Foreign Service Diplomatic Technology Officer (FP 2885)

About the role

The U.S. Department of State is developing a rank-ordered list of eligible hires for a limited number of Diplomatic Technology Officer positions. Learn more about Foreign Service careers at *** There is more to joining the Foreign Service than just salary.

Refer to the Benefits section for more information on total compensation. This is a 2885 Foreign Service position equivalent to the 2210 Civil Service occupation series.

What you will do

• Foreign Service Diplomatic Technology Officers (DTO) manage the Department's Diplomatic Technology (DT) programs and systems worldwide.
• The duties of DTOs vary depending on the size of the post or office and the specific diplomatic mission.
• Across overseas posts and domestic offices, the following examples illustrate the types of duties and responsibilities typically performed by a DTO: Customer Service Skills: Provide support to users of information management services, including configuring and optimizing software.
• Train users on new software applications and provide guidance on updated IT policies and procedures.
• Encourage and facilitate end-user participation in technology and technical decision-making.
• Information Technology Skills: Administer computer systems and manage system performance, including network setup and system startup, operation, and shutdown.
• Manage user access: onboard and train personnel, troubleshoot and resolve issues, track and report incidents, support users, and install or replace equipment and components.
• Operate and maintain both classified and unclassified IT systems including client/server environments, desktops, messaging platforms, web technologies, database and virtual servers supporting LAN/WAN.
• Oversee telecommunication network services.
• Manage communications infrastructure, including cabling, circuits, video conferencing, communications flow, coordinate with host country officials, and wireless/Wi-Fi programs.
• Manage voice communication services. telephone and radio systems, mobile device programs, equipment provisioning, and VoIP technologies.
• Install, maintain, and troubleshoot network infrastructure, telephone systems, local and regional radio, and crisis communications systems at U.S. missions.
• Provide technical expertise and rapid response support to missions with urgent technology needs.
• Information Management Skills: Implement IT projects by gathering requirements, designing solutions, and supporting development and deployment.
• Procure IT products and services, test and deploy solutions, and maintain IT inventory and procurement processes.
• Oversee cloud requirements and support collaboration tools and IT services.
• Manage pouch operations, the diplomatic post office, and telephone operator programs.
• Supervise locally employed staff, including system administrators, mailroom personnel, telephone and radio technicians, and switchboard operators.
• Assign work and manage individual performance.
• Serve as a member of the embassy or consulate management team and perform additional duties as directed or required by mission needs.
• Support emergency planning and response, including management of emergency wireless and digital communications.
• Ensure emergency destruction capabilities and maintain alternate processing sites.
• Information Security: Maintain internal controls for Department of State automated information systems.
• Safeguard classified documents, communications equipment and workspaces.
• Promote and enforce communications security practices.
• Configure and update security settings; monitor security; and manage physical security and network security.
• Oversee telephone system security.
• Support cybersecurity requirements and centralized server systems across multiple posts.
• Manage the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) program.

Requirements

• Please do not submit the application through USAJobs.
• Please submit application and register to take the Diplomatic Technology Officer Test (DTOT) at: ***

Education

At the time of application, applicants must possess one of the following to be considered for the FP-05 grade: Served in a U.S. Military IT Specialty Code, or Civil Service IT Specialty, or as an IT contractor to the U.S. government, and 2 years specialized experience.

A list containing U.S. military occupational specialty codes or designators is provided for your reference only. Please note that this list is not all inclusive.

Minimum 36 months "fully successful" employment in a State Department Expanded Professional Associates Program- Information Management (EPAP-IM) or Expanded Professional Associates Program – Diplomatic Technology (EPAP-DT) position at FP-06 level, or any grade above, and met the training requirements in place at the time of prior EPAP-IM or EPAP-DT employment; or Minimum 36 months "fully successful" employment in a State Department Information Management Assistant position at the FP-06 level, or any grade above, and met the training requirements equivalent to an EPAP-IM or EPAP-DT.

HS Diploma or GED Certificate and 5 years of specialized experience; or AA or AS or higher in an IT-related field; or AA or AS or higher degree in a non- IT field and 2 years of specialized experience; or IT-related degree or training must be in the following: Information Technology Management, Telecommunications Management, Computer Information Systems, Information Systems, Information Security, Networking, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Electrical Engineering, Cloud Computing, IT Acquisition and Control Management, IT Business processes, Computer Support Specialist, IT Project Management, Data Science/Analytics, Software Engineering/Development, Health Information Management, Video Game Design, Management Information Systems; or other related computer networking fields.

At the time of application, applicants must possess one of the following to be considered for the FP-04 grade: Served in a U.S. Military IT Specialty Code, or Civil Service IT Specialty, or as an IT contractor to the U.S. government, and 3 years of specialized experience.

