U.S. Department of State Careers, Benefits, Review
The U.S. Department of State leads America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity.
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Similar to most government employers.The U.S. Department of State is the Federal government’s leading foreign affairs agency that works to shape and sustain a peaceful, prosperous, just, and democratic world and fosters conditions for stability and progress for the benefit of the American people and people everywhere. Our employees have diverse educational and cultural backgrounds, global perspectives, depth of knowledge, and technical skills, along with exceptional analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Our employees use their knowledge and experience in everything from architecture to engineering and technology to medicine to achieve success as they serve with integrity and professionalism. You can contribute your different perspectives, life experiences, and innovative thinking as you collaborate with Foreign and Civil Service professionals, locally employed staff, contractors, and interns who work to support and advance U.S interests worldwide.
We encourage you to think about serving your country while experiencing the world, engaging with different cultures and doing meaningful, intellectually challenging, and interesting work.
Visit careers.state.gov to learn more.
MISSION
Today, the primary responsibility of the U.S. Department of State and its employees is to fight terrorism, protect U.S. interests abroad, and implement foreign policy initiatives while building a freer, prosperous and secure world.
Thousands of committed and dedicated men and women pursue a career in public service through careers in diplomacy. With more than 20 different career paths available, Foreign Service Officers and Specialists can be sent to any U.S. Eembassy, consulate or diplomatic mission in the world at any time, including locations throughout the United States. Civil Service employees remain in Washington, D.C. or other domestic locations and provide continuity and expertise in achieving the Department’s mission.
The Department also operates several other types of offices, most of which are located throughout the United States, including passport agencies, foreign press centers, logistic support offices, security offices, and financial service centers.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Our employees maintain an attitude of public service both at work and at home; the U.S. Department of State's core values are based on the intent to strengthen both international and domestic communities. We offer Department-sponsored programs, resources and assistance to employees who want to find volunteer service or pro bono opportunities within the Department or their own communities.
Volunteering in the Foreign Service: AAFSW/SOSA Winners
Each year, the honor of the AAFSW Secretary of State's Award for Volunteerism Overseas (SOSA) is given to six deserving volunteers from overseas posts worldwide. The selection is extremely humbling and difficult. All the nominations outline the remarkable work that volunteers have selflessly put forth, but only one applicant from each regional bureau can win.
The U.S. Department of State's Model United Nations
The U.S. Department of State Model United Nations is an independent program that depends on State employee volunteers for its success. This program gives students in selected Washington, DC public high schools the opportunity to learn from and interact with State employees. Each week, for over 10 years, 100 volunteers visit the high schools and help the students learn negotiation tactics and conflict resolution among other skills. Students also have the chance to learn about the State Department, the United Nations, employees of these agencies, and what they do.
Miner Elementary School Tutoring Partnership Program
Miner Elementary School is one of the public elementary schools in the District of Columbia whose students have been identified as most in need of reading assistance. For the last six years, the U.S. Department of State has spearheaded an effort among federal agencies to volunteer at Miner and other area schools. About 100 U.S. Department of State employees have served as tutors and contribute to other enrichment activities. For example, they have assisted in the production of school plays, helped start a school newspaper, and taught civics classes among other things.
Toys for Tots
U.S. Department of State employees have collected over 6,500 toys, worth close to $100,000, in the last few years for the Marine Corps' Toys for Tots program. The employees in the Office of Facilities Management and officers from Diplomatic Security provide logistical help for collection sites at more than 20 State Department offices throughout the DC Metropolitan area.
Groundhog Job Shadow Day Program
America's Promise sponsors a Groundhog Job Shadow Day Program each winter, and the U.S. Department of State participates in a special Groundhog's Day celebration. The program allows students to be introduced to the world of work and make connections between the classroom and the real world. Employees volunteer to have a student follow them for a day to learn about the U.S. Department of State. Students get to see various facets of life at the U.S. Department of State including a guided tour of the Harry S. Truman building.
Diversity is one of our greatest strengths.
The U.S. Department of State believes that it takes the diversity of people from all cultures, ethnicities, religions, abilities and socio-economic backgrounds to advance diplomacy. And, whether you're working in the United States or abroad, you'll collaborate with culturally aware, strategic thinkers from all walks of life.
The rich composition of America's diversity, reflected in who we employ, contributes to the vitality and success of the U.S. Department of State's global mission. At the U.S. Department of State, you have an opportunity to work with diverse individuals, who are as passionate about making a difference in the world as you are.
With your unique educational and cultural backgrounds, ideas and knowledge, and exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, you can become part of America's leadership, contributing your innovative thinking and global perspective to support and expand our efforts worldwide.
Best Places to Work for Commuters, National Center for Transit Research at USF, 2012 Top 20 Government Employers - Readers' Choice, Equal Opportunity Publications, 2012 Best Workplaces for Commuters, National Center for Transit Research at USF, 2010 Best Places To Work in the Federal Government (Large), Partnership for Public Service, 2009
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