Foreign Service Facility Manager (FP 6217) Job in Department of State Posts - Overseas and Domestic

Vacancy No. FM-2025-0001 Department Department of State - Agency Wide
Salary $79,974.00 to $117,444.00 Grade 04 to 04
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 10/8/2024 Close Date 10/29/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Department of State Posts - Overseas and Domestic


Summary

The U.S. Department of State is developing a rank-ordered list of eligible hires for a limited number of Foreign Service Facility Manager positions. Learn more about Foreign Service careers at https://careers.state.gov.

There is more to joining the Foreign Service than just salary. Refer to the Benefits section for more information on total compensation.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

Must be a U.S. citizen. Candidates should read the entire announcement to ensure they meet all requirements. Candidates may reapply one year after their most recent application submission for the same position. Candidates may not apply if a State Department Suitability Review Panel denied suitability in the last two years for any position, (except if the denial was for a DS Special Agent (SA) candidate whose denial was based solely on the unique requirements for SAs).

Duties

Facility Managers (FMs) are the professional facilities, technical, and operations experts at U.S. diplomatic missions around the world. Assigned to more than 200 worldwide locations, FMs support the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) in delivering a wide range of building-related services, managing critical building systems, infrastructure, and directing operations in official and residential properties at U.S. industry-level standards. FMs are key members of the Management teams at our Embassies and Consulates, leading large and diverse teams of engineers, technicians, and tradespersons. FMs may be assigned as Regional Facility Managers, with responsibilities for program activities in several countries at once.

The duties of this position include:

Facility Operation and Maintenance and Asset Management

  • Coordinate facility management activities supervising American and Locally Employed professional, technical, and trade staff with a variety of skill levels and diverse backgrounds.
  • Oversee operation, maintenance, repairs, schedules, and modifications of the physical plant, physical structures, and grounds.
  • Develop comprehensive preventative maintenance and repair programs and schedules, to include maintenance and repair resource estimates. Ensure physical maintenance of security systems.
  • Initiate and assist with contract development, draft scopes of work, and oversee contractor performance. Serve as the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) for Facility-related contractors.
  • Institute maintenance policy, determine facility condition indexes, perform annual facility condition surveys, and perform annual inspection surveys.
  • Manage energy resources by monitoring and improving post energy use. Ensure continuous availability of utilities.
  • Maintain real property inventory and ensure that the computerized maintenance management system is accurate. Monitors performance metrics.
  • Monitor building automation systems such as complex HVAC systems and load build-up in chillers and generators.

Management of the Facility Management Office and Strategic Planning

  • Perform FM-related long-range planning, maintain post’s mission requirements/master plan, establish performance goals and objectives, analyze and advocate for resources.
  • Manage project development. Design and oversee construction work.
  • Plan Facility budget, allocate funds, and manage sustainment, restoration, and modernization funds. Prepare written documents and deliver briefings.
  • Manage customer service, monitor performance standards, institute quality control procedures, and oversee customer surveys. Support U.S. Direct Hire (USDH) tenants from other agencies.
  • Track effectiveness of FM program using key performance metrics and demonstrate that maintenance funds and assets are efficiently used.
  • Supervise staff, develop staffing plans, write position requests, position descriptions, train and mentor staff, prepare employee evaluations, and participate in hiring and separating of staff.
  • Contribute to real estate decisions. Conduct space planning and management.

Safety Management

  • Serve as the safety officer and oversee safety training to ensure safe work practices. Report, review, and investigates mishaps. Manage the continuous fire prevention program. Perform safety certifications of leased properties. Support emergency preparedness and prepare emergency contingency plans.
  • Ensure CDC and EPA cleaning and disinfecting guidance is followed. Oversee testing of post water and ambient air quality. Manage environmental controls and abatements and proper handling of HAZMAT.

FMs are considered “essential personnel” and are on call to provide services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Be a U.S. citizen and accept assignments based on the needs of the FS.*
  • Be able to obtain/maintain a Top Secret Security Clearance.
  • Be able to the minimum medical qualification standard.
  • Be able to obtain a favorable Suitability Review Panel determination.**
  • Be at least 20 years old at application and 21 years old to be appointed.
  • Be appointed prior to age 60 (preference eligible veterans excepted).***

A Foreign Service Facility Manager (FM) in the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) manages the operations and maintenance of the Department of State's real property assets abroad.

