Represent America to the World. Receive Exceptional Benefits and Programs for You and Your Family.
As a member of the U.S. Department of State family, you will experience the intangible benefits of working side by side with some of the most knowledgeable, skilled and culturally diverse people in the world. And you will do so in an environment that is conducive to, and in a federal agency that is supportive of, each employee's personal and professional growth and development.
Our employees acknowledge this through continuously rating highly their personal experiences in an annual Quality Worklife Satisfaction Survey given to 2,700 randomly selected Foreign Service and Civil Service employees.
Whether joining the Foreign Service or Civil Service, or as a participant in one of our Student Programs, the U.S. Department of State makes every effort to provide resources to insure a balanced quality of life for every employee and their family members. You will have access to programs that benefit your emotional and physical health and well-being, in addition to educational opportunities and family-member employment opportunities. The best language training in the world is right here at the Foreign Service Institute.
Regardless of whether you're working in the D.C. area or overseas, working and trying to manage your personal life can sometimes be challenging. With commuting and childcare issues at the forefront of many employees' ability to achieve balance in both their professional and personal lives, the U.S. Department of State offers substantial programs to lessen these concerns.
In fact, the Office of Employee Relations in the Bureau of Human Resources serves as a vital link for employees on work/life issues. The division of Work / Life Programs (HR/ER/WLP) provides up-to-date information, technical assistance, policy direction, and guidance to employees worldwide on work / life initiatives. Some of the Department's Work / Life Programs and Services are briefly described below.
Advanced Health Care Directive / Living Will
The Department provides one free copy of FIVE WISHES, an advance health care directive/living will document that is legally valid in 35 states, including DC, MD, and VA. Automatically provided to all newly hired employees, this document is available to other employees who did not receive a copy upon request to the Office of Employee Relations.
Child Care
The Department is committed to helping our employees balance their work / life responsibilities. The Department sponsors two child care centers, Diplotots at Columbia Plaza (SA-1) across from Main State, and another at the Foreign Service Institute's (FSI) George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center in Arlington, Virginia. Department of State families have priority placement at both centers. Additionally, through the Information Quest (IQ) referral services described below, employees can be directed to quality centers near their homes or places of work anywhere in the country.
Child Care Subsidy
A separate child care subsidy is available to Department employees meeting certain criteria. This program provides child care assistance for employees whose total family income does not exceed a specified amount, and care is provided in a licensed facility. Families who meet this and other eligibility requirements may be able to receive subsidies of up to 50% of their total child care expenses.
Information and Referral Services
Information Quest (IQ) is a counseling, education and referral service that helps employees find the providers, information and resources needed to manage personal and professional responsibilities. Keep in mind that the service offers referrals, not recommendations. Simply tell the IQ specialist what type of services/resources you are seeking and he or she will refer you to the providers and programs that meet your requirements. Although IQ services are free of charge to permanent employees, you are responsible for any fees or costs associated with the services you select.
Lunchtime Seminar Series and Other Information Fairs
The Department offers monthly seminars on a wide variety of dependent care and personal health and well-being topics, such as Long-Distance Caregiving, Talking with Children, Violence, and Medicare / Medicaid. In addition, periodic fairs featuring health care providers or eldercare program and service organizations are offered at the Harry S Truman building (Main State).
Reasonable Accommodation
The Department is committed and obligated to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities unless doing so would result in undue hardship. Reasonable accommodations are those appropriate accommodations that permit employees to effectively perform their essential job requirements. We also ensure equal access to Federal programs, activities, and facilities to people with disabilities. Upon request vans and transportation are available for persons with disabilities.
- Disability Services program includes providing reasonable accommodation to qualified employees and applicants with disabilities (modifications or adjustments that allow qualified employees or applicants with disabilities to participate in the application process or to perform the essential duties of the position for which they were hired).
- Sign language interpreting services are provided and coordinated through the Office of Employee Relations (HR/ER/WLP). Interpreters are available for individual and official events and consultation services are provided.
- Service for the blind and visually impaired are provided. Readers are available for employees with vision impairments who do not benefit from screen magnification in the office or at training sites.
