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Recreation Specialist
Federal position planning, directing, and evaluating recreation programs, activities, and facilities at military installations, VA medical centers, and federal recreation areas.
What GS-0188 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-0188, as written.
Recreation Specialist Series Requirements
Education:
- GS-5: Bachelor's degree in recreation, physical education, leisure studies, or related field
- GS-7: 1 full year of graduate-level education OR bachelor's with Superior Academic Achievement
- GS-9: Master's degree or 2 full years of progressively higher graduate education
OR
Experience:
- GS-5: 3 years of progressively responsible general experience in recreation
- GS-7 and above: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
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-0188
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
Services Specialist
Direct experience in managing and operating recreation facilities and programs aligns closely with the GS-0188 role.
Skills that carry over: Program Development, Facility Management, Activity Leadership.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11.
Navy Musician
Federal recreation and MWR programs run concerts, festivals, and cultural events. Music-program staff frequently sit under the Recreation Specialist umbrella.
Skills that carry over: Event programming, Cultural-event production, Audience management, Program coordination.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9, GS-11.
Marine Corps Community Services Marine
4133s map directly to GS-0188 Recreation Specialist. MCCS recreation programming, events, and facility management translate without friction into the federal recreation series.
Skills that carry over: Recreation programming, Event operations, Facility management, Patron services.
Usually opens at: GS-7, 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
- Plan recreation programs
- Organize activities and events
- Supervise recreation staff
- Manage facilities
- Develop program budgets
- Promote programs
- Evaluate program effectiveness
- Ensure safety compliance
- Train staff
- Coordinate with community
Key competencies
Program Development
Ability to plan and develop recreation programs.
Activity Leadership
Skill in leading recreational activities and events.
Facility Management
Knowledge of recreation facility operations.
Budget Management
Ability to manage recreation program budgets.
Staff Supervision
Skill in supervising recreation staff and volunteers.
Customer Service
Ability to serve diverse recreation participants.
Safety Management
Knowledge of recreation safety and risk management.
Special Populations
Skill in adapting programs for special needs groups.
Marketing
Ability to promote recreation programs and services.
Evaluation
Skill in evaluating program effectiveness and participation.
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-0188
What is a Recreation Specialist?
A GS-0188 Recreation Specialist plans and manages recreation programs for military installations, VA facilities, and federal agencies. These professionals develop fitness programs, organize events, and provide recreational services that support morale, welfare, and quality of life.
How much does a Recreation Specialist make?
Recreation Specialists earn between $42,679 (GS-7 Step 1) and $98,422 (GS-12 Step 10) under the 2025 GS pay scale following two-grade intervals. Most positions are GS-9/11, earning $52,205-$82,108 annually plus locality adjustments.
What are the requirements for GS-0188 positions?
GS-0188 positions require education and/or experience in recreation, physical education, or related fields. Entry-level positions accept relevant degrees or experience. Higher grades require progressively more specialized experience in program management and facility operations.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0188?
Military experience with MWR, fitness programs, or recreation operations is directly applicable. Fitness leaders, MWR specialists, and those who managed recreation facilities have transferable skills. Veterans understand the unique recreation needs of military communities.
What is the career progression for Recreation Specialist?
The career ladder follows two-grade intervals (GS-7/9/11/12). Entry-level specialists support program delivery. GS-9/11 specialists manage programs and facilities. Senior positions involve directing recreation operations at major installations.
How do I apply for GS-0188 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS.gov for 'Recreation Specialist' or '0188' series. Major employers include military MWR, VA, and National Park Service. Your federal resume should highlight program management, event coordination, and facility operations experience.
Ready to apply for GS-0188?
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.