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TCD
Nov 13, 2002

Every step, a fucking adventure.

Skandiaavity posted:

It depends on one's interpretation, but I'll defer that to someone like BoF who has been around a while.

My last two posts have been undermanned in the IRM department, both what should be onboard (we should have had 1 more according to some formula) and at my current post, we've been short 1 position the entire time I've been here - due to training, curtailments, etc.

As with everything, it depends on post and cone/specialty as well as grades when looking at where we are staffed sufficiently. Considering the size of Mission Brazil, an entry level IMS probably shouldn't be Acting IMO but I have been.

I've only been at growing Missions and my .02 is that these posts were understaffed in most sections given the workload, congressional requirements, etc. Although, the great thing about a new hire serving at an understaffed post is that it makes volunteering to help other sections much easier :).

E: Again, just my personal opinion given what I seen. I haven't done a domestic assignment, or served at a steady/declining mission, so I don't know how staffing looks from that angle. I hope that we keep positions, but with this current congress, who knows. I've read the articles on fed times that DoD is looking at civilian hiring freezes and furloughs. Hopefully that's worst case for State, but again, all those decisions are made at grades way above me, so all I can do is cross my fingers.

TCD fucked around with this message at 19:50 on Jan 17, 2013

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SCRwM
Sep 17, 2012
I got my OA date yesterday. I will be venturing to DC to be made to cry...I mean have my interview with the Board of Examiners on Jan.31 for the IMS track.

Skandiaavity
Apr 20, 2005
Good luck! (it's not that hard, just stay on your toes)

SCRwM
Sep 17, 2012

Skandiaavity posted:

Good luck! (it's not that hard, just stay on your toes)

Thanks! My big fear is that I completely freeze up or I come across sounding like a complete idiot.

the_chavi
Mar 2, 2005

Toilet Rascal
I'm back in DC on R&R. Woohoo, booze and Chipotle! Anyone wanna get together for lunch or a beer the week after next? (Gonna be down south visiting family for most of next week.)

HiroProtagonist
May 7, 2007
I'd be interested, assuming you didn't mind me talking your ear off about the FS application process.

Also, the DC goons have a trivia night in Dupont on Mondays, if you're interested and available. It's generally a good time.

SCRwM posted:

I got my OA date yesterday. I will be venturing to DC to be made to cry...I mean have my interview with the Board of Examiners on Jan.31 for the IMS track.

Congratulations, and good luck!

Skandiaavity
Apr 20, 2005

SCRwM posted:

Thanks! My big fear is that I completely freeze up or I come across sounding like a complete idiot.

worry less about that. It's expected.

And FWIW, worry less about showing off and more about questions being asked. It's basically the actual job interview, treat it as such. If it's asked, it's okay to answer as such.

Study up on Server 2008, Business Continuity, maybe some mobile phones, and the like.

Basically any kind of IT Helpdesk job. But any kind of general business advice such as "follow rules, if unsure, look them up/talk to a supervisor" or "i don't know the answer to that yet, but I'd ask my manager and get back to you?" or "as a manager, to control morale, you have to maintain some flexibility with a few exceptions" also applies. For all cones, I think.

Actually read up on management concepts too, since that never hurts.

Again, can't emphasize enough, you're going to an actual job interview :) Best of luck.

SCRwM
Sep 17, 2012

Skandiaavity posted:

worry less about that. It's expected.

And FWIW, worry less about showing off and more about questions being asked. It's basically the actual job interview, treat it as such. If it's asked, it's okay to answer as such.

Study up on Server 2008, Business Continuity, maybe some mobile phones, and the like.

Basically any kind of IT Helpdesk job. But any kind of general business advice such as "follow rules, if unsure, look them up/talk to a supervisor" or "i don't know the answer to that yet, but I'd ask my manager and get back to you?" or "as a manager, to control morale, you have to maintain some flexibility with a few exceptions" also applies. For all cones, I think.

