Home / Federal careers / GS-1854
Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Inspection
Performs ATF inspection work including compliance inspections of licensed businesses and enforcement activities.
What GS-1854 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-1854, as written.
⚠️ CANCELLED SERIES\n\nThis occupational series has been officially cancelled by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM).\n\nStatus: Cancelled\n\nReplacement Series:\n- GS-1801: General Inspection, Investigation, Enforcement, and Compliance Series\n- GS-1811: Criminal Investigation Series\n\nNote: If you are interested in this type of work, please search for the replacement series listed above.
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-1854
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.
Typical duties
- Conduct compliance inspections
- Review business records
- Verify regulatory compliance
- Investigate violations
- Prepare inspection reports
- Recommend enforcement actions
Key competencies
Regulatory Knowledge
Understanding of ATF regulations and laws.
Inspection
Skill in conducting compliance inspections.
Investigation
Ability to investigate regulatory violations.
Evidence Collection
Skill in gathering and preserving evidence.
Report Writing
Ability to prepare inspection and investigation reports.
Communication
Skill in working with licensees and the public.
Enforcement
Ability to take appropriate enforcement actions.
Attention to Detail
Skill in reviewing records and documentation.
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-1854
What is an ATF Inspection Specialist?
NOTE: GS-1854 Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Inspection is a CANCELLED series. This occupational classification has been officially discontinued by OPM. ATF inspection and investigation work is now covered under GS-1801 (General Inspection, Investigation, Enforcement) and GS-1811 (Criminal Investigation) series. If you are interested in this type of work, search for those replacement series.
What replaced the ATF Inspection series?
The GS-1854 ATF Inspection series was consolidated into GS-1801 for inspection and compliance work and GS-1811 for criminal investigation (Special Agent) positions. ATF Industry Operations Investigators now typically fall under GS-1801, while ATF Special Agents are classified under GS-1811.
How do I become an ATF Inspector or Agent instead?
For ATF compliance inspection work, search USAJOBS for Industry Operations Investigator (IOI) positions at ATF, typically classified under GS-1801. For ATF criminal investigation (Special Agent), search for GS-1811 Criminal Investigator positions at Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
What are the requirements for ATF positions now?
ATF Industry Operations Investigators (IOI) under GS-1801 require a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in inspection, investigation, or compliance work. ATF Special Agents under GS-1811 require meeting law enforcement requirements including physical fitness, firearms qualification, and passing extensive background investigation.
Can military experience qualify for ATF positions?
Yes, military experience is valued at ATF. Veterans with military police, explosive ordnance, criminal investigation, or security experience have relevant backgrounds. For Special Agent positions, combat arms and weapons expertise provide unique qualifications. Veterans preference points apply to both IOI and Special Agent hiring.
Where can I find current ATF jobs?
Search USAJOBS.gov for "ATF" or "Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives" to find current openings. Look for Industry Operations Investigator (IOI) positions for compliance work or Special Agent positions for criminal investigation. ATF has field offices nationwide and headquarters in Washington, DC.
Ready to apply for GS-1854?
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.