The Program Specialist (Education) serves to support those responsible for education projects in host countries, particularly in the areas of primary or secondary education; safe and supportive classrooms; childhood literacy; Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM); Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL); teacher capacity building; and community engagement in student learning and school improvement.
Summary
The Program Specialist (Education) serves to support those responsible for education projects in host countries, particularly in the areas of primary or secondary education; safe and supportive classrooms; childhood literacy; Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM); Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL); teacher capacity building; and community engagement in student learning and school improvement.
United States citizens.
Veterans.
Current or former federal employees, regardless of tenure.
Individuals with disabilities.
Internal agency employees; including agency temporary employees, eligible agency Experts, and eligible agency personal services contractors.
Recently Returned Peace Corps Volunteers and qualified Returned Peace Corps Response Volunteers with Peace Corps Eligibility.
The Program Specialist (Education) performs the following major duties:
Serves as a resource to the agency and the field in the identification of prevailing trends, critical issues, promising practices and problems related to the design, implementation and evaluation of education projects related to Peace Corps service.
Participates in the determination of regional and country development objectives and strategies, based on cooperating country requests, perceived needs, Peace Corps policy, and priorities.
Identifies resources needed to effectively run a project and provides short-term consultancies to the field.
Collaborates with other program specialists to promote global awareness of trends and promising practices in education.
Serves as an expert consultant in the design, delivery and evaluation of staff development related to education program areas.
Designs and delivers courses, workshops, and other staff development activities to strengthen staff competencies in the education areas in which Volunteers work.
Researches, develops and applies new program methods, approaches, and technology to support Volunteer activities in education and learning promotion.
Works with Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialists to support posts to develop and use M&E systems related to education.
Plans and conducts analyses that result in new design guidelines for education projects related to TEFL, literacy, and math and science that have a profound effect on program or training capabilities and/or operating procedures.
Collaborates with partners when appropriate, including Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), United States Government (USG) agencies and host country partners to create opportunities and leverage resources for the field.
Applicants selected for this position are subject to the following Conditions of Employment:
You must be a U.S. citizen and at least 18 years old.
Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service (see www.sss.gov).
Prior to employment, Peace Corps will review records for Returned Peace Corps Volunteers and former employees, as required by statutes 5 USC 3322 and 22 USC 2507b.
You must submit a signed statement acknowledging adherence to the Peace Corps Conditions of Employment before your first day.
You must successfully complete a Public Trust background investigation.
A one-year probationary period may be required.
The initial appointment to this position cannot exceed five years.
Qualifications
Applicants must meet all qualification requirements prior to the closing date of this announcement, 06/02/2026. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience demonstrated in your resume, including volunteer work. Qualification claims are subject to verification. This vacancy is being announced at one grade level.
Specialized Experience at the FP-03(GS-13) Level: To qualify for this position at the FP-03 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level in the normal line of progression, FP-04 or GS-11/12. This experience must be directly related to the work of the position and must have equipped you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully perform the duties of the role. Specialized experience includes:
Experience guiding interdisciplinary teams through the design, implementation, and reporting education sector projects and training to achieve project outcomes.
Experience providing training, consultations, and tools to strengthen the monitoring, learning, adapting, and reporting cycles of education sector projects.
Experience adapting evidence-based education and community development standards to low-resource settings by translating promising practices into culturally appropriate, locally feasible interventions.
Education cannot be substituted for experience at this grade level.
~AND~
Time-in-Grade Requirements: Current or former Federal employees, including Peace Corps employees, must meet applicable Time-in-Grade requirements to be eligible for this position. For positions above the FP-09 (GS-05) level, you must have completed at least one year (52 weeks) at the next lower grade in the normal line of progression for the position to which you are applying.
All current or former Federal employees, including internal employees, must provide a copy of their SF-50(s), "Notification of Personnel Action," to demonstrate that you meet Time-in-Grade requirements. For more information, refer to the "Required Documents" section below.
Please note:
Experience that satisfies the Specialized Experience requirements must be clearly documented in your resume. Failure to provide this information may result in disqualification. Please review the "Required Documents" section of this announcement for further information on resume requirements.
Specialized experience may be gained in the public sector, private sector, or through volunteer service (e.g., National Service programs such as Peace Corps or AmeriCorps, or other organizations such as professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, or social groups).
One year of experience refers to full-time work. Part-time work will be credited on a prorated basis.
For more details on qualification requirements, refer to the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions, available on the OPM web site.
Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Additional information
Position Information:
This is bargaining unit position.
