Which Specialization is Right for You?

Becoming a Foreign Service Specialist presents a world of opportunities. But it isn't for everyone. While some people might find the job challenging, exciting and rewarding, others will see it as a less than perfect match.

Open a category below and choose a position; you can either fill out a qualification questionnaire, or view the vacancy for requirements and qualifications. It will help you identify the positions for which you are most qualified under that category.

 

Administration +
  • Facility Manager
    Working closely with the General Services Officer, you will manage the upkeep of buildings, grounds, fixtures and utilities overseas.
  • Financial Management Officer
    As an FMO, you will develop budgets and financial plans, control obligations and expenditures, prepare and audit payment vouchers, administer payroll plans, approve salary and allowance payments and monitor cash operations.
  • General Services Officer
    As a GSO, you will develop, plan, implement, and manage an ongoing program of support that includes contracting, inventory/property, physical facilities, space management, travel and transportation, motorpool, and maintenance and repair schedules.
  • Human Resources Officer
    You will supervise and ensure effective performance of the Human Resources Office staff at diplomatic and consular posts. These services will be extended to other U.S. Government agencies.
Construction Engineering +
  • Construction Engineer
    Construction Engineers (CE) monitor and report on contract work overseas to ensure that the construction of new properties and renovation of existing properties are completed properly, on time and within budget.
Information Technology +
International Information and English Language Programs +
  • English Language Officer
    English Language Officers (ELO) are responsible for all U.S. Department of State-sponsored English teaching activities in the host country, or if a Regional ELO with responsibilities for English language program activities in several countries, necessitating extensive travel.
  • Information Resource Officer
    IROs counsel Mission Officials on effective information program resources and services, assess staff needs, carry out regional training programs, demonstrate and promote U.S. electronic information resources, and establish contacts with host country information and library institutions.
Medical and Health +
  • Health Practitioner
    Foreign Service Health Practitioners, Family Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants with a family practice background, assume the role of a primary care provider in diagnosing and treating patients and will be responsible for administering a full range of community health care services, including preventive health education for the official mission community.
  • Regional Medical Technologist
    Regional Medical Technologists (RMT) duties include performing routine visitations to regional area Health Units to evaluate and monitor performance of local laboratory technologists. You will also maintain your own laboratory at post of assignment as well as X-RAY equipment at your post of assignment and your assigned region.
  • Regional Medical Officer
    Regional Medical Officer (RMO) duties include providing primary medical care and appropriate health information and disease prevention programs at each post of responsibility as well as a host of other medical and health related responsibilities.
  • Regional Medical Officer/Psychiatrist
    The RMO/P's duties include providing primary psychiatric care for each post in the supported geographical region as well as a host of other psychiatric and mental health related responsibilities.
Office Management +
  • Office Management Specialist
    Office Management Specialists (OMS) are called upon to perform a variety of duties at diplomatic and consular posts. These duties include general office management, conference and visitor support, administrative and secretarial support.
Security +

For more detailed information on Diplomatic Security opportunities please visit www.state.gov/m/ds/career.

  • Diplomatic Courier
    Diplomatic Couriers are entrusted with ensuring the inviolability of diplomatic pouches and their secure delivery throughout the world. Couriers are required to safeguard and escort diplomatic pouches containing classified and sensitive material between U.S. diplomatic missions overseas and the Department of State.
  • Security Engineering Officer
    Security Engineering Officers (SEO) provide technical security support and engineering expertise to protect U.S. Foreign Service posts. You will work overseas, in Washington, DC, or Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and will be responsible for selected duties ranging from security system design, development and analysis to installation and testing.
  • Security Technical Specialist
    Security Technical Specialists (STS) provide support and assist in worldwide technical security programs, which provide protection for U.S. Department of State facilities and personnel from technical espionage, acts of terrorism, and crime. The mission of STS personnel is accomplished through the use of sophisticated electronic and electro-mechanical security systems.
  • Special Agent
    Special Agents are specially trained Foreign Service security professionals; they are also sworn Federal law enforcement officers. Overseas, as a Regional Security Officer (RSO), you will advise ambassadors on all security matters and manage a complex range of security programs designed to protect personnel, facilities, and information. In the U.S., Special Agents protect the Secretary of State and visiting foreign dignitaries, investigate passport and visa fraud, and conduct personnel security investigations.
  • Security Protective Specialist
    Security Protective Specialists (SPS) provide a variety of personal protective services to Department officials and employees at overseas locations in accordance with Department of State and Bureau of Diplomatic Security established protective security policies, standards, and procedures.
  • Supervisory Protective Specialist
    Supervisory Protective Specialists serve as Protective Security Shift Leaders with responsibility for managing and directing protective security operations at overseas locations in accordance with Department of State and Bureau of Diplomatic Security established protective security policies, standards, and procedures.