Becoming a Foreign Service Officer
There are some 160 Foreign Service officers in FAS, making FAS one of the smaller Foreign Service agencies. By comparison, there are more than 13,000 Foreign Service officers at the State Department and USAID.

If you're interested in a Foreign Service career at FAS, there's plenty of opportunity, but it's a competitive process. The first requirement is becoming a Civil Service employee of FAS.

FAS employees have the opportunity to apply to the Foreign Service after working for the agency for at least 18 months in the Civil Service. Experience in the Career Internship Program or Cooperative Education Program counts toward this 18-month requirement.

There are several hurdles to jump before getting in. Lateral entry - transferring from the Civil Service to the Foreign Service - takes place only once each year. The initial steps involve an application process, and a written and oral exam. Prospective applicants benefit by working in USDA headquarters in Washington and thereby gain exposure to domestic programs and are strongly encouraged to use to learn about our overseas operations and to prepare themselves for entry into the Foreign Service.

Once you have passed these exams, then there are security and medical clearances to fulfill. Finally, career Foreign Service officers need to demonstrate for proficiency in a foreign language.

As a Foreign Service officer, you can expect to serve overseas for two-thirds of your career, and you are required to serve in at least one hardship tour. While overseas, you will work in a U.S. embassy or consulate, as part of the Office of Agricultural Affairs or in an Agricultural Trade Office. The Agriculture team includes both American Foreign Service officers, as well as locally hired staff known as Foreign Service Nationals.