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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 Financial Management Officer (FMO) positions. Learn more about Foreign Service careers 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 agency10/08/2024 to 10/22/2024
$79,974 - $158,097 per year
FP 03 - 04
No
No
Occasional travel - Foreign Service Specialists generally spend the majority of their careers assigned to overseas missions and may, at times, live away from family and/or in difficult or isolated conditions.
Yes—Upon completing orientation and initial training in Washington, D.C., employees are assigned to two sequential tours, typically two-years each, directed by the Department. These entry-level assignments may be overseas or in the United States. After the initial two tours, employees have greater choice as to the location, length, and substantive nature of assignments.
Permanent - Permanent after tenure granted by a Foreign Service Specialist (FSS) Tenure Board.
Full-time
Excepted
MC
Yes
Yes
FMO-2025-0001
812150700
Must be a U.S. citizen. Candidates should read the entire announcement to ensure they meet all requirements. Candidates may reapply one year after their most recent date of application submission for the same position. Candidates may not apply if a State Department Suitability Review Panel denied suitability in the last two years for any position, (except if the denial was for a DS Special Agent (SA) candidate whose denial was based solely on the unique requirements for SAs).
FMOs are responsible for the management of the financial activities of our diplomatic and consular posts abroad, at our Financial Services Centers, and in Washington, D.C. Typical duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
Candidates must submit a copy of university transcript(s) in the online application or the candidacy will be terminated.
Education from a program or institution within the United States must be accredited at the time of program completion by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation.
Foreign Education
Foreign education acquired outside of any state of the U.S., the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, or any territory or possession of the U.S. must be evaluated by a member organization of one of the two national associations of credential evaluation services (NACES or AICE) in order to be given credit towards qualification.
For further information on the evaluation of foreign education, please refer to the Office of Personnel Management, Foreign Education section, 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
Please refer to the Required Documents Section on how to submit the required educational documentation for this position.
Specialized Experience:
In addition to the education requirements, applicants must possess a minimum of:
Refer to the Education section for information about substituting educational achievements for specialized experience.
Specialized experience demonstrates that the candidate has acquired, and is able to apply, a combination of specific knowledge, skills, and abilities appropriate to the FMO position. Specialized experience must have been acquired in the past 10 years and must have been of a progressively responsible nature in (a) medium or large organization(s) with a multimillion-dollar budget(s). Specialized experience must include more than one area listed below:
Supervisory experience, work with automated financial management systems, and evidence of working and/or living successfully in a multicultural environment is desirable. Such experience in the Foreign Service or other USG agencies or organizations having international operations is preferred. For the FP-03 level at least one year of specialized experience must have been equivalent to the GS-11/FP-04 level; and for the FP-04 level at least one year must have been equivalent to the GS-9/FP-05 level. Examples include but are not limited to:
Note: Consumer loan management/approval and individual tax preparation are not considered to be specialized experience.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Finance: Knowledge of the fundamentals of economics, statistics, accounting, banking, and financial markets through requisite academic background in order to serve as principal financial adviser to senior management.
Budgeting Requirements: Knowledge acquired through training and experience, to formulate, present, justify, and execute budgets involving millions of dollars.
Financial Procedures: Knowledge of financial procedures, applicable laws, regulations, and other guidance in order to prepare accurate and timely financial plans to inform post management decisions, and to meet external reporting requirements.
GAAP and GAAS: Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS) and interpretation and use of financial data for decision-making, ensuring all claims and payments are properly documented and in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.
Accounting: Knowledge of the principles and application of cost accounting by preparing a variety of complex reports and analyses that aid management in setting priorities and allocating scarce resources to best meets objectives.
Banking: Knowledge of banking, currency purchases, foreign exchange rates, as well as disbursement including cashiering in order to use an organization’s financial systems to meet payment and collection obligations using the most effective means available.
Fraud Detection: Knowledge of fraud detection, both in cash operations and financial systems.
Management Principles: Knowledge of management principles as demonstrated by delegating responsibilities, providing guidance, leading by example, supervising subordinates, counseling employees, resolving conflicts, effecting disciplinary measures.
EEO and DEIA principles and guidelines: Knowledge of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) principles, in order to effectively supervise staff.
Management Controls: Knowledge and understanding of a strong system of management controls by using policy guidelines and generally accepted standards through checks and balances and constant monitoring of management controls to correct deficiencies and to maintain fiscal integrity and ensure resources are safeguarded against fraud, waste, and mismanagement.
Pay and Benefits: Knowledge of payroll and benefit programs in an organizational setting including maintaining accounting, time and attendance, and payroll databases.
Auditing: Analyzing financial data, fraud detection, and applying accounting concepts, including auditing and program evaluation concepts in order to promote sound business practices and process improvements.
Financial Management: Management of financial resources by determining how funds will be spent in order to maximize benefits from limited resources and accounting for these expenditures in a way that is consistent with applicable rules and regulations.
Communication: Communication in both individual and group contexts through budget proposal documentation and other methods of communication on technical financial rules and issues such as budget allocations, financial obligations, pay, and allowances, etc., with all levels of employees in a clear and concise manner and is easily understood by persons without a financial background.
Teamwork: Developing and working in teams and encouraging teamwork on a daily basis in order to reduce conflict and enhance cooperation.
Customer Service: Customer service with U.S. and foreign national staff through interpersonal skills and cross-cultural sensitivities including providing information, balancing clients’ interests, readjusting priorities and resolving complaints.
Conflict Resolution: Understanding the principles and techniques of persuasion and conflict resolution.
Analyzing Financial Data: Acquiring and analyzing financial data, discerning relationships and trends, making projections, understanding host country and U.S. financial rules and regulations, and communicating results.
