Home / Federal careers / GS-0819
Environmental Engineering
Performs professional environmental engineering work including pollution control, waste management, and environmental remediation.
What GS-0819 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-0819, as written.
Environmental Engineering Basic Requirements
Uses Professional Engineering Basic Requirements (GS-800 Series)
Option A - Degree: Engineering degree from ABET-accredited program in environmental engineering, civil engineering, chemical engineering, or related field with environmental focus.
Option B - Combination: College-level education plus technical experience demonstrating thorough knowledge of engineering sciences and their application to environmental problems.
Professional Registration: Registration as Professional Engineer (PE) is qualifying.
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.
- This series carries a positive education requirement: a degree is required and experience cannot be substituted for it.
How to qualify for GS-0819
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
Environmental Engineering Management Officer
This position involves managing environmental engineering projects, directly aligning with the GS-0819 series responsibilities.
Skills that carry over: Environmental Project Management, Pollution Control, Waste Management.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11.
Environmental Science/Engineering Officer
This role directly involves environmental engineering tasks such as pollution control and waste management, making it a strong fit for transitioning to the GS-0819 series.
Skills that carry over: Pollution Control, Environmental Assessment, Regulatory Compliance.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11.
Bioenvironmental Engineering
GS-0819 Environmental Engineering fits air, water, and hazardous-waste compliance work, especially with an engineering degree.
Skills that carry over: Environmental compliance, Water and air sampling, Remediation planning, Regulatory reporting.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11, GS-12.
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
- Design pollution control systems
- Conduct environmental assessments
- Develop remediation plans
- Ensure regulatory compliance
- Manage environmental projects
- Review environmental permits
Key competencies
Water Treatment
Knowledge of water and wastewater treatment systems and processes.
Air Quality
Understanding of air pollution control technologies and regulations.
Waste Management
Ability to design hazardous and solid waste management systems.
Environmental Regulations
Knowledge of EPA regulations and environmental laws.
Site Remediation
Skill in assessing and remediating contaminated sites.
Impact Assessment
Ability to conduct environmental impact studies.
Sustainability
Knowledge of sustainable engineering practices.
Permitting
Understanding of environmental permitting requirements and processes.
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-0819
What is a federal Environmental Engineer?
GS-0819 Environmental Engineers design pollution control systems, conduct environmental assessments, develop remediation plans, ensure regulatory compliance, and manage environmental projects. They work at EPA, Army Corps, DOE, Air Force, and agencies managing contaminated sites or environmental programs.
How much does a federal Environmental Engineer make?
GS-0819 positions range from GS-5 ($34,454) at entry to GS-14 ($106,382-$138,296) for senior engineers and program managers. Journeyman positions are GS-11/12 ($63,163-$98,422). Regional program managers reach GS-13/14. Add locality pay of 15-40%.
What are the requirements for GS-0819 positions?
A professional engineering degree (ABET-accredited) in environmental, civil, chemical, or related engineering is mandatory—positive education requirement. PE licensure preferred. Experience with water treatment, air quality, hazardous waste, or site remediation needed for higher grades.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0819?
The engineering degree is mandatory, but military environmental experience is highly valued. Engineers with environmental compliance, HAZMAT, or installation restoration experience transition well. Your experience with military environmental programs and regulations complements required education.
What is the career progression for Environmental Engineers?
Entry at GS-5/7, journeyman at GS-11/12, senior engineers at GS-12/13, and program managers at GS-13/14. PE licensure accelerates advancement. EPA, Army Corps, Air Force, and DOE offer strong environmental engineering career paths with continuing education support.
How do I apply for GS-0819 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS for 'Environmental Engineer.' EPA, Army Corps, Air Force, and DOE are major employers. Highlight your engineering degree, environmental specialties (water, air, remediation), and regulatory experience. Veterans with environmental engineering backgrounds are valued at agencies managing military cleanup sites.
Ready to apply for GS-0819?
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.