Becoming a Foreign Service Officer: Requirements & Job Description

<h2 id="section---CareerOverview">Career Overview</h2> <p>Foreign service officers, also known as diplomats, serve their country by using their skills to promote peace and prosperity abroad while protecting US citizens and advancing the interests of the United States. They will spend their careers in one of five career tracks within the foreign service. The chart below shows the entry requirements, career tracks, and salary for foreign service officers. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td><b>Entry Requirements</b></td><td> U.S. citizenship<br /> Minimum 20 years old and maximum 59 years old at time of application<br /> Worldwide availability<br /> Pass the Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT)<br />Pass the Foreign Service Oral Assessment<br />Gain medical and security clearance</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Training Required</b></td><td> Orientation and training in Washington, D.C.</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Career Tracks</b></td><td> Consular, management, economic, political, and public diplomacy</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Overseas Salary Range</b></td><td> $54,167-$162,365*</td></tr> </table><p><i>*Source: U.S. State Department</i> </p> <h3 id="section---WhatAreTheDutiesOfForeignServiceOfficers">What Are the Duties of Foreign Service Officers?</h3> <p>The five career tracks within the foreign service are consular, management, economic, political, and public diplomacy. Consular officers arrange medical care for Americans abroad, assist in evacuation of Americans during emergency situations, approve or reject visa applications, facilitate international adoptions, and fight human trafficking. Management officers handle the day-to-day operations of embassies, consulates, and real estate; they also ensure the security of diplomatic personnel. </p> <p>Economic officers work with US government agencies and foreign governments to promote economic growth, science, trade, and resolution of environmental issues. Political officers analyze the political situation of the country in which they are working and communicate with foreign government officials on behalf of the US government. Public diplomacy officers create cultural programs, arrange exchange programs, utilize traditional and social media for outreach, ensure U.S. policy is understood by all levels of society in a host country, and correct misunderstandings in the public sphere. </p> <h3 id="section---HowDoesThePayScaleWork">How Does the Pay Scale Work?</h3> <p>The foreign service pay scale features nine grades and fourteen steps between each grade. One's grade and step at entry is dependent upon experience and education; college degrees and work experience elevate base pay. Overseas pay for foreign service officers without a bachelor's degree and less than six years of qualifying experience starts at grade 6, step 5 ($54,167). Bonuses are available when assigned to a country that is considered a hardship posting. </p> <h3 id="section---DoIHaveToSpeakASecondLanguage">Do I Have to Speak a Second Language?</h3> <p>No, speaking a second language is not required for employment as a foreign service officer. If language skills become necessary, a foreign service officer receives training through the Foreign Service Institute. However, fluency in more than one language undoubtedly makes for a more appealing candidate at the time of application. </p> <h3 id="section---DoIGetToChooseMyAssignmentsAsAForeignServiceOfficer">Do I Get to Choose My Assignments as a Foreign Service Officer?</h3> <p>Foreign service officers are given the chance to identify postings they would prefer to serve in, but the needs of the service come first. If you have needed language skills, you may be required to serve in countries where that language is used. The service does take into account personal and professional goals as well as medical, educational, and familial concerns when assigning postings. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatIfIMNotAU.S.Citizen">What if I'm Not a U.S. Citizen?</h3> <p>U.S. citizenship is a requirement of sitting for the FSOT and becoming a foreign service officer. However, if you are unable or unwilling to become a U.S. citizen and you reside in a country where the U.S. has diplomatic ties, U.S. embassies and consulates hire Locally Employed (LE) staff. LE staff provide special support services and are an integral part of the U.S. mission abroad.</p>