Home / Federal careers / GS-1715
Vocational Rehabilitation
Positions involving counseling and assistance to individuals with disabilities to achieve employment.
What GS-1715 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-1715, as written.
Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Administrative and Management Positions
Individual Occupational Requirements:
Education:
- Bachelor's or master's degree in rehabilitation counseling, psychology, or related field
OR
Experience: Experience in vocational rehabilitation, counseling, or disability services.
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-1715
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
Vocational Rehabilitation is the series behind VA employment and rehabilitation counselors. A 79S who guided Soldiers through transition decisions has a real story here.
Skills that carry over: One-on-one career counseling, Transition planning, Case management, Benefit guidance.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11, GS-12.
Recruiting and Retention NCO
Experience in assessing individual capabilities and providing guidance aligns well with vocational rehabilitation roles.
Skills that carry over: Counseling, Assessment, Case Management.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Navy Counselor
Navy Counselors provide career guidance and counseling, which is directly applicable to vocational rehabilitation.
Skills that carry over: Vocational Counseling, Client Assessment, Job Placement.
Usually opens at: 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
- Assess client capabilities
- Develop rehabilitation plans
- Provide vocational counseling
- Coordinate services
- Place clients in employment
- Monitor client progress
- Collaborate with employers
- Document case activities
- Advocate for clients
- Evaluate program outcomes
Key competencies
Rehabilitation Counseling
Ability to provide vocational counseling.
Case Management
Skill in managing rehabilitation cases.
Assessment
Ability to assess client needs and capabilities.
Job Placement
Skill in assisting with employment placement.
Disability Knowledge
Understanding of disabilities and accommodations.
Resource Coordination
Ability to coordinate rehabilitation services.
Communication
Skill in working with clients and employers.
Advocacy
Ability to advocate for client needs.
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-1715
What is a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist?
A GS-1715 Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist helps individuals with disabilities achieve employment. These counselors assess client capabilities, develop rehabilitation plans, provide vocational counseling, coordinate services, place clients in jobs, and advocate for their needs—primarily serving veterans at VA Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR&E) and other federal disability programs.
How much does a federal Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist make?
Federal Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists earn between $34,454 (GS-5 Step 1) and $117,034 (GS-13 Step 10) on the 2025 GS scale following two-grade intervals. Most positions are at GS-9 through GS-12. A GS-11 VR Specialist earns $63,163-$82,108. VA VR&E is the largest employer with positions at every regional office.
What are the requirements for GS-1715 positions?
GS-1715 follows the administrative qualification standard. Entry at GS-5 requires a bachelor's degree in rehabilitation counseling, psychology, or related field, or equivalent experience. Higher grades require specialized experience in vocational rehabilitation, disability services, or counseling. Master's degrees in rehabilitation counseling are preferred for advancement.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-1715?
Relevant military experience can count toward qualifications. Veterans who served in Wounded Warrior programs, Military OneSource counseling, transition assistance, or disability evaluation roles have transferable skills. Personal experience navigating VA disability processes as a veteran also provides valuable perspective for serving disabled veteran clients.
What is the career progression for Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist?
VR Specialists follow the two-grade interval GS-5/7/9/11/12 progression with journey level at GS-11 or GS-12. Senior counselors and team supervisors reach GS-12/13. Career paths include specializing in specific disability populations, transitioning to VR&E program management, or advancing to regional coordinator positions.
How do I apply for GS-1715 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS.gov for "Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist" or "VR&E Counselor" under series 1715. VA Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment is the primary employer. Highlight rehabilitation counseling experience, disability services knowledge, and case management skills. Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) credential strengthens applications significantly.
Ready to apply for GS-1715?
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.