| Security Engineering OfficersSecurity engineering officers are highly skilled professional engineers who serve worldwide. Security engineers are responsible for the technical and informational security programs at our diplomatic and consular posts overseas. In the United States, engineers provide support for our overseas operations. For more information, contact us at DSRecruitment@state.gov.
Diplomatic Security has a corps of top-flight men and women who serve as security engineering officers (SEOs). SEOs are assigned throughout the world to develop, implement, and manage technical security programs. The State Department's work in security technology began more than 40 years ago by detecting and removing clandestine listening devices from State Department facilities. Since those early days, our job has grown to keep up with rapidly evolving technology in detection equipment, computer systems, intrusion detection systems, and access control equipment. Technical security systems development, installation, and project management are a major part of a SEO's job. SEOs are increasingly called upon for their expertise as the State Department's dependence on computer systems grows. As a technical security expert, an SEO advises State Department managers on a wide variety of issues. An engineer's knowledge must extend to the leading edges of electronic technology, physics, and computer science yet officers must be willing to use a hands-on approach to investigate indications of a technical threat. The Department of State has greatly expanded its security programs to combat espionage attacks and terrorism on our diplomatic facilities and personnel. For the security technology program, this expansion has increased our need to design, develop, and install sophisticated electronic detection systems. SEOs analyze complex engineering problems and design effective systems to solve them. Security engineering officers are initially assigned to a training/orientation position in the Washington, DC, area. Each employee must successfully complete a specialized training program. After training, an officer is assigned to a domestic or overseas position, usually with a senior security engineering officer who provides on-the-job guidance and training. Security engineers are members of the Foreign Service and spend a substantial portion of their careers abroad. They are based in 38 engineering service offices around the world. Travel to nearby countries to conduct engineering surveys and security inspections, install equipment, and to provide electronic maintenance can occupy up to 50 percent of an overseas officer's time. Starting salaries range from $53,986 to $74,527, depending on education, qualifications, location of assignment, and related specialized experience. Satisfactory performance earns employees automatic grade and pay increases during the first 3 years. Thereafter, promotions are competitive based on the recommendations of annual selection panels. An excellent benefits package includes:
A high level of responsibility, good opportunities for promotion, and an excellent benefits package await you. Make the most of your unique skills and abilities as a security engineering officer. |