Educational Specialist Job in Petaluma, CA (DHS Coast Guard) 2026

⏰ 11 min read

Job Overview

Early childhood professionals looking for a stable, mission-driven role may want to take a look at this opening. The Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Coast Guard is accepting applications for an Educational Specialist at the Child Development Center on its training center campus in Petaluma, California.

This role focuses on supporting the daily operation of a child development program, combining administrative duties with direct work supporting children’s growth and development. It is not a remote or telework position, so it is best suited to candidates who already live in or are willing to commute to the Petaluma area.

The ideal applicant has a background in early childhood education or child development and enjoys both hands-on classroom work and the administrative side of running a childcare program.

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Important: this announcement closes on August 11, 2026, or as soon as 100 applications are received, whichever comes first, so candidates who are interested should not wait to apply.

About the Employer

The U.S. Coast Guard is a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces operating under the Department of Homeland Security. This position is based at the Child Development Center within the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Branch at Training Center Petaluma, which supports Coast Guard families through childcare and early education services.

The agency describes Coast Guard civilians as valuable members of the broader Coast Guard team who support the mission through their work. The agency has not publicly detailed additional background beyond what is shared in the official announcement, so readers are encouraged to visit the DHS Careers website directly for a fuller picture of the agency’s mission and culture.

Position Summary

Here is a quick snapshot of the basics for this opening, straight from the official announcement:

This is a permanent, full-time position with one vacancy listed at this location.

Key Responsibilities

As an Educational Specialist at the Child Development Center, you would help operate a developmental program that supports children’s growth, while also preparing reports relevant to Coast Guard, state, and local regulations. Monitoring the center’s food program and maintaining health history records and physician reports for children and staff is another part of the role.

You may also be asked to step in and provide oversight and leadership to other teachers when a lead teacher is unavailable, and to monitor caregivers to make sure policies and procedures are being followed correctly. Assisting with distributing and balancing work assignments among lower-graded caregivers, and substituting in classrooms when needed, is also part of the job.

A meaningful part of this role involves working directly with parents, helping them understand their child’s growth and development, and encouraging their participation in school programs.

Required Qualifications

This position has a positive education requirement in addition to specialized experience, meaning you must meet a specific education standard to qualify, not just relevant experience. According to the announcement, you must meet one of the following:

• A completed degree with major study in education or a related subject: such as child development or early childhood education.
• An equivalent combination of education and directly related experience: where your overall background provides knowledge equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in the field.

In addition to the positive education requirement, you must also meet at least one of the following to qualify at the GS-7 level:

• One full year of specialized experience at the GS-5 level: such as teaching young children in a preschool or day care setting, observing children to evaluate developmental milestones, or contributing to child development programs.
• One full year of graduate-level education in child development, early childhood education, or a directly related field.
• Superior Academic Achievement: being in the upper one-third of your graduating class, or having a GPA of 3.0 or higher (or 3.5 or higher in your major) on a 4.0 scale.
• A combination of related graduate education and specialized experience that together meet the qualification requirements.

Note that the agency specifically states that experience statements copied directly from the announcement and pasted into your resume will not count as a demonstration of your qualifications.

Preferred Qualifications

The employer has not published a separate list of preferred or desired qualifications beyond the positive education requirement and specialized experience or education substitution paths described above. Meeting one of those qualifying paths is what the agency has outlined for this role.

Required Skills

Based on the qualifications and duties listed, the agency specifically calls out attention to detail, flexibility, integrity and honesty, and reasoning as the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities for this role.

In practice, this means the position rewards someone who is careful and consistent when following childcare policies and procedures, adaptable when covering for other teachers or handling changing daily needs, and trustworthy when it comes to maintaining health and safety records for children in the program.

Salary and Compensation

According to the official posting, this position pays between $63,081 and $82,007 per year. The pay scale and grade for this role is listed as GS 7, with a promotion potential of GS 7, meaning this position does not have a built-in career ladder to a higher grade.

For readers unfamiliar with the federal pay system, the “GS” scale is the General Schedule used to set pay for most federal civilian employees. The agency has not broken this figure down into hourly or weekly amounts, so the annual range below is the only compensation detail that has been officially shared.

Eligibility Requirements

Before applying, it is important to confirm that you meet the basic eligibility conditions the agency has set for this role. These conditions come directly from the official job announcement.

Employee Benefits

The employer states that a career with the U.S. government comes with a comprehensive benefits package. According to the announcement, DHS specifically offers health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance, a retirement plan, a Thrift Savings Plan similar to a 401(k), a Flexible Spending Account, an Employee Assistance Program, personal leave days, and paid federal holidays.