A list containing U.S. military occupational specialty codes or designators is provided for your reference only. Please note that this list is not all inclusive.

HS Diploma or GED Certificate and 5 years of specialized experience; and 1 current certification in an IT-related field (for example: A+, N+, CSMA, CCNP or CISSP); or AA or AS in an IT field and 4 years of specialized experience; or BA or BS in an IT-related field and at least 3 years of specialized experience; or BA or BS or higher in a non-IT field and 5 years of specialized experience, and 1 current certification in an IT-related field (for example: A+, N+, CSMA, CCNP or CISSP); or MA or MS or higher in an IT-related field and at least 1 year of specialized experience; or IT-related degree or training must be in the following: Information Technology Management, Telecommunications Management, Computer Information Systems, Information Systems, Information Security, Networking,, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Electrical Engineering, Cloud Computing, IT Acquisition and Control Management, IT Business processes, Computer Support Specialist, IT Project Management, Data Science/Analytics, Software Engineering/Development, Health Information Management, Video Game Design, Management Information Systems; or other related computer networking fields.

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, *** Foreign Education Education completed in foreign high schools, colleges, or universities may be used to meet the education requirements.

All foreign education transcripts must be interpreted by an accredited organization specialized in interpreting foreign education credentials that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE).

Foreign education transcripts not interpreted by an accredited organization will not be recognized and the candidacy will not continue. Note: The accredited interpretation must include the summary and the foreign education transcripts.

NACES: *** AICE: *** Please refer to the Required Documents Section on how to submit the required educational documentation for this position.

How you will be evaluated

We will evaluate candidates on their total background, including experience, education, awards, training, and self-development as these relate to the position. We will select candidates only from among those who possess the best qualifications. Part-time work experience will be prorated accordingly.

The U.S. 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. You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Documents you must provide

• When requested, candidates with qualifying DTOT scores must submit the following documentation to demonstrate they possess the educational level and specialized skills required for this position.
• Candidates should add *@state.gov as a trusted sender.
• Neither the Department of State nor Pearson Vue are responsible for the failure of candidates' internet service provider to deliver e-mail messages.
• Official or unofficial college or university transcripts.
• Progress reports and grade reports will not be accepted.
• Candidates should not submit university diplomas in lieu of higher education transcripts.
• All documents must comply with the following requirements to be accepted: Must be in PDF format.
• Any other format will be rejected.
• Documents sent via link or secured message, in any other non-attachment format, or sent directly from credential evaluation services will be rejected.
• Must have no missing pages.
• Transcripts must include candidate's full name, school's name, degree and date awarded/conferred.
• Candidates with a name change should submit an official document reflecting the change.
• All foreign education transcripts must adhere to additional requirements.
• See Foreign Education Information in the Education Requirements section.
• Submit Veteran's Preference documentation in PDF format for candidates aged 60 to 64 when requested.
• 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 when requested.
• 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 the 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.

Benefits

Benefits include health and medical coverage, federal retirement benefits, and paid leave. Overseas benefits include tax-free housing overseas, tax-free education allowance for dependent children between K-12 overseas, and an unrivaled opportunity to see the world and experience different cultures.

The salary listed comes from the Foreign Service Overseas and Washington pay scales. DTOs are hired at the FP-04 or FP-05 grade based on education and experience. The starting step is determined in part by highest educational level achieved and also professional experience level beyond the minimum qualifications.

Individuals already working in government positions may be appointed based on highest previous rate as a federal employee. For information on salary, please click link.

What to expect next

Pearson forwards candidates' test results as well as their applications to the Department of State on a quarterly basis. After the Department of State receives the information, the Department will notify all applicants via the e-mail they provided during the application process of the next steps in the process.

We recommend adding the Department of State domain (@state.gov) as an approved sender to your inbox. 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.

Additional information

*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 Department of State Suitability Review Panel and standards are defined in Chapter 3 of the Foreign Affairs Manual. For more information please visit: *** ***For more information about Veteran's Preference and how it is applied in the selection process, please click link.

No candidate will be considered who has previously been separated from the Foreign Service under sections §607, §608, or §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 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 pursuant to Sections 306, 607, 608, 610, 612, may not re-apply to be in the same skill code but may apply for another skill code or to be a Foreign Service Generalist. A Foreign Service Generalist separated pursuant to Sections 306, 607, 608, 610, 612 may not re-apply as a generalist but may apply to a Foreign Service Specialist vacancy.

Executive Branch agencies are barred by 5 U.S. 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 U.S. 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 and retaliation, in accordance with the standards set forth by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. 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. See here for more information. Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.