The minimum and maximum salaries listed on this announcement includes locality pay.
Peace Corps Information:
This is a federal civilian position in the Excepted Service, and the incumbent will serve as a member of the Foreign Service.
Peace Corps employees are paid under the Foreign Personnel (FP) pay system, which differs from the General Schedule (GS) pay system. In the FP pay system, lower grade level numbers indicate higher levels of responsibility and pay. The FP-09 is the lowest, entry-level, grade and the FP-01 is the highest, senior-level, grade.
If you are a current federal employee, your agency may grant you reemployment rights in accordance with Section 310 of the Foreign Service Act, 22 USC 3950. You must request and be granted reemployment rights prior to separation from your current federal agency.
If this is your first federal appointment, you may request credit for prior applicable non-federal service toward your leave Service Computation Date. Approval of credit must be granted prior to your first federal appointment and is subject to agency review and documentation requirements.
This position is eligible for situational telework only.
The Peace Corps uses E-Verify to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.
The Peace Corps is a drug-free workplace.
Additional hiring needs may be filled through this vacancy.
This prohibits the employment of certain persons previously engaged in intelligence activities or connected with intelligence agencies within the past 10 years.
If you have ever worked for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), you are not eligible for employment at the Peace Corps in any capacity, and you should not apply for employment at the Peace Corps.
Acceptance of employment with Peace Corps precludes employment by certain intelligence organizations for a specific period after Peace Corps employment ceases.
Applicants who indicate on the announcement questionnaire that they, or a family member, have an intelligence connection will be required to submit a completed Intelligence Background Questionnaire. The Peace Corps Office of Human Resources will provide instructions for submitting this form after the closing date of the announcement. Failure to provide the completed questionnaire will result in disqualification from further consideration. If you have any type of possible intelligence connection, your application will not be processed until this form is submitted.
Except when the CIA or the National Security Agency (NSA) is involved (see below), if your connection with an Intelligence Agency involves an immediate family member who is employed or has been employed in intelligence, the immediate family member should complete the form.
If you have an immediate family member who is employed or has been employed with the CIA, please contact your family member in person (not by phone, email, social networking, or any other means that is not in person) and ask him or her to contact the Office of General Counsel at the CIA.
If you or an immediate family member have been employed by or associated with the NSA, you or your family member must contact the NSA Prepublication Review Office at (443) 634-4095.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials, your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or missing information may affect our ability to verify your eligibility or qualifications. We use a multi-step application review process:
USA Hire Assessment: If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application:
Refer to the "How to Apply" section for more information on USA Hire Assessments.
Eligibility: We review your resume and supporting documents to confirm you meet the eligibility requirements of the position, including Time-in-Grade requirements.
You will be rated ineligible if:
You are outside of the area of consideration (i.e., who may apply). Refer to the "This job is open to" section for more information about the area of consideration. Refer to the "Required Documents" section for more information about the documentation required to verify your eligibility to apply.
You do not meet the Time-in-Grade requirement. Refer to the "Qualifications" section for more information about Time-in-Grade. Refer to the "Required Documents" section for more information about the documentation required to verify Time-in-Grade.
Minimum Qualifications, Rating and Ranking: After we determine you meet the eligibility requirements, we assess your experience by comparing your resume to the specialized experience required for the grade level(s) to which you applied. A "final score cut point" may be used when reviewing applications. We also review other qualification factors, such as Selective Placement Factors and education requirements.
You will be disqualified if:
Your resume does not demonstrate that you possess the minimum qualifications. Refer to the "Specialized Experience" listed in the "Qualifications" section for more information about the minimum qualifications.
You inflate or falsify qualifications, education, or experience on your resume.
You cheat on any assessments.
Referral and Selection: Highly qualified applicants are referred to the selecting official. The selecting official may:
Conduct a structured interview.
Check your references.
Request a writing sample or conduct an additional job-related assessment.
You will be assessed on the following competencies:
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Your complete application includes your resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which establish your eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide any of these items, your application will be marked as incomplete, and you will be disqualified from further consideration.
All required documents listed below, as applicable to you, must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement, 06/02/2026.
1) Resume - All applicants must submit a detailed resume that includes all relevant work experience (paid and unpaid), job titles, and duties performed:
You must limit your resume to no more than 2 pages. If more than 2 pages are submitted, only the first 2 pages will be reviewed to determine eligibility and qualifications.
The resume must be uploaded under the "Resume" document type in the application system.
You may submit only one resume. If multiple resumes are submitted, only the latest submission in the "Resume" document type will be reviewed.
