Home / Federal careers / GS-0671
Health System Specialist
Performs health system administration work including healthcare program management, policy development, and system analysis.
What GS-0671 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-0671, as written.
Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Administrative and Management Positions
Individual Occupational Requirements: There are no Individual Occupational Requirements for this series.
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-0671
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
Health Care Administrator
Healthcare systems specialist. Highlight healthcare administration, program management, and policy.
Skills that carry over: Healthcare Administration, Program Management, Policy, Operations, Quality Improvement.
Usually opens at: GS-12, GS-13, GS-14.
Patient Administration Specialist
GS-0671 Health System Specialist is the management-track parallel to the patient administration division. PAD operations and resource-management work map directly.
Skills that carry over: Patient administration operations, Health-system reporting, Process management, Regulatory compliance.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9, GS-11, GS-12.
Health Services Technician
Health system specialist pathway. Focus on program administration.
Skills that carry over: Health Programs, Medical Administration, Policy Implementation, Quality Assurance, Patient Advocacy.
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
- Manage healthcare programs
- Develop health policies
- Analyze health systems
- Coordinate healthcare services
- Monitor program performance
- Advise on health administration
Key competencies
Healthcare Analysis
Ability to analyze healthcare delivery systems, programs, and operations.
Program Evaluation
Skill in evaluating healthcare program effectiveness and outcomes.
Administrative Systems
Knowledge of government administrative systems in healthcare settings.
Regulatory Knowledge
Understanding of healthcare regulatory and credentialing requirements.
Data Analysis
Ability to collect and analyze healthcare data for decision-making.
Policy Implementation
Skill in implementing healthcare policies and procedures.
Coordination
Ability to coordinate healthcare services across departments and facilities.
Communication
Skill in communicating healthcare information to diverse stakeholders.
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-0671
What is a Health System Specialist?
GS-0671 Health System Specialists manage healthcare programs, develop policies, analyze health systems, coordinate services, and advise on administration. Unlike executive administrators (0670), they focus on specific programs, quality improvement, credentialing, or system analysis at VA, IHS, and other federal healthcare organizations.
How much does a federal Health System Specialist make?
GS-0671 positions range from GS-5 ($34,454) for entry to GS-14 ($106,382-$138,296) for senior specialists. Most positions are GS-9 to GS-12 ($52,205-$98,422). Program managers and senior analysts reach GS-12/13. Add locality pay of 15-40% for metro areas.
What are the requirements for GS-0671 positions?
A bachelor's degree in health administration, public health, or related field for entry. Higher grades require specialized healthcare administration experience. Knowledge of healthcare regulations, data analysis, and program evaluation. Master's degree (MHA, MPH) preferred for senior positions.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0671?
Yes. Military healthcare administration experience—Medical Service Corps, healthcare management, clinic administration—directly qualifies. Your experience with TRICARE, MTF operations, quality assurance, or credentialing translates well. Veterans with healthcare admin backgrounds understand the unique needs of serving veteran patients.
What is the career progression for Health System Specialists?
Entry at GS-5/7, journeyman at GS-9/11, senior specialists at GS-12/13, and program directors at GS-13/14. Many advance to Health System Administrator (GS-0670) executive positions. Specialization in quality, credentialing, or program evaluation creates advancement paths.
How do I apply for GS-0671 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS for 'Health System Specialist' or specific specialties like 'Quality Management Specialist.' VA is the largest employer with positions at every medical center. Emphasize your healthcare administration experience, analytical skills, and program management. Veterans with MSC or healthcare admin backgrounds are strong candidates.
Ready to apply for GS-0671?
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.