Summary
The U.S. Department of State is developing a rank-ordered list of eligible hires for a limited number of Foreign Service Human Resources Officers (HRO) positions based on the needs of the Department. Learn more about the Department of State and a career in the Foreign Service 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. Potential applicants should read the entire announcement to ensure they meet all requirements and understand a Foreign Service career.
Applicants may not reapply for one year after their previous application for the same position.
If a State Department Suitability Review Panel denied suitability in the last two years, you may not apply (except Diplomatic Security Special Agent (SA) candidates whose denial was based solely on the unique requirements for SAs).
Duties
Duties:
Some of the specific duties and responsibilities of HROs include managing human resource issues for U.S. Direct-Hires (USDH) and Locally Employed Staff (LE Staff). These include but are not limited to:
Locally Employed Staff Human Resource Responsibilities
- Talent Management: Oversee the lifecycle of (LE Staff) employment from recruitment, security and medical clearances, onboarding, benefits, compensation, training, discipline, performance, to separation. Oversee the hiring and performance process for Eligible Family Members (EFM).
- Performance Management: Oversee the LE Staff performance evaluation process. Counsel employees and supervisors on career development. Manage disciplinary actions.
- Employee Relations and Recognition: Manage the interagency mission awards program. Counsel employees and supervisors on leadership and interpersonal skills.
- Policies and Procedures: Create and abolish local positions. Review position descriptions to ensure that position classifications are fair and accurately reflect the realities of the position. Monitor changes to local labor laws and Department policy, and update the Local Compensation Plan and LE Staff Handbook. Prepare and lead presentations for staff on policies and procedures. Coordinate with State Department lawyers on legal matters as appropriate.
- Supervision: Supervise, direct, mentor, and evaluate LE and EFM HR office staff.
U.S. Direct-Hire Human Resource Responsibilities
- Talent Management: As Post Training Officer, approve training requests, develop mentoring programs, training programs, and administer intern, fellows, and seasonal hire programs. Coordinate the annual bidding process.
- Performance Management: Coordinate the annual evaluations process. Counsel and advise USDH staff on career development. Liaise with appropriate offices in Washington to manage poor performance and discipline. Develop workload projections.
- Employee Relations and Recognition: Develop and present orientation programs. Oversee post language programs. Oversee implementation of diplomatic immunity, accreditation, and residential permit requirements.
- Policies, Procedures, Salary and Benefit Administration: Disseminate federal benefits information, assignment information, and newly enacted policies and procedures.
- Contribution to Mission Development: Advise on HR policies, contribute to the annual Mission Strategic Plan, participate in Mission-wide activities such as representational events and VIP visits. Serve as acting Management Officer or Financial Management Officer as needed.
Possible Domestic HR Assignments: Board of Examiners, Course Manager at the Foreign Service Institute, Career Development Officer, and Subject Matter Expert, among other opportunities.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- Be a U.S. citizen and accept assignments based on the needs of the FS.*
- Be able to obtain a Top Secret Security Clearance.
- Meet the minimum medical qualification standard.
- Be able to obtain a favorable Suitability Review Panel determination.**
- Be at least 20 years old to apply; at least 21 years old to be appointed.
- Be appointed prior to age 60 (preference eligible veterans excepted).***
Foreign Service Human Resources Officers (HROs) serve at many of the Department of State posts throughout the world, in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, and Regional Centers in Charleston, South Carolina, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and Frankfurt, Germany.
HROs are responsible for the U.S. Direct Hire (USDH) and, overseas, Locally Employed (LE) staff Human Resources (HR) programs for the Department of State and participating U.S. government (USG) agencies. Responsibilities include managing a range of HR functions including:
- Recruitment and staffing;
- Performance management, appraisal, and training and development;
- Salary and benefits administration;
- Employment policies and procedures;
- Workforce planning and position classification.
An HRO 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
Specialized Experience is work in the field of Human Resources management that demonstrates the applicant has a combination of specific knowledge, skills, and abilities pertinent to a FS HRO position. Applicants must demonstrate that their job-related experience has been of a progressively responsible nature.
