Where The Federal Jobs Are - Department of State

Where The Federal Jobs Are - Department of State Where The Federal Jobs Are - Department of State Where The Federal Jobs Are Department of State “WHERE THE FEDERAL JOBS ARE” FEDERAL AGENCY SERIES PART 11:   WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT The DEPARTMENT OF STATE (State Department) Website:   state.gov/ Secretary:   John F. Kerry (2013 â€" present) DID YOU KNOW:   The first Secretary of State was Thomas Jefferson, appointed by President Washington in 1789.   Headquarters:   Washington, D.C. with many Embassies and Consulates abroad.   The State Department’s Civil Service employees are located in the U.S. (primarily in D.C., but also other offices across the country), while its Foreign Service employees travel through assignments (generally rotational) abroad. Mission:   Shape and sustain a peaceful, prosperous, just, and democratic world and foster conditions for stability and progress for the benefit of the American people and people everywhere.  This mission is shared with the USAID, ensuring we have a common path forward in partnership as we invest in the shared security and prosperity that will ultimately better prepare us for the challenges of tomorrow. TIP 1:   The State Department was ranked 3rd (tied with the Department of Justice) among 19 large federal agencies in the Partnership for Public Service’s 2015 edition of “The Best Places to Work in the Federal Government.”   The Department’s “agency subcomponents” were not separately rated.   Strategic Goals: The Department of State (and U.S. Agency for International Development) Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2014-2017 includes 5 goals: strengthen America’s economic reach and positive economic impact strengthen America’s foreign policy impact on our strategic challenges promote the transition to a low-emission, climate-resilient world while expanding global access to sustainable energy protect core U.S. interests by advancing democracy and human right and strengthening civil society modernize the way we do diplomacy and development   Number of Civilian Employees:   Total number of State Department employees is over 73,000.   Of those, approximately 11,000 are Civil Service employees.   Approximately 14,000 are Foreign Service employees and close to 48,000 locally employed (LE) staff (foreign nationals and other locally resident citizens) at the 275 embassies and consulates worldwide. State Department Organization Structure:   The State Department is the diplomatic wing of the federal government, responsible for promoting foreign policy.   The Secretary of State is supported by 2 Deputy Secretaries, the Executive Secretariat, Counselor, Chief of Staff, 6 Under Secretaries, and many functional and management Bureaus and Offices. BUREAUS AND OFFICES:   REGIONAL BUREAUS Bureau of African Affairs. Advises the Secretary of State on issues relating to 50 sub-Saharan African countries, focusing on consolidating democratic gains among African nations, expanding economic growth, and stemming the spread of HIV/AIDS. Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs. Carries out diplomatic relations with 31 foreign governments addressing issues including security, counter-terrorism and free trade. Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs. The largest geographic bureau in the Department, the Bureau is responsible for implementing U.S. foreign policy in Europe and Eurasia.   Conducts diplomatic affairs with more than 50 foreign governments.   Issues include NATO enlargement, energy, and terrorism. Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. Responsible for U.S. foreign policy and diplomatic relations with 19 Near Eastern and North African countries addressing policy issues including the war in Iraq, Middle East peace, terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, and political/economic reform. Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs. Handles U.S. foreign policy with 13 South and Central Asian countries including India-Pakistan relations and Afghanistan. Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs. Staffs and operates embassies and consulates throughout the Western Hemisphere (in more than 40 countries and dependencies), implementing U.S. foreign policy, coordinating foreign aid and formulating policy. U.S. Permanent Mission to the Organization of American States (OAS). The only U.S. diplomatic mission  housed at State Department headquarters in Washington, D.C.   U.S. Mission’s core functions are to promote democracy and democratic institutions; to strengthen OAS security initiatives; to improve social conditions; and to contribute to the creation of the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas.   OAS has 35 member states and is the world’s oldest regional international organization. INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND BUREAUS Bureau of International Organization Affairs. Develops and implements U.S. policy in the United Nations, its agencies, and other international organizations.   Advances the President’s vision of robust multilateral engagement as a crucial tool in advancing U.S. national interests.   Its engagement spans the full range of important global issues, including peace and security, nuclear nonproliferation, human rights, economic development, climate change, global health, and much more.   The Bureau has missions to international organizations in Geneva, Vienna, Rome, Paris, Montreal and Nairobi where major international organizations are headquartered. U.S. Mission to the United Nations (USUN). Reports directly to the Secretary of State.   Includes the Office of the U.S. Permanent Representative (Ambassador) to the UN.   