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24-hour Civil Service Job Vacancy Line: (202) 647-7284
Civil Service Careers
Background
The U. S. State Department employs persons both in Civil Service positions in Washington, D.C. and around the world as a member of the Foreign Service. The Department of State has a Civil Service workforce of more than 5,000 employees in Washington, D.C., and at field offices in other parts of the United States.
Along with Foreign Service colleagues, Civil Service people are responsible for carrying out the State Department mission of administering U.S. foreign policy and maintaining diplomatic relations throughout the world.
As a Civil Service employee at the U. S. Department of State, you'll work in the United States in a professional, technical or administrative capacity to provide continuity and expertise in accomplishing all aspects of the Department's mission.
You'll either be assigned to a geographic or functional bureau in the State Department in Washington, D.C., or to a field office. Geographic bureaus backstop overseas posts and coordinate policy for the region. Functional bureaus serve in such areas as information management, consular, economic, security, public affairs, resource management, and administration. Field offices include Passport Agencies, Despatch Agencies and Diplomatic Security Offices.
No matter which bureau or office you serve in, the assignments you take on will really make a difference. You could be involved in human rights issues or refugee programs, intelligence and research, or administrative functions, narcotics affairs or the environment.
A variety of vacancies occur periodically for positions such as architect, attorney, budget and finance officer, computer specialist, economist, electronics engineer, personnel specialist, public information specialist, technical information specialist, passport examiner and secretary.
To qualify for a Civil Service position within the Department of State, you must be a U.S. citizen, at least 16 years old, and undergo a thorough background investigation to receive a security clearance.
Civil Service Opportunities
Please visit OPM's web site at www.usajobs.opm.gov for our current list of vacancy announcements.
Entry Level Salary Range
Accountant/Auditor/Budget Analyst/Financial Manager
GS-5 - $24,930, GS-7 - $29,998
Passport Examiner
GS-5 - $23,304, GS-7 - $28,866
Management Analyst/Program Analyst/Contract Specialist
GS-5 - $23,304, GS-7 - $28,866
Computer Specialist
GS-5 - $23,304, GS-7 - $28,866
Attorney
GS-11 - $42,724
For entry-level professional positions, you should have at least three years of general work experience or a bachelor's degree.
Persons with Disabilities
The Department of State is committed to hiring qualified persons with disabilities, including disabled veterans. Applicants with disabilities should apply as non-competitive Schedule A eligibles under a specific advertised vacancy announcement. Applicants must provide a letter of basic eligibility from their State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency or the Veteran's Administration. If you are selected for a position, a letter of certification will be required stating that you can perform the duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
Useful Degrees for Civil Service Opportunities:
Accounting BS, BA
All Majors BS, BA
Auditing BS, BA
Banking BS, BA
Business Administration BS, BA
Computer Science BS, BA
Finance BS, BA
Law JD, LLB
Management BS, BA
Typical Civil Service Job Openings
Architect
This is an outstanding opportunity to apply your practical skills and creative problem-solving skills worldwide. You'll help program, design, build, acquire and maintain embassies, consulates, residences, office buildings and compounds.
Attorney
Get involved in critical negotiations and legal issues. You will provide advice on international and domestic legal questions, negotiate treaties, agreements and contracts, draft and interpret legislation, and handle other matters in support of the Department's work.
Budget and Finance Officer
Employees perform or supervise work related to the systems of budget administration currently in use by the Department of State. Such work requires knowledge and skill in the application of related laws, regulations, policies, and techniques of budgeting.
Computer Specialist
As the world continues to move towards client/server technology and a global information highway, you will be responsible for helping to keep the State Department a step ahead in information technology. More specifically, you'll design and implement systems and operating procedures to meet the Department's daily goals for the rapid sharing and storing of information worldwide.
Economist
From the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) negotiations to environmental policy and its effect on worldwide economy, few positions offer such an array of challenging assignments. Your assignments at the State Department will keep you on the leading edge of your career discipline.
Electronics Engineer
The State Department employs the latest electronics systems and devices to communicate, remain secure and operate worldwide. You'll be involved in assignments related to designing, developing and enhancing new and existing electronic systems and associated functions.
Passport Examiner
You'll serve American citizens by processing applications for U.S. passports and providing related privileges and services. You'll determine applicants' claims to American citizenship, issue passports and correspond with applicants regarding their applications.
Personnel Specialist
Employees perform work in various personnel areas, including recruitment, selection and placement, employee development, training, classification, employee/management relations, and performance evaluation.
Public Information Specialist
Employees perform work involved in disseminating information about government programs to the general public through newspapers, radio and television stations, and general circulation magazines.
Technical Information Specialist
Employees perform work concerned with analyzing and transmitting scientific, technological, and other specialized information, including acquisition, indexing, and preparation of abstracts.
Visa Examiner
Employees adjudicate cases concerning foreign citizens who have applied at U.S. embassies and consulates for visas. These cases involve determination of the application's suitability for admission to the United States under the provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act. | 