Actually read up on management concepts too, since that never hurts.

Again, can't emphasize enough, you're going to an actual job interview :) Best of luck.

Thanks for the tips. My current project has me working with 2003 so I've been hands off of 2008/r2 for about a year. I'll pull my books out to brush up. BCP/DRP I'm ok with as I have a good amount of experience with that. Mobile phones would be my weakest as I have no experience managing them on an enterprise level.

psydude
Apr 1, 2008

How does job placement for IMSs work, anyway? I know there's the four distinct paths, but do people with more experience in the field get placed into higher-level positions from the start, or do you always have to start out at the bottom?

problematique
Apr 3, 2008

What saves a man is to take a step. Then another step. It is always the same step, but you have to take it.
So medical clearance zipped pass super quick: OA on the 7th, cleared on 18th :hfive:

State medical office has to be the best federal government interaction I've ever had. Everyone is super nice and the whole process was incredibly smooth.

psydude posted:

How does job placement for IMSs work, anyway? I know there's the four distinct paths, but do people with more experience in the field get placed into higher-level positions from the start, or do you always have to start out at the bottom?

I'm still in the post-OA process but I believe only political appointees and civil service can be placed into higher positions from the get-go. Every career foreign service employee, from specialist to generalist, starts off at the same level as someone who is say, straight out of college, or has just a few years of experience. The only difference being that generalist can come in between FP-6 to FP-4 based on experience and as such may be up for promotions sooner than others. As far as initial EL bidding and jobs the work would be much the same.

SCRwM posted:

Thanks! My big fear is that I completely freeze up or I come across sounding like a complete idiot.

You'll be fine. Just keep reminding yourself that you were selected for OA because you are qualified for the job. They want you, just show them you want it.

Biggest thing that helped me for my IMS OA SI was preparing before hand by correlating two or three life/work experiences for each of the dimensions. I wasn't thinking stuff up but already had a framework for responding. Another thing that helped was having a general idea of how to respond to situational interview question (x happened, what do you do) by remembering a flow chart of: gather more information, develop action plan, have alternative, communicate what your doing, action, follow up. It wasn't exactly that but the basic premise is to never give the work off to someone else, just assume you're in charge of everything and solve all the problems.

The OA SI was definitely challenging but if you remain calm and in control you'll do fine. Also, the OA FSS guide wasn't kidding around when they said the interviewers are trained to not give off any feedback, they seriously were super stone faced madly scribbling down notes :colbert:. As someone who is a pretty social person, even in interviews, I'm used to casual chit chat around the meat but that was definitely not the case here.

The good news is if you pass :dance: you get to chat with the interviewers and find out that the Foreign Service doesn't consist of only robots and people are super friendly! In my case, I spent a good 15 minutes talking about the job with my guy and exchanged contact info for mentor type follow up questions.

the_chavi posted:

I'm back in DC on R&R. Woohoo, booze and Chipotle! Anyone wanna get together for lunch or a beer the week after next? (Gonna be down south visiting family for most of next week.)

Would this be open to people still in hiring process? I'd be down if so, I live in DC around Logan Circle.

problematique fucked around with this message at 20:17 on Jan 18, 2013

SCRwM
Sep 17, 2012

problematique posted:

I'm still in the post-OA process but I believe only political appointees and civil service can be placed into higher positions from the get-go. Every career foreign service employee, from specialist to generalist, starts off at the same level as someone who is say, straight out of college, or has just a few years of experience. The only difference being that generalist can come in between FP-6 to FP-4 based on experience and as such may be up for promotions sooner than others. As far as initial EL bidding and jobs the work would be much the same.


You'll be fine. Just keep reminding yourself that you were selected for OA because you are qualified for the job. They want you, just show them you want it.