The U.S. Mission assists the President and the Secretary of State in conducting U.S. policy.   Located in New York (across from UN Headquarters), the Mission employs approximately 150 staff representing U.S. political, economic, legal, military, public diplomacy and management interests.   Jobs include political affairs officers, policy officers, economic affairs officers, agricultural, fishery and animal production officers, climate change officers, quality managers, program managers, financial officers, and IT specialists. TIP 2:   In addition to the United Nations, the U.S. also has Missions in locations noted above under the Bureau of International Organization Affairs and Missions to numerous organizations including e.g., the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the World Health Organization (WHO), the Organization of American States (OAS), the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).   For a comprehensive list of international organizations, see http://iocareers.state.gov/Main/Content/Page/international-organization-contact-information.   Eligible federal employees and Foreign Service Officers may be detailed or transferred to certain international organizations.   Most International Organizations follow the U.N. Common System grade structure that is comprised of base salary and post adjustment (generally based on the GS scale plus a 10-20% adjustment).   To learn more about careers with international organizations, see http://iocareers.state.gov/Main/Home. U.S. Embassies, Consulates, and Diplomatic Missions (see usembassy.gov/index.html). United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Although an independent agency, the Administrator of USAID also reports to the Secretary of State.   USAID is the lead U.S. Government agency working to end global poverty and enabling democratic societies to realize their potential.   Career opportunities exist for a full range of positions (including civil service, foreign service, and private sector contracts/consultants). OTHER BUREAUS AND OFFICES (alphabetical with brief mission statements if not apparent) Bureau of Administration. Includes, among others, Office of Logistics Management, Office of Procurement Executive, Office of Language Services, Office of Directives Management, Office of Overseas Schools, and Office of Emergency Management. Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance. Ensures that appropriate verification requirements and capabilities are considered and integrated into the development, negotiation, and implementation of new arms control, nonproliferation, and disarmament treaties, agreements, and commitments.   Serves as the main liaison to the U.S. Intelligence Community and other key policymakers for verification and compliance issues. Bureau of Budget and Planning. Prepares and submits the Departments budget requests; manages operational resource requirements, and ensures that operational planning and performance management is synchronized with resource requirements. Bureau of Comptroller and Global Financial Services. Provides technical and policy advice on all issues related to the Chief Financial Officer’s Act and other key financial management legislation. Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations. Advances the Department’s understanding of violent conflict through analysis and planning; monitoring, evaluation, and learning; and targeted, in-country efforts that help the U.S. government anticipate, prevent, and respond to conflict and promote long-term stability.   Approximately 170 staff. Bureau of Consular Affairs. Provides consular services to protect U.S. citizens, ensure U.S. border security, facilitate the entry of legitimate travelers, and foster economic growth.   Formulates and implements policy relating to immigration and consular services and ensures efficient overseas consular services.   Issues passports for American citizens intending to reside, conduct business, study or travel abroad.   Provides alerts and warnings concerning potentially dangerous conditions in foreign countries and assists US citizens abroad on a variety of issues, including helping those who want to vote by absentee ballot when they’re out of the country, those who are involved in international adoptions, or those who fall victim to crime, accident or illness.   Provides services to citizens of other countries seeking visas to visit or reside legally in the United States.   Serves as a liaison between the State Department and overseas embassies and consulates on visa matters.   As o ne of the Department’s largest Bureau, Consular Affairs employs more than 12,000 “direct hire and contract employees in 300 offices worldwide.” Office of Children’s Issues. Develops and coordinates policies and programs relating to international child abduction; coordinates policy and provides information on international adoptions.   Approximately 40 staff. Bureau of Counterterrorism. Coordinates U.S. Government efforts to improve counterterrorism cooperation with foreign governments.   Develops, coordinates, an implements counterterrorism policy.   The primary mission of the Bureau is to forge partnerships with non-state actors, multilateral organizations, and foreign governments to advance the counterterrorism objectives and national security of the United States.   Takes a leading role in developing coordinated strategies to defeat terrorists abroad and in securing the cooperation of international partners.   Approximately 150 employees. Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. Prepares annual country reports on human rights practices around the globe and have the reputation of being among the most trusted and comprehensive sources of information The Bureau also administers a multi-million dollar grant portfolio, including the Human Rights and Democracy Fund, financing a wide range of human rights and democracy programs worldwide.   