- The Computer Accommodations Technology Center (CATC) has been established to support the Department of State with assistive technology and ergonomic solutions. The CATC is located in Room H-236, Columbia Plaza, SA-1, as part of the Office of Employee Relations. All Department employees are welcome to visit the Computer Accommodations Technology Center. Hands-on demonstrations, literature, and assistive technology experts will be available to answer questions.
- Services provided allow equal access to information technology and services in today's work force. The CATC has 6 workstations available for hands-on demonstrations and evaluations of assistive technologies. The workstations are equipped with a variety of hardware and software solutions, which provide accessibility to employees who are visually, hearing, speech, mobility or dexterity impaired.
The CATC conducts assessments, reviews and evaluates accommodations, of assistive technologies and ergonomic solutions to aid employees in their work environment. Consultations are also available to managers on accommodations that are cost effective and will assist the employee in performing the essential functions of their job.
STATE Magazine
The Bureau of Human Resources, Office of Employee Relations (HR/ER/SMG) publishes and distributes State Magazine, which acquaints Department of State employees at home and abroad with developments affecting operations and personnel and facilitates communication between management and employees. The monthly, full-color magazine is published 11 times a year and is automatically distributed to current and former employees free of charge.
Library
The Ralph J. Bunche Library of the U.S. Department of State is the oldest Federal government library. It was founded by the first Secretary of State, Thomas Jefferson, in 1789 and was dedicated to and renamed the Ralph J. Bunche Library on May 5, 1997. The Library has a large and important collection of unclassified and published information sources on foreign relations. Employees may borrow books and conduct research using a wealth of resource material.
The Bunche Electronic Library is a global initiative to bring the 21st Century resources of the First Federal Library to the desktops of all Department of State employees worldwide.
These resources include expert information professionals who can provide you with a wide range of information and research services. To contact an expert send a message to: library@state.gov.
Amenities and Services
The Department of State offers a variety of amenities and services to its employees.
Dining Facilities
Employees have several dining options available to them within the Department. Within the Harry S Truman Building (Main State) there is a cafeteria located on the first floor, a café in Foggy Bottom, and several dining rooms on the eighth floor with a wonderful view of the city: Martin Van Buren, James Buchanan, and the Daniel Webster rooms. Columbia Plaza (State Annex 1) also has a small café.
Foggy Bottom
The Foggy Bottom is located in the basement below the dining facility in Main State. It offers such services as a post office, a café, candy shop, barbershop, hair salon, and gift shops.
Banking Services
The State Department Federal Credit Union is also located in Foggy Bottom. Department employees are eligible to join and members are offered a complete choice of low-cost financial services. For more information on the State Department Credit Union, visit or access the website listed in the appendix.
There is also a Bank of America and ATM machine located in Foggy Bottom. The bank offers a full range of services to employees. ATM machines are also located in the Columbia Plaza (SA-1 Annex) on the first floor.
Bus Services
Transportation is available between Main State and State annexes. Anyone working for the Department is eligible to ride as long as he/she has a valid Department building pass.
Foreign Affairs Recreation Association (FARA)
FARA, which is also located in Foggy Bottom, is a private, nonprofit organization governed by a Board of Directors. Member agencies include the Department of State and agencies such as the Agency for International Development (AID), Peace Corps, and ACTION. Employees of these agencies may become active members for a nominal annual fee. Membership cards are issued and must be presented any time you use FARA services. While non-members can shop in the FARA gift shop, they will not receive the FARA discount.
FARA's monthly newsletter, the Spectrum, contains information on its recreational activities, store specials, and discounted services. Copies are available in all FARA service areas and at numerous locations in the Harry S Truman (Main State) building and State's annexes.
FARA Fitness Center
The FARA Fitness Center is located in "The Foggy Bottom" at Main State and is open 24/7. Contact FARA for more information at: www.recgov.org/state/webstate.html
Gold's Gym
The Department has a corporate membership with Gold's Gym. The 12-month membership gives you full access to any Gold's Gym facility, unlimited classes and an orientation with a certified trainer. There is an application processing fee and a monthly charge.
Depending on the career path you choose, the detailed compensation, health, training and leave/vacation benefits will vary. Please visit the Compensation and Benefits section under each area of Career Options for details.
Be part of an organization that makes a difference in employees' lives both here and overseas.
