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Foreign Service Officer Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a Foreign Service Officer do?
Through their dedication, technical skills, and creativity, Foreign Service
Officers (FSOs) drive American foreign policy towards its objectives of global
peace, stability, and prosperity. USAID FSOs are responsible for developing and
managing foreign assistance programs that encompass economic growth and trade,
agriculture and the environment, education and training, democracy and governance,
stabilization and conflict mitigation, global health, and humanitarian assistance.
USAID FSOs work in close partnership with the governments and people of more
than 100 countries in five regions of the world, a with private voluntary organizations,
universities, private businesses, trade and professional associations, other
donor governments, faith-based organizations, and other US government agencies..
They assess country needs, prepare strategic plans, design and evaluate programs,
oversee budgets and contracts, and report on results. Foreign Service Officers
are the core of our overseas mission staffing, working alongside locally hired
and contracted personnel.
- What is the Junior Officer Program?
The Junior Officer (JO) program is USAID's entry-level program into the
Foreign Service. The JO program seeks the best-qualified professional candidates
who are willing to make a long-term career commitment to the Foreign Service
and international development.
JOs begin their careers in formal and job-based training programs in Washington,
which may include foreign language training. After completion of Washington training,
JOs are assigned to an overseas office.
- How do I Become a Foreign Service Officer with USAID?
To become a Foreign Service Officer with USAID, candidates must complete
an on-line application to an announced vacancy by the closing date of the
announcement. Applications are first screened to ensure that candidates meet
the basic qualifications for the specific vacancy, and then rated and rank
ordered relative to the qualifications specified in the announcement. The
best-qualified applicants are requested to come to Washington for on-site
assessment and undergo reference checks. Following notification of pre-employment
selection, candidates enter pre-employment processing and must pass the following
in order to be considered for an appointment into the Foreign Service:
Background Investigation
A comprehensive background investigation, conducted by USAID in cooperation
with other federal, state, and local agencies, will provide the information
necessary to determine a candidate's suitability for appointment to the Foreign
Service and for a Top Secret security clearance. The process considers such
factors as: failure to repay a U.S. Government-guaranteed loan or meet tax
obligations; failure to register for the Selective Service; past problems with
credit or bankruptcy; unsatisfactory employment records; a criminal record
or other violations of the law; drug or alcohol abuse; and less than honorable
discharge from the armed forces. Candidates who hold dual citizenship, have
had extensive travel, education, residence and /or employment overseas, or
who have foreign contacts, a foreign-born spouse, immediate family members
or relatives who are not citizens of the United States, should be aware that
the clearance process will take longer to complete. The background investigation
includes interviews with current and previous contacts, supervisors and coworkers.
Candidates who do not receive a security clearance are ineligible for appointment.
Potential candidates who have any serious issues that may prevent them from
receiving a clearance should give some thought to the likelihood of their being
found ineligible before starting this process.
Medical Clearance
The Office of Medical Services of the Department of State determines a
candidate's medical fitness and ability to serve overseas. Many Foreign Service
posts are located in remote areas with extremely limited medical support; therefore,
each candidate must meet rigorous medical standards in order to qualify for
the required worldwide medical clearance. Medical clearance determination by
Medical Services is based on its thorough review of each candidate's medical
history and physical examination, including an individual assessment of his/her
specific medical needs and the medical capabilities of Foreign Service posts
to meet those needs.
All potential candidates, especially those with current or chronic medical conditions,
should be aware of the possibility that they may not qualify for a worldwide
medical clearance. Medical Services may be unable to issue a worldwide clearance
to a candidate based on its determination that an individual's medical condition
requires specialist monitoring or follow-up care unavailable at some Foreign
Service postings, that service in a particular geographic area or climate would
pose a significant medical risk to the individual, or that adequate emergency
facilities for treating life-threatening complications of an individual's specific
medical condition is not available at all posts.
