Home / Federal careers / GS-1035
Public Affairs
Performs public affairs work including media relations, public information, and communication strategy.
What GS-1035 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-1035, as written.
Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Administrative and Management Positions
Individual Occupational Requirements:
Education:
- GS-5: Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or related field
- GS-7: 1 year graduate education OR Superior Academic Achievement
OR
Experience: Experience in public affairs, public relations, journalism, or communications work.
Education and Experience Requirements (Group Standard):
This is a two-grade interval series. Positions follow the GS-5, GS-7, GS-9, GS-11, GS-12 progression pattern.
| Grade | Education | Experience | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | Bachelor's degree in any field from accredited college/university | 3 years progressively responsible experience, 1 year equivalent to GS-4 | Equivalent combinations qualifying |
| GS-7 | 1 full year graduate education OR Superior Academic Achievement | 1 year specialized experience equivalent to GS-5 | Combinations of graduate education and experience |
| GS-9 | 2 years graduate education or master's degree | 1 year specialized experience equivalent to GS-7 | Combinations of graduate education (excess of GS-7 requirement) and experience |
| GS-11 | 3 years graduate education or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree | 1 year specialized experience equivalent to GS-9 | Combinations of graduate education (excess of GS-9 requirement) and experience |
| GS-12+ | Not applicable | 1 year specialized experience equivalent to next lower grade | N/A |
Superior Academic Achievement (for GS-7):
- Upper third of graduating class in college/university or major subdivision
- GPA of 3.0 or higher out of 4.0 as recorded on official transcript, OR 3.5 or higher in major field
- Election to membership in national scholastic honor society
Graduate Education: One year of full-time graduate education is the number of credit hours the school determines represents 1 year of full-time study. If unavailable, 18 semester hours satisfies the 1-year requirement.
Specialized Experience: Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position.
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-1035
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
Broadcast Journalist
Direct path to federal Public Affairs positions. DoD PA offices actively recruit.
Skills that carry over: Video Production, Broadcasting, Journalism, Interviewing, Media Relations.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9, GS-11, GS-12.
Public Affairs Senior
Public affairs senior.
Skills that carry over: Public Affairs, Media Relations.
Usually opens at: GS-11, GS-12.
Public Affairs Specialist
Excellent fit for public affairs position. Focus on media relations and strategic communication.
Skills that carry over: Media Relations, Community Engagement, Strategic Communication, Press Operations.
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
- Develop communication strategies
- Manage media relations
- Write press releases
- Coordinate public events
- Respond to inquiries
- Advise leadership
Key competencies
Media Relations
Ability to work effectively with news media and journalists.
Writing
Skill in preparing press releases, speeches, and communications.
Strategic Communication
Ability to develop and implement communication plans.
Crisis Communication
Skill in managing communications during emergencies.
Social Media
Proficiency in managing social media platforms and content.
Event Planning
Ability to coordinate public events and press conferences.
Stakeholder Engagement
Skill in building relationships with community partners.
Message Development
Ability to craft clear, effective public messages.
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-1035
What is a federal Public Affairs Specialist?
GS-1035 Public Affairs Specialists manage agency communications: media relations, press releases, public events, social media, crisis communications, and strategic messaging. They work at virtually every federal agency advising leadership and communicating with the public and media.
How much does a federal Public Affairs Specialist make?
GS-1035 positions range from GS-5 ($34,454) at entry to GS-14 ($106,382-$138,296) for senior PAOs and directors. Most journeyman positions are GS-11/12 ($63,163-$98,422). Public Affairs Directors reach GS-13/14. Add locality pay.
What are the requirements for GS-1035 positions?
At GS-5, you need a bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or related field OR equivalent experience. Higher grades require specialized public affairs experience. Strong writing, media relations, and strategic communication skills essential.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-1035?
Absolutely. Military Public Affairs experience (46-series, Mass Communication Specialist, Public Affairs) directly qualifies and is highly valued. Your experience with military media relations, command information, and community relations translates perfectly to federal civilian PAO positions.
What is the career progression for Public Affairs Specialists?
Entry at GS-5/7, journeyman at GS-9/11, senior PAOs at GS-12/13. Public Affairs Directors reach GS-13/14. Every major federal agency has PAO positions. DOD, VA, and agencies with significant public interaction offer the most opportunities.
How do I apply for GS-1035 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS for 'Public Affairs Specialist' or 'Public Information Officer.' Every federal agency hires PAOs. Highlight your media relations experience, writing portfolio, and crisis communication skills. Veterans with military PAO backgrounds have directly applicable qualifications.
Ready to apply for GS-1035?
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.