Qualifying Specialized Experience must consist of at least 60% or more of the following duties:
- Recruitment and staffing – recruitment, qualifications review, testing, interviewing
- Staff training and development
- Performance management and appraisal
- Employee relations; work-life balance, discipline
- Salary and benefits administration – wage and benefits surveys and analysis, administration of employee benefits programs such as health benefits, life insurance, and retirement systems
- Drafting and/or implementation of Human Resources policies and procedures
- Labor relations and laws – U.S. and local laws including EEO and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA)
- Position classification
- Supervision
In addition to meeting the requirements above, applicants must possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills and a strong customer service orientation.
Experience as a Human Resources professional in a multicultural, diverse, or international environment is an asset.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA)
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 applicant’s education level, work experience, and other qualifications will be considered as part of the hiring decision-making process based on these KSA criteria.
General Human Resources Knowledge: Recruitment, training, candidate assessment, change management techniques, information security methods, employee evaluation procedures, awards procedures, benefit programs, grievance and disciplinary procedures, engagement and quality of work life, management of remote work, career development, leadership principles, supervision principles, mentoring techniques, performance metrics, equal employment opportunity law and sources of bias, information resources, legal terminology, cross-cultural communication,
Skills: Written communication, interpersonal interactions, building relationships, customer service, resolving conflict, working with others of diverse backgrounds, managing laterally and upward, leadership, training, evaluating and interviewing personnel, running meetings, teamwork, critical thinking, creative problem solving, decision making, organizing, planning, project management, time management, computer and internet technology, operating HR communication networks, data analysis, professional social interaction, counseling and giving constructive feedback, managing intense emotional situations, presentations and public speaking, being adaptable and resilient, and self-development.
Other Requirements: Continuous learning, cross-cultural awareness, cross-cultural interest, tolerance for working overseas, tolerance of travel, tolerance of varying work environments, worldwide availability, tolerance of living away from family, attention to detail, dependability, accountability, integrity, and willingness to perform other duties.
Foreign Service Specialists must demonstrate and maintain a high standard of English.
Education
Applicants must possess one of the following:
- High school diploma or equivalency, or Associate degree, and a minimum of five years of specialized experience within the last 10 years, or
- Bachelor's degree and a minimum of three years of specialized experience within the last 10 years, or
- Master’s degree in human resources or labor relations from an accredited university or college, and a minimum of two years of specialized experience within the last 10 years.
You must submit a copy of your university transcript(s) with your application. If you do not submit this documentation to demonstrate your educational achievements, your candidacy will not continue. If you do not submit this documentation to demonstrate your educational achievements, your candidacy will not continue. Please see the Required Documents section for additional required attachments.
Official or unofficial transcripts may be submitted with your application. Your transcript must include your name, the school’s name, the degree and date awarded, and have no missing pages. A transcript missing any of these elements will not pass the minimum qualifications and the candidacy will not continue. Copies of diplomas may not be submitted in lieu of transcripts for education above high school level. PDF documents are required; illegible documents will not be accepted. Documents sent via link will not be accepted.
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.
Education completed in foreign high schools, colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Only accredited organizations recognized as specializing in the interpretation of foreign education credentials that are members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE) are accepted. If documentation from an accredited organization is not provided, your candidacy will not continue.
NACES: www.naces.org/members.htm
AICE: www.aice-eval.org/members
For further information on the evaluation of foreign education, please refer to the Office of Personnel Management 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 Accreditation Tool: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation
Benefits
Benefits include health and medical coverage, federal retirement benefits, paid leave. Overseas benefits include tax-free housing and 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 from the Foreign Service Overseas and Washington pay scales. The starting step is determined in part by highest education level achieved and specialized experience beyond minimum qualifications. For information on salary, please visit https://careers.state.gov/benefits/benefits/.
Review our benefits
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. You may preview questions for this vacancy.
Required Documents
It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure all required documents are uploaded and the application is complete before the closing deadline of this announcement. Any missing required documents or incomplete applications will disqualify the application from further consideration.
- Resume from USAJobs Resume Builder, the only resume format accepted for this Vacancy Announcement.
- Complete online application, including the required Accomplishments Questionnaire and Statement of Interest narratives.
- All required supporting documentation, including transcripts, certifications, professional licenses, a copy of your DD-214 or Joint Services Transcript, or completed forms as required in this Vacancy Announcement. PDF documents are strongly recommended; illegible documents will not be accepted. Documents sent via a link will not be accepted.
