Home / Federal careers / GS-1603
Equipment, Facilities, and Services
Performs equipment and facilities services work including installation, maintenance, and operation of building systems.
What GS-1603 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 |
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-1603, as written.
Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Administrative and Management Positions
Individual Occupational Requirements:
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in business, facilities management, or related field
OR
Experience: Experience in facilities services, equipment management, or building operations.
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-1603
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
- Install and maintain building equipment
- Operate building systems
- Perform preventive maintenance
- Troubleshoot equipment problems
- Maintain service records
- Coordinate with contractors
Key competencies
Service Coordination
Ability to coordinate facilities services.
Equipment Management
Skill in managing equipment inventory.
Vendor Management
Ability to work with service contractors.
Scheduling
Skill in planning and scheduling services.
Quality Control
Ability to monitor service quality.
Communication
Skill in coordinating with customers and providers.
Problem Resolution
Ability to resolve service issues.
Documentation
Skill in maintaining service records.
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-1603
What is an Equipment, Facilities, and Services Specialist?
A GS-1603 Equipment, Facilities, and Services Specialist coordinates building services, manages equipment programs, and oversees facility support operations for federal agencies. These specialists install and maintain building equipment, coordinate with service contractors, ensure quality service delivery, and manage equipment inventories across federal facilities.
How much does a federal Equipment and Services Specialist make?
Federal Equipment, Facilities, and Services Specialists earn between $34,454 (GS-5 Step 1) and $98,422 (GS-12 Step 10) on the 2025 GS scale. Most positions are at GS-7 through GS-11. A GS-9 Specialist earns $52,205-$67,865. GSA, DOD, VA, and federal agencies with significant facility operations hire these positions.
What are the requirements for GS-1603 positions?
GS-1603 follows the administrative qualification standard. Entry at GS-5 requires a bachelor's degree in business, facilities management, or related field, or equivalent experience. Higher grades require specialized experience in equipment management, facilities services, or building operations. Vendor management and service coordination skills are essential.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-1603?
Yes, military experience directly transfers. Veterans with base operations support, equipment maintenance management, or facility services coordination have excellent backgrounds. Experience managing installation services, coordinating with contractors, overseeing equipment programs, or running support operations qualifies. Document specific services coordinated and equipment programs managed.
What is the career progression for Equipment and Services Specialist?
Equipment and Services Specialists follow the GS-5/7/9/11/12 progression with journey level at GS-9 or GS-11. Senior specialists reach GS-12. Career paths include specializing in specific service areas, transitioning to GS-1601 General Facilities positions, or advancing to facility management leadership roles coordinating multiple service programs.
How do I apply for GS-1603 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS.gov for "Equipment Services" or "Facilities Services" under series 1603. GSA, DOD installations, VA medical centers, and federal agencies hire these positions. Highlight equipment management experience, vendor coordination skills, and service delivery accomplishments. Include specific programs managed and service quality improvements achieved.
Ready to apply for GS-1603?
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.