A Facility Manager must adhere to the highest standards of integrity, dependability, attention to detail, teamwork, and cooperation while accepting the need to travel, to live overseas, and when necessary, to live away from family.

Qualifications

Specialized Experience demonstrates that the candidate has acquired, and is able to apply, a combination of specific knowledge, skills and abilities appropriate to this Foreign Service position. All such experience MUST have been performed within the last 10 years. For the minimum required years of Specialized Experience necessary relative to the highest level of completed education, please see the Education Requirements section. To qualify as Specialized Experience, the duties MUST have a combination of the components listed below for at least 60% of the work duties. Part-time work experience will be prorated.

  1. Facility Management: Managing facility operations and maintenance activities at commercial office and/or residential apartment buildings and/or inventory of multiple properties to include grounds. Planning maintenance activities. Developing and overseeing preventative and non-preventative maintenance and repair programs.
  2. Project Management: Initiating, planning, executing, and monitoring projects such as construction, renovation, rehabilitation and/or maintenance and repair projects.
  3. Contract Management: Drafting scopes of work and specifications, managing contracts and monitoring contractor performance.
  4. Supervision and Talent Management: Supervising and leading teams of three or more staff in facility management, facility engineering, engineering in general, architectural design, construction, or project management. Assigning work and setting goals, justifying position requests, writing position descriptions, hiring, training and evaluating.
  5. Resource Management: Advocating for resources, preparing budget estimates and plans, and managing budgets.
  6. Management and Technical: Versed in technical/engineering operations and facilities management best practices. Working knowledge of building systems and equipment to include Building Automation Systems. Working with projects that require specialized knowledge of engineering drawings and design. Familiarity with safety, physical security, environmental safety and health practices and procedures. Working knowledge of Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) and project management software.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

The Department has conducted extensive job analysis research to determine Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) and other attributes conducive to successful performance in this position. An candidate’s education level, work experience, and other qualifications will be considered as part of the hiring decision-making process based on these KSA criteria.

  1. Knowledge of facility maintenance management planning, safety and physical security practices and procedures, environmental safety and health practices and procedures, acquisition and contracting procedures to include service contracts, contractor performance and statements of work, basic facility accounting, computer applications, facility management fundamentals, physical plant operations, and technical expertise, knowledge of physical plant operation, building structures, and grounds, architectural and engineering drawings, facility condition inspection, EEO policies, construction methods, human resources/talent management policies, building codes, facility warranty process, machines and tools, cost analysis, and principles of real property inventory and methods. Familiarity with design applications such as CAD is desirable.
  2. Specialized skills in customer service; being adaptable and resilient; leadership; interpersonal relationships; active listening; project management; time management; working with others with diverse backgrounds; motivating employees and others; managing laterally and upward; resource management; building relationships; critical thinking; leading a multinational workgroup; risk analysis; self-development; formulating cost and planning estimates; personnel evaluating and interviewing; computer technology; writing statements of work; architectural and engineering drawings; managing installation; data analysis; and negotiation.
  3. General skills in persuasion, mathematics, monitoring, social perceptiveness, coordination, service orientation, management of financial resources, learning strategies, instructing, operations analysis, management of personnel resources, active learning, management of material resources, complex problem identification, equipment selection, science, negotiation, systems evaluation, judgment and decision making, systems analysis, quality control analysis; operation monitoring, operation and control, troubleshooting, installation, equipment maintenance, technology and design, and repairing.
  4. Superior oral and written communication skills: in order to perform the duties of an FM, successful candidates must consistently meet a high standard for English, both written (overall structure as well as grammar, spelling and punctuation) and spoken (overall structure as well as delivery, clarity and succinctness).
  5. Tolerance for international career: Accepting assignments based on the needs of the Foreign Service, experiencing frequent global travel, and travel or work without family in hardship posts, during a crisis, or to support mission-critical needs. completing orientation and initial training in Washington, D.C., employees are assigned to two sequential tours, typically two-years each, directed by the Department. These entry-level assignments may be overseas or in the United States   After the initial two tours, employees have greater choice as to the location, length, and substantive nature of assignments.

