What it does: Administering diplomatic mission, participating and responsible in international treaties and agreements’ negotiation, representing the US at the UN, and advising the U.S. president.
Mission: “To protect and promote U.S. security, prosperity, and democratic values and shape an international environment in which all Americans can thrive”
Size and presence: 69.000 employees (foreign services, domestic, civil service)
Best known for: One of the most powerful and prestigious executive agencies in the U.S.
The good bits: Opportunity to work abroad as in foreign service areas. Great benefits package deal. Exposure to a prestigious circle of colleagues, working with fully dedicated professionals.
The not-so-good bits: Workload may be repetitive and involve normative procedures. Maybe a bit political at some point.
United State Department of State (DOS) is the first administrative bureau in the nation’s executive branch and they report directly to the president. The first time DOS operated, it only had one chief clerk, three other clerks, a translator, and a messenger. DOS only had two diplomatic posts, in London and Paris, and 10 consular posts. Until the 19th century, DOS only had two main administrative units, that is the diplomatic service and the consular service. Both units have different tasks, the diplomatic service would staff US legations and embassies, while the consular service would promote American commerce abroad and assist American sailors in distress, aligned with DOS core activities which include protecting US citizens who work and living abroad, assisting American business in global market, coordinating and supporting international activities, and more.
Throughout the years of its operation, DOS had gone through many transformations. It was in 1833, that the agency finally divided its core activities into seven bureaus. As of 2022, the agency has 13.000 foreign service members, 11.000 civil services employees, and 45.000 locally employed staff at more than 270 missions worldwide. Its headquarter is now located in Harry S. Truman Building, nearby the White House.
United States Department of State is known to be one of the most prestigious agencies. Some of the current and former employees said that the agency generally has a nice working ambience with great, dedicated, and friendly colleagues. Though the assignment for each role and bureau will be difficult and stressful, especially if you are working with a role that requires you to move a lot (foreign service). Continuous adaptation might be challenging for some people, but you will get used to always learning in a fast-changing environment.
DOS has tons of internship programs for students and graduates. In summary, there are Student Program, Professional Fellowship, Foreign Service Internship, Virtual Student Federal Service Internships, and other internships. Students and recent graduates can find the most suitable program. Each program has different requirements and recruiting processes, any information regarding the program will be posted on DOS’s websites.
If you want to apply for Student Internship, then you must be a U.S. citizen, a graduate student or undergraduate, or a college student with at least 60 credit hours and a minimum GPA of 3,2. You also must be a continuing student or come back to school after completing the internship. To apply for an internship, you will have to register to their talent network available on their websites, submit your application on USAJOBS, then you will get contacted by the hiring manager if you meet the minimum qualification, afterwards you will receive a security clearance (favourable determination for Low Risk/Non-Sensitive or Public Trust, or a Secret or Top Secret Clearance)
Graduates who want to apply for foreign service and civil service will find the position opening information directly on the agency’s websites. U.S states use their own hiring platform (USAJOBS). Applicants must apply there and carefully follow every instruction given to them. The civil service application process tends to be shorter than foreign service. Afterwards, there will be an evaluation process, which is followed by an interview and background investigation. For foreign services, there would be a qualification evaluation panel, foreign service oral assessment, clearances - medical & security, and then a suitability review panel.
If you are a social and political student or graduate, then DOS is the right place for you to pursue your career path. If you’re pursuing foreign service work, you will start as a generalist first before you start in a more specific role such as consular officers, economic officers, management officers, political officers, and public diplomacy officers. You must be passing their qualification standard in order to climb up the ladder. Foreign services works are sometimes dangerous and complicated, the task will be harder and the difficulty level will be higher, especially if you are working abroad to represent your country. It requires a strong leadership capability.
If you’re more interested in the civil service department, there are 11 career categories, and here are some strategic roles you may find interesting, such as foreign affairs specialist, translator, telecommunications specialist, passport specialist, budget analyst, and many more.
Just like any other federal agency, salary payment in DOS was divided into payscale grades depending on locations, positions, and expertise areas. Those who work in foreign service will get paid with FS (foreign service) schedule, in which the grades are divided into nine classes, and each class has 14 steps. Those who work in the civil service area will get paid with GS (general service) schedule, in which the grades are divided into 15 grades and each grade has 10 steps. The nominal is varied, ranging from $20.172 (GS 1-1) up to more than $170.000 (FS 1-14) annually.
The agency’s core values are heavily based on the intent to strengthen communities’ bonds, both domestically and internationally. They offer programs, resources, and assistance to their employee to join volunteer work or pro bono opportunities.
With The U.S Department of State Model United Nations, for over years the agency sends 100 volunteers to visit high schools and teach the students about negotiation tactics and conflict resolutions. Through Miner Elementary School Tutoring Partnership Program, DOS sends another 100 volunteers to serve as tutors. Besides the education area, the agency had collected more than 6.500 toys worth approximately $100.000 in the past years for Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots program.
TheHill.com criticized DOS for having a serious morale problem in the way they’re treating their employees during the pandemic. It was reported there are 90 new foreign services employees who were affected badly by the agency’s abrupt announcement which told them that they have no job for an undetermined length of time due to COVID-19. Whereas The Office of Personnel Management advised federal agencies to let new employees work remotely, DOS refuse to comply and stated that new diplomat would always spend their first several months in intensive training and that the training can not be done remotely.