Home / Federal careers / GS-0391
Telecommunications
Manages telecommunications systems, networks, and services including voice, data, video, and wireless communications.
What GS-0391 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 |
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-0391, as written.
Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Administrative and Management Positions
Individual Occupational Requirements:
Education: Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- electrical or electronic engineering, mathematics, physics, public utilities, statistics, computer science, telecommunications management, information systems management, business administration, industrial management, or other fields related to the position to be filled.
Technical institute training in communications/electronics from an Armed Forces school with advanced instruction beyond basic courses may be substituted for general experience on a month-for-month basis.
OR
Experience:
GS-5 (General Experience): Experience that provided a basic knowledge of telecommunications functions, problems, and/or solutions.
Above GS-5 (Specialized Experience): Experience in evaluating, analyzing, developing, managing, or improving communications systems, procedures, and requirements that demonstrated knowledge of current developments and trends in communications concepts and technology.
Education and Experience Requirements (Group Standard):
| Grade | Education | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | Bachelor's in electrical/electronic engineering, mathematics, physics, computer science, telecommunications, or related | Basic knowledge of telecommunications functions |
| GS-7 | 1 year graduate education in telecommunications or related OR Superior Academic Achievement | 1 year specialized experience equivalent to GS-5 |
| GS-9 | 2 years graduate education or master's in telecommunications or related | 1 year specialized experience equivalent to GS-7 |
| GS-11 | 3 years graduate education or Ph.D. in telecommunications or related | 1 year specialized experience equivalent to GS-9 |
| GS-12+ | N/A | 1 year specialized experience at next lower grade |
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-0391
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
Naval Aircrewman (Avionics)
AWVs map directly to GS-0391 Telecommunications. Operating VLF, UHF, and SATCOM systems on the E-6B aligns with the planning and operation of federal communications systems.
Skills that carry over: VLF/UHF/SHF systems operation, SATCOM link management, Communications planning, COMSEC discipline.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9, GS-11.
Signal Operations Support Specialist
Direct match for 25Us with radio, satellite, and tactical communications experience. DISA, Army Signal commands, and intelligence agencies hire 0391s for managing telecommunications systems and circuits.
Skills that carry over: Radio communications, Satellite operations, Circuit management, Frequency management, Telecommunications troubleshooting.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9, GS-11.
Electro-Mechanical/Information and Communication Technology Maintainer
The telephone-systems, switching, and cabling half of 2847 maps to GS-0391 Telecommunications. Voice infrastructure and distribution-frame work counts as specialized experience.
Skills that carry over: Telephone systems repair, Structured cabling, Voice infrastructure, Distribution frames.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9, GS-11.
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
- Plan and implement telecommunications systems
- Manage network infrastructure and services
- Coordinate communications requirements
- Oversee telecommunications contracts
- Ensure network security and reliability
- Evaluate emerging technologies
Key competencies
Telecommunications Knowledge
Understanding of telecom systems and technologies.
Technical Analysis
Ability to evaluate telecommunications requirements.
Project Management
Skill in managing telecommunications projects.
Problem Solving
Ability to resolve complex technical issues.
Communication
Skill in explaining technical concepts.
Planning
Ability to develop telecommunications strategies.
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-0391
What is a Telecommunications Specialist?
A GS-0391 Telecommunications Specialist plans, implements, and manages telecommunications systems for federal agencies. These professionals work with voice, data, video, and satellite communications ensuring reliable connectivity for government operations.
How much does a Telecommunications Specialist make?
Telecommunications Specialists earn between $42,679 (GS-7 Step 1) and $117,034 (GS-13 Step 10) under the 2025 GS pay scale. Most positions are GS-11/12/13, earning $63,163-$117,034 annually plus locality adjustments.
What are the requirements for GS-0391?
GS-0391 positions require education and/or experience in telecommunications, electronics, or IT. Entry-level positions accept relevant degrees or technical experience. Higher grades require progressively more specialized telecom systems experience.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0391?
Yes, military communications experience is highly valued. Signal Corps, Communications specialists, and those who managed tactical or strategic communications systems have directly transferable skills. Military certifications and systems experience translate well.
What is the career progression for Telecommunications Specialist?
The career ladder typically follows GS-7/9/11/12/13 intervals. Entry-level specialists support telecom operations. GS-11/12 specialists manage systems and projects. Senior specialists direct agency-wide telecommunications programs.
How do I apply for GS-0391 jobs?
Search USAJOBS.gov for 'Telecommunications' or '0391' series. Positions exist at DoD, DHS, and most agencies. Your federal resume should detail specific systems experience, certifications, and technical expertise. Security clearance may be required.
Ready to apply for GS-0391?
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.