Biggest thing that helped me for my IMS OA SI was preparing before hand by correlating two or three life/work experiences for each of the dimensions. I wasn't thinking stuff up but already had a framework for responding. Another thing that helped was having a general idea of how to respond to situational interview question (x happened, what do you do) by remembering a flow chart of: gather more information, develop action plan, have alternative, communicate what your doing, action, follow up. It wasn't exactly that but the basic premise is to never give the work off to someone else, just assume you're in charge of everything and solve all the problems.

The OA SI was definitely challenging but if you remain calm and in control you'll do fine. Also, the OA FSS guide wasn't kidding around when they said the interviewers are trained to not give off any feedback, they seriously were super stone faced madly scribbling down notes :colbert:. As someone who is a pretty social person, even in interviews, I'm used to casual chit chat around the meat but that was definitely not the case here.

The good news is if you pass :dance: you get to chat with the interviewers and find out that the Foreign Service doesn't consist of only robots and people are super friendly! In my case, I spent a good 15 minutes talking about the job with my guy and exchanged contact info for mentor type follow up questions.

First, congrats on passing the medical clearance :cheers: That's the other part I'm kind of worried about. I have asthma, so I'm not sure how that will be viewed by the medical clearance board. But that is another concern for another day.

I'll have to start reviewing all of the dimensions and try to relate some work/life experiences to them. I've been tripped up in interviews before where I'll be asked "give an example where you have encountered X" and I can't think of anything. 30 minutes later I then remember something (ie "brain freeze"). Oddly enough, just the other day I had my annual review and my PM told me to have more confidence in myself. I'm going to paraphrase, but it was said "you know your stuff, you know what you are talking about. Don't second guess yourself so much."

problematique
Apr 3, 2008

What saves a man is to take a step. Then another step. It is always the same step, but you have to take it.

SCRwM posted:

First, congrats on passing the medical clearance :cheers: That's the other part I'm kind of worried about. I have asthma, so I'm not sure how that will be viewed by the medical clearance board. But that is another concern for another day.

We actually got on that topic. Apparently, if you have a severe case of asthma they won't send you to certain areas with high air pollution, like Beijing or Dhaka. I won't speculate any further as it's all highly dependent on your personal situation and other factors.

SCRwM
Sep 17, 2012

problematique posted:

We actually got on that topic. Apparently, if you have a severe case of asthma they won't send you to certain areas with high air pollution, like Beijing or Dhaka. I won't speculate any further as it's all highly dependent on your personal situation and other factors.

Understood. I know with medical that standard reply of "it depends" does apply.

Out of curiosity, for those who are currently an IMS good or in the process of getting on the register (such as problematique) what is/was your IT background and for how long?

AKA Pseudonym
May 16, 2004

A dashing and sophisticated young man
Doctor Rope

psydude posted:

How does job placement for IMSs work, anyway? I know there's the four distinct paths, but do people with more experience in the field get placed into higher-level positions from the start, or do you always have to start out at the bottom?

Almost everybody does their first two tours in an entry-level position. Sometimes they'll put a new hire in a 4 or even a 3 position, but that has more to do with needing somebody there than the experience of the person. Either way it's pretty rare.

SCRwM posted:

Understood. I know with medical that standard reply of "it depends" does apply.

Out of curiosity, for those who are currently an IMS good or in the process of getting on the register (such as problematique) what is/was your IT background and for how long?

I had Bachelors in Management Information Science and about 4 years of being the sole IT person at a smallish law-firm.

AKA Pseudonym fucked around with this message at 21:18 on Jan 18, 2013

SCRwM
Sep 17, 2012

SCRwM posted:

Understood. I know with medical that standard reply of "it depends" does apply.

Out of curiosity, for those who are currently an IMS good or in the process of getting on the register (such as problematique) what is/was your IT background and for how long?

I guess I should answer my own question. BA in Political Science. Almost 13 years IT experience, including help desk (7 years) and Sys Admin and Security (98% Windows experience 6 years).

