Home / Federal careers / GS-1710
Education and Vocational Training
Performs education and vocational training work including career counseling and vocational program administration.
What GS-1710 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-1710, as written.
For Teaching Positions:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited or pre-accredited institution that included or was supplemented by supervised student teaching, and at least one course in each of the following areas: general psychology, human development, history and/or philosophy of education, and teaching methods at the learning level of the position to be filled, i.e., elementary or secondary learning level. For secondary school teaching positions, applicants must also have had at least 24 semester hours (or equivalent) of course work in each of the principal fields of instruction.
or
Combination of education and experience - Applicants who have completed a full 4-year course of study in an accredited or pre-accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's degree but who do not meet the specific course requirements shown above meet minimum qualification requirements if they have completed at least one full academic year of professional teaching experience at the elementary or secondary school level as appropriate to the position to be filled. Professional teaching experience is defined as full and primary responsibility for the instruction of assigned students under general supervision in a recognized or accredited school or other accredited educational institution. This includes responsibility for preparation and presentation of lessons and the evaluation of students' progress throughout the learning period, including a determination of the students' success or failure according to established criteria.
or
• Teacher certification or licensure in a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States.
Note: For special education teaching positions, applicants must meet the degree and course requirements shown in paragraph A above, and, in addition, must have had at least 24 semester hours (or the equivalent) of course work in special education that included at least one course covering the teaching of exceptional students and courses in the appropriate field(s) of specialization.
For School Administration Positions:
Degree: that was supplemented by professional teaching or staff experience at the elementary or secondary levels that demonstrated thorough knowledge of the operation of educational programs at the elementary or secondary levels, and completion of at least one semester or the equivalent of graduate-level course work in school administration or school management, and/or curriculum development.
or
• Possession of a permanent license or certificate for school administrator (either elementary or secondary) issued by a State, the District of Columbia, or one of the territories or possessions of the United States.
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-1710
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
Career Counselor
GS-1710 Education and Vocational Training covers structured counseling and training-program work, a close fit for the CRS career-counseling role.
Skills that carry over: Career counseling, Training-program coordination, Education advising, Curriculum delivery.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9, GS-11.
Navy Counselor
Navy Counselors have strong skills in advising and developing career paths, which are crucial for educational program administration.
Skills that carry over: Student Counseling, Instruction, Career Development.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11.
Recruiting and Retention NCO
Experience in counseling and guiding individuals on career paths aligns well with educational and vocational training roles.
Skills that carry over: Career Counseling, Program Development, Student Assessment.
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
- Counsel clients on educational options
- Develop vocational training programs
- Assess career interests and aptitudes
- Coordinate with employers
- Monitor student progress
- Place students in employment
Key competencies
Instruction
Skill in teaching and instructional delivery.
Curriculum Development
Ability to develop educational curricula.
Assessment
Skill in evaluating student learning and progress.
Subject Matter Expertise
Deep knowledge in vocational/technical area.
Student Counseling
Ability to advise students on education paths.
Classroom Management
Skill in managing learning environments.
Technology Integration
Ability to use technology in instruction.
Program Development
Skill in developing educational programs.
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-1710
What is an Education and Vocational Training Specialist?
A GS-1710 Education and Vocational Training Specialist provides career counseling, develops vocational training programs, and helps individuals achieve employment goals. These specialists assess career interests and aptitudes, coordinate with employers, monitor student progress, and place graduates in jobs—working at DOD Dependent Schools, VA vocational programs, and federal correctional education.
How much does a federal Education and Vocational Training Specialist make?
Federal Education and Vocational Training 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-9 through GS-11. A GS-11 position earns $63,163-$82,108. DOD schools, VA vocational rehabilitation, and Bureau of Prisons education programs are major employers.
What are the requirements for GS-1710 positions?
Teaching positions require a bachelor's degree with supervised student teaching plus courses in psychology, human development, education philosophy, and teaching methods. For secondary positions, 24 semester hours in principal teaching fields are required. Alternatively, state teacher certification or one full year of professional teaching experience qualifies.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-1710?
Teaching experience in military schools, training commands, or instructional roles combined with required education qualifies. Veterans who served as military instructors with full teaching responsibility have directly transferable experience. Using GI Bill to obtain teaching certification or education degrees positions veterans excellently for these roles.
What is the career progression for Education and Vocational Training Specialist?
Education Specialists follow the GS-5/7/9/11/12 progression with journey level at GS-11. Senior specialists and program administrators reach GS-12. Career paths include specializing in vocational education, special education, or transitioning to GS-1720 Education Program positions for program management roles.
How do I apply for GS-1710 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS.gov for "Education Specialist" or "Vocational Training" under series 1710. DOD Dependent Schools, VA, and Bureau of Prisons are primary employers. Highlight teaching certifications, instructional experience, and career counseling skills. Include specific student populations served and program outcomes achieved.
Ready to apply for GS-1710?
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.