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Summary: The U.S. Department of State is developing a rank-ordered list of eligible hires for a limited number of Foreign Service Construction Engineering positions based on the needs of the Department. Learn more about the Department of State and a career in the Foreign Service at https://careers.state.gov.
Joining the Foreign Service is more than just salary. Refer to the Benefits section for more information on total compensation.
Learn more about this agency07/06/2022 to 07/26/2022
$72,686 - $143,172 per year
FP 03 - 04
No
Occasional travel - A Foreign Service Specialist generally spends the majority of his/her career assigned to the Department of State’s overseas missions and at times, lives away from family and/or in difficult or isolated conditions. Applicants to some FS positions will be notified of an in-person Oral Assessment requirement in Washington D.C. or select sites within the United States. For those applicants, travel and other expenses incurred in connection with the OA are solely the responsibility of the applicant.
Yes—Yes After completing orientation and initial training in Washington, D.C., Foreign Service Specialists are usually assigned to one domestic tour and one overseas tour, each two years in length, directed by the Department. After the initial two tours, assignments will be for periods of one to three years overseas or in the United States.
Permanent - Permanent after tenure granted by a Foreign Service Specialist (FSS) Tenure Board.
Full-time
Excepted
MC
Yes
No
CE-2022-0005
663664400
Must be a U.S. citizen. Potential applicants should read the entire announcement to ensure they meet all requirements and understand a Foreign Service career. Applicants may not reapply for one year after their previous application for the same position. If a State Department Suitability Review Panel denied suitability in the last two years, you may not apply (except Diplomatic Security Special Agent (SA) candidates whose denial was based solely on the unique requirements for SAs).
The following are typical duties, performed at various grade levels, in the course of a career as a Construction Engineer (CE).
OVERSEAS ASSIGNMENTS
Although specific assignments vary, most overseas assignments will involve the following major responsibility areas and example tasks:
Provide Project Direction and Coordination
Provide Project Management
Maintain Quality Assurance
Perform Financial Management
Ensure Safety
Ensure Security
Perform Preconstruction
Perform Commissioning and Close Out
DOMESTIC ASSIGNMENTS
Although specific assignments vary, most overseas assignments will involve the following major responsibility areas and example tasks:
Project Development
Project Support
Administrative Support
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Some of the essential functions of the job have a physically demanding component. In the execution of the duties and tasks listed above, Construction Engineers MUST have the ability to:
The Department’s Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations’ (OBO) Office of Construction Management is responsible for managing the Department of State’s multi-billion-dollar portfolio of construction projects overseas. The Construction Engineer (CE) is a member of a U.S. government (USG) team that ensures construction is professionally performed according to applicable plans, specifications, schedules, and standards. The CE must adhere to the highest standards of integrity, dependability, attention to detail, teamwork and cooperation while accepting the need to travel, to live overseas, and when necessary, to live away from family.
In addition to Education requirements, applicants MUST possess a minimum of:
• Three years of Specialized Experience for consideration at FP-04 level
• Five years of Specialized Experience for consideration at FP-03 level
Specialized Experience:
Specialized experience demonstrates that the applicant has acquired, and is able to apply, a combination of specific knowledge, skills, and abilities appropriate to a Foreign Service Construction Engineer position. Specialized Experience MUST show that applicants have an in-depth knowledge of their field and can perform engineering or architectural duties related to construction at Department of State projects worldwide. Applicants MUST demonstrate that their job-related experience has been at progressively increasing levels of performance and responsibility through such indicators as promotions, raises, increases in duties and responsibilities, and organizational and employee impact.
Specialized experience MUST have been obtained through assignments to field sites on vertical construction projects. Vertical construction projects include, but are not limited to:
Multi-story buildings;
Large-scale residential and commercial developments; and
Warehouses.
At the time of application, applicants MUST possess at least three years’ Specialized Experience in the last 10 years, working in the field on major vertical construction projects, to be considered for this position.