SCRwM fucked around with this message at 21:36 on Jan 18, 2013

Closet Nerd
Feb 21, 2011

TCD posted:

Spousal employment is a pretty significant challenge for working professionals. There's a lot of spouses with advance degrees that aren't working or are in clerical jobs. We've been really fortunate having my wife land jobs in the Environment field (both in and out of the Embassy). However, both times took around 5 months to land the job with a fair amount of leg work trying to get one.

Maybe I can help as an EFM. At our post there are many EFM positions and there are still more spouses wanting jobs than available. However, I have heard of posts where they have very few jobs (such as our next positing( for EFMs, or they have jobs but not many spouses applying. So it does really depend. However, a masters might get her a slightly higher pay scale among other EFMs but he/she must consider that A. you most likely will not be working in your field. It is very possible that you will work in HR, Housing, someones Admin assistant, or a security escort. B. Expect the pay to be much much lower than what he/she might get in DC working in the private sector. Think like a third to a half of what most likely be making. I myself am lucky, I got a job before I arrived to post, and luckily it was one that I have a background in, but I am currently making $15,000 less than I did in DC. This is something I am trying to work on with HR, and my boss supports it. So definitely don't be afraid to ask for higher paid grade as an EFM, though know that it is not guaranteed and it really depends on several factors, past work experience is factored very little, in my experience, and others I have spoken to.

I also suggest contacting the CLO at your future embassy to get available EFM positions emailed to you. I hope this helps. Anyone is welcome to PM me regarding EFM questions.

vulturesrow posted:

I'm curious if any of you know of any FSO with a large number of dependents? Does this affect postings at all? I have a large family (5 kiddos) and I have to get a waiver to PCS to overseas locations due to the extra costs involved. Its usually not a big deal (they offered to send me to Japan) but at least draws notice. The whole issue is really the big hurdle for me in terms of whether it something I want to do or not. On the one hand I think it would be a great opportunity for them to live in other places but I'm not sure if it would be a little too much given the size of the family. Any insight you guys have would be most appreciated.

Do not worry about family size. I work with Facilities at our post, and help coordinate make readies for all housing. I also help do inspections of new housing coming to our housing pool. We have currently about 3 families with 5 children, another family of 5 coming in March that we recently found several housing options for. We have one family with 5 children and two great danes. They luckily got a house across the street from the school. They will find housing to fit your family size. Please do keep in mind, with many posts you might be in temporary housing, such as hotel up to two months, especially if it is a new house to the housing pool. Please be patient with the housing department as negotiating leases and getting houses up to American standard of living takes time and effort on both the landlords and embassies side. Many posts do not own majority of the housing, it is leased locally.

Please also factor as best you can your timing you arrive at post (this is important for all officers, not just families). Summer cycle is the biggest turn over, generally the sooner you arrive at the beginning of the summer cycle, the easier it is to supply housing for your family upon arrival, meaning moving right in, rather than waiting for a house to become available (which happens at our post starting in late september). It also allows you to get your kids enrolled sooner at the school.

Please be nice to your housing and facilities teams :)



Diplomaticus posted:

Ironically DHL just sent me a package intended to go to a person with a massively different name, in N'Djamena. Because, screwing things up is not limited to the pouch!

I finally received a package two and half months late after the pouch sent my packaged correctly addressed for Addis to Taipei. Luckily it was not urgent.

psydude
Apr 1, 2008

SCRwM posted:

I guess I should answer my own question. BA in Political Science. Almost 13 years IT experience, including help desk (7 years) and Sys Admin and Security (98% Windows experience 6 years).

If you don't mind me asking, what drove you to apply for this, then? Based upon what everyone else has written, it seems like it'd be a huge step backwards in your career at a time when you could be moving into a senior admin or management role. Obviously money and seniority aren't the only reasons why someone takes a job; I'm just thinking about how much I would hate to be stuck doing entry level work again even if it was someplace cool overseas.

problematique
Apr 3, 2008

What saves a man is to take a step. Then another step. It is always the same step, but you have to take it.