Essential Physical Requirements:

Some of the essential functions of the Facility Management job have a physically demanding component. In the execution of the duties and tasks listed above, Facility Managers MUST have:

  1. Mental Endurance: Ability to maintain attention for extended periods or work long hours.
  2. Speaking: Ability to speak clearly enough so others will understand, including speaking to groups.
  3. Mobility: Ability to walk moderate distances, climb stairs, or access workstations and vehicles.
  4. Climbing: Ability to climb stairs, ladders, and other inclines.
  5. Vision: Ability to see objects that are near, far, or at night.
  6. Tolerance for Extreme Environmental Conditions: Ability to tolerate heat, cold, noise, or pollution.
  7. Hearing: Ability to hear speech or other sounds, possibly including sufficient sensitivity to hear sounds of low volume or in noisy environments.
  8. Physical Endurance: Ability to perform movements repeatedly or continually, possibly including the ability to stand for extended periods or take frequent extended trips by plane or car.
  9. Crawling: Ability to crawl under, around, or over objects.
  10. Torso Flexibility: Ability to bend, stretch, stoop, twist, or reach.
  11. Strength: Ability to lift, push, pull, carry, climb ladders, or balance.
  12. Dexterity: Ability to manipulate small objects with hands or fingers.

Education

At the time of application, applicants MUST have one of the following:

  1. Bachelor’s degree in any major and three years of Specialized Experience in the last 10 years; or
  2. Master’s degree or higher in any major and two years of Specialized Experience in the last 10 years; or
  3. Bachelor’s degree or higher in Facility Management/Facilities Engineering (does not require Specialized Experience).

Education from a program or institution within the United States must be accredited at the time of program completion by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation.

Foreign Education

Foreign education acquired outside of any state of the U.S., the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, or any territory or possession of the U.S. must be evaluated by a member organization of one of the two national associations of credential evaluation services (NACES or AICE) in order to be given credit towards qualification.

  • The accredited interpretation must include the summary and the foreign education transcripts.
  • Foreign education transcripts that have not been evaluated by a credential evaluation service will not be accepted and the candidacy will be terminated.

For further information on the evaluation of foreign education, please refer to the Office of Personnel Management, Foreign Education section, and the U.S. Department of Education. The U.S. Department of State neither endorses nor recommends any individual evaluation service.

OPM: www.opm.gov

U.S. Department of Education: http://www.ed.gov

Please refer to the Required Documents Section on how to submit the required educational documentation for this position.

Additional information

*EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION PROGRAM (E-Verify) – Verification of employment eligibility in the United States is required.

U.S. law requires companies to employ only individuals who may legally work in the U.S. – either U.S. citizens, or foreign citizens who have the necessary authorization. This agency utilizes E-Verify to compare information from the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration (SSA) records to confirm employment eligibility. If the employee’s information does not match DHS and/or SSA records, the employee is given an opportunity to resolve the problem. If eligibility cannot be verified, employment will be terminated.

**The U.S. Department of State Suitability Review Panel and standards are defined in Chapter 3 of the Foreign Affairs Manual. For more information please visit: https://fam.state.gov/

***For more information about Veteran’s Preference and how it is applied in the selection process, please visit: https://careers.state.gov/faq-items/are-veterans-given-hiring-preference/.

No candidate will be considered who has previously been separated from the Foreign Service under sections §607, §608, §610 or §611 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as amended, or who resigned or retired in lieu of separation under these provisions. In addition, no candidate will be considered who has previously been separated for failure to receive a career appointment under section §306 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as amended, or who resigned or retired in lieu thereof.

A Foreign Service Specialist separated for failure to receive a career appointment under section 306 may not re-apply to be a Foreign Service Specialist in the same skill code but may apply for another skill code or to be a Foreign Service Generalist.

