Home / Federal careers / GS-0186
Social Services Aid and Assistant
Federal position providing support for social services delivery including client intake, referrals, case assistance, and administrative support at VA facilities and federal social service agencies.
What GS-0186 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 |
| GS-15 | $125,133 | $129,304 | $133,475 | $137,646 | $141,817 | $145,988 | $150,159 | $154,330 | $158,501 | $162,672 |
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-0186, as written.
Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Technical and Medical Support Positions
Individual Occupational Requirements for GS-0186:
Specialized Experience (GS-4 and above): Qualifying experience includes work such as:
- Group leader in community or residential recreation or training programs
- Counselor in a youth summer camp
- Instructor in a training program for the development of job skills
- Leadership of job crews with training responsibilities
- Group activities leader in the Armed Services
- Unit leader or proctor roles in residential facilities
- Support roles to professional staff in personnel, employment guidance, social services, or manpower development
- Aid/assistant positions supporting social services work in welfare, government, or community organizations
- Aid or assistant to professional or specialist staff working with individuals who are addicted to or abuse alcohol and/or drugs
Education Alternative:
- GS-3: One year of completed study above high school
- GS-4: Two years of study including either 12+ semester hours in related subjects OR supplementary experience in part-time/volunteer social welfare or recreation work
- GS-5: Bachelor's degree with either 24+ semester hours in social/behavioral sciences, health care, or human services fields; OR a major in social/human behavior or health care; OR specialized experience equivalent to GS-4
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 | 6 months | 6 months | 2 years above high school |
| GS-5 | None | 1 year at GS-4 level | 4-year bachelor's degree |
| GS-6+ | None | 1 year at next lower grade | Graduate education if directly related |
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-0186
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
Mental Health Service
GS-0186 Social Services Aid and Assistant fits case-management and patient-coordination work where your charting and treatment-plan experience qualifies.
Skills that carry over: Case management, Care coordination, Confidential records administration, Client needs assessment.
Usually opens at: GS-4, GS-5, GS-6, GS-7.
Behavioral Health Specialist
Strong alignment. 68X provides mental health support under supervision. GS-0186 Social Services Aid positions involve similar patient interaction and support work.
Skills that carry over: Mental health support, Patient assessment, Crisis intervention, Group facilitation, Documentation.
Usually opens at: GS-5, GS-6, GS-7.
Religious Affairs
GS-0186 Social Services Aid and Assistant fits the direct people-support and outreach work for those staying close to social services.
Skills that carry over: Client support, Outreach, Case coordination, Referral.
Usually opens at: GS-4, GS-5, GS-6, GS-7.
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
- Assist with client intake
- Process referrals
- Maintain case records
- Provide information to clients
- Support case workers
Key competencies
Client Intake
Ability to interview clients and gather personal information.
Case File Management
Skill in maintaining accurate case records.
Program Knowledge
Understanding of social services programs and eligibility.
Customer Service
Ability to assist clients professionally and compassionately.
Data Entry
Skill in entering and retrieving client information accurately.
Confidentiality
Understanding of privacy requirements for client information.
Communication
Ability to explain program requirements clearly.
Referral Coordination
Knowledge of community resources for referrals.
Office Systems
Proficiency in case management software.
Scheduling
Skill in scheduling appointments and coordinating services.
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-0186
What is a Social Services Aid?
A GS-0186 Social Services Aid provides support for social work and counseling programs. These paraprofessionals assist social workers, help clients access services, maintain records, and provide practical support at VA facilities, military family programs, and social service agencies.
How much does a Social Services Aid make?
Social Services Aids earn between $27,434 (GS-3 Step 1) and $49,927 (GS-6 Step 10) under the 2025 GS pay scale. Most positions are GS-4/5/6, earning $30,795-$49,927 annually plus locality adjustments.
What are the requirements for GS-0186 positions?
Entry-level positions require general experience demonstrating ability to work with people and learn procedures. Higher grades require progressively more specialized experience supporting social services programs. No specific degree is required.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0186?
Military experience with family support programs, casualty assistance, or personnel services provides relevant background. Those who helped service members access benefits or navigate support systems have transferable skills. Compassionate communication is essential.
What is the career progression for Social Services Aid?
Social Services Aids progress from GS-3/4 (entry) through GS-5/6 (senior). Many advance to GS-0185 Social Worker positions with additional education or GS-0187 Social Services Specialist roles. The aid track provides foundation for social services careers.
How do I apply for GS-0186 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS.gov for 'Social Services' or '0186' series. Positions exist at VA, military installations, and agencies with social service programs. Your federal resume should highlight experience helping people, communication skills, and any relevant training.
Ready to apply for GS-0186?
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.