SCRwM posted:

Understood. I know with medical that standard reply of "it depends" does apply.

Out of curiosity, for those who are currently an IMS good or in the process of getting on the register (such as problematique) what is/was your IT background and for how long?

Wrapped up CIS degree in '09 and have three years of IT audit/security compliance work and one year at my current job working in a federal computer incident response operation center. I would consider the work I do entry level - abit very specialized - and I've never managed anyone or led a large program or effort. My background is definitely on the security side of things and IMS type networking/system admin/computer janitor helpdesk work will be new to me.

I'm personally taking a large page cut from my current job and future earnings. But it was never about money for me, I just have an irrational desire to not stay planted and see the world, something my current trajectory wasn't moving me towards.

problematique fucked around with this message at 22:21 on Jan 18, 2013

TCD
Nov 13, 2002

Every step, a fucking adventure.

problematique posted:

I just have an irrational desire to not stay planted and see the world, something my current trajectory wasn't moving me towards.

This is the job for you in that case :)

SCRwM
Sep 17, 2012

psydude posted:

If you don't mind me asking, what drove you to apply for this, then? Based upon what everyone else has written, it seems like it'd be a huge step backwards in your career at a time when you could be moving into a senior admin or management role. Obviously money and seniority aren't the only reasons why someone takes a job; I'm just thinking about how much I would hate to be stuck doing entry level work again even if it was someplace cool overseas.

I don't mind your asking. When I first heard about working DoS in FS IMS goon, I talked it over with my wife for quite a bit to see if this job might be "right" for us and our kids. Before we were married, we both did quite a bit of travelling/working in various places and in some odd circumstances (ex: you know the show "Deadliest Catch"? She worked on one of those boats as an observer for the State of Alaska. For myself, I was living/working in LA during 9/11 and the company I worked for asked me to fly to NY to help reopen our office that was 2 blocks from the WTC. I was on one of the first flights to NY when the US reopened the skies).

For me personally, I'd really like to do something to serve my country. I always wanted to by in the Navy (Top Gun ftw!) but because I have asthma, as I mentioned earlier that is a scarlet letter for military service. Working for the DoS in the FS, I feel that would be a good way for me to server and give back to my country.

Plus, we feel that this would be an excellent way for us to travel and show our kids the world. We want to show and have them experience different cultures, and also for them to know how good we really do have it here in the US.

As for salary, it really wouldn't be that big of a pay cut for me. So that's not a big issue. Career wise, it wouldn't be a huge step backwards either (I think). I've done so many different things IT wise that I can easily adapt to different roles.

Plus, since I've had various family members work for the Postal service, the idea of getting to distribute the contents of the pouch (a role I heard IMS is responsible for) really excites me!!! :D

Tyro
Nov 10, 2009
I'd definitely be down for grabbing a drink or lunch or something, the_chavi, as long as I can make it work with my crazy schedule.

Global Critter
Nov 10, 2012

SCRwM posted:


Out of curiosity, for those who are currently an IMS good or in the process of getting on the register (such as problematique) what is/was your IT background and for how long?

I will be part of the 128th Specialist class starting on Jan 28th and I have 15 years of IT experience, mainly in Infrastructure support (helpdesk, desktop and server) to more recently systems engineering roles in an IT Architecture group.


psydude posted:

If you don't mind me asking, what drove you to apply for this, then? Based upon what everyone else has written, it seems like it'd be a huge step backwards in your career at a time when you could be moving into a senior admin or management role. Obviously money and seniority aren't the only reasons why someone takes a job; I'm just thinking about how much I would hate to be stuck doing entry level work again even if it was someplace cool overseas.

