There are four roles within this department: Regional Medical Officer (RMO), Regional Medical Officer/Psychiatrist (RMO/P), Foreign Service Medical Providers (FSMP) and Regional Medical Laboratory Scientist (RMLS). As a Foreign Service Specialist, you will provide important technical, management, healthcare or administrative services at any of our more than 270 posts overseas, in Washington, D.C., or elsewhere in […] Since the Career Development Program for specialists was launched in 2005 by the Director General of the Foreign Service, foreign language and job-specific training are now requirements for promotion within the ranks of many specialties. They are included in taxable income. Facility Management: A Facility Manger (FM) maintains U.S. government buildings abroad. An overseas ELO manages English teaching activities sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. Fewer students with graduate training were entering the foreign service and DEA resisted both specialist recruitment and transfers or secondments from other government departments. However, the hiring process for FSO and FSS applicants is not identical. Master of Pub Admin vs. Master of Pub Affairs, 6 Benefits for Earning Your Master’s in 2019, U.S. Department of State, Foreign Service Specialists. Eligibility for full retirement benefits with 20 years of service if age 50 or older. The national average salary for a Foreign Service Specialist is $33,916 in United States. The Foreign Service Officer Selection process begins with online registration, proceeds through the selection process, and, for those who succeed, culminates in hiring from the Register for assignment to the training and orientation course known as A-100 that marks the beginning of every Foreign Service Officer career. The work of an IRO helps guide individuals working within Information Resource Centers at U.S. Embassies. The Information Technology specialization is affected by an increased need for cyber security. 2020 Foreign Service Salary Schedule Overseas Authorized by Executive Order 13901 Effective January 5, 2020 Rates in U.S. Cost-of-living allowances are not considered a part of taxable income. 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). Both an FSO and an FSS must be granted medical and security clearance and be U.S. citizens. Hear about how he has been able to live and work overseas. They are members of the United States Foreign Service who provide important technical, support or administrative services in 19 career categories, including Diplomatic Security Agents, Doctors and Physician Assistants, Information Management Specialists, Office Management Specialists, Human Resource Specialists. Each FSS applies his or her unique professional and educational experiences while completing technical and administrative functions. FSS departments include Administration, Construction Engineering, Facility Management, Information Technology, International Information and English Language Programs, Medical and Health, Office Management and Law Enforcement and Security. Foreign Service pension equal to 1.7% high three years average salary times the number of years served up to 20 years, 1% for each year above 20. Foreign Service Specialists are direct-hire career employees of the United States Department of State and other foreign affairs agencies. (1) Foreign Travel Per Diem Allowances: The foreign travel per diem allowances provide for lodging, meals, and incidental expenses when an employee is on temporary duty overseas. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Medical and Health: This specialization is staffed by medical personnel who provide support and assistance to U.S. Embassy and Consulate workers and their families. Your email address will not be published. Dr. GSS Mohapatra is respected as the best Advanced Laparoscopic surgeon in Bhubaneswar, an expert in the field … An FSS is not a generalist. Additionally, Specialists may be expected to serve within their functional area throughout their careers, while Officers typically will have some assignments over the course of a career that are inter-functional or in a different career track. International Information and English Language Programs: This department has two job functions: English Language Officer (ELO) and Information Resource Officer (IRO). How much does a Foreign Service Specialist make? These allowances are not included in taxable income. Administration: This department consists of three distinct positions: General Services Officer (GSO), Financial Management Officer (FMO) and Human Resources Officer (HMO). A successful Foreign Service specialist candidate for a generalist skill code conversion shall be administratively promoted to class FS-4 and commissioned as a career Foreign Service officer, except any employee who, at the time of application, is at a higher grade, shall be commissioned at that higher grade. Current events necessitate the relocation and reconstruction of certain diplomatic facilities. Construction Engineering: This specialization has grown in recent years. They are members of the United States Foreign Servicewho provide important technical, support or administrative services in 19 career categories, including Diplomatic Security Agents, Doctors and Physician Assistants, Information Management Specialists, Office Management Specialists, Human Resource Specialists. The role of a FMO is to oversee and administer financial aspects of international government facilities. These are the personal journal blogs of Foreign Service Officers with the Department of State. [3], Differences between Officer and Specialist, "Careers Representing America - Foreign Service Specialist", "WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A FOREIGN SERVICE SPECIALIST AND A FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER/GENERALIST? All specialist tracks require good communications skills, which often include foreign language ability. Here's the summary for my IMS specialty: The U.S. Department of State is the lead foreign affairs agency formulating and implementing the President’s foreign policy and representing the interests of the United States throughout the world. While Foreign Service specialists assume posts that are profession-specific such as Information Management specialists and Medical specialists, Foreign Service officers are regarded as generalists who begin by selecting one of five ‘career tracks’—Economic, Public Diplomacy, Consular, Management or Political—but may be called upon to serve on any track within the duration of their employment. [2] Medical employees are constantly on duty. (3) Recruitment and Retention