Carries out programs regionally or on a country-specific basis, focusing on issues such as press and religious freedom, civil society building and democratic reform, labor rights and women’s initiatives.   Helps formulate and implement US policy abroad- especially with regard to the State Department’s increased emphasis on democratizing “transitioning countries. Bureau of Diplomatic Security. The Bureau is part law enforcement agency and part intelligence operation.   As one of the largest components of the State Department, it is responsible for protecting the personnel, information and property associated with U.S. embassies and other diplomatic posts.   Provides protection in the U.S. for the Secretary of State, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and specified foreign dignitaries who visit the United States.  Employs approximately 34,000 staff (foreign and civil service), including Foreign Service special agents serving in more than 150 countries.   Has field, satellite and resident offices throughout the U.S. Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs. Serves as a leading voice for promoting US economic interests across the globe.   Implements policies involving international trade, investment and finance, economic development and sanctions, intellectual property, debt policy, terrorist financing, energy security, telecommunications and transportation. Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Brings together students and professionals from the U.S. and across the world in hopes of building stronger relationships between countries.   The Bureau funds and sponsors many programs for international education exchanges to promote their objective of cultural learning and mutual understanding. Bureau of Energy Resources. Ensures that diplomatic relationships advance the Nation’s interests in having access to secure, reliable, and ever-cleaner sources of energy.   Has 3 core objectives:   energy diplomacy; energy transformation; and energy transparency and access. Bureau of Human Resources Bureau of Information Resource Management Bureau of Intelligence and Research. A member of the U.S. Intelligence Community, the Bureau’s primary mission is to harness intelligence to serve U.S. diplomacy.  Utilizing all-source intelligence, the Bureau provides independent analysis of events to U.S. State Department policymakers; and ensures that intelligence activities support foreign policy and national security purposes.   Serves as the focal point in the State Department for ensuring policy review of sensitive counterintelligence and law enforcement activities around the world.   Over 300 staff. Bureau of International Information Programs. Main information arm; produces and distributes information about the United States to an international audience.   Created after the US Information Agency was abolished and merged into the State Department.   Approximately 300 staff are associated with providing public diplomacy materials. Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. The Bureau is not a “law enforcement” organization; rather, it combats the worldwide drug trade and other major crimes through managing large law enforcement training programs involving other federal agencies and countries.   Although anti-drug operations are its dominant mission, jurisdiction includes serious cross-border crimes, such human trafficking, and modernization of foreign criminal justice systems. Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation. Manages a broad range of U.S. nonproliferation policies, programs, agreements, and initiatives.   Combats Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) threat through bilateral and multilateral diplomacy.   Leads the Department’s efforts to prevent the spread of WMD whether nuclear, biological, chemical, or radiological and their delivery systems. Bureau of Legislative Affairs. Coordinates legislative activity for the Department of State and advises on legislative strategy. Bureau of Medical Services. Provides healthcare to U.S. government employees and their families assigned to U.S. Embassies and Consulates worldwide.   Advises Embassy and State Department officials about health issues throughout the world.   Has over 200 health professionals working in over 170 countries. Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs. Responsible for the integration of matters relating to the environment, science, and technology into United States foreign policy.   Works closely with the White House, Congress, US government agencies, universities, non-governmental organizations, and private citizens, as well as other State Department bureaus.   Represents the U.S. in its agreements with other nations including: bio-terrorism, climate change, conservation, fisheries, forests, international health issues, oceans, the use of outer space, and wildlife. Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations. Responsible for the buildings that house America’s overseas embassies, consulates and missions.    Utilizes domestic contractors to building of new embassies. Bureau of Political-Military Affairs. Provides policy direction in the areas of international security, security assistance, military operations, defense strategy and plans, and defense.  Builds security partnerships to advance U.S. national security objectives. Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration. Responsible for helping refugees around the world through assistance to international and non-governmental organizations and by admitting refugees to the United States.   