Technology: Using financial software, common office programs, including presentation applications, and technology.
Personnel Management: Human resource planning and workforce planning.
Ability to Say No: Adroit at turning down requests and offering acceptable alternatives when possible.
Superior communication skills: Applicants must must consistently meet a high standard for English, both grammar (overall structure, spelling, and punctuation) and syntax (overall structure, clarity, and succinctness).
Working in Diverse Environments: Ability to work with others of diverse backgrounds and to manage laterally and upward in varying work environments while traveling and living in varying climates and conditions.
Physical Requirements: As USG certifying officers, with responsibility and personal liability for the correctness and propriety of all payments, FMOs must be able to personally verify the authenticity of documents relied upon for payment authorizations, which may involve visual inspections (e.g., handwritten receipts, stamped invoices, etc.).
At the time of application, candidates must possess at least a bachelor's degree with a minimum of 24 semester hours (36 quarter hours) in accounting or finance earned at the undergraduate or graduate level from an accredited school.
Substituting Education for Specialized Experience
Candidates may substitute graduate educational achievement earned at an accredited school (18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours is equivalent to one year) for specialized experience as follows:
Education from a program or institution within the United States must be accredited at the time of program completion by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation.
Foreign Education
Foreign education acquired outside of any state of the U.S., the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, or any territory or possession of the U.S. must be evaluated by a member organization of one of the two national associations of credential evaluation services (NACES or AICE) in order to be given credit towards qualification.
For further information on the evaluation of foreign education, please refer to the Office of Personnel Management, Foreign Education section, 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
Professional Certifications:
Professional certifications such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), and Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM), or graduate degrees from an accredited school in business, government, or public administration are preferred with concentrations in accounting or finance.
*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 U.S. – 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 U.S. 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: https://careers.state.gov/faq-items/are-veterans-given-hiring-preference/.
No candidate 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 candidate 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 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 U.S. Department of State provides reasonable accommodation to candidates with disabilities. Procedures vary by test type, and all candidates must request reasonable accommodations in advance. For more information visit Requesting Reasonable Accommodations - Careers (state.gov). 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.
Candidates 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.
Candidates with finance-related higher education and specific experience in financial management or accounting are preferred. The quality and depth of a candidate’s education and specialized experience should demonstrate the candidate’s aptitude and potential to master the complex skills required of FMOs.
The Department of State prohibits candidates from plagiarizing any portion of their employment application materials to include responses to questions in which candidates must provide a narrative response. Candidates must create their own responses originally and not copy or adapt them from other sources. The Department analyzes candidate submissions for plagiarism and will discontinue any individual’s candidacy if found to have violated this plagiarism policy.
While the Department of State encourages candidates to create their narratives with great care, including correct use of grammar and style, candidates are prohibited from using any artificial intelligence (AI) tool, to include but not limited to ChatGPT, to aid in their written responses. The Department will discontinue any individual’s candidacy if found to have violated this prohibition on use of AI tools in the application process.
It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure all required documents are uploaded and the application is complete before the closing deadline of this announcement.
PDF documents are required. The candidacy will be terminated if the required documents do not meet the requirements below or if the application is incomplete.
1. Resume from USAJobs Resume Builder, the only resume format accepted for this Vacancy Announcement.
2. Candidates must answer all self-assessment questions, include 10-years of work history, and complete the Accomplishments Questionnaire and Statement of Interest. Applications missing any responses will be terminated.
a. Accomplishments Questionnaire
These required questions provide an opportunity to describe examples and accomplishments from the candidate’s education, life, and/or work experience that demonstrate their qualifications for becoming a Foreign Service Specialist. Examples can be drawn from any part of the candidate’s professional or personal experience. Each response is limited to 300 words or fewer for each item. Compose carefully, as one of the skills necessary to succeed as a Foreign Service Specialist is the ability to write clearly and concisely. Information in cover letters, resumes, or CVs, but not included in the application, will not be accepted/reviewed.
b. Statement of Interest
This required narrative should discuss:
3. Education Documents
Candidates must submit official or unofficial college or university transcripts to demonstrate that they possess the educational level required for this position or the candidacy will be terminated. Candidates should not submit university diplomas in lieu of higher education transcripts.
Transcripts must comply with the following requirements to be accepted:
4. Submit Veteran’s Preference documentation for candidates aged 60 to 64.
If claiming Veteran’s Preference, a copy of the candidate’s DD-214 "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty" that must include the candidate’s Character of Service must be submitted with the application. If claiming a 10-point Veteran’s Preference, the candidate’s VA letter and SF-15 must be submitted in addition to the DD-214. A certification from the armed forces is required only if a veteran has not yet received their DD-214. It must confirm that the service member is expected to be discharged under honorable conditions within 120 days and include service dates, expected discharge date, character of service, and any applicable disability rating.
5. Certifications (preferred)
Attach any professional certifications in PDF format to your online application. Certifications such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), and Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM), or graduate degrees from an accredited school in business, government, or public administration are preferred with concentrations in accounting or finance.
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.
The application submission deadline is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date of announcement.
It is the candidate’s responsibility complete and submit the application and all required documents before the closing deadline. There are no exceptions.
Candidates experiencing technical difficulties with the application should 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 https://careers.state.gov/career-paths/foreign-service/specialist/fss-selection-process/.
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.
Candidates 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. Candidates should add the U.S. Department of State domain (@state.gov) as an approved sender.
Due to the high volume of applications, we ask all candidates to remain patient and await communication. It is not uncommon for several months to pass before candidates are informed of the application results.
The Department of State 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/812150700. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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