Home / Federal careers / GS-0986
Legal Clerk and Technician
Performs legal support work including document preparation, case file management, and legal research assistance.
What GS-0986 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-4 | $30,795 | $31,822 | $32,849 | $33,876 | $34,903 | $35,930 | $36,957 | $37,984 | $39,011 | $40,038 |
| GS-5 | $34,454 | $35,603 | $36,752 | $37,901 | $39,050 | $40,199 | $41,348 | $42,497 | $43,646 | $44,786 |
| GS-6 | $38,407 | $39,687 | $40,967 | $42,247 | $43,527 | $44,807 | $46,087 | $47,367 | $48,647 | $49,927 |
| GS-7 | $42,679 | $44,102 | $45,525 | $46,948 | $48,371 | $49,794 | $51,217 | $52,640 | $54,063 | $55,486 |
| GS-8 | $47,265 | $48,841 | $50,417 | $51,993 | $53,569 | $55,145 | $56,721 | $58,297 | $59,873 | $61,449 |
| GS-9 | $52,205 | $53,945 | $55,685 | $57,425 | $59,165 | $60,905 | $62,645 | $64,385 | $66,125 | $67,865 |
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-0986, as written.
Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Clerical and Administrative Support Positions
Individual Occupational Requirements: There are no Individual Occupational Requirements for this series.
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-0986
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
Legal Clerk
Legal clerk pathway.
Skills that carry over: Legal Documents, Filing, Records Management, Court Support, Documentation.
Usually opens at: GS-5, GS-7.
Legalman
Legalmen perform duties similar to civilian legal clerks, including legal research and document preparation, ensuring a smooth transition.
Skills that carry over: Legal Document Processing, Communication, Court Procedures.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Legal Services Specialist
Legal Clerk and Technician. Case filing, records management, and legal administrative support. Federal courts and U.S. Attorneys offices.
Skills that carry over: Case filing, Records management, Court administration, Document processing, Database management.
Usually opens at: GS-5, 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
- Prepare legal documents
- Manage case files
- Assist with legal research
- Process court filings
- Maintain legal records
- Provide administrative support
Key competencies
Legal Document Processing
Skill in preparing and processing legal documents.
File Management
Ability to organize and maintain legal files and records.
Court Procedures
Knowledge of court filing procedures and requirements.
Typing and Data Entry
Proficiency in accurate typing and data entry.
Communication
Ability to communicate effectively with legal staff and the public.
Scheduling
Skill in coordinating schedules and managing calendars.
Attention to Detail
Ability to ensure accuracy in legal documents.
Office Software
Proficiency in word processing and legal software applications.
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-0986
What is a Legal Clerk or Technician?
GS-0986 Legal Clerks and Technicians provide support in legal offices: preparing documents, managing case files, assisting with research, processing court filings, and maintaining records. They work at DOJ, agency counsel offices, federal courts, and military legal offices.
How much does a federal Legal Technician make?
GS-0986 positions range from GS-4 ($30,795) to GS-9 ($52,205-$67,865). Most positions are GS-5 to GS-7 ($34,454-$55,486). Senior technicians and leads reach GS-8/9. Add locality pay of 15-40% plus federal benefits.
What are the requirements for GS-0986 positions?
At GS-4, you need 1 year of general clerical experience or 2 years of education. Higher grades require specialized legal support experience. Knowledge of court procedures, legal terminology, and proficiency in word processing are essential.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0986?
Yes. Military legal clerk or administrative experience qualifies. If you worked in a JAG office, processed legal documents, or maintained military justice files, that experience translates directly. Your knowledge of legal procedures and document management is valued.
What is the career progression for Legal Technicians?
Entry at GS-4/5 with progression to GS-7/8/9. Many use this as a stepping stone to Paralegal Specialist (GS-0950) at higher grades. Some pursue paralegal certification or law degrees for career advancement. DOJ and federal courts offer strong career paths.
How do I apply for GS-0986 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS for 'Legal Clerk,' 'Legal Technician,' or 'Court Clerk.' DOJ, federal courts, and agency counsel are major employers. Emphasize your legal office experience, document preparation skills, and court procedure knowledge. Veterans with JAG office experience have applicable backgrounds.
Ready to apply for GS-0986?
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.