Applicants who have a Master of Architecture or Master of Engineering in one of the disciplines listed under Education and from a program meeting the accreditation requirements, in addition to possessing a qualifying Bachelor of Science degree in the majors listed under Education, qualify to substitute the Master’s degree for one year of Specialized Experience toward satisfying the minimum requirement for Specialized Experience. Transcripts for both the Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees must be submitted with the application.
Examples of Specialized Experience include, but are not limited to:
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and Abilities (KSAs)
The applicant’s experience, education, and training MUST show that they have an in-depth knowledge of their field and possess the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) appropriate to this Foreign Service position. The applicant MUST have the ability to:
Knowledge
Skills
Other Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate at the time of application they possess one of the following:
Civil/Structural Engineering
Construction Engineering Technologies
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Architectural Engineering
Applicants MUST submit a copy of their university transcript(s) with their application.
Official or unofficial transcripts may be submitted with your application. Your transcript must include your name, the school’s name, the degree, and date awarded. A transcript missing any of these elements or any pages will not pass the minimum qualifications and your candidacy will not continue. Copies of diplomas may not be submitted in lieu of transcripts for education above high school level.
Education from a program or institution within the United States must be accredited at the time of completion by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation.
Foreign Education
Degrees in the above-mentioned majors, completed at foreign schools without ABET or NAAB accreditation, may be used to fulfill the education requirements for this position if:
Applicants also must hold a current professional architecture or engineering license from a U.S. State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Applicants must submit a copy of their current license to demonstrate this requirement for their candidacy to be considered. Expired licenses will not be accepted.
OR
Applicants also must hold a current engineering license from a U.S. State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Applicants must submit a copy of their current license to demonstrate this requirement for their candidacy to be considered. Expired licenses will not be accepted.
For further information on the evaluation of foreign education, please refer to the Office of Personnel Management and the U.S. Department of Education. The U.S. Department of State neither endorses nor recommends any individual evaluation service.
OPM: www.opm.gov
U.S. Department of Education: http://www.ed.gov
*EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION PROGRAM (E-Verify) – Verification of employment eligibility in the United States is required.
U.S. law requires companies to employ only individuals who may legally work in the United States – either U.S. citizens, or foreign citizens who have the necessary authorization. This agency utilizes E-Verify to compare information from the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration (SSA) records to confirm employment eligibility. If the employee’s information does not match DHS and/or SSA records, the employee is given an opportunity to resolve the problem. If eligibility cannot be verified, employment will be terminated.
*The Department of State Suitability Review Panel and standards are defined in Chapter 3 of the Foreign Affairs Manual. For more information please visit: https://fam.state.gov/.
**For more information about Veteran’s Preference and how it is applied in the selection process, please visit: http://careers.state.gov/faqs/faqs-wiki/are-veterans-given-hiring-preference-
No applicant will be considered who has previously been separated from the Foreign Service under sections §607, §608, §610 or §611 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as amended, or who resigned or retired in lieu of separation under these provisions. In addition, no applicant will be considered who has previously been separated for failure to receive a career appointment under section §306 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as amended, or who resigned or retired in lieu thereof.
A Foreign Service Specialist separated for failure to receive a career appointment under section 306 may not re-apply to be an Foreign Service Specialist in the same skill code, but may apply for another skill code (or to be a Foreign Service Generalist).
Executive Branch agencies are barred by 5 US Code 3303 as amended from accepting or considering prohibited political recommendations and are required to return any prohibited political recommendations to sender. In addition, as mandated by 5 US Code 3110, relatives of federal employees cannot be granted preference in competing for these employment opportunities.
It is the policy of the Federal Government to treat all employees with dignity and respect and to provide a workplace that is free from discrimination whether discrimination is based on race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity or pregnancy), national origin, disability, political affiliation, marital status, membership in an employee organization, age, sexual orientation, or other non-merit factors.
