Home / Federal careers / GS-1720
Education Program
Performs education program work including program management, policy development, and educational oversight.
What GS-1720 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-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-1720, as written.
Degree: that included or was supplemented by at least 24 semester hours in a field related to the work of the position to be filled, of which at least 9 semester hours must have been in education courses.
or
Combination of education and experience -- at least 24 semester hours in a field related to the work of the position to be filled, of which at least 9 semester hours must have been in education courses, plus appropriate experience or additional education. The experience must reflect the level and kind described in C below.
or
Four years of experience that demonstrated a thorough understanding of the principles and practices underlying the work of this series. This experience must have been of such character and diversity to demonstrate that the applicant possesses an understanding of the field comparable to that normally acquired through successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university.
or
• At least 1 full academic year of professional teaching experience. This experience is defined as full and primary responsibility, under general supervision, for instruction of assigned students in an accredited school or institution. This includes responsibility for preparing and presenting lessons and for evaluating students' progress, including a determination of the students' success or failure according to established criteria. Serving in an assistant capacity to a professor without the authority to determine the students' success or failure to meet course requirements does not meet this criterion.
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-1720
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
Recruiter
Army Recruiters manage recruitment programs and develop policies to meet recruitment goals, similar to managing educational programs and policies.
Skills that carry over: Program Management, Policy Development, Stakeholder Coordination.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11.
Construction Engineering Technician
While primarily focused on engineering, this role involves program management and policy development, applicable to educational program management.
Skills that carry over: Program Management, Evaluation, Stakeholder Coordination.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9.
Yeoman
Yeomen handle administrative tasks and policy implementation, which can translate to managing educational programs and policies.
Skills that carry over: Program Management, Policy Development, Stakeholder Coordination.
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
- Manage educational programs
- Develop education policies
- Monitor program compliance
- Evaluate program effectiveness
- Coordinate with educational institutions
- Provide program guidance
Key competencies
Program Management
Ability to administer educational programs.
Policy Development
Skill in developing educational policies.
Evaluation
Ability to assess program effectiveness.
Stakeholder Coordination
Skill in working with educational partners.
Grant Management
Ability to manage educational funding.
Compliance
Knowledge of educational regulations and standards.
Communication
Skill in communicating program information.
Strategic Planning
Ability to develop educational strategies.
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-1720
What is an Education Program Specialist?
A GS-1720 Education Program Specialist manages federal education programs, develops education policies, monitors compliance, evaluates program effectiveness, and coordinates with educational institutions. These specialists work at the Department of Education, DOD Education Activity, VA education benefits programs, and agencies administering educational grants and initiatives.
How much does a federal Education Program Specialist make?
Federal Education Program Specialists earn between $52,205 (GS-9 Step 1) and $138,296 (GS-14 Step 10) on the 2025 GS scale. Most positions are at GS-11 through GS-13. A GS-12 Education Program Specialist earns $75,706-$98,422. Department of Education, DOD Education Activity, and VA education programs are major employers.
What are the requirements for GS-1720 positions?
GS-1720 requires a degree with at least 24 semester hours in a field related to the position, including at least 9 semester hours in education courses. Alternatively, four years of experience demonstrating thorough understanding of educational principles and practices, or one full year of professional teaching experience, qualifies.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-1720?
Yes, relevant military education and training experience can qualify. Veterans who managed military training programs, administered education benefits, coordinated DOD school programs, or oversaw professional development initiatives have transferable skills. Experience with military education policies and program evaluation strengthens applications.
What is the career progression for Education Program Specialist?
Education Program Specialists typically enter at GS-9 and follow the GS-9/11/12 progression with journey level at GS-12. Senior specialists and program directors reach GS-13/14. Career paths include specializing in K-12 programs, higher education, special education, or transitioning to education policy leadership positions.
How do I apply for GS-1720 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS.gov for "Education Program Specialist" or "Education Program Manager" under series 1720. Department of Education, DOD Education Activity, and VA are primary employers. Highlight program management experience, policy development skills, and educational administration background. Include grant management experience and program evaluation accomplishments.
Ready to apply for GS-1720?
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.