It is most definitely a step backwards career wise and also on my part a substantial financial sacrifice while also taking into consideration loss of income from my wife that is highly specialized in SAP. Main driving force besides a desire to serve is to satisfy our sense of adventure and a chance to immerse ourselves in various cultural experiences. Not oblivious to the challenges but I believe the pros will out weigh the cons in the long run.

psydude
Apr 1, 2008

Global Critter posted:

It is most definitely a step backwards career wise and also on my part a substantial financial sacrifice while also taking into consideration loss of income from my wife that is highly specialized in SAP. Main driving force besides a desire to serve is to satisfy our sense of adventure and a chance to immerse ourselves in various cultural experiences. Not oblivious to the challenges but I believe the pros will out weigh the cons in the long run.

Had you looked at being a contractor at an embassy at all? If so, what made you choose to go into the foreign service instead? It could obviously be an option for you wife.

psydude fucked around with this message at 23:43 on Jan 18, 2013

SCRwM
Sep 17, 2012

psydude posted:

Had you looked at being contractors at an embassy at all? It might be an option for you wife.

My wife is a chemistry teacher. She was at a science teacher convention last year and was talking to a rep whose company who manages/handles schools overseas. She pretty much told her that she would have no problem picking up a teaching gig overseas if she wanted one (science teachers are in short supply).

AKA Pseudonym
May 16, 2004

A dashing and sophisticated young man
Doctor Rope

SCRwM posted:

Plus, since I've had various family members work for the Postal service, the idea of getting to distribute the contents of the pouch (a role I heard IMS is responsible for) really excites me!!! :D

I wish I had the authority to hire you over the Internet

TCD
Nov 13, 2002

Every step, a fucking adventure.

psydude posted:

Had you looked at being a contractor at an embassy at all? If so, what made you choose to go into the foreign service instead? It could obviously be an option for you wife.

I don't think there's that many contractor options in Embassys.

TCD
Nov 13, 2002

Every step, a fucking adventure.

SCRwM posted:

My wife is a chemistry teacher. She was at a science teacher convention last year and was talking to a rep whose company who manages/handles schools overseas. She pretty much told her that she would have no problem picking up a teaching gig overseas if she wanted one (science teachers are in short supply).

Most teachers I've known have found work at local/international schools. I wouldn't worry too much.

psydude
Apr 1, 2008

TCD posted:

I don't think there's that many contractor options in Embassys.

It probably depends on the size of the mission, but I'm in the pipeline for two such positions right now. Almost all of the ones I've seen are skilled labor positions to include IT.

psydude fucked around with this message at 01:41 on Jan 19, 2013

Skandiaavity
Apr 20, 2005

psydude posted:

how much I would hate to be stuck doing entry level work again even if it was someplace cool overseas.

You're in for quite a surprise then! :haw: It's not exactly entry-level work. Be prepared for two words, "additional duties", to become a sort of running joke.



Most of the contractor roles I have seen are someone involved in DS or basically domestic, or worst case they will hire someone local overseas.

Scrwm, you should do fine in both the orals and the FS.

HiroProtagonist
May 7, 2007

Skandiaavity posted:

You're in for quite a surprise then! :haw: It's not exactly entry-level work. Be prepared for two words, "additional duties", to become a sort of running joke.

Sounds like the military, to me.

SCRwM
Sep 17, 2012

Skandiaavity posted:

You're in for quite a surprise then! :haw: It's not exactly entry-level work. Be prepared for two words, "additional duties", to become a sort of running joke.



Most of the contractor roles I have seen are someone involved in DS or basically domestic, or worst case they will hire someone local overseas.

Scrwm, you should do fine in both the orals and the FS.

Thanks for the words of encouragement!

SCRwM
Sep 17, 2012
I've got a couple of general questions for the FS goons.

1. Training. What are the training options like? I'm a gov. contractor, so I fully understand that training budgets can depend on the Federal budget. For the IMS goons, what are the IT training options available (generally speaking, courses [ex: Microsoft training, Cisco, ISC2, PMI, etc] Do you travel for training or do it online)? Does the DoS encourage training/additional education?