Executive Branch agencies are barred by 5 US Code 3303 as amended from accepting or considering prohibited political recommendations and are required to return any prohibited political recommendations to sender. In addition, as mandated by 5 US Code 3110, relatives of federal employees cannot be granted preference in competing for these employment opportunities.

It is the policy of the Federal Government to treat all employees with dignity and respect and to provide a workplace that is free from discrimination whether discrimination is based on race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity or pregnancy), national origin, disability, political affiliation, marital status, membership in an employee organization, age, sexual orientation, or other non-merit factors.

The U.S. Department of State provides reasonable accommodation to candidates with disabilities. Procedures vary by test type, and all candidates must request reasonable accommodations in advance. For more information visit Requesting Reasonable Accommodations - Careers (state.gov). Decisions for granting reasonable accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Agency Benefits

Benefits include health and medical coverage, federal retirement benefits, and paid leave. Overseas benefits include tax-free housing overseas, tax-free education allowance for dependent children between K-12 overseas, and an unrivaled opportunity to see the world and experience different cultures.

The salary range listed is extracted from the Foreign Service Overseas and Washington pay scales. The starting step is determined in part by the highest education level achieved and specialized experience beyond minimum qualifications. Individuals already working in government positions may be appointed based on their highest previous rate as a federal employee. For information on salary, please visit https://careers.state.gov/benefits/benefits/.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Candidates will be evaluated on their total background including experience, education, awards, training, and self-development as it relates to the position. Selection for this position will be made only from among candidates possessing the best qualifications. Part-time work experience will be prorated.

The Department of State prohibits candidates from plagiarizing any portion of their employment application materials to include responses to questions in which candidates must provide a narrative response. Candidates must create their own responses originally and not copy or adapt them from other sources. The Department analyzes candidate submissions for plagiarism and will discontinue any individual’s candidacy if found to have violated this plagiarism policy.

While the Department of State encourages candidates to create their narratives with great care, including correct use of grammar and style, candidates are prohibited from using any artificial intelligence (AI) tool, to include but not limited to ChatGPT, to aid in their written responses. The Department will discontinue any individual’s candidacy if found to have violated this prohibition on use of AI tools in the application process.


You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Required Documents

It is the candidate's responsibility to ensure all required documents are uploaded and the application is complete before the closing deadline of this announcement.

PDF documents are required. The candidacy will be terminated if documents do not meet the requirements or if the application is incomplete. 

  1. Resume from USAJobs Resume Builder, the only resume format accepted for this Vacancy Announcement.
  2. Candidates must answer all questions, include 10-years of work history, and complete the Accomplishments Questionnaire and Statement of Interest. Applications missing responses will be terminated.

Accomplishments Questionnaire

These questions provide an opportunity to describe examples/accomplishments from the candidate’s education, life, and/or work experience that demonstrate their qualifications for becoming a Facility Manager. Examples may be from any part of the candidate’s professional/personal experience. Responses are limited to 300 words or fewer for each item. Compose carefully as one of the skills necessary is the ability to write clearly and concisely. Information in cover letters, resumes, or CVs, but not included in the application, will not be accepted/reviewed.

  1. Substantive Knowledge: Using your knowledge of facility management, give what you consider to be the best example of a situation where you found a solution to a practical facility management problem. Indicate the nature of the problem, who was affected by the problem and in what way, and the results or benefits of your solution.
  2. Intellectual Skills: Describe a time when you had to analyze a complex facility management related situation and make a quick decision. What process did you follow for making the decision and what might you have done better?
  3. Interpersonal Skills: Provide an example that demonstrates you are good at working with others in difficult situations. What exactly did you do that shows you have this skill?
  4. Communication Skills: Describe a situation in which you used your communication skills to describe a technical issue to a non-technical audience. How did you translate the technical concepts to laypersons so they would understand without “dumbing down”?
  5. Managerial Skills: Facility Managers are required to manage projects, demonstrating the ability to plan and organize, set priorities, employ a systematic approach, and allocate time and resources efficiently. Describe a project that you managed and how you demonstrated these skills to achieve the project’s goals.
  6. Leadership Skills: Describe a time when you identified a serious problem involving facility management services that required immediate action where you had to exhibit leadership to motivate and guide others to solve the problem. What leadership principles did you use?
  1. Statement of Interest

Required Statement of Interest which discusses:

  • Motivation for joining the Foreign Service.
  • Relevant work experience, including any unique strengths not previously mentioned, such as special skills, current licenses, certifications, honors, awards, special accomplishments, and/or training (with date completed) relating to this position.
  • Experience living or working in a multicultural environment, overseas, or in the United States.
  1. Education and Other Documents

Candidates must submit the following documentation to demonstrate that they possess the educational level required for this position or the candidacy will be terminated.

