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The U.S. Department of State is developing a rank-ordered list of eligible hires for a limited number of Foreign Service General Services Officer 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.
There is more to joining the Foreign Service than just salary. Refer to the Benefits section for more information on total compensation.
Learn more about this agency12/06/2023 to 12/26/2023
$76,065 - $121,648 per year
FP 04
No
No
Occasional travel - Foreign Service Specialists generally spend the majority of their careers assigned to our overseas missions and may at times, live away from family and/or in hardship conditions.
Yes—After completing orientation and initial training in Washington, D.C., a Foreign Service Specialist is usually assigned to two overseas tours, 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
OC
Yes
Yes
GSO-2024-0001
764144500
Must be a U.S. citizen. 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 primary responsibilities of a Foreign Service General Services Officer (GSO) include the management of physical resources and logistical functions at United States embassies and consulates, where they serve not only the Department of State but also other U.S. Government agencies. GSOs are responsible for the overall management of acquisition and supply chain operations (or some portion of these operations), the supervision of subordinate staff, and the actual performance of some or all of the following functions:
Procurement Services
• Identifies procurement support needs and conducts procurement planning.
• Manages procurement of goods and services for post, responsible for the accuracy and completeness of procurement documents and official records; prepares budget requests; and monitors vendor performance and costs.
• Serves as post contracting officer and manages contracts.
• Coordinates contracting at post, with State Department offices and other USG agencies.
Warehouse Operations Services
• Determines warehousing needs.
• Responsible for warehouse and inventory management.
• Manages warehouse space.
Administrative Supply Services
Shipping and Customs Services
• Manages official and personal effects shipments.
• Obtains diplomatic customs clearances and serves as liaison with host-country customs officials.
• Advises post management, other USG agencies, and the Department concerning diplomatic import-export regulations.
Motor Pool and Vehicle Maintenance Services
• Manages vehicle fleets.
Leasing Services
• Identifies and manages real property requirements.
• Negotiates commercial and residential leases.
• Coordinates with landlord on maintenance and other issues related to leased property.
• Manages property utilization policies.
Travel Services
• Manages travel and transportation programs for in-country and international official travel.
Supervision of Staff
• Supervises and manages U.S. personnel and Locally Employed Staff in the GSO section.
• Promotes staff development through training, counseling, and performance evaluation.
• Identifies and develops staffing requirements to meet the needs of the GSO section at post.
Safeguard Against Waste, Fraud & Mismanagement
• Maintains internal controls.
• Manages USG purchase cards programs.
Foreign Service General Services Officers (GSO) are responsible for a broad range of functions including the management of physical resources and logistics at U.S. government (USG) diplomatic and consular posts worldwide and in the United States. GSOs develop, plan, implement, and manage ongoing support programs including contracting, warehousing, and inventory of property and supplies, shipping and customs, motor pool, housing, travel, and VIP official visitor support. At some locations, GSOs are responsible for physical facilities and space management.
Areas of responsibility include:
General AND Specialized Experience
General Experience is work at the professional, technical, or administrative level, which has been progressively more responsible in nature. General Experience includes:
Specialized Experience demonstrates that the applicant has acquired, and is able to apply, a combination of specific knowledge, skills and abilities appropriate to a GSO position. All qualifying Specialized Experience 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.
To qualify as Specialized Experience, 60% or more of the duties must include experience in three or more of the general areas listed below:
In addition to meeting the requirements above, applicants must possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills and strong customer service orientation.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA)
Education, work experience, and other qualifications evaluated for evidence of the following knowledge, skills, abilities and other requirements have been identified as important to successful job performance as a General Services Officer based on extensive job analysis research. Not all of these attributes need to be met by an applicant; the attributes will be used as a set to evaluate applicants.
Knowledge of Procurement and Contracting including procurement and contracting regulations and procedures, and working to oversee or actively manage procurement and contracting requirements in a professional environment.
Knowledge of Finance and Accounting including basic financial and accounting principles in order to act as a post contracting officer and to ensure budgeting of monetary resources for the General Services section are handled correctly.
Knowledge of Construction Maintenance and Repair functions in order to work effectively with and to oversee the work of skilled specialists and contractors, to understand the dimensions of the work needed and the resultant demands.
Knowledge of Property Management and Warehousing at a supervisory level in order to oversee procedures and processes involving equipment and office supplies receipt and issuance, warehousing, inventory, and disposal of goods.
Knowledge of Transportation of Materials including export, import or customs regulations, and the transportation of materials across borders to move material efficiently and legally.
Knowledge of Motor Vehicle Operations including basic motor vehicle operation, maintenance and repair requirements, and procedures at a level sufficient to effectively communicate with and to oversee the work of the professional motor vehicle specialists and contractors employed in a motor pool.
Knowledge of Travel Regulations and the ability to interpret and explain travel regulations and policy to customers
Knowledge of Human Resources Practices including supervision, assignment, and performance monitoring to counsel U.S. and Locally Employed Staff on job performance at a level sufficient to identify possibilities and problems, and to discuss solutions for personnel issues.
Skill in Analyzing Complex, Abstract Written Information including written material such as contracts, deeds, leases, and other legal documents so as to understand proposals, to perform successfully the contract management duty and, if needed, to advise others about contracts.
