Equipment, Facilities, & Services Jobs

This group includes positions the duties of which are to advise on, manage, or provide instructions and information concerning the operation, maintenance, and use of equipment, shops, buildings, laundries, printing plants, power plants, cemeteries, or other government facilities, or other work involving services provided predominantly by persons in trades, crafts, or manual labor operations. Positions in this group require technical or managerial knowledge and ability, plus a practical knowledge of trades, crafts, or manual labor operations.

There were 14,731 federal workers employed in this group within most of the Executive Branch departments, and in some large and small independent agencies, over 300 are employed overseas. The largest employers of this group are the military departments that hire civilians at their bases stateside and overseas. Others work for most of the larger departments including 1,221 with the VA, 842 with the Department of Interior, and 666 with the Department of Justice.

Don’t overlook any agency in your job search as there are positions available in many agencies.

The following information is compiled from numerous federal documents including qualification standards, job announcements, career articles, occupation flysheets, FEDSCOPE, OPM, Agency websites, interviews with federal employees, The United States Government Manual, and from the Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Equipment, Facilities, and Services Group Menu

• Job Listings by Occupation
• Job Series Definitions
• Career Articles (Explore key occupations within this group)

Job Listings By Occupation

Click the job title for job listings, the number employed, hiring agencies, and job series definitions.

General Facilities & Equip. GS-1601 Cemetery Administration GS-1630 Facility Operation Services GS-1640

Printing Services GS-1654 Food Services GS-1667 Equipment Specialist GS-1670

Job Series Definitions

These position descriptions are excerpted from the qualification standards for select job titles in this group. In the General Schedule position classification system is established under chapter 51 of title 5, United States Code. The term “General Schedule” or “GS” denotes the major position classification system and pay structure for white collar work in the Federal government. Agencies that are no longer subject to chapter 51 have replaced the GS pay plan indicator with agency-unique pay plan indicators. For example, the Bureau of Prisons uses GL instead of the GS designation. For this reason, reference to General Schedule or GS is often omitted from the individual qualification standard sheets.

A brief introduction for major occupations within this group is provided below.

Equipment, Facilities, and Services, GS-1601

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This series covers two-grade interval positions that manage, supervise, lead, or perform administrative work that involves:

• a combination of work characteristic of two or more series in the Equipment, Facilities, and Services Group where no one type of work is series controlling; or
• other two-grade interval work classified in this group for which no other series has been established.

This occupation does not include one-grade interval equipment, facilities, and services assistance work.

The federal government employs 4,447 in this occupation. The Department of the Navy employs 1,650, the VA has 788 facility specialist while the Department of the Army has 714.  The remaining are employed by the other organizations including most of the cabinet level agencies.

As a Facilities Specialist you will perform facilities management at designated facilities. You will serve as primary point of contact for all facilities, space and building management functions.  Responsible for all functions related to facility and space management for the primary district or laboratory headquarters building, a building with office, storage and special use space with parking and landscaped grounds, to include building operation and maintenance services; space management utilization and allocation; building alterations and modifications; signage; key control; moving services; conference and special events support; parking assignment; and related support services.

Job Series Titles: (The USAJOBS selection lists all federal job vacancies for this job series.)

Sampling of Jobs Typically Advertised in the Group:

• USAJOBS GS-1601 (Federal Job List)
  • Facility Management System Specialist
  • Aircraft Maintenance Officer
  • Supervisory Facility Management Specialist
  • Surface Maintenance Specialist
  • Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist
  • Space and Facilities Specialist
  • Equipment and Facilities Maintenance Planner
  • Facility Specialist
  • Power System Operator

Cemetery Administration Services, GS-1602

This series covers two-grade interval positions that manage, supervise, lead, or perform administrative work that involves the operation or maintenance of one or more Federal cemeteries. The work requires broad administrative knowledge of the operation and maintenance requirements of cemeteries.

The federal government employs 124 in this occupation, 95 work for the Veterans Administration, 7 for the Department of the Army, and one each for the Department of the Interior and Department of the Navy. There are 20 employees that work overseas for the American Battles Monuments Commission.

Job Series Titles: (The USAJOBS selection lists all federal job vacancies for this job series.)