Administers and monitors U.S. contributions to international and non-governmental organizations to assist and protect refugees abroad.   Oversees admissions of refugees to the U.S. for permanent resettlement in coordination with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).   Approximately 130 staff. Bureau of Public Affairs. Communicates information to domestic and international media, including strategic and tactical communications planning to advance the Nation’s foreign policy interests. Office of Authentications. The State Department issues certificates of authenticity for a variety of documents to individuals, institutions and government agencies.   Many documents for use abroad may require authentication (such as powers of attorney, treaties, extraditions, or bylaws). Office of Chief Economist. Created to augment diplomacy and advance strategy, capacity building and outreach.   Provides strategic advice and analysis to the Secretary and serves as an analytical resource for the Department, embassies and consulates. Office of the Chief of Protocol. Advances foreign policy goals by creating an environment for successful diplomacy.   Promotes cross-cultural exchange. Office of Civil Rights. Advances diversity within the Department and ensuring equal opportunity to all employees. Office of Executive Secretariat. Coordinates the internal work of the Department and serves as liaison between Bureaus and Offices.   Handles the Department’s relations with the White House, National Security Council and other Cabinet agencies.   Includes the Department’s   “Operations Center,” providing senior policy makers with alerts and briefings on world events on a 24/7 basis. Office of U.S Foreign Assistance Resources. Ensures the strategic and effective allocation, management, and use of foreign assistance resources.  Assists in coordinating U.S. Government foreign assistance strategy, including multi-year country specific assistance strategies and annual country-specific assistance operational plans. Office of Foreign Missions. Ensures reciprocal treatment of U.S. diplomatic and consular missions and personnel as well as privileges and benefits to the foreign mission community.   Protects U.S. public from abuses of privileges and immunities by members of foreign missions; regulates foreign missions to protect U.S. foreign policy and national security interests.   Has 6 regional offices. Office of U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator. Leads implementation of the U.S. Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. Office of Global Criminal Justice. Advises on issues related to war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.   Helps formulate U.S. policy on the prevention of, responses to, and accountability for mass atrocities. Office of Global Food Security. Advances global food security, including the causes of hunger and under-nutrition.   Works with other governments, multinational institutions, NGO’s and private companies to advance country-led actions to improve food security and drive economic growth. Office of Global Women’s Issues. Ensures that women’s issues are fully integrated in the formulation and conduct of U.S. foreign policy.   Promotes stability, peace, and development by empowering women politically, socially, and economically around the world. Office of Inspector General. Inspects each of the approximately 260 embassies, diplomatic posts, and international broadcasting installations throughout the world to determine whether policy goals are being achieved, and the interests of the U.S, are being represented and advanced effectively.   Performs specialized security inspections and audits to ensure effective, efficient, and economical operation.   Investigates instances of fraud, waste, and mismanagement. Office of Legal Advisor. Advises on all domestic and international legal issues in the course of the Departments work.   Includes assisting Department principals and policy officers in formulating and implementing U.S. foreign policies and promoting the development of international law.   Provides direct legal support to the various regional and geographic offices and functional offices.  Employs approximately 200 attorneys and 100 support staff. TIP 3:   For information regarding “Practicing Law in the Office of Legal Adviser” including the organization structure and employment procedures, go to state.gov/s/l/3190.htm. Office of Management Policy, Rightsizing, and Innovation. The Department’s central management analysis organization.   Comprised of three entities as noted in the Office title. Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons. Employs diplomatic, economic, political, legal and cultural tools to combat global human trafficking through prevention, protection, prosecution and prosecution. Office of the Ombudsman. Handles workplace conflicts that are not currently in a formal process and helps employees identify mutually satisfactory solutions Office of Policy Planning and Resources for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs. Provides long-term strategic planning and performance measurement capability for public diplomacy and public affairs programs.   Includes the Evaluation and Measurement Unit and the Office of Global Youth Issues. Office of the Science and Technology Adviser. Provides a focal point for science and technology as a key component of U.S. foreign policy interests.  Links the Department with the science and technology community in the U.S. and abroad. Office of Terrorism Finance and Economic Sanctions Policy. Coordinates: (a) efforts to build international support for efforts against terrorism finance; (b) efforts related to unilateral sanctions as they relate to the changing international situations; and (c) domestic and international efforts to disrupt and dismantle the Somali pirate enterprise.   