- Veteran’s Preference documentation for applicants aged 60 to 64. If claiming a 5-point Veteran’s Preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or Certification of service at the time of your application. If claiming a 10-point Veteran’s Preference, you must submit your VA letter and SF-15, in addition to your DD-214 or Certification of service at the time of your application. A Certification must be from the armed forces certifying the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions within 120 days after the Certification is submitted by the applicant and should include military service dates, date of expected discharge or release, and character of service and disability rating, if applicable.
Required attachments include:
- Transcripts as stated in the Education Requirements section or a copy of your DD-214 or Joint Services Transcript
Accomplishments Questionnaire / Personal Narratives and Statement of Interest
These required questions provide an opportunity to describe examples and accomplishments from your education, life, and/or work experience that demonstrate your qualifications for becoming a Foreign Service Specialist. Examples can be drawn from any part of your professional or personal experience. Each response is limited to 300 words or fewer (maximum length 2,000 characters) for each item. You should compose your replies carefully, as one of the skills necessary to succeed as a Foreign Service Specialist is the ability to write clearly and concisely. Answers to all of the items in the Accomplishments Questionnaire and Statement of Interest are required and must be completed in the online application.
Accomplishment Questionnaire
Substantive Knowledge: Describe your specialized knowledge, skills, and experience in the HR management profession that are applicable to performing the work described in this vacancy announcement. Maximum length of 2,000 characters. Answer to this question is required.
Intellectual Skills: Describe an example of when you used your analytic, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills to improve an HR management process. Maximum length of 2,000 characters. Answer to this question is required.
Interpersonal Skills: Describe how you have used your interpersonal skills in a specific situation to resolve a difficult problem in working with other people to achieve a goal. Maximum length of 2,000 characters. Answer to this question is required.
Communication Skills: Describe a situation in which you used your communication skills, including foreign language skills if appropriate, to further an aim or achieve a goal in an HR context. Maximum length of 2,000 characters. Answer to this question is required.
Management Skills: Describe an HR project you managed or helped to manage and how you planned and organized, set priorities, and allocated time and resources to achieve the project's goals. Maximum length of 2,000 characters. Answer to this question is required.
Leadership Skills: Describe a situation that best illustrates your leadership skills, including the supervision and performance management of subordinate staff. Maximum length of 2,000 characters. Answer to this question is required.
Statement of Interest
Required narrative Statement of Interest which discusses your:
- Motivation for joining the Foreign Service,
- Relevant work experience, including any unique strengths not previously mentioned, such as special skills (e.g. computer skills), current licenses, certifications, honors, awards, special accomplishments, and/or training (with date completed) relating to this position, (e.g. section should be updated with position specific examples)
- Experience living or working in a multicultural environment, overseas or in the United States.
How to Apply
Submit your application early, not waiting for the deadline, as application packages must be complete, submitted, and received by the closing date/time to be considered. There are no exceptions.
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- From this Vacancy Announcement, click on “Apply.” Go to the USAJobs Log In 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.
- USAJobs will transfer you to the State Department agency online application site, Monster Government Service (MGS). Follow the instructions to answer the online questions. Your 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.
- 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. PDF documents are strongly recommended; illegible documents or documents sent by link will not be accepted.
- After attaching all required supporting documentation, answering all required application questions, and completing the application steps, review the entire application packet, including the links for submitted documents.
- Confirm and submit your application package, which will be used to evaluate your qualifications for this position.
The application submission deadline: 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date of this announcement.
Itis the responsibility of the applicant to ensure all required documents are submitted and the application is complete before the closing deadline. Any illegible or missing required documents or incomplete applications will result in your application not being considered further. There are no exceptions. PDF documents are strongly recommended. Illegible documents will not be accepted and are grounds for application termination.
Submit your application early and verify that your documents are attached. You may make changes as often as needed, up until the closing date of the announcement.
If you are having technical difficulty with the application process, please 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 am to 7 pm Eastern Time.
For more information on the Foreign Service Specialist hiring processes, please visit our FAQs at http://careers.state.gov/faqs.
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. Click on "Track this application" for more information.
Applicants 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. We recommend adding the Department of State domain (@state.gov) as an approved sender.
Due to the high volume of applications, we ask all applicants to remain patient and await communication. It is not uncommon for several months to pass before you are informed of the results of your applications.
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.
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