The posting also mentions that other benefits may include flexible work schedules, tuition reimbursement, transportation subsidies, uniform allowance, health and wellness programs, and fitness centers, though availability can vary. Notably, this role may also come with a student loan repayment incentive of up to $10,000 for newly appointed employees who sign a three-year service agreement. Benefit eligibility depends on the type of position you hold and whether it is full-time, part-time, or intermittent.

Work Schedule

This is a full-time position, and the posting specifically states that travel is not required for this role. The position is not eligible for telework and is not classified as a remote job, so employees would be expected to work on-site at the Child Development Center.

Work Location

The position is based in Petaluma, California, with one vacancy listed at this location. The announcement does not mention relocation expense reimbursement for this role, so candidates should confirm this detail directly with the agency if relocation is a factor in their decision.

Hiring Process

After the announcement closes, the agency will review resumes and supporting documentation, including required transcripts, to confirm applicants meet the basic qualification requirements. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will have their experience, education, and training rated and placed into one of three categories: Best-Qualified, Well-Qualified, or Qualified.

Applicants placed in the Best-Qualified category may be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and could be called for an interview. The agency notes that qualified veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent are placed in the Best-Qualified category, and other veterans’ preference categories are also factored into the process. The agency expects to make a job offer within 60 days after the application deadline, and selected candidates will undergo a suitability and security background investigation along with a pre-employment medical exam.

How to Apply

This position can be applied for directly through USAJOBS. Here is how the official process works, according to the employer:

Step 1
Click “Apply Online” on the official USAJOBS announcement to create an account or log into your existing one.

Step 2
Prepare a resume that is no more than two pages, using a font size of at least 10 points and margins no smaller than 0.5 inches.

Step 3
Include your relevant work or volunteer experience, education, and training, with start and end dates and hours worked per week.

Step 4
Submit a copy of your college transcript, since this position has a positive education requirement and transcripts must be submitted with your application package.

Step 5
Complete any applicable assessments, including the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if required.

Step 6
Gather and upload any required supporting documentation, such as veterans’ preference paperwork.

Step 7
Submit your resume and supporting documents before 11:59 PM EST on August 11, 2026, or before the 100-application cap is reached.

Keep in mind that your resume should not include your Social Security number, date of birth, a photo of yourself, or other personal information such as age, gender, or religious affiliation.

Helpful Tips Before Applying

Since this posting may close early once 100 applications are received, it is worth applying as soon as you have a complete, well-prepared application ready rather than waiting until close to the deadline.

Because this position has a positive education requirement, make sure your transcripts are ready to submit with your application, and confirm that your coursework aligns with education, child development, or early childhood education. If you are qualifying through Superior Academic Achievement, double check your GPA calculation matches what the announcement requires.

If you are claiming veterans’ preference, prepare your DD-214 or other required documentation in advance, since incomplete documentation can affect whether preference is granted. Finally, double-check that your resume does not include any personal information the agency asks you to leave out, such as your Social Security number, date of birth, or a photo.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is this a remote or telework position?
No. The official posting states this role is not remote and is not eligible for telework.

2. Where is this job located?
The position is based in Petaluma, California, at the Child Development Center, with one vacancy listed.

3. What is the salary range for this role?
The official salary range is $63,081 to $82,007 per year, at the GS 7 pay grade.

4. Is a degree required?
Yes, this position has a positive education requirement in education, child development, early childhood education, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

5. Is there a physical requirement?
Yes. The announcement states that child care workers must be able to lift 40 lbs.

6. Is a medical exam required?
Yes. Selectees must complete a pre-employment medical exam, a TB test or chest X-ray, and appropriate immunizations.

7. When does this announcement close?
It closes on August 11, 2026, or sooner if 100 applications are received first.

8. How long can my resume be?
No more than two pages. The USAJOBS system will not allow submission of a longer resume, and it will not be considered if illegible.

9. Is there a special financial incentive for this role?
Newly appointed selectees may be eligible for student loan repayment of up to $10,000 (pre-tax), with a required three-year service agreement.

10. How do I apply?
You apply directly through USAJOBS by clicking “Apply Online” on the official announcement and submitting your resume, transcripts, and required documents.

Final Thoughts

This Educational Specialist opening may appeal to candidates with a background in early childhood education or child development who want to combine classroom-adjacent work with administrative responsibility in a stable, mission-driven organization. It could be a good fit for someone based in or near Petaluma, California, who meets the education and experience requirements.

Because this announcement may close after just 100 applications, interested candidates should prepare their materials, including transcripts, promptly. Readers should always verify the latest information directly through the official USAJOBS announcement before applying, since hiring details can be updated or the posting can close early.

Official Application Information