While the candidate must be medically cleared for worldwide service, USAID does
not consider the medical condition of eligible family members for pre-employment
purposes. It does, however, require that each eligible family member have a
medical clearance before they can travel overseas at U. S. Government expense
when accompanying an employee on assignment. Please note that employees with
a family member who has been issued a limited medical clearance (not worldwide)
may be assigned to posts where that family member cannot accompany them. We
strongly advise candidates to consider this situation as they pursue employment
with USAID. For more information visit the link below.
http://careers.state.gov/officer/join/medical.html
Worldwide Availability
Worldwide availability is both an affirmed willingness to serve anywhere
in the world and a matter of being medically qualified to do so; both are
essential requirements for appointment to the Foreign Service. Worldwide
availability also means that, while members of the Foreign Service are
expected to serve anywhere in the world, due to political instability and/or
security concerns, in some cases family members cannot go to post (unaccompanied
tours) or must leave post as security deteriorates (evacuations).
- What is the screening process for Foreign Service positions and how
long does it take?
Applications for Foreign Service positions are initially screened to ensure
that candidates meet the basic qualifications for the specific vacancy announcement.
Applications passing the first screening are rated and rank ordered, relative
to the qualifications specified in the announcement, by a Technical Panel
composed of subject matters experts. The highest ranking applicants are requested
to come to Washington D.C. for a structured interview. Upon completion of
all the interviews, reference checks are undertaken and final selections
are made. At this time the pre-employment procedures are initiated for selected
candidates. Pre-employment procedures include the completion of security
and medical clearances.
From the time an applicant initially applies to entry on duty, the complete
process can take from four months to a year or longer.
- Does USAID require the Foreign Service examination like the U.S. Department
of State?
No, we do not require a written Foreign Service exam. Applications are
accepted only for specific vacancy(s) when announced and posted. Our process
involves a series of reviews of the candidate’s application and written
responses to job specific questions and general development issues. Following
the screening, selected applicants are invited for a personal interview with
a technical panel. Candidates are evaluated on their academic credentials,
related overseas and/or domestic development professional experience, their
technical knowledge and related skills such as management and leadership,
representational and communication (oral and written).
- What are the basic qualifications needed for employment?
- U.S. citizenship at the time of application
- Must be between 18-59 years old at the time of appointment
- Must be willing to accept assignments at any USAID location
- Must meet minimum educational and work experience requirements for the
specific position advertised.
- What are the minimum federal qualification requirements?
All FSO candidates must have an academic degree related to the specific
job opening; most positions require advanced degrees (MS, MA, PhD, JD, MD).
Candidates for mid-level positions must also have relevant work experience,
which may include experience working abroad.
- Must I have a graduate degree?
Most FSO positions require a graduate or advanced degree (MS, MA, PhD,
JD, MD), although a few accept candidates with a Bachelors degree and relevant
work experience in lieu of an advanced degree.
- I received my degree from a non-US college or university. Does that
meet your education requirements?
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to
meet federal qualification requirements if the applicant can show that the
foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational
institutions in the United States. It is the applicant's responsibility to
provide such evidence when applying for Federal jobs. Your on-line application
should include such evidence either in a narrative or as an attachment.
Education received in foreign colleges or universities will be considered acceptable
based on any of the following. This information must be submitted to the contact
identified in the vacancy announcement, within the time limits specified in
the vacancy announcement.
- The specific courses have been accepted for college-level credit by
an accredited U.S. college or university because they would be creditable
if the student were to further his or her education at that institution.
- An evaluation of the education by an accredited U.S. college or university
shows that the education is equivalent to that gained in an accredited
U.S. college or university.
- An accredited U.S. State university reports the other institution as
one whose transcript is given full value or full value is given in subject
areas applicable to the curricula at the State University.
- The applicant submits an evaluation of the coursework from an organization
recognized for accreditation by the Department of Education that shows
that the coursework is equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S.
college or university.
- The education completed outside the U.S. has been submitted to a private
organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational
credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that
gained in conventional U.S. education programs.
A list of private organizations prepared by the National
Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) is available. NACES
evaluates foreign educational credits for employment and other purposes. All
organizations on this list operate for a fee, based on the extent of the education
to be evaluated. This reference is provided for your general information and
may not be all-inclusive. USAID does not endorse any particular service.