The following information must be included for each position listed in your resume:
Name of the employer
Official position title
Start and end dates of employment (including month, day, and year)
If you are a current federal employee or former federal employee, you must include your pay plan, series, and grade level (e.g. GS-0201-09)
A detailed list of duties and accomplishments
Resumes that do not contain the required details may be considered incomplete and could result in disqualification from further consideration.
TIP: To ensure your resume includes all required information, use the Resume Builder in USAJOBS.
If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, you will be disqualified from further consideration.
2) Proof of Eligibility to Apply - Your application must include documentation that demonstrates you are eligible to apply for this vacancy. You must meet the requirements of at least one of the hiring authorities listed in the "Who May Apply" section of this announcement to receive further consideration. Proof of eligibility includes:
SF-50(s) - If you are a current or former federal employee (including Peace Corps employees), you must submit a legible copy of a recent SF-50.
Time-in-grade documentation - If you are applying for a higher grade level and your most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate that you meet the one-year Time-in-Grade requirement. You must provide an SF-50 that clearly shows you meet this requirement, such as a:
Within-grade increase at the highest grade held
Promotion with an effective date more than one year old
SF-50(s) showing the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old
Award SF-50s do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for verifying Time-in-Grade.
More than one SF-50 may be submitted to demonstrate that you meet the Time-in-Grade requirement.
Veterans' Preference Documentation - If you are claiming Veterans' Preference, you must upload all required documentation with your application. For details on Veteran's Preference, visit FedsHireVets. Documents required to verify Veterans' Preference include:
DD-214 - Must be the member 4 copy, showing dates of service, character of service, and discharge type.
If you are a Veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more, you must also submit:
SF-15 (Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference)
VA Letter stating your disability rating.
Individuals with Disabilities (IWD): If you claim IWD eligibility, you must provide a Proof of Disability Letter (commonly referred to as a "Schedule A Letter"). This letter must:
Be on official letterhead.
Include your full name.
State that you have a disability or targeted disability and are eligible for appointment under Schedule A (5 CFR 213.3102(u)).
Be signed by one of the following:
A licensed medical professional
A licensed rehabilitation professional
A federal, state, D.C., or U.S. territory agency that provides disability benefits
Peace Corps Eligibility (PCE) documentation of qualifying volunteer service - Applicants claiming PCE must submit documentation verifying eligibility.
In most cases, this will be your Description of Service (DOS). Please upload this under the "Proof of Volunteer with PC, VISTA, ACTION etc." document placeholder.
The final paragraph of the signed DOS must include the following statement: "This is to certify in accordance with Section 6.0 of Peace Corps Manual Section 285 that (NAME) served satisfactorily as a Peace Corps (Response) volunteer for a full term of service under an appointment of (X) months."
Peace Corps Response Volunteers should also include their Verification of Service letter, which is important for retirement and leave documentation.
To apply for this position, you must complete the online questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. The complete application must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 06/02/2026 to receive consideration.
To submit your application:
Click the Apply Online button.
Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.
If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice.
Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials.
Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.
Set aside about two (2) hours to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link.
Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused.
It is your responsibility to ensure your application package (resume, supporting documents, and questionnaire responses) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date.
We will not modify answers or documents submitted by an applicant.
Additional information on how to submit your online application may be found on the USAJOBS Help Center.
To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (https://appsupport-usastaffing.opm.gov/hc/en-us/sections/45063131363475-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information)
Likewise, the Peace Corps provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any other part of the hiring process, please contact the Office of Civil Rights at 202-692-2139. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation are made on a case-by-case basis.
Office of Global Operations
1275 First St. NE
Washington, DC 20526
US
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted, you will receive a confirmation notification by email.
Your application will be evaluated once the announcement closes.
You will receive another notification about the status of your application, after we have completed our review.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USAJOBS account and by going to the "My Account" tab and clicking on "Application Status". For a more detailed update of your application status, you may go to "more information" under the individual vacancy.
If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, you will be disqualified from further consideration.
If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application may be referred to the Selecting Official for further consideration.
USAJOBS has added an alert setting to their system to provide status updates for applicants. You can elect to activate the status updates from your USAJOBS profile at any point during the application process.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Your complete application includes your resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which establish your eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide any of these items, your application will be marked as incomplete, and you will be disqualified from further consideration.
All required documents listed below, as applicable to you, must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement, 06/02/2026.