• USAJOBS GS-1602 (Federal Job Lists)
  • Cemetery Administration Specialist
  • Cemetery Administrator

The basic title of positions that provide administrative support in cemetery operations is Cemetery Administration Specialist. The title also applies to staff positions that involve developing cemetery administration policies and operating procedures, methods, standards, and techniques.

The basic title of positions in this occupation that involve directly administering the operations of a cemetery or cemeteries is Cemetery Administrator.

Cemetery administration specialists perform a variety of the following services concerning interments, maintenance and repair, administration, and public affairs/public relations.

For interments services they:

• arrange, coordinate, and schedule individual or group funerals.
• determine eligibility of veterans and others for burial in Federal cemeteries.
• communicate with area or regional offices on matters of eligibility for burial, workload data, and headstone procurement.
• arrange shipment or temporary storage of remains.
• attend memorial services and present or mail flags to next of kin; and
• inspect private monuments for conformance to authorized specifications and regulations regarding quality, type, inscription, and location.

For maintenance and repair services they:

• identify construction needs, plan for construction projects, and review plans and working drawings.
• inspect grounds, buildings, facilities, and equipment for appearance; note deficiencies; and
• plan for correction.
• inspect work performed by contract personnel; and
• determine repair work required to maintain cemetery property and buildings.

For administration services they:

• establish and manage essential records and required record keeping systems.
• establish and control leases and utility services.
• maintain and control inventory; and
• develop contract terms, negotiate contracts, and perform contract oversight for cemetery maintenance and construction projects.

For public affairs/public relations services they:

• represent the Federal Government in matters pertaining to the cemetery; and
• meet with the military, Federal, State, and local government agencies, veterans’ service organizations, public service and fraternal organizations, clergy, local commercial interest groups who do business with the cemetery, local media representatives, and the public, including relatives and friends of decedents buried in the cemetery, to:
  • establish and maintain positive relationships.
  • gain cooperation in furthering the goals of the cemetery through participation in special services, ceremonies, activities, and civic and community events; and
  • present information about cemetery matters that may affect individuals or groups socially or economically.

Facility Operations Services, GS-1640

This series covers two-grade interval positions that supervise, lead, or perform administrative work that involves operating and maintaining buildings, grounds, and other facilities such as posts, bases, shipyards, depots, medical or health care facilities, power plants, navigation locks, parks, forests, and roadways. The work requires administrative knowledge and skills and broad technical knowledge of the operating capabilities and maintenance requirements of various kinds of facilities, physical plants, and equipment. This series typically involves coordinating and directing work performed by a variety of trades and labor employees and requires broad knowledge of such work; however, this knowledge is not a paramount qualification requirement. The basic title for this occupation is Facility Operations Specialist.

The federal government employs 2,431 in this occupation. The Department of the Interior employs 448, and the Departments of the Army, Navy and Air Force employs 1,140 civilian workers in this series. Al cabinet level agencies except HHS and the Department of Education employ facility operations specialists.

Job Series Titles: (The USAJOBS selection lists all federal job vacancies for this job series.)

• USAJOBS GS-1640 (Facility Operations Specialist Federal Job List)

Facility operations specialists operate facilities including physical structures, utilities, roadways, and surrounding grounds. Physical structures include buildings such as office buildings, hospitals, cultural institutions, historic buildings, and other types of government-owned buildings. Cultural institutions include facilities such as museums and libraries. Facility operations includes programs and services essential to maintain a safe, healthy, and comfortable facility.

Facility operations specialists perform a variety of administrative services in the following programs and services functions:

• maintain, repair, or modify facilities by:
  • upgrading or replacing utility systems.
  • inspecting physical structures, utilities, roadways, and surrounding grounds; and
  • planning and overseeing work performed by carpenters, electricians, utility system(s) operators, janitors, and/or others; and
• operate facility programs and services efficiently by:
  • assuring compliance with all certifications, safety, fire prevention, and security program requirements.
  • – inspecting and directing activities providing services such as plumbing, utility, water and sewage treatment, telephone, janitorial, and elevator service.
  • inspecting contractors’ work for compliance with specifications or standards.
  • determining and projecting funding requirements; and
  • justifying budget requests.

