Home / Federal careers / GS-1801
General Inspection, Investigation, Enforcement
Federal position performing inspection, investigation, and regulatory enforcement work across various federal programs including compliance monitoring and enforcement actions.
What GS-1801 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 |
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-1801, as written.
Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Administrative and Management Positions
Individual Occupational Requirements:
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, law enforcement, or related field
OR
Experience: General experience in inspection, investigation, enforcement, or compliance 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-1801
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
Marine Law Enforcement
Criminal investigator pathway.
Skills that carry over: Law Enforcement, Investigations, Evidence Collection, Boarding Operations, Report Writing.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11, GS-12.
Military Working Dog Handler
TSA Explosive Detection Canine handlers, CBP K9, and Federal Air Marshal canine support all hire under GS-1801. TSA EDC program hires almost exclusively from MWD veterans.
Skills that carry over: Explosive detection, Inspection operations, Federal compliance, Access control screening, Threat detection.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9, GS-11.
Military Working Dog Handler
GS-1801 covers TSA enforcement roles including the explosive detection canine program. Detection and search experience is a direct qualifier.
Skills that carry over: Explosive detection, Search and screening, Compliance enforcement, Threat assessment.
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
- Conduct inspections and investigations
- Gather and analyze evidence
- Interview witnesses and subjects
- Prepare investigative reports
- Ensure regulatory compliance
- Coordinate with law enforcement
Key competencies
Investigation
Ability to conduct thorough investigations.
Inspection
Skill in performing inspections and examinations.
Evidence Analysis
Ability to gather and analyze evidence.
Report Writing
Skill in preparing investigative reports.
Regulatory Knowledge
Understanding of applicable laws and regulations.
Interviewing
Ability to conduct effective interviews.
Enforcement
Skill in enforcing regulations and taking appropriate action.
Communication
Ability to communicate findings and recommendations.
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-1801
What is a General Inspection, Investigation, and Enforcement Specialist?
A GS-1801 General Inspection, Investigation, and Enforcement Specialist conducts inspections, investigations, and regulatory enforcement across federal programs. These specialists gather and analyze evidence, interview witnesses, prepare investigative reports, ensure regulatory compliance, and coordinate enforcement actions for Inspectors General, regulatory agencies, and compliance programs.
How much does a federal Inspection and Enforcement Specialist make?
Federal Inspection and Enforcement Specialists earn between $34,454 (GS-5 Step 1) and $117,034 (GS-13 Step 10) on the 2025 GS scale. Most positions are at GS-9 through GS-12. A GS-11 position earns $63,163-$82,108. Inspectors General offices, regulatory agencies, and compliance programs across government hire these specialists.
What are the requirements for GS-1801 positions?
GS-1801 follows the administrative qualification standard. Entry at GS-5 requires a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, law enforcement, or related field, or equivalent experience. Higher grades require specialized experience in inspection, investigation, or enforcement work. Strong analytical, interviewing, and report writing skills are essential.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-1801?
Absolutely. Veterans with military police, criminal investigation (CID/NCIS/OSI), Inspector General, or compliance inspection experience have directly transferable skills. Experience conducting investigations, writing reports, gathering evidence, and enforcing regulations in military settings provides excellent qualifying background for this series.
What is the career progression for Inspection and Enforcement Specialist?
Inspection/Enforcement Specialists follow the GS-5/7/9/11/12 progression with journey level at GS-11 or GS-12. Senior investigators reach GS-13. Career paths include specializing in specific regulatory areas, transitioning to GS-1811 Criminal Investigator positions, or advancing to supervisory roles in Inspectors General offices.
How do I apply for GS-1801 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS.gov for "Inspector" or "Investigator" under series 1801. Inspectors General, EPA, OSHA, FDA, and regulatory agencies are primary employers. Highlight investigation experience, regulatory knowledge, and enforcement accomplishments. Include specific types of inspections conducted and cases investigated in your federal resume.
Ready to apply for GS-1801?
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.