Who Qualifies
There are several important eligibility requirements:
- All applicants must be U.S. citizens.
- On the day you submit your registration, you must be at least 20 years old and no older than 59 years of age. See Diplomatic Security Special Agent candidates qualifications and requirements.
- On the day you are appointed as a Foreign Service Specialist, you must be at least 21 years old, and not yet 60. Diplomatic Security Special Agent candidates, however, must be appointed prior to their 37th birthday.
- You must also be available for worldwide assignments, including Washington, D.C.
Worldwide availability is both an affirmed willingness to serve anywhere in the world and matter of being medically qualified to do so. Both the willingness and being medically qualified are essential requirements for appointment to the Foreign Service. Worldwide availability also means that members of the Foreign Service are expected to serve anywhere in the world, even in cases where family members cannot go to post due to political instability and/or other concerns, or when family members must leave post as conditions deteriorate (evacuations).
Various skills and knowledge are required for each position within the U.S. Department of State. The best way to determine whether you qualify for the opportunity in which you’re interested is to visit http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/a9st00.asp. Just click on the specific vacancy announcement under "Foreign Service Opportunities" and then on the Qualifications tab for details.