Please refer to the specific open vacancies for more information regarding
qualifications of each program.
- Does your agency have a minimum and maximum age limit?
Career appointments in the Foreign Service are covered by the Foreign Service
Act of 1980, as amended, which requires an applicant to be 18 years old at
time of application and which directs mandatory retirement at age 65. Given
this mandatory retirement age and the fact that five years must be allowed
to achieve tenure in the agency, there is an upper age limit of 59 at time
of appointment to the Foreign Service.
- Are non-citizens eligible for Foreign Service employment?
No. Only U.S. citizens may apply for an appointment to the career Foreign
Service, i.e., you must be a U.S. citizen at the time of application for or
appointment to a direct hire position. However, non-citizens may be employed
as contractors in our overseas missions. You must apply directly to the missions
since they know their staffing needs, and budget levels, and have contracting
authority. To apply for a position, please follow instructions as described
within the vacancy announcement and visit http://www.usaid.gov/careers/missions.html to
learn more about non-citizens at USAID.
- Does a green card or permanent resident qualify me as a U.S. citizen?
No. You must be a U.S. citizen at the time of application for or appointment
to a direct hire position.
- Does the U.S. Agency for International Development consider lesbians
and gays for employment? What if I have a live-in partner?
It is the policy of the U.S. Agency for International Development to provide
equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all persons
without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicap,
political affiliation or marital status, or sexual orientation. Under recently-enacted
changes to regulations, same-sex domestic partners of Foreign Service Officers
may qualify as family members for a variety of benefits and allowances, including
being added to travel orders and use of medical facilities at posts overseas.
- I have worked some summers in various capacities does that
time count, and is that experience creditable?
Yes, it counts as experience if it is related to the position for which
you are applying.
- What is the entry-level salary for a Foreign Service Officer?
The entry-level salary for Junior Foreign Service Officers ranges from
the high-thirty to the high-fifty thousand dollar range, depending on prior
compensation. Additionally, foreign service officers will receive an increased
percentage of their base salary to adjust for the higher cost of living while
posted to Washington.
Foreign Service Officers posted overseas may also receive an overseas pay differential.
Assignment to certain countries can include an additional pay differential to
account for hardship or high cost of living.
The Junior Officer program provides for up to two administrative promotions
within the first two years based on meeting successful service standards, which
increases the salary to the mid-fifty to mid-sixty thousand dollar range by the
end of the second year.
- What are the benefits of being a Foreign Service Employee?
The greatest benefit of being a Foreign Service Officer is the satisfaction
and sense of accomplishment that comes from serving our country in helping
people overseas to make a better life, recover from a disaster or create a
free and prosperous society. USAID FSOs and their families lead interesting
and fast-paced lives as representatives of our country overseas. On a practical
level, the benefits of the position include:
Health Benefit Plans
Choice of extensive array of Federal Employment Health Benefits Plans, with
costs shared by the Government. Employees are eligible to enroll in a wide
variety of health insurance plans, including fee-for-service plans and health
maintenance organizations. The employee's portion is paid through payroll
deductions. For more information on Federal Employment Health Benefits Plans
visit http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/index.asp
Thrift Savings Plan (equivalent to 401(K) with Government matching)
Foreign Service Officers may participate in the Thrift Savings Plan; a long-term
savings and investment program for federal employees designed to provide
retirement income. For more information on the Thrift Savings Plan, visit http://www.opm.gov/benefits/correction/faq/Thrift.htm
Life Insurance
Foreign Service Officers are eligible to participate in the Federal Employees'
Group Life Insurance plan (FEGLI). The FEGLI plan offers low rates that are
paid through payroll deductions. The U.S. Government pays one-third of the
cost of this insurance. Participation in the FEGLI plan is voluntary. The
plan is intended as a form of immediate protection against financial hardship
or loss in the event of death. It is not offered as a form of term life insurance
with a cash value, such as might be purchased through private insurance agents.
Long Term Care Insurance
Long Term Care Insurance is offered and carries into your retirement. For
more information on Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP), visit http://www.opm.gov/insure/ltc/index.asp
Student Loan Repayment (This program is subject to the availability of funds.)
