Home / Federal careers / GS-0390
Telecommunications Processing
Federal position processing telecommunications messages, managing communications systems, and ensuring secure transmission of official government communications at federal facilities.
What GS-0390 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-0390, 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.
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-0390
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
Information Systems Technician
Navy ITs handle communications and secure message processing, aligning closely with the GS-0390 series duties.
Skills that carry over: Message security, System operation, Technical troubleshooting.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Cyber Transport Systems
Air Force Cyber Transport specialists manage and secure communication networks, relevant to telecommunications processing.
Skills that carry over: Network management, Communications security, Problem solving.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11.
Information Systems Technician
Coast Guard ITs manage telecommunications and secure communications, making them suitable for this GS series.
Skills that carry over: Telecommunications processing, Secure transmission, Equipment proficiency.
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
- Process telecommunications
- Operate communications systems
- Maintain message logs
- Ensure message security
- Troubleshoot systems
Key competencies
Technical Skills
Knowledge of telecommunications systems.
Attention to Detail
Accuracy in processing communications.
Equipment Operation
Proficiency with telecommunications equipment.
Problem Solving
Ability to troubleshoot technical issues.
Security Awareness
Understanding of communications security.
Reliability
Dependability in maintaining communications flow.
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-0390
What is a Telecommunications Processing Specialist?
GS-0390 Telecommunications Processing positions handle official government communications: processing messages, operating secure communications systems, maintaining message logs, and ensuring secure transmission of sensitive information. They work at military installations, intelligence agencies, and facilities requiring secure communications.
How much does a federal Telecommunications Processing Specialist make?
GS-0390 positions typically range from GS-3 ($27,434) to GS-7 ($42,679-$55,486). Most positions are GS-4 to GS-6 ($30,795-$49,927). Positions handling classified communications at secure facilities may reach GS-7/8. Add locality pay of 15-40%.
What are the requirements for GS-0390 positions?
At GS-4, you need 1 year of general experience or 2 years of education. Higher grades require specialized experience with telecommunications systems and message processing. Security clearance is typically required due to the sensitive nature of government communications.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0390?
Absolutely—this is prime territory for military communicators. Message center experience, COMSEC handling, tactical communications, or communications security work directly qualifies. Your existing security clearance and familiarity with secure communications protocols are major advantages.
What is the career progression for Telecommunications Processing?
Start at GS-3/4 with progression to GS-6/7. This leads naturally to Telecommunications Specialist (GS-0391) or IT Specialist (GS-2210) positions at higher grades. Security clearance and communications experience open doors to intelligence community and DoD positions.
How do I apply for GS-0390 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS for 'Telecommunications Processing' or 'Communications Specialist.' Positions are common at DoD installations, intelligence agencies, and secure facilities. Your military communications experience and security clearance are significant qualifications. Veterans with Signal or Comm MOSs are ideal candidates.
Ready to apply for GS-0390?
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.