Printing Services GS-1654

The printing services specialist manages, supervises, leads, or performs administrative work that involves operating and maintaining a printing program when the work requires knowledge and skill in printing, printing processes, reprographics, printing procurement, and applying relevant laws, regulations, methods, and techniques.

The federal government employs 437 printing services specialists. The Government Printing Office is the largest employer with 161 followed by the Treasury Department with 75, the Department of the Army with 37 and the VA with 18. Small numbers work for other agencies.

Job Series Titles: (The USAJOBS selection lists all federal job vacancies for this job series.)

• USAJOBS GS-1654 (Printing Services Specialist Federal Job List)

Printing services specialists perform a variety of the following services:

• determine: – printing specifications; – paper sizes, ink colors, layout requirements, and use of photographs.
•  important facts such as the number of years the product is to be used; – equipment and processes to be used.
• the most economical mode of production; and – the appropriate printing facility for specific printing jobs.
• estimate the cost of the printing job based on standard charges for particular processes.
• and develop specifications for printing and related printing service contracts.

Printing services specialists also perform duties such as:

• assure that the materials produced at the printing facility are proper and legal.
• keep up with the latest developments in the printing industry for possible incorporation into the plant.
• write justifications for printing equipment and other needs.
• determine whether the printing facility is capable of producing the publication or whether it must be obtained from commercial sources.
• procure printing services; and
• recommend changes in policy and procedures to meet the goals of the printing program.

Food services specialists, GS-1667

This series covers two-grade interval positions that supervise, lead, or perform administrative work that involves operating food services of Federal Government institutions including storeroom, kitchen, dining room, and meat and bakery operations. The work requires a practical knowledge of menu planning and food service operations.

The federal government employs 359 in this occupation. The Department of Justice is the largest employer with 203 employees to manage their prison system facilities. The military departments also employ a good number of civilians. Several other cabinet level agencies employ a few workers in this specialty.

Food services specialists perform a variety of the following services:

• plan menus and food service arrangements.
• provide forecasts of required food items.
• assure proper methods of food storage, stock control, handling, preparation, and food service.
• conduct inspections for safety, food storage, service, and sanitation.
• perform food service evaluations.
• adjust work processes to increase efficiency.
• identify new equipment items to bring into the food service system.
• determine equipment replacement schedules; and
• budget for equipment replacement.

Job Series Titles: (The USAJOBS selection lists all federal job vacancies for this job series.)

• USAJOBS GS-1667 (Food Service Specialist Federal Job List)

Equipment Services Series, GS-1670

This series covers two-grade interval positions that supervise, lead, or perform administrative work that involves collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and developing specialized information about equipment. Work also involves providing advisory services to those who design, test, produce, procure, supply, operate, repair, or dispose of equipment. Work may also involve developing or revising equipment maintenance programs. The work requires applying an intensive and practical knowledge of the characteristics, properties, and uses of equipment. Knowledge is of the type gained from technical training, education, and experience in functions such as repairing, overhauling, maintaining, constructing, or inspecting equipment.

The federal government employs 6,070 in this occupation. Just over 300 works overseas. The Departments of the Army, Navy and Air Force employ 5,509 civilians in this occupation. All cabinet level agencies except HUD and the Department of Labor employ small numbers of equipment specialists.

The basic title for this occupation is Equipment Specialist.

As an occupation, the Equipment Services Series, GS-1670, encompasses the broad equipment phases of preproduction, production, usage, and disposal. Within these stages, equipment specialists perform a wide variety of services. They obtain, provide, and base recommendations on equipment information such as:

• manufacturing processes.
• materials.
• maintenance requirements.
• associated equipment and conditions needed to operate and repair it.
• equipment composition, sometimes down to the smallest part; and
• how each part interrelates with the other and with adjacent parts, components, or within the larger overall system.

They also consider equipment uses; design and operating characteristics and limitations; operating instructions; reliable and unreliable manufacturers; operating and repair capabilities of different organizational levels; and disposal procedures.

Job Series Titles: (The USAJOBS selection lists all federal job vacancies for this job series.)

• USAJOBS GS-1670 (Equipment Specialist Federal Job List)