USAID administers the Student Loan Repayment Program to repay federally-
insured student loans for current employees. To be considered, employees
must meet all of the following conditions: (a) personal eligibility, (b)
position and grade eligibility, and (c) loan eligibility. Although
the student loan is not forgiven, USAID may make payments to the loan holder
of up to a maximum of $10,000 for an employee in a calendar year and a lifetime
total of not more than $60,000 for any one employee. The amount dispensed
to each employee depends largely on the budget amount available and the number
of qualifying employees. By law, an employee for whom USAID makes repayment
must agree to work for USAID for a period of at least three years after the
repayment is made.
Annual Leave
Vacation/Personal Leave; maximum ceiling or limitation of accrual is 30
days per leave year.
- 4 hours per pay period(bi-weekly) or 13 days per leave year for less
than 3 years of federal service
- 6 hours per pay period or 20 days per leave year after 3 years of federal
service but less than 15 years
- 8 hours per pay period or 26 days per leave year after 15 years of federal
service
Sick Leave
Accrued at a rate of 4 hours per pay period, 13 days per leave year.
Family Medical Leave
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) of 1993 provides Federal employees
with an entitlement of up to 12 workweeks of unpaid leave during any 12-month
period for the following purposes:
- The birth of a son or daughter of the employee and the care of the newborn
- The placement of a child with an employee for adoption or foster care
- The care of a child, spouse or parent of the employee with a serious
health condition
- A serious health condition of the employee that makes an employee unable
to perform the major functions of the job.
For more information on The Family and Medical Leave Act, visit http://www.opm.gov/oca/leave/html/sicklv.asp
Home Leave
Accrued at the rate of 8 hours per month for every month of overseas service.
To be used in the United States between overseas tours of duty or when returning
to the United States for assignment
Ten Paid Holidays Per Year
(In addition to federal holidays, the U.S. Government also observes some local
holidays celebrated at overseas posts of assignment)
Employee Consultation Service
Staffed by licensed clinical social workers to provide counseling and referrals
for personal and family concerns.
MetroChek Transit Subsidy
Overseas Benefits
At overseas posts, all USAID employees receive non-taxable government housing
and, where applicable, a non-taxable cost-of-living allowance. They may also
receive a "school-away-from-post" allowance for the education of their
dependent children. A taxable differential of 5-25% of basic salary may be paid
for service at designated overseas hardship posts where living conditions are
difficult; and employees may receive a “rest and recuperation” travel
benefit from such posts. Other benefits include paid home leave; medical care
and hospitalization overseas; transportation to and from post; shipment of authorized
weights of household effects, and, where permitted, shipment of a motor vehicle.
- Will I receive orientation and training after I am hired?
Newly-hired Foreign Service Officers begin their careers with an
orientation program. The focus of orientation is to introduce new employees
to the structure and function of the Agency and its role in the development
and implementation of U.S. foreign policy; to develop an understanding of the
terms of employment; and to enhance core skills needed by all Foreign Service
employees.
The orientation program is conducted
in the Washington DC area, and is primarily a classroom experience. In addition
to guest speakers and U.S. Agency for International Development officials, the
orientation program also includes a series of practical exercises and case studies,
as well as optional presentations by various organizations and stakeholders.
Following Orientation, new Foreign Service Officers complete a series of the
on-the-job and formal classroom trainings in Washington, including language
training if required to meet foreign language requirements for tenure, prior
to departure for their first overseas assignment.
USAID offers extensive opportunities for continuing and in-service training throughout
an officer’s career, including through the on-line USAID University.
- How are initial assignments determined?
After an initial orientation and training period in Washington, the newly-hired
Foreign Service Officer is assigned overseas. Language testing or training
for meeting tenure requirements by the fifth year of service are met while
still in Washington. The first overseas assignments are directed assignments
selected to provide an opportunity to develop the new officer's and ensure
that he or she has attained required Foreign Service skills.