The Department of State provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for any part of the application or hiring process should so advise the Department at ReasonableAccommodations@state.gov, within one week of receiving their invitation to the oral assessment. Decisions for granting reasonable accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Applicants will be evaluated on their total background including experience, education, awards, training, and self-development as it relates to the position. Selection for this position will be made only from among applicants possessing the best qualifications. Part-time work experience will be prorated.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure all required documents are uploaded and the application is complete before the closing deadline of this announcement. Any missing required documents or incomplete applications will result in the application not being considered further.
Accomplishments Questionnaire and Statement of Interest
These required questions provide an opportunity to describe examples and accomplishments from your education, life, and/or work experience that demonstrate your qualifications for becoming a Foreign Service Specialist. Examples can be drawn from any part of your professional or personal experience. Each response is limited to 300 words or fewer (maximum length 2,000 characters). You should compose your replies carefully, as one of the skills necessary to succeed as a Foreign Service Specialist is the ability to write clearly and concisely. Answers to all items in the Accomplishments Questionnaire and Statement of Interest are required and must be complete in the online application.
Substantive Knowledge: Describe your education and work experience that demonstrates you have the various knowledge areas required of a Construction Engineer. Maximum length of 2000 characters. Answer to this question is required.
Managerial Skills: Describe examples of past accomplishments that demonstrate your skill in planning and organizing, customer service, attention to technical detail, and other skills needed to administer contracts. Maximum length of 2000 characters. Answer to this question is required.
Interpersonal Skills: Provide an example that demonstrates you are skilled at working with others in difficult situations.
Intellectual Skills: Provide examples demonstrating your ability to think logically and objectively, to analyze data and situations, and to apply sound judgment in solving problems and assessing implications of alternative solutions. Maximum length of 2000 characters. Answer to this question is required.
Communication Skills: Provide examples displaying your ability to communicate effectively and persuasively both orally and in writing, including explaining technical concepts to laypersons. Maximum length of 2000 characters. Answer to this question is required.
Leadership Skills: Describe a time when you identified a serious problem that required immediate action where you had to exhibit leadership to motivate and guide others to solve the problem. What leadership principles did you use? Maximum length of 2000 characters. Answer to this question is required.
Statement of Interest
Required narrative Statement of Interest, which discusses your:
Motivation for joining the Foreign Service,
Relevant work experience, including any unique strengths not described elsewhere such as special skills (e.g. computer), current licenses, certifications, honors, awards, special accomplishments, and/or training (with date completed) relating to this position,
Experience living or working in a multicultural environment, overseas or in the United States.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Submit your application early, not waiting for the deadline, as application packages must be complete, submitted, and received by the closing date/time to be considered. There are no exceptions.
The application submission deadline is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date of this announcement.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure all required documents are submitted and the application is complete before the closing deadline. Any missing required documents or incomplete applications will result in your application not being considered further. There are no exceptions.
Submit your application early and verify that your documents are attached. You may make changes as often as needed, up until the closing date of the announcement.
If you are having technical difficulty with the application process, please contact the Monster Help Desk by calling 1-866-656-6830 or by emailing mgshelp@monster.com. The Monster Help Desk is available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern Time.
For more information on the Foreign Service Specialist hiring process, please visit our FAQs at http://careers.state.gov/faqs.
After the close of the announcement, the application status in USAJobs will say "Reviewing Applications." This status on USAJobs will not be updated further. You can click on "Track this application" for more information. Applicants will be notified by e-mail from the U.S. Department of State about the outcome of the initial application review and if they will be further considered for this Foreign Service position. We recommend adding the Department of State domain (@state.gov) as an approved sender.
Due to the high volume of applications, we ask all applicants to remain patient and await communication. It is not uncommon for several months to pass before you are informed of the results of your applications.
For more information, please visit https://careers.state.gov/career-paths/worldwide-foreign-service/specialist/fss-selection-process/
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/663664400. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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