Home / Federal careers / GS-0392
General Telecommunications
Performs general telecommunications work including communications planning, system management, and technical support.
What GS-0392 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-0392, as written.
General Telecommunications Series 0392
Note: 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.
This series uses the Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Clerical and Administrative Support Positions as a reference alongside any agency-specific requirements.
Typical Requirements (Agency-Specific):
Agencies typically require:
- Knowledge of telecommunications systems, operations, and procedures
- Ability to operate and monitor telecommunications equipment
- Understanding of data transmission principles and protocols
Education and Experience Requirements: Since no OPM standard exists, agencies develop position-specific requirements based on:
- Type and complexity of telecommunications work
- Grade level of the position
- Mission-critical nature of the work
Contact OPM: Agencies filling positions in this series should work directly with OPM to develop appropriate qualifications when needed.
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-0392
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, Submarines, Communications
GS-0392 General Telecommunications covers hands-on installation, operation, and repair of communications equipment, the daily work of a submarine radioman.
Skills that carry over: Equipment installation and repair, Antenna and transmission systems, RF troubleshooting.
Usually opens at: GS-6, GS-7, GS-9.
Tactical Switching Operator
GS-0392 General Telecommunications covers technician-level operations support. Clean entry point for transitioning switching operators at the lower grades.
Skills that carry over: Communications equipment operation, Subscriber provisioning, Trunk management, Fault isolation.
Usually opens at: GS-5, GS-6, GS-7.
Network Administrator
GS-0392 General Telecommunications covers operational telecom support roles adjacent to a 0631 transport background.
Skills that carry over: Telecom operations, Equipment operation, Customer support, Fault reporting.
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
- Plan telecommunications systems
- Manage communications networks
- Provide technical support
- Coordinate telecommunications services
- Ensure system reliability
- Evaluate new technologies
Key competencies
Telecommunications Management
Skill in overseeing telecom programs.
Technical Knowledge
Understanding of telecommunications technologies.
Contract Management
Ability to manage service contracts.
Analytical Skills
Ability to assess telecommunications needs.
Communication
Skill in coordinating with technical staff.
Planning
Ability to develop telecommunications plans.
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-0392
What is a General Telecommunications Specialist?
GS-0392 General Telecommunications Specialists plan, manage, and support telecommunications systems for federal agencies. They oversee communications networks, coordinate telecom services, evaluate new technologies, and ensure system reliability. These are professional-level positions managing agency voice, data, and video communications infrastructure.
How much does a federal Telecommunications Specialist make?
GS-0392 positions range from GS-5 ($34,454) at entry to GS-13 ($90,025-$117,034) for senior specialists. Most journeyman positions are GS-11/12 ($63,163-$98,422). Supervisory and program manager roles reach GS-13+. Add locality pay of 15-40% for metro areas.
What are the requirements for GS-0392 positions?
At entry level, a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in telecommunications, electronics, or IT. Higher grades require specialized experience in telecommunications planning, system management, or technical support. Knowledge of telecom technologies, contract management, and communications standards is essential.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0392?
Yes. Military telecommunications experience—Signal Corps, Communications, or IT roles—directly qualifies. If you managed communications networks, planned telecom systems, or provided technical support for military communications, that experience translates directly. Your security clearance is often required for DoD telecom positions.
What is the career progression for Telecommunications Specialists?
Entry at GS-5/7 with a ladder to GS-11/12 is typical. Senior specialists and program managers reach GS-13. This leads to IT Specialist (GS-2210) or Supervisory Telecommunications Specialist roles. Expertise in emerging technologies (5G, cloud communications) enhances advancement opportunities.
How do I apply for GS-0392 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS for 'Telecommunications Specialist' or 'Telecommunications Manager.' Positions exist across all federal agencies. Emphasize your telecom planning, system management, and technical support experience. Veterans with Signal or Communications MOSs are strong candidates, especially with active security clearances.
Ready to apply for GS-0392?
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.