Foreign Service Consular Fellow (Entry-Level)

Foreign Service Consular Fellow - Various Languages

Department of State

Open & closing dates

 10/07/2019 to 09/30/2020

Salary

$40,514 to $52,862 per year

Appointment type

Temporary - The appointment is for 60 months.

Relocation expenses reimbursed

Yes This Consular Fellow LNA appointment is 60 months, but may be terminated at any time based on the needs of the Service. A Consular Fellow is assigned to a U.S. embassy or consulate with the expectation that the appointment and potential extensions will permit completion of a standard two year tour of duty. Upon completion of the first tour of duty, the Consular Fellow may be assigned to a different post.

This job is open to

The public

U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

Must be a U.S. citizen and available for work outside the United States. You may not have applied within the past 12 months. If a State Department Suitability Review Panel denied suitability in the last two years, you may not apply (except denials for Diplomatic Security Special Agent (SA) candidates based solely on the SA requirements.)

Announcement number

CFP-2020-0002

Control number

548016900

Summary

The U.S. Department of State, our country’s lead foreign policy agency, provides a rich international experience. Our champions all of our strengths and diversity – personal, professional, and educational.

A Limited Non-Career Appointment (LNA) in the Foreign Service is a distinctive opportunity to serve your country and can offer candidates who are considering a career in the Foreign Service first-hand insights and exploration of potential Foreign Service career paths.

The Department of State will place language-qualified U.S. citizen Consular Fellows serving in Limited Non-Career Appointments (LNA) in language-specific positions at overseas posts. These Fellows will be fully professional members of embassy and consulate teams. LNAs, however, do not provide expedited, alternate, preferential, or otherwise special access into either the Department of State Foreign Service. These appointments do not lead to onward employment with the Department of State or with the U.S. government. LNA Consular Fellows may apply to become Foreign Service Specialists or Officers, as well as Civil Service employees, but they must meet all applicable qualifications and complete the standard application and assessment processes.

Service time and benefits earned as a Consular Fellow can be counted as federal employment, and credited towards federal retirement eligibility.

Consular Fellows who may subsequently enter the Foreign Service as Entry Level Officers are still required to fulfill the consular service requirement.

Periodic service rotating as an embassy or consulate duty officer requires a 24/7 commitment, typically for a one-week period of time.

Successful candidates who earn a job offer must be able to pass the Basic Consular Training Course. Failure to successfully complete this training would constitute grounds for separation.

Essential Physical Requirements

A Consular Fellow who issues a visa for admission to the United States is required by law to personally certify in writing that he or she has performed the necessary visa lookout check, a process that includes (but is not limited to) reviewing returns from Facial Recognition checks and from Automated Biometric Identification and Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System fingerprint clearances; checking the Consular Lookout and Support System and other appropriate post records; and reviewing nonimmigrant visa and immigrant visa case notes and any other post files for information that would render an applicant ineligible for a visa.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - Consular Fellows serve in a specified country, may be assigned to or perform Temporary Duty Travel overseas, and at times, live away from family and/or in difficult or isolated conditions. Selected applicants will be notified of an Oral Assessment (OA) requirement in Washington D.C. For the selected applicants, all travel and other expenses incurred in connection with the OA are the sole responsibility of the applicant.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Be a U.S. citizen and available for worldwide service.

Be able to obtain a Top Secret Security Clearance.

Be able to obtain an appropriate Foreign Service Medical Clearance.

Be able to obtain a favorable Suitability Review Panel determination.

Be at least 20 years old at the time of application.

Must be at least 21 years old at the time of appointment.

E-Verify: Verification of employment eligibility in the United States is required.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• General knowledge of the United States, including customs and culture, society, trends, history, economy, government, political system, and constitution.
• Skill in written and oral communication, including English grammar and usage, techniques for effective interpersonal communication, techniques for handling interviews, complaints, sources of information, and public speaking ability.
• General skills in computers, including computer operations, common office software programs (e.g., Microsoft), e-mail systems, internet. Successful applicants will receive training in specialized Consular software applications.
• General subject matter, including psychology and human behavior, interacting with individuals undergoing stress. Basic mathematics.
• Required language fluency as outlined above.

Education

There is no minimum Education requirement for this position.