Incentives: These allowances are designed to recruit employees to posts where living conditions may be difficult or dangerous. Filter by location to see Foreign Service Specialist salaries in your area. There are seven career tracks available, including those in administration, office management, international information and English language programs. FSO applicants must pass a written Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT). Foreign Service Specialists are direct-hire career employees of the United States Department of State and other foreign affairs agencies. The selection processes for Specialists and Officers differ, although all include an Oral Assessment, medical and security clearances and a suitability review. Foreign Service specialists are members of the United States Foreign Service whose career paths involve technical support services, each with an individual set of qualifications. FSS positions are highly coveted and the U.S. Department of State places great emphasis on work experience and higher education when making FSS hiring decisions. Foreign Service Specialist Last updated December 19, 2019. With my husband now retired and my daughter out of college it was time for a change. a job to travel the globe, consider joining the US Department of State. (4) Quarters Allowances: Quarters Allowances, which include the Living Quarters Allowance, Temporary Quarters Subsistence Allowance, and Extraordinary Quarters Allowance, are intended to reimburse employees for substantially all housing costs, either temporary or permanent, at overseas posts where government housing is not provided. All serve in a series of overseas assignments at U.S. embassies and consulates around the world for much of their careers, with some domestic postings in Washington, D.C. or other locations in the continental United States. Where were you when you made tenure in the US Foreign Service? Rather, these individuals complete an oral assessment. Required fields are marked *. A career as a Foreign Service Specialist offers United States citizens the opportunity to travel the world and develop a particular professional skill set while serving their country. Your email address will not be published. Specialists are an integral part of the foreign affairs agencies' presence overseas, dedicated to representing America's interests in other countries. Their responsibilities include travel arrangements, secretarial functions and other general office duties. While the Office of Allowances is responsible for setting foreign per diem rates, per diem travel policy, both foreign and domestic, is governed by the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) and not by the DSSR. The FTR can be found on the General Services Administration’s website at http://www.gsa.gov/perdiemrates. This blog chronicles my life and career as an Office Management Specialist with the U.S. Foreign Service. The Department will store one car, if it's not allowed in the country you're assigned, but it seemed silly to us to store a car for who-knows … An ELO can have an overseas or domestic assignment. This is a legal requirement negotiated with various labor organizations. They serve in over 290 Embassies or Consulates abroad, Washington, D.C. or other locations in the continental United States.[1]. Foreign Service Specialists are direct-hire career employees of the United States Department of State and other foreign affairs agencies. In extremely rare cases when no Foreign Service specialists are available, non-career appointees can be considered for entry as FS specialists, providing they meet rigorous standards expected of career members of the Service. Eight steps to becoming a Foreign Service Officer (FSO) 1. Employees should check their individual agency’s implementing regulations also. A Construction Engineer (CE) monitors the construction of diplomatic facilities and consular posts, ensuring that construction projects are completed within budget and in adherence to safety regulations. Dan Harkins Date: January 29, 2021 Foreign service officers and foreign service specialist are the two main types of overseas embassy posts.. Any nation that maintains embassies abroad enlists foreign service specialists and officers to run those satellite posts and serve as national ambassadors. They serve in over 290 Embassies or Consulate… The salary of an FSS depends on the individual’s level of education and relevant work experience. Foreign Service Specialists are employees of the United States Department of State and other foreign affairs agencies, members of the Foreign Service system who provide services in support of foreign policy at posts worldwide or in Washington, D.C. Salary estimates are based on 167,443 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by Foreign Service Specialist employees. Their posts typically change every two to three years and can be in potentially dangerous areas. Most of these specialists hold advanced degrees and some are proficient in multiple languages. Employment benefits for Specialists and Officers are generally the same. A Foreign Service Specialist (FSS) is a member of the U.S. Department of State who promotes American interests around the globe. Law Enforcement and Security: Due to recent events, the responsibilities of diplomatic security officers have expanded. This is a means to update friends and family on what is happening in my new life. Register for the Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT) Eligibility requirements FSOT registration step-by-step instructions Global terrorism and technical innovation have altered the FSS role. Limited Noncareer appointees are not officially part of the Foreign Service and must leave anytime a career person becomes available for their positions. There are a variety of specialties available to become a Foreign Service Specialist (FSS) or Foreign Service Officer (FSO). Like their Foreign Service Officer (FSO) counterparts, FSS applicants undergo rigorous screening before joining the U.S. Department of State. Foreign Service Specialist The U.S. Department of State offers career opportunities to professionals in specialized functions needed to meet Foreign Service responsibilities around the world. (5) Other Allowances: Other allowances include ORE (Official Residence Expense), Representation Allowance, evacuation-related payments, and Advance of Pay. Post Hardship Differential, Danger Pay, and Difficult-to-Staff Incentive Differential (also known as Service-Needs Differential) are all considered recruitment and retention allowances. Meet Ethan, he's a foreign service specialist at the U.S. Department of State.