Decisions on initial postings are made by the Agency. Personal and professional
goals, training requirements, and medical and educational concerns for family
members are some of the factors taken into account when assignment decisions
are made. All officers are considered worldwide available and must be prepared
to go where needed. The needs of USAID and placing the new officer in the best
training opportunity remain paramount in making initial assignments.
- If I decline an offer of employment, will my candidacy continue? Am
I likely to get another offer of employment in the future?
If a candidate declines an offer of employment he/she may reapply to available
positions. Competitive candidates may receive another offer of employment in
the future.
- My situation has changed. Can I defer my candidacy for entry into the
Foreign Service?
The appointment process to become a Foreign Service Officer requires strong
commitment. Occasionally, candidates request deferral of their candidacy. Active
or reserve military personnel serving abroad, or U.S. civilian government employees
serving abroad, including Peace Corps, may request deferrals for the period
of their overseas service for up to one year and one orientation class from
the time of selection. Requests for deferrals from any other candidates will
be considered on a case-by-case basis; however, candidates should be aware
that only truly compelling deferral requests can be approved
- Do I have to accept every assignment that is offered?
Foreign Service personnel express their preference for postings, but must
be willing to serve worldwide according to the needs of the Service.
- Does the system tolerate dissent?
As public servants, Foreign Service Officers must publicly defend U.S.
government policy, despite personal reservations. There is an internal channel
through which an employee may present dissenting views on specific foreign
policy issues. If an officer cannot publicly defend official U.S. policy, he
or she has the option to resign.
- Are there employment opportunities for spouses overseas?
Yes. Employment opportunities for spouses vary by country of assignment.
The State Department's Family Liaison Office maintains a listing of job opportunities
at most posts and may be contacted directly once an assignment is known (see
http://www.state.gov/m/dghr/flo ) USAID and the State Department have a growing
number of "tandem couples" in which both spouses work for a foreign
affairs agency of the U.S. government. USAID also hires spouses under contract
to meet short-term specific needs.
- Will my family get to travel and live overseas with me?
Spouses and children under the age of 21 may accompany Foreign Service
employees to most countries at Government expense. Even though family members
are not required to be medically cleared before an offer of employment is extended,
family members must be medically cleared before traveling overseas at U.S.
Government expense to accompany Foreign Service Officers on assignment.
Security concerns and lack of adequate educational or health facilities at certain
posts may dictate against eligible family members accompanying the officer to
such posts. In those countries where dependents are not allowed, there are various
allowances offered by USAID to employees such as the Separate Maintenance Allowance
(SMA), the School-Away-from-Post Allowance, etc.
- Where can I learn more about the Foreign Service and my family?
Since this career track affects you and your immediate family, you probably
have a lot of questions about what can be expected and what support systems
are in place to ease your transition to a global lifestyle. Visit the Family
Liaison Office link below which helps Foreign Service families prepare for
and make the most of their global lifestyle. http://www.state.gov/m/dghr/flo/
- Do many FSOs bring their own vehicles on assignment?
Yes. They might opt to bring their own car, or they might buy one from
a departing colleague when they arrive at post. There are a number of possibilities.
Just keep in mind though that you are limited sometimes by certain restrictions
- right-hand drive cars, sometimes limitations on retractable headlights, emissions,
etc. All of this information about a particular country’s restrictions
is readily available to you as part of the assignment bidding process so you
can be well informed.
- What is the status of my application? Did you receive my application?
Applicants will receive acknowledgement that their application was
received. On-line applicants will receive email confirmation through the
Monster system. To check the status of your application, log back into
your USAJOBS Account, an click on Application Status.
Applicants will also be notified when they do not meet basic qualifications,
if they are to be interviewed, and if they are selected or not selected
for the position.
Also see: Tips for Applying for USAID Positions
on the Monster System
- What is the mailing address and hours of operations for your agency?
Our official mailing address is: U.S. Agency for International Development
Office of Human Resources
Foreign Service Personnel Division
Room 2.08, RRB
Washington, D.C. 20523-2808
For hand delivery or appointments, the building address is:
The Ronald Reagan Building
1300 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W.
Washington D.C.
(Federal Triangle Metro Stop)
Our hours of operation are 8:45 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday through Friday.
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