Home / Federal careers / GS-1701
General Education and Training
Performs education and training work including program development, instruction, and educational administration.
What GS-1701 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-1701, as written.
Degree: that included or was supplemented by major study in education or in a subject-matter field appropriate to the position.
or
• Combination of education and experience -- courses equivalent to a major in education, or in a subject-matter field appropriate to the position, plus appropriate experience or additional course work that provided knowledge comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of the 4-year course of study described in A above.
For Child Development Training and Curriculum Specialist positions with the Departments of the Air Force and Navy, and Education Program Specialist positions with the Department of the Army, the education must have been in child development or early childhood education.
For Child Development Director and Assistant Director positions with the Department of the Air Force; Child Development Services Coordinator, Child Development Center Director and Assistant Director, Family Child Care Director, Outreach Worker, and Supplemental Programs and Services Director positions with the Department of the Army; and Child Development Program Administrator and Child Development Center Director positions with the Department of the Navy; the education must have been in child development, early childhood education, home economics (early childhood emphasis), elementary education, special education, or other fields appropriate to the position to be filled. For director and administrator positions with the Department of the Navy, education in child care administration, in addition to the above fields, is qualifying, and qualifying education in special education must have had a concentration in early childhood education.
Evaluation of Experience: Some positions appropriately classifiable in this series involve work in connection with grants or similar funding activities to further educational progress. For such positions, experience gained in an occupational area similar or closely related to the position is qualifying experience, provided such experience involved judgment of a kind and level of difficulty and responsibility essential to successful performance in the position to be filled.
For Child Development Director and Assistant Director positions with the Department of the Air Force, and Child Development Services Coordinator, Child Development Center Director and Assistant Director, Family Child Care Director, Outreach Worker, and Supplemental Programs and Services Director positions with the Department of the Army, specialized experience must have been in group child care or other work that demonstrated the ability to:
• Manage the operation of a child care center.
• Select, train, and supervise child care and preschool employees, family child care providers, or other care-giving adults.
• Develop and implement child development programs, including family day care programs, part-day preschool programs, and before and after school programs.
• Work with individuals and groups to solve complex problems related to the care and education of children.
The following are examples of qualifying specialized experience for Air Force and Army child development positions:
• For GS-5 and GS-7, experience that involved teaching young children in a preschool, early elementary school, church school, or day care center.
• For GS-9, experience in managing an entire cycle of operation of an early childhood program, including budgeting; facility management; supply management; program development; implementation; selection, training, and supervision of personnel; and curriculum oversight.
• For GS-11 and above, experience in managing a large, complex child development program offering a wide range of services, in a variety of settings.
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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-1701
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
Education and Training
GS-1701 General Education and Training is the professional series for E&T work spanning more than one education area, a strong fit for broad program roles built from ADDIE experience.
Skills that carry over: Education program management, Instructional systems design, Standards development, Program oversight.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11, GS-12.
Premier Band - The United States Air Force Academy Band
GS-1701 General Education and Training fits the heavy teaching and clinic mission of the Academy Band. Documented masterclass and student-instruction work maps cleanly.
Skills that carry over: Curriculum and clinic design, Student instruction, Program delivery, Learner assessment.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9, GS-11.
Premier Band
GS-1701 General Education and Training suits Airmen who ran sectionals, coached newer players, or built training programs within the ensemble.
Skills that carry over: Instruction and coaching, Curriculum and rehearsal design, Performance assessment, Skill development.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
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
- Develop educational programs and curricula
- Deliver instruction and training
- Evaluate training effectiveness
- Administer educational programs
- Coordinate training activities
- Advise on educational matters
Key competencies
Instructional Design
Ability to design effective training programs.
Training Delivery
Skill in delivering training to various audiences.
Curriculum Development
Ability to develop course content and materials.
Needs Assessment
Skill in identifying training needs.
Evaluation
Ability to evaluate training effectiveness.
Adult Learning
Knowledge of adult learning principles.
Technology
Proficiency in training technologies and LMS.
Communication
Skill in presenting and facilitating learning.
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-1701
What is a General Education and Training Specialist?
A GS-1701 General Education and Training Specialist develops, delivers, and administers educational and training programs for federal agencies. These specialists design curricula, deliver instruction, evaluate training effectiveness, coordinate training activities, and advise leadership on education matters—serving military and civilian training commands, agency learning centers, and child development programs.
How much does a federal Education and Training Specialist make?
Federal Education and Training Specialists earn between $34,454 (GS-5 Step 1) and $117,034 (GS-13 Step 10) on the 2025 GS scale. Most positions are at GS-9 through GS-12. A GS-11 Training Specialist earns $63,163-$82,108. DOD (largest employer), VA, OPM, and agencies with training programs hire extensively.
What are the requirements for GS-1701 positions?
GS-1701 requires a degree that included or was supplemented by major study in education or a subject-matter field appropriate to the position. For child development positions, specialized education in early childhood, child development, or elementary education is required. Instructional design skills, adult learning knowledge, and training technology proficiency are essential.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-1701?
Relevant military instructor and training experience combined with education coursework can qualify. Veterans who served as military instructors, drill sergeants, training NCOs, or taught in military schools have directly transferable skills. Experience developing training programs, delivering instruction, and evaluating learning provides excellent background when combined with required education.
What is the career progression for Education and Training Specialist?
Training Specialists follow the GS-5/7/9/11/12 progression with journey level at GS-11 or GS-12. Senior specialists and training program managers reach GS-12/13. Career paths include specializing in specific domains (leadership, technical, safety), transitioning to instructional systems design, or advancing to training director positions.
How do I apply for GS-1701 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS.gov for "Training Specialist" or "Education Specialist" under series 1701. DOD training commands, VA, OPM, and agency training centers are primary employers. Highlight instructional experience, curriculum development skills, and LMS proficiency. Include specific training programs developed, student populations served, and evaluation methodologies used.
Ready to apply for GS-1701?
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.