Related Materials
Foreign Service Officers
Foreign Service Officers (FSOs) are part of a professional service that implements the foreign policy of the United States at embassies, consulates and diplomatic missions at nearly 265 locations worldwide, as well as in Washington, D.C. They use their specialized knowledge and skills to advance specific objectives, protect U.S. citizens abroad and support American business interests. FSOs below the senior ranks serve in one of five cones: political, economic, public diplomacy, consular and management.
Related Materials
Civil Service
Civil Service employees support America’s foreign policy objectives as part of a career service based in Washington, D.C., and other locations within the United States. They provide essential continuity and expertise at all levels of the institution. Among the hundreds of Civil Service career possibilities in the Department of State are such specializations as budget and finance, public affairs, office support, information management, security specialist, human resources, attorneys, procurement, interpreter, passport examiner, architect/engineer, accountant, contracting and intelligence research.
Foreign Service and Civil Service Personnel Systems Overview and Differences
| Category | Foreign Service | Civil Service |
| Career Duration | Up or out (20-22 years) | Lifelong |
| Location of Work | Primarily overseas | Primarily domestic |
| Office Location | Mobile: move every 2-3 years | Stable (not necessarily same job, but longer duration) |
| Grade/Rank | Grade in person (the lower the number, the higher the rank) | Grade in position (the lower the number, the lower the grade) |
| Location in Department | More in regional bureaus | More in functional bureaus; other U.S. locations |
| Union | American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) | American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE |
| Changing Personnel Systems | Tenured FS have non-competitive eligibility; present practice to require FS to compete under Merit Promotion | Mustang Program (GS 12 and below), Civil Service Mobility Program, CS to FS conversion program, may also take FS exam to qualify for entry level |
| Retirement | Permissive: 50/20, 55/10. Mandatory at age 65 | Eligibility depends on system-CSRS vs. FERS; no mandatory retirement age |
| Authority | Foreign Service Act (1980) Agency Regulations | Government-wide federal Laws/regulations |
| Entry | Foreign Sercive exam once a year (written and oral), enter in groups | Education/experience used to qualify for a position; ongoing process; exams |
| Specialty/Position | Assigned to a specialty | Assigned to a position |
| Entry Level | Enter at lower level | Enter at any level |
| Promotions | Promotions panels—once a year | Career ladders, merit promotions/upward mobility, acceleration of duties/reclassification of position |
Foreign Service Specialists
Foreign Service Specialists provide unique services in support of foreign policy through technical, support or administrative services at one of nearly 265 posts worldwide or in Washington, D.C. Foreign Service Specialist jobs fall within seven categories, including: administration, construction engineering, information technology, international information and English language programs, medical and health, office management and security. Specific numbers of employees serving in those categories in the Department as of December 31, 2005, were:
| Diplomatic Security Special Agent | 1384 |
| Office Management Specialist | 845 |
| Information Management Specialist | 762 |
| Information Technology Manager | 301 |
| General Services Officer | 197 |
| Security Engineering Officer | 195 |
| Financial Management Officer | 176 |
| Facilities Maintenance Specialist | 166 |
| Information Management Tech Specialist | 153 |
| Human Resources Officer | 99 |
| Security Technical Specialist | 89 |
| Diplomatic Courier | 88 |
| Health Practitioner | 79 |
| Construction Engineer | 72 |
| Medical Officer | 46 |
| Information Resource Officer | 27 |
| English Language Officer | 23 |
| Psychiatrist | 16 |
| Medical Technologist | 10 |
| Printing Specialist | 5 |
| TOTAL | 4733 |
Foreign Service Nationals (FSNs)
Foreign Service Nationals (FSNs) are citizens of foreign countries hired to advance the work of the Department of State overseas. These essential employees perform vital services for U.S. Foreign Service personnel and ensure the effective operation of our diplomatic posts. They provide unparalleled local-country knowledge and language skills as well as long-term continuity to U.S. missions abroad.
For summary figures on the numbers of Foreign Service Nationals, as well as Foreign Service and Civil Service full-time employees of the State Department, see:
http://www.state.gov/s/d/rm/rls/perfrpt/2005hlts/html/57954.htm