Home / Federal careers / GS-1130
Public Affairs
Performs public affairs work including media relations, public information, and communication strategies.
What GS-1130 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-1130, as written.
Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Administrative and Management Positions
Individual Occupational Requirements:
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or related field
OR
Experience: Experience in public affairs, media relations, or communications.
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-1130
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
Public Affairs Specialist
Directly involved in public communication and media engagement, ideal for GS-1130 roles.
Skills that carry over: Strategic Communication, Crisis Communication, Media Relations.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11.
Public Affairs Specialist
Directly responsible for media relations and public information, making this a direct transition to GS-1130 roles.
Skills that carry over: Strategic Communication, Media Relations, Content Development.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11.
Public Affairs Specialist
Handles communication strategies and media relations, directly applicable to GS-1130 roles.
Skills that carry over: Crisis Communication, Strategic Communication, Media Relations.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11.
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 public affairs strategies
- Write press releases and communications
- Manage media relations
- Coordinate public events
- Monitor media coverage
- Advise leadership on public affairs matters
Key competencies
Strategic Communication
Ability to develop comprehensive communication strategies.
Media Relations
Skill in working with journalists and managing media inquiries.
Content Development
Ability to create content for various platforms.
Crisis Communication
Skill in managing communications during critical situations.
Digital Media
Proficiency in social media and digital communication tools.
Stakeholder Engagement
Ability to build relationships with key audiences.
Writing
Skill in writing press releases, talking points, and publications.
Event Management
Ability to coordinate public events and press conferences.
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-1130
What is a Public Affairs Specialist?
A GS-1130 Public Affairs Specialist manages communications between federal agencies and the public, media, and stakeholders. These specialists develop communication strategies, write press releases, manage media relations, coordinate public events, handle crisis communications, and advise agency leadership on public perception. They serve as the official voice of their agency.
How much does a federal Public Affairs Specialist make?
Federal Public Affairs Specialists earn between $34,454 (GS-5 Step 1) and $138,296 (GS-14 Step 10) on the 2025 GS pay scale. Mid-career specialists at GS-11/12 earn $63,163-$98,422. Senior public affairs officers and directors at GS-13/14 earn $90,025-$138,296. High-visibility agencies in DC often hire at higher grades with locality pay adding 32%.
What are the requirements for GS-1130 positions?
GS-1130 is a two-grade interval professional series. Entry at GS-5 requires a bachelor's degree (communications, journalism, or public relations preferred) or equivalent experience. Higher grades require progressively more specialized experience in media relations, strategic communications, or public information. Strong writing skills and digital media proficiency are essential competencies.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-1130?
Absolutely. Veterans with Public Affairs Officer (PAO) experience have directly transferable skills—military media relations, command communications, press release writing, and community engagement count as qualifying experience. Even veterans without formal PAO roles can qualify if they handled unit communications, social media, or served as spokespersons. Document specific media interactions and content you created.
What is the career progression for Public Affairs Specialist?
Public Affairs follows the GS-5/7/9/11/12 ladder with journey level at GS-11 or GS-12. Senior specialists, branch chiefs, and agency spokespersons reach GS-13/14. Career paths include specializing in digital/social media, crisis communications, or congressional affairs. Some transition to political appointee communications roles or SES-level positions.
How do I apply for GS-1130 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS.gov for "Public Affairs Specialist" or "Public Affairs Officer" under series 1130. Major employers include DOD, VA, DHS, and every cabinet agency. Build a portfolio of writing samples including press releases and strategic communications plans. Your federal resume should highlight media relations experience, crisis communications, and digital engagement metrics.
Ready to apply for GS-1130?
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.