How to Apply for a Department of State Job Vacancy

Working for the U.S. Department of State means representing the country at one of its offices in the United States or at one of over 265 posts abroad. State Department careers include jobs as foreign service officers, as foreign service specialists, in the civil service, student jobs, jobs in Iraq or Afghanistan or local employment in an U.S. embassy or consulate. The State Department website lists job openings within the department as well as other opportunities such as jobs in international organizations or the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Internet access

Instructions

Foreign Service Officer

1. If you want to become a foreign service officer and help formulate and implement the foreign policy of the U.S., you could work at one of many locations worldwide or in Washington, D.C.

2. Register online http://www.act.org/fsot/ and choose a career track. If chosen, you will be assigned to the A-100 course, which serves as training and orientation.

   Once you pass the Foreign Service Officer test and receive other clearances--including security and medical clearance and a final review--you will be placed in a pool of FSOs ready to be hired. Hiring depends on your chosen career track, where you will be ranked according to your test scores and other evaluations. Your eligibility is valid for 18 months.

3. Key considerations for FSOs include foreign language skills and your commitment to foreign service work. Preference is given to candidates with disabilities and to veterans.

Foreign Service Specialist

1. Candidates with specialized technical, support or administration skills can apply to be foreign service specialists. As with FSOs, you could be placed at a post overseas or in Washington, D.C. or elsewhere in the United States.

2. FSSs work in seven major areas: administration, construction engineering, information technology, international information and English language programs, medical and health, office management, and security.

3. Your application, which you can download at http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/79991.pdf, will undergo an initial review and an evaluation. After an interview in Washington, D.C. at the Foreign Service Assessment Center, you will have your name placed on a list.

4. Foreign languages and your commitment to foreign service work are key considerations; you also must pass medical and security clearances. Before being registered as a cleared candidate, you must pass a final review.

   Veterans and candidates with disabilities receive special consideration.

Civil Service

1. Work in the civil service is possible in a number of categories: business management/finance/economics/accounting; engineering; foreign affairs and international policy and operations; human resources/information technology/legal; international and domestic security; office support professionals; and senior executive service.

2. You can do a detailed search of available positions on the USA JOB SEARCH site, the official job site of the federal government. This link takes you directly to civil service opportunities in the State Department: http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/a9st00.aspx.

3. The requirements and hiring procedures vary and will be listed for each job.

Student Jobs

1. For students, the U.S. Department of State offers a number of internships and fellowships, including those for high school students, undergraduates and graduate students.

2. Programs include the summer clerical program and the Council of American Ambassadors Fellowship.

3. A test on the website helps you decide which program fits you best. Also available are various downloadable forms.

Jobs in Iraq and Afghanistan

1. The USAJOBS website lists possible Iraq and Afghanistan jobs. Only applications submitted through this means will be considered.

   Once an online resume is submitted, candidates will be chosen based on their responses to the core application questions as well as those to the vacancy-specific self-assessment questions.

2. An email confirms the receipt of your application; check the status on the USAJOBS website.

3. Once a final decision is made, you will be notified. This period could be up to 60 days (for Iraq jobs) or several months (for Afghanistan jobs) after the advertisement's closing date.

Local Employment at U.S. Embassy or Consulate

1. If you want to work at one of the worldwide embassies or consulates, you will have to go directly through the local representatives overseas.

2. You need a valid work and residency permit for that country; other documents might be required.

3. At http://usembassy.state.gov/ you can find links to U.S. embassies, consulates and diplomatic representatives.

Tips & Warnings

• Here is a link to employment forms:

• http://careers.state.gov/resources/employment-forms.html#forms_sp

References

• U.S. Department of State Careers
• Foreign Service Officer
• Foreign Service Specialist

Resources

• Civil Service
• Student Programs
• Local Employment in U.S. Embassies and Consulates