100,000's of Government Jobs

Search Government Jobs

Job Field: Office Jobs
Location: Washington DC Metro Area, District of Columbia (Throughout the World)

Salary: $42,948.00 - $63,071.00 / Per Year
Job Type: Full-Time - Permanent
Phone: 202-203-5173

JOB SUMMARY:

---

The Department of State is developing a rank-order list of eligible hires to fill a limited number of Information Management Specialists vacancies. The specific number to be hired will depend on the needs of the Foreign Service. The U.S.

Grade and Starting Salary Range: FP-05, $42,948 - $63,071

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. The Department carries out this mission at over 250 embassies and consulates around the world, offices in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area and other locations in the United States.

Foreign Service Information Management Specialists (IMS) are responsible for the Department's information resource management programs and Information Technology (IT) systems world-wide. The work is diverse and challenging. At overseas posts, IMS both manage staff supporting these programs and perform hands-on duties themselves. IMS provide customer support, knowledge management, application support, and manage a world-wide telecommunications network, computer networks, telephone, radio, and Diplomatic Pouch and Mail programs. At embassies and consulates abroad, IMS are expected to perform other duties, such as supporting visits of high-level officials, including the President of the United States, in support of U.S. Foreign policy agenda.

Department of State Foreign Service IMS have the ability to adapt to changing cultural and physical environments, work with differing levels of technology, follow developments and innovations in the IT field and successfully apply technology solutions to the business of diplomacy.

Competitive Promotion and Within-Grade Increases:

Following the mandatory two assignments as an entry-level employee, the IMS bids on subsequent domestic or overseas assignments every two or three years. Employees can expect to serve in any IT area depending on the needs of their embassy or consulate. Specialists serve with the embassy or consulate management team. They may have the opportunity to participate in non-technical embassy work and in social and community activities as part of the embassy family. After the first two assignments, employees may request assignments in virtually any embassy or consulate world-wide. Assignments are made in consultation with the employee's Career Development Officer, taking into consideration the needs of the Department, the particular interests or skills of the employee, career development requirements, family circumstances, and individual preferences.

All employees are evaluated, in writing, at least once a year. The employee is an active participant in this process. The evaluations form the basis for promotions, which are made by a panel of more senior employees. In addition to the formal training program, IMS advance in their career by performing well and taking progressively more management responsibilities in their assignments. In general, Foreign Service employees with documented satisfactory performance are eligible to receive a within-grade step increase annually up through step 9 and biannually from step 10 through 14.

IMS serve at U.S. Embassies and Consulates world-wide. Candidates must agree not only to serve at any U.S. diplomatic or consulate post abroad, but also at the Department of State in Washington, D.C., and other domestic locations as needed by the Foreign Service. A career in the Foreign Service involves uncommon commitments and frequent hardships, as well as unique rewards and opportunities. As a member of a diplomatic team, you will help accomplish the mission of the Department of State and also be a representative of your country to the people of other nations. A decision to enter this career must involve strong motivation and a firm dedication to public service.

Many overseas posts are in countries where harsh climates, health hazards, and other discomforts are prevalent and where American-style amenities frequently are unavailable. Personal security frequently becomes an area of concern, particularly in countries where there is political unrest or terrorist activity. For this reason, family members are not permitted to accompany the IMS on assignments to a number of overseas posts. However, careers in the Foreign Service offer special rewards, including the pride and satisfaction of representing the United States and advancing U.S. interests abroad.

The Foreign Service strives for diversity to show the best face of America abroad. Diversity is one of America's greatest strengths. In representing the United States to the world, the Foreign Service aims to reflect and respect our rich heritage and varied backgrounds in its workforce.

Key Requirements

All applicants, in order to be considered for selection, must:

• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Be at least 20 years old to apply and at least 21 years of age to be appointed. By law (Foreign Service Act of 1980), all career candidates (except for preference-eligible veterans) must be appointed to the Foreign Service prior to the month in which they reach age 60.
• Must be available for worldwide service.
• Be able to obtain a Top Secret Security Clearance.
• Be able to obtain an appropriate medical clearance for Foreign Service work.
• Obtain a Suitability Clearance, based on a review of the candidate's record for conduct that falls short of suitability standards defined in Chapter 3 of the Foreign Affairs Manual. For more details see http://careers.state.gov/specialist/selection-process or http://www.state.gov/m/a/dir/regs/fam.

KEY REQUIREMENTS:

---