Home / Federal careers / GS-0332
Computer Operations
Performs computer operations work including system monitoring, job scheduling, and operations support.
What GS-0332 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 |
| GS-10 | $57,489 | $59,405 | $61,321 | $63,237 | $65,153 | $67,069 | $68,985 | $70,901 | $72,817 | $74,733 |
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-0332, 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 when staffing Computer Operation positions.
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-0332
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
Client Systems
Computer operations pathway. Data center and system operations.
Skills that carry over: Computer Operations, System Monitoring, Backup Operations, Help Desk Support, Documentation.
Usually opens at: GS-5, GS-7, GS-9.
IT Specialist
Computer Operation. Federal data center and systems operations. 25Bs with server management and monitoring experience qualify directly.
Skills that carry over: Server operations, System monitoring, Backup management, Hardware maintenance, Incident response.
Usually opens at: GS-5, GS-7, GS-9.
Data Systems Administrator
Computer Operations series — covers operational management of computer systems and peripherals. Good fit for 0671s focused on server operations.
Skills that carry over: Computer Operations, System Monitoring, Data Management, Batch Processing.
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
- Monitor computer systems
- Schedule and run batch jobs
- Respond to system alerts
- Maintain operational logs
- Support production systems
- Troubleshoot problems
Key competencies
Technical Knowledge
Understanding of computer systems and operations.
Problem Solving
Ability to diagnose and resolve system issues.
Attention to Detail
Accuracy in monitoring and operating systems.
Reliability
Dependability in maintaining system availability.
Communication
Skill in documenting and reporting issues.
Adaptability
Ability to work various shifts and respond to emergencies.
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-0332
What is a Computer Operations Specialist?
A GS-0332 Computer Operations Specialist operates and monitors federal computer systems, ensuring continuous availability and performance. These professionals manage data centers, run batch jobs, and troubleshoot system issues.
How much does a Computer Operations Specialist make?
Computer Operations Specialists earn between $34,454 (GS-5 Step 1) and $82,108 (GS-11 Step 10) under the 2025 GS pay scale. Most positions are GS-7/9/11, earning $42,679-$82,108 annually plus locality adjustments.
What are the requirements for GS-0332?
GS-0332 positions require experience operating computer systems or relevant IT education. Entry-level positions accept technical training or experience. Higher grades require progressively more specialized data center and systems operations experience.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0332?
Yes, military IT operations experience is directly applicable. Those who operated military computer systems, managed networks, or worked in communications centers have transferable skills. Military IT certifications and systems experience count toward qualification.
What is the career progression for Computer Operations?
The career ladder follows GS-5/7/9/11 intervals. Entry-level specialists perform routine operations. GS-9/11 specialists manage complex systems and lead shifts. Many advance to GS-2210 IT Specialist or other IT series with additional skills.
How do I apply for GS-0332 jobs?
Search USAJOBS.gov for 'Computer Operations' or '0332' series. Data centers and IT organizations hire these specialists. Your federal resume should detail specific systems operated, monitoring experience, and troubleshooting skills.
Ready to apply for GS-0332?
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.