Develops strategies for implementing aspects of sanctions regimes.   Provides foreign policy guidance on specific commercial and licensing  issues to the Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control and the Commerce Departments Bureau of Industry and Security. CENTERS AND INSTITUTES: Center for Strategic Counterterrorism Communications. Coordinate, orients, and informs government-wide foreign communications activities targeted against terrorism and violent extremism, particularly al-Qaida and its affiliates and adherents.   The Coordinator for Strategic Counterterrorism Communications leads an interagency staff drawing on whole-of-government knowledge, skills, and resources. Foreign Service Institute. Governments primary training institution for U.S. foreign affairs community officers and support personnel.   Prepares American diplomats and other professionals to advance U.S. foreign affairs interests overseas and in Washington, D.C. Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review. Joint effort of the Department of State and USAID.  Identifies major global and operational trends that constitute threats or opportunities, delineates priorities and reforms, to ensure our civilian institutions are in the strongest position to shape and respond to a rapidly changing world. CAREERS:   TIP 4:   SEVERAL CAREER PATHS.   The State Department’s workforce consists of both Civil Service and Foreign Service employees.   Application and selection processes vary accordingly. CIVIL SERVICE.   The Department employs approximately 11,000 Civil Service employees.   Most of the civil service opportunities are located in the U.S., but some “hard to fill” overseas positions may be open to Civil Service “bidders.”   Civil Service vacancies ARE competitive positions subject to Federal Civil Service laws and are posted on USAJOBS.   Applicants submit their federal resume and on-line application though USAJOBS and the information is transferred to the State Department online automatic hiring system “Gateway to State Automated Application System” that streamlines the process.   The job selection process is identical to that for other federal career civil service jobs.  Opportunities exist in 11 job categories:  Foreign Affairs (Job Series 0130) , Human Resources (Job Series 0300) , Management Analysis (Job Series 0343), General Accounting and Administration (Job Series 0500), Budget Administration (Job Series   0500) , Legal Counsel (Job Series 0905), Passport Visa Services (Job Series 0967), Public Affairs (Job Series 1035), Contract Procurement (Job Series 1100), and Foreign Language and Professional Training (Job Series 1712).   Employees may perform responsibilities including: compiling and analyzing reports from overseas, providing logistical support to posts, informing the Congress about foreign policy initiatives and policies, formulating and overseeing the budget, issuing passports and travel warnings, and keeping the American public informed.   TIP 5:   The State Department often announces its positions as “Agency Wide” rather than for a specific Bureau or Office.   FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICERS AND SPECIALISTS are State Department direct-hire career employees who serve in overseas assignments at U.S. embassies and consulates (with some domestic postings).   The Foreign Service Corps includes approximately 14,000 employees. FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICERS represent the U.S. worldwide, analyzing and reporting on political, economic, and social trends in the host country; and responding to the needs of American citizens abroad. Foreign Service Careers require candidates to pass the Foreign Service Officer Test.   These jobs are NOT posted on USAJOBS as there are no immediately available jobs posted.   The application process begins with selecting one of 5 career tracks (Economic Officer, Management Officer, Consular Officer, Political Officer and Public Diplomacy Officer)  and registering for the Foreign Service Officer Test.   Candidates register to take the multi-choice Foreign Service Officer Test administered online at designated test centers.   The test measures knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) including assessing writing skills with an essay on an assigned topic.   If you pass the test, you will submit a Personal Narrative for review by a Qualifications Evaluation Panel.   The next step in the proces s is a day-long oral assessment that measures your ability in to succeed in the position.   Successful candidates will then complete a background investigation that is reviewed by a Suitability Review Panel.   If an applicant receives a conditional offer of employment, their name will be added on the Register in the chosen specialty according to prescribed ranking criteria. TIP 6:   For specifics on the Foreign Service Officer test and selection process, see http://careers.state.gov/work/foreign-service/officer/test-process.   FOREIGN SERVICE SPECIALIST opportunities exist overseas (at embassies and consulates) and in the U.S. for managerial, technical, healthcare, and administrative professionals. Vacancies ARE posted on USAJOBS but the application and selection process differs from other civil service positions.   Specialist positions are grouped into 8 TRACKS: Law Enforcement and Security (including Special Agents, Security Engineering Officers, Security Technical Specialists, and Diplomatic Couriers), Information Technology (Job Series 2000) , Office Management (Job Series 0318), Administration (Job Series 0300), Medical and Health (Job Series 0600), Construction Engineering (Job Series 0801) Facility Management (Job Series 1176), and International Information English Language Programs (Job Series 4300).   