Home / Federal careers / GS-0408
Ecology
Performs professional ecological work including study of ecosystems, environmental relationships, and conservation.
What GS-0408 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 |
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-0408, as written.
Degree: biology, or a related field of science underlying ecological research that included at least 30 semester hours in basic and applied biological sciences. These hours must have included at least 9 semester hours in ecology, and 12 semester hours in physical and mathematical sciences.
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-0408
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.
Typical duties
- Conduct ecological research and surveys
- Analyze ecosystem dynamics
- Assess environmental impacts
- Develop conservation strategies
- Monitor wildlife populations
- Prepare ecological reports
Key competencies
Ecological Knowledge
Understanding of ecosystems and ecological principles.
Field Research
Ability to conduct ecological studies in the field.
Data Analysis
Skill in analyzing ecological data and trends.
Environmental Assessment
Ability to evaluate environmental impacts.
Conservation Biology
Knowledge of species and habitat conservation.
Scientific Communication
Skill in preparing ecological reports.
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-0408
What is an Ecologist?
A GS-0408 Ecologist studies relationships between organisms and their environments for federal agencies. Federal ecologists work at EPA, Fish & Wildlife Service, and land management agencies conducting research, managing ecosystems, and developing conservation policies.
How much does a federal Ecologist make?
Ecologists earn between $42,679 (GS-7 Step 1) and $138,296 (GS-14 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-0408?
GS-0408 positions require a degree in ecology or biological science with ecology coursework. Higher grades require progressively more specialized research and ecosystem management experience.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0408?
Military experience cannot substitute for required ecology education. However, veterans with ecology degrees who served in environmental roles have applicable field experience that complements academic credentials.
What is the career progression for Ecologist?
The career ladder follows GS-7/9/11/12/13/14 intervals. Entry-level ecologists conduct field research support. GS-11/12 ecologists lead studies independently. Senior ecologists direct research programs and advise on ecosystem management policy.
How do I apply for GS-0408 jobs?
Search USAJOBS.gov for 'Ecologist' or '0408' series. Major employers include EPA, USFWS, and land management agencies. Your federal resume should detail research experience, fieldwork, and ecosystem expertise. Transcripts are required.
Ready to apply for GS-0408?
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.