53,945 | $55,685 | $57,425 | $59,165 | $60,905 | $62,645 | $64,385 | $66,125 | $67,865 |
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-0318, 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. Agencies have flexibility in establishing their own requirements, provided they align with the applicable group standard.
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-0318
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
Administration
GS-0318 Secretary covers executive and front-office support to a single official or office, the civilian version of GO/SES executive-support billets.
Skills that carry over: Executive support, Calendar and travel management, Correspondence, Confidential information handling.
Usually opens at: GS-5, GS-6, GS-7, GS-8, GS-9.
Yeoman
Strong alignment. Secretary positions value YN administrative experience and correspondence skills.
Skills that carry over: Correspondence, Calendar management, Office administration, Communication.
Usually opens at: GS-5, GS-6, GS-7.
Administrative Specialist
Secretary series values admin skills.
Skills that carry over: administrative support, scheduling, correspondence, office management.
Usually opens at: GS-5, 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
- Manage executive calendars
- Prepare correspondence and documents
- Coordinate meetings and travel
- Handle confidential information
- Screen calls and visitors
- Maintain office operations
Key competencies
Administrative Skills
Proficiency in office management procedures.
Communication
Excellent written and verbal communication.
Organization
Superior ability to manage schedules and priorities.
Discretion
Skill in handling confidential information.
Computer Proficiency
Advanced skills with office software.
Interpersonal Skills
Ability to work with diverse stakeholders.
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-0318
What is a Secretary?
A GS-0318 Secretary provides administrative support including correspondence, scheduling, travel arrangements, and office management. Federal secretaries work across all agencies supporting executives, managers, and office operations with essential administrative functions.
How much does a federal Secretary make?
Federal Secretaries earn between $30,795 (GS-4 Step 1) and $67,865 (GS-9 Step 10) under the 2025 GS pay scale. Most positions are GS-6/7/8, earning $38,407-$61,449 annually plus locality adjustments.
What are the requirements for GS-0318 positions?
Entry-level GS-4/5 positions require general clerical experience or relevant education. Higher grades require progressively more specialized experience supporting executives, managing complex calendars, and handling sensitive information. Typing proficiency is typically required.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0318?
Military experience as unit clerk, orderly room NCO, administrative specialist, or executive assistant directly qualifies for Secretary positions. Experience managing correspondence, calendars, travel orders, and supporting commanders demonstrates required competencies.
What is the career progression for Secretary?
Secretaries progress from GS-4/5 (entry) through GS-6/7/8/9 (senior/executive assistant). Many advance to GS-0301 Administrative Specialist positions. Executive Secretary roles supporting senior officials offer highest grade potential within the series.
How do I apply for GS-0318 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS.gov for 'Secretary' or '0318' series. Every federal agency has secretary positions. Your federal resume should detail specific administrative experience, software proficiency (Microsoft Office), and level of executives supported. Highlight accuracy and discretion.
Ready to apply for GS-0318?
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.