After an applicant chooses a career track and applies for a position on USAJOBS, the application is reviewed by a Qualifications Evaluation Panel.   If a candidate moves forward from that point, they take the “Foreign Service Oral Assessment” â€" a writing exercise, structured interview and exit interview to assess whether they demonstrate the essential dimensions to succeed in the position.   Successful candidates then complete a background investigation reviewed by a Suitability Review Panel.   If the candidate receives a conditional offer of employment, their name will be added to the Register in their chosen specialty according to prescribed ranking criteria. TIP 7:   For specifics on the Foreign Service Officer test and selection process, see http://careers.state.gov/work/foreign-service/specialist. LIMITED NON-CAREER APPOINTMENTS (LNA): Foreign Service LNA opportunities range from 15-27 months with renewal contract for up to 5 years.   The positions supplement the work of career Foreign Service employees serving abroad.   Based on the needs of the Foreign Service, positions are currently limited to: Foreign Service Consular Fellows (formerly known as Consular Adjudicators) with specific language skills; Country Coordinators; Registered Nurses; and Licensed Clinical Social Workers.   These opportunities are posted on USAJOBS with the application information transferred to the State Department online automatic hiring system “Gateway to State Automated Application System.”   The recruitment, selection and hiring process is similar to those of Foreign Service Offices or Specialists.   A panel determines whether the applicant will move forward to the oral assessment phase.   For more information, see https://careers.state.gov/work/foreign-service/lna. LOCALLY EMPLOYED (LE) STAFF, currently numbering close to 48,000, support the more than 270 embassies and consulates. LE staff are foreign nationals and other locally resident citizens (including U.S citizens) who are legally eligible to work in the particular country.   S. Citizen eligible family members and Veterans (assigned to the specific Mission) receive hiring preference. TIP 8:  Vacancies are posted on specific post websites that may be accessed at http://usembassy.state.gov.   Applicants submit a special application (DS-174) directly to the U.S. Mission’s Human Resources Office.   Each Mission is responsible for its own recruitment of locally employed staff.   Individuals should contact the Mission’s HR office or website as the State Department’s Office of Overseas Employment does not maintain a centralized database of job vacancies.   Most missions have personnel assigned from other executive branch agencies in addition to those from the Department of State.   Department of State employees at missions comprise U.S.-based political appointees and career diplomats, and Foreign Service Nationals. PROFESSIONAL FELLOWSHIPS.   There are many fellows programs for mid- and senior-level professionals.   For specifics on the various programs, see https://careers.state.gov/work/fellowships. Current Vacancies:   There are currently 16 Department of State General Schedule (GS) vacancies for civilian positions posted in USAJOBS for “U.S. Citizens.”  Many are between the GS-11 and GS-15 levels.   As noted above, the Department also has a large contingent of employees (e.g., Foreign Service Officers) where vacancies are not posted via USAJOBS.  Occupations with the most current vacancies are: Program or Management Officer (Job Series 0301) Program Analyst (Job Series 0343) IT Specialist (Job Series 2210) Budget Analyst (Job Series 0560) Procurement Analyst (Job Series 1102) Foreign Affairs Officer (Job Series 0130) Visa Specialist (Job Series 0967) Engineer (Job Series 0800) As with all Federal Agencies, most current or former Executive Branch competitive service Federal civilian employees, Veterans eligible for veterans’ preference, and persons with non-competitive appointment eligibility (referred to as “Federal Employee” applicants) enjoy broader eligibility for federal jobs than those who do not.   This latter category of applicants (referred to as “U.S. Citizen” applicants) is limited to applying for jobs open to the general public.  There are many more vacancies for “Federal Employees” than for “U.S. Citizens.”  This is also the case for the other Executive Branch Departments and Agencies overviewed in this series of Blogs. Need Help with your Federal Resume for the Department of State? Complete our Request Quote for Federal Resume to ask for a QUOTE for professional writing services for your federal resume. THE NEXT BLOG IN THE FEDERAL AGENCY SERIES WILL FOCUS ON THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR. Federal Resume Guidebook 6th Edition New January 2016! For federal employees seeking new positions Our flagship title is completely updated for 2016. With a focus on writing the best Federal Resume for USAJOBS and other online federal resume builders, the Federal Resume Guidebook provides comprehensive, in-depth guidance on how to craft the perfect federal application to change jobs or get promoted. The sixth edition also includes information for individuals in the fields of Information Technology, Acquisition Management, and Management and Program Analysts, as well as for those seeking a career change. Order in print or ebook Ellen Lazarus is a Resume Place Certified Federal Job Search Trainer, Federal Resume Writer and Career Coach.   She is a former Legislative Branch senior executive.