Skill in Leading a Diverse Workforce including leading, coordinating, motivating, and directing a diverse, sometimes large, usually multinational, group of people with a variety of skills as they work, and identifying the best people for a job, so that the work is accomplished in the most efficient fashion.
Skill in Time and Project Management including identifying resources, anticipating challenges, establishing milestones, defining beginning and end states, so as to efficiently and knowledgeably accomplish projects.
Skill with Computers using computer software programs including word processing, managing files/records/databases, and office computer programs such as Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and SharePoint.
Superior Oral and Written Communication skills: Applicants must demonstrate a strong command of the English language to include grammar, spelling and punctuation. Foreign Service Specialists must consistently meet a high standard for English, both written (overall structure as well as grammar, spelling and punctuation) and spoken (overall structure as well as delivery, clarity and succinctness).
At the time of application, applicants must have one of the following:
1. High school diploma or equivalent or an undergraduate degree or higher in any major and a minimum of three years of General Experience and three years of Specialized Experience in the last ten years; or
2. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in one of the following:
• Public Administration
• Business Administration
• Industrial Engineering
• Industrial Management
and three years of Specialized Experience in the last ten years; or
3. Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in one of the following:
• Public Administration
• Business Administration
• Industrial Engineering
• Industrial Management
and two years of Specialized Experience in the last ten years.
Substitution of Education for Specialized Experience: graduate courses may be substituted for Specialized Experience at the rate of six months for each full-time year of study in Public Administration, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, or Industrial Management.
You must submit a copy of your high school diploma, equivalency certificate, or university transcript(s) with your application. If you do not submit this documentation to demonstrate your educational achievements, your candidacy will not continue.
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 meet minimum qualifications and the candidacy will not continue. Copies of diplomas may not be submitted in lieu of transcripts for education above high school level. PDF documents are strongly recommended; illegible documents will not be accepted. Documents sent via link will not be accepted.
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.
Education completed in foreign high schools, colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Only accredited organizations recognized as specializing in the interpretation of foreign education credentials that are members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE) are accepted. If documentation from an accredited organization is not provided, your candidacy will not continue.
NACES: https://www.naces.org/index
AICE: https://aice-eval.org/
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 uses 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.
**By authority of the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act, the Department requires that all career candidates (except for preference-eligible veterans) be at least 21 years old to be appointed and must be appointed prior to the month in which they reach age 37. There is no waiver for current GS-1811s seeking a 2501 appointment at or above age 37 (except for preference eligible veterans.)
For more information about how Veteran’s Preference is applied in the selection process, visit https://careers.state.gov/about/diversity-inclusion/veterans-program-office/.
***The Department of State Suitability Review Panel and standards are defined in Chapter 3 of the Foreign Affairs Manual. For more information visit https://fam.state.gov/.
No applicant will be considered who has previously been separated from the Foreign Service under sections §607, §608, §610 or §612 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 a 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 2302(b)(2) from soliciting 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 public officials may not be appointed, employed, promoted, or advanced in or to a position if such employment is advocated by their relative.
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.
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 candidates 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 (not linked) and the application is complete before the closing deadline of this announcement. Documents sent via link will not be accepted. Any missing required documents or incomplete applications will disqualify the application from further consideration.
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 completed in the online application.
Statement of Interest
Required narrative Statement of Interest which discusses your:
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 to be considered. There are no exceptions.
1. From this Vacancy Announcement, click on “Apply.” Go to the USAJobs Log In screen and log in to your USAJobs account or follow the link and instructions to create an account.
2. Follow the USAJobs Application Process and provide your required USAJobs federal online resume.
3. USAJobs will transfer you to the State Department agency online application site, Monster Government Service (MGS). Follow the instructions to answer the online questions. Your Accomplishments Questionnaire and Statement of Interest responses must be completed in the online application. You can save your work and return to the application from USAJobs at any time prior to the deadline.
4. Submit required documentation using one of the three methods the application system allows: Transfer documents from a USAJOBS portfolio; upload documents from your computer; or, resubmit documents from a previous application. PDF documents are strongly recommended; illegible documents will not be accepted. Documents sent via link will not be accepted.
5. After attaching all required supporting documentation, answering all required application questions, and completing the application steps, review the entire application packet, including the links for submitted documents.
6. Confirm and submit your application package, which will be used to evaluate your qualifications for this position.
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 can make changes as often as needed until the closing date of the announcement.
If you are having technical difficulties 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 selection process, please visit http://careers.state.gov/work/foreign-service/specialist/selection-process.
The Department of State provides reasonable accommodation to qualified candidates with disabilities. Procedures vary by test type, and all candidates must request reasonable accommodations in advance. For more information visit https://careers.state.gov/faq-items/what-is-the-assessment-centers-policy-on-reasonable-accommodations-for-persons-with-disabilities-or-those-who-have-medical-conditions-or-other-needs-such-as-the-use-of-medical-devices-or-acc/.
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.
The Department will invite candidates who pass the qualifications review process to participate in the Virtual Foreign Service Specialist Assessment (VFSSA). For more information, please visit our FAQs at http://careers.state.gov/faqs.
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/764144500. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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