University diplomas are not accepted in lieu of transcripts. Transcripts must comply with the following requirements or the candidacy will be terminated.

  • A high school diploma or transcript; and/or 
  • Official or unofficial college or university transcripts. Candidates should not submit university diplomas in lieu of higher education transcripts. 

Transcripts must comply with the following requirements to be accepted:

  • Must be in PDF format. Any other format will be rejected.
  • Must include the candidate’s name, the school’s name, the degree and date awarded/conferred.
  • Must have nomissing pages.
    • Must be legible.
    • All foreign education transcripts must adhere to additional requirements. See Foreign Education information in the Education Requirements section.
  1. Submit Veteran’s Preference documentation for candidates aged 60 to 64. If claiming Veteran’s Preference, a copy of the candidate’s DD-214 "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty" that must include the candidate’s Character of Service must be submitted with the application. If claiming a 10-point Veteran’s Preference, the candidate’s VA letter and SF-15 must be submitted in addition to the DD-214. A certification from the armed forces is required only if a veteran has not yet received their DD-214. It must confirm that the service member is expected to be discharged under honorable conditions within 120 days and include service dates, expected discharge date, character of service, and any applicable disability rating.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

The application submission deadline is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date of announcement.

It is the candidate’s responsibility complete and submit the application and all required documents before the closing deadline. There are no exceptions.

  1. From this Vacancy Announcement, click on “Apply.” Go to the USAJobs Login screen and log in to your USAJobs account or follow the link and instructions to create an account.
  2. Follow the USAJobs Application Process and provide your required USAJobs federal online resume.
  3. USAJobs will transfer you to the State Department agency online application site, Monster Government Service (MGS). Follow the instructions to answer the online questions. The Accomplishments Questionnaire and Statement of Interest responses must be completed in the online application. You may save your work and can return to the application from USAJobs at any time prior to the deadline.
  4. Submit required documentation using one of the three methods the application system allows:
  • Transfer documents from a USAJOBS portfolio;
  • Upload documents from your computer; or,
  • Resubmit documents from a previous application. 

5. After attaching all required supporting documentation, answering all required application questions, and completing the application steps, review the entire application packet, including the submitted documents.

6. Confirm and submit your application package, which will be used to evaluate your qualifications for this position.

Candidates experiencing technical difficulties with the application must contact the Monster Help Desk by calling 1-866-656-6830 or by emailing mgshelp@monster.com. The Monster Help Desk is available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern Time.

For more information on the Foreign Service Specialist hiring processes, please visit our FAQs at http://careers.state.gov/faqs. 

Agency contact information

FM Coordinator
Phone
000-000-0000
Fax
000-000-0000
Email
FMVacancyInfo@state.gov
Address
U.S. Department of State
2401 E Street NW
Washington, District of Columbia 20522
United States
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

After the close of the announcement, the application status in USAJobs will say "Reviewing Applications." This status on USAJobs will not be updated further. You can click on "Track this application" for more information.

Candidates will be notified by e-mail from the U.S. Department of State about the outcome of the initial application review and if they will be further considered for this Foreign Service position. Candidates should add the Department of State domain (@state.gov) as an approved sender.

Due to the high volume of applications, we ask all candidates to remain patient and await communication. It is not uncommon for several months to pass before candidates are informed of the application results.

The Department of State will invite candidates who pass the qualifications review process to participate in the Virtual Foreign Service Specialist Assessment (VFSSA). For more information, please visit Our FAQs at http://careers.state.gov/faqs.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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