1) Resume - All applicants must submit a detailed resume that includes all relevant work experience (paid and unpaid), job titles, and duties performed:
You must limit your resume to no more than 2 pages. If more than 2 pages are submitted, only the first 2 pages will be reviewed to determine eligibility and qualifications.
The resume must be uploaded under the "Resume" document type in the application system.
You may submit only one resume. If multiple resumes are submitted, only the latest submission in the "Resume" document type will be reviewed.
The following information must be included for each position listed in your resume:
Name of the employer
Official position title
Start and end dates of employment (including month, day, and year)
If you are a current federal employee or former federal employee, you must include your pay plan, series, and grade level (e.g. GS-0201-09)
A detailed list of duties and accomplishments
Resumes that do not contain the required details may be considered incomplete and could result in disqualification from further consideration.
TIP: To ensure your resume includes all required information, use the Resume Builder in USAJOBS.
If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, you will be disqualified from further consideration.
2) Proof of Eligibility to Apply - Your application must include documentation that demonstrates you are eligible to apply for this vacancy. You must meet the requirements of at least one of the hiring authorities listed in the "Who May Apply" section of this announcement to receive further consideration. Proof of eligibility includes:
SF-50(s) - If you are a current or former federal employee (including Peace Corps employees), you must submit a legible copy of a recent SF-50.
Time-in-grade documentation - If you are applying for a higher grade level and your most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate that you meet the one-year Time-in-Grade requirement. You must provide an SF-50 that clearly shows you meet this requirement, such as a:
Within-grade increase at the highest grade held
Promotion with an effective date more than one year old
SF-50(s) showing the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old
Award SF-50s do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for verifying Time-in-Grade.
More than one SF-50 may be submitted to demonstrate that you meet the Time-in-Grade requirement.
Veterans' Preference Documentation - If you are claiming Veterans' Preference, you must upload all required documentation with your application. For details on Veteran's Preference, visit FedsHireVets. Documents required to verify Veterans' Preference include:
DD-214 - Must be the member 4 copy, showing dates of service, character of service, and discharge type.
If you are a Veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more, you must also submit:
SF-15 (Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference)
VA Letter stating your disability rating.
Individuals with Disabilities (IWD): If you claim IWD eligibility, you must provide a Proof of Disability Letter (commonly referred to as a "Schedule A Letter"). This letter must:
Be on official letterhead.
Include your full name.
State that you have a disability or targeted disability and are eligible for appointment under Schedule A (5 CFR 213.3102(u)).
Be signed by one of the following:
A licensed medical professional
A licensed rehabilitation professional
A federal, state, D.C., or U.S. territory agency that provides disability benefits
Peace Corps Eligibility (PCE) documentation of qualifying volunteer service - Applicants claiming PCE must submit documentation verifying eligibility.
In most cases, this will be your Description of Service (DOS). Please upload this under the "Proof of Volunteer with PC, VISTA, ACTION etc." document placeholder.
The final paragraph of the signed DOS must include the following statement: "This is to certify in accordance with Section 6.0 of Peace Corps Manual Section 285 that (NAME) served satisfactorily as a Peace Corps (Response) volunteer for a full term of service under an appointment of (X) months."
Peace Corps Response Volunteers should also include their Verification of Service letter, which is important for retirement and leave documentation.
To apply for this position, you must complete the online questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. The complete application must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 06/02/2026 to receive consideration.
To submit your application:
Click the Apply Online button.
Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.
If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice.
Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials.
Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.
Set aside about two (2) hours to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link.
Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused.
It is your responsibility to ensure your application package (resume, supporting documents, and questionnaire responses) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date.
We will not modify answers or documents submitted by an applicant.
Additional information on how to submit your online application may be found on the USAJOBS Help Center.
To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (https://appsupport-usastaffing.opm.gov/hc/en-us/sections/45063131363475-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information)
Likewise, the Peace Corps provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any other part of the hiring process, please contact the Office of Civil Rights at 202-692-2139. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation are made on a case-by-case basis.
Office of Global Operations
1275 First St. NE
Washington, DC 20526
US
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted, you will receive a confirmation notification by email.
Your application will be evaluated once the announcement closes.
You will receive another notification about the status of your application, after we have completed our review.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USAJOBS account and by going to the "My Account" tab and clicking on "Application Status". For a more detailed update of your application status, you may go to "more information" under the individual vacancy.
If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, you will be disqualified from further consideration.
If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application may be referred to the Selecting Official for further consideration.
USAJOBS has added an alert setting to their system to provide status updates for applicants. You can elect to activate the status updates from your USAJOBS profile at any point during the application process.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