2. Again for the IMS goons. I was told a lot of the "heavy" work (configuration, etc) was done in the US. How much do you guys get involved with the "heavy" work? Does DoS IT mgmt consulte you guys on policy/planning (ex: OS security configurations).

3. During A-100, does the DoS offer any courses for family members? Something on the like of how to maneuver the paper bureaucracy (submitting paperwork for education for the kids for example) or how to budget your money overseas? Or language courses the wife could take after flag day and we know where we are going?

SCRwM
Sep 17, 2012

AKA Pseudonym posted:

I wish I had the authority to hire you over the Internet

My dad was a Sr VP at a bank he worked for and every day he walked to the post office and got the mail for the bank and then distributed it. I tell ya man, it's in our blood!

1of7
Jan 30, 2011

SCRwM posted:

I've got a couple of general questions for the FS goons.

1. Training. What are the training options like? I'm a gov. contractor, so I fully understand that training budgets can depend on the Federal budget. For the IMS goons, what are the IT training options available (generally speaking, courses [ex: Microsoft training, Cisco, ISC2, PMI, etc] Do you travel for training or do it online)? Does the DoS encourage training/additional education?

They have lots of self paced online training courses. I think you can also get access to Books24x7.

Initial IMS training is about 5 months. After you get to post, the amount of training you get will depend on your position, supervisor, post, funding, etc...

Generally, I think we are pretty lucky & have more training opportunities than most others.

Most of the training is Microsoft, but there are some more non-vendor, department specific classes too.

By the end of this tour, I will have had 1 week in Bangkok, 6 in Manila, 2 in DC, & probably 1 more in Frankfurt that isn't finalized yet.

I would say, from comparison with my peers, that I've been quite lucky this tour with all the training I've been able to do. Most likely, I won't do any during my next post.

Business of Ferrets
Mar 2, 2008

Good to see that everything is back to normal.

SCRwM posted:

My dad was a Sr VP at a bank he worked for and every day he walked to the post office and got the mail for the bank and then distributed it. I tell ya man, it's in our blood!

Makes me wonder what he was trying to intercept before it got to the president.

TCD
Nov 13, 2002

Every step, a fucking adventure.

psydude posted:

It probably depends on the size of the mission, but I'm in the pipeline for two such positions right now. Almost all of the ones I've seen are skilled labor positions to include IT.

Considering the number of diplomatic posts, besides the two mentioned above, I only know of contractors in AIP at it relates to IT. That's, give or take 5 countries and it doesn't have to do with the size of the Mission either. E: So if you really want to experience the Foreign Service IT lifestyle, it's pretty much the IMS route.

TCD fucked around with this message at 09:20 on Jan 19, 2013

AKA Pseudonym
May 16, 2004

A dashing and sophisticated young man
Doctor Rope

psydude posted:

It probably depends on the size of the mission, but I'm in the pipeline for two such positions right now. Almost all of the ones I've seen are skilled labor positions to include IT.

It has to do with security. There are some places where we don't trust locals with certain jobs, that means China, Vietnam, and the former USSR*; I don't think they're anywhere else. I've only ever seen maintenance positions myself but I've only been one place that had contractors.

edit: *And AIP I guess

AKA Pseudonym
May 16, 2004

A dashing and sophisticated young man
Doctor Rope

SCRwM posted:

I've got a couple of general questions for the FS goons.

1. Training. What are the training options like? I'm a gov. contractor, so I fully understand that training budgets can depend on the Federal budget. For the IMS goons, what are the IT training options available (generally speaking, courses [ex: Microsoft training, Cisco, ISC2, PMI, etc] Do you travel for training or do it online)? Does the DoS encourage training/additional education?

2. Again for the IMS goons. I was told a lot of the "heavy" work (configuration, etc) was done in the US. How much do you guys get involved with the "heavy" work? Does DoS IT mgmt consulte you guys on policy/planning (ex: OS security configurations).

Most classes our in-house rather than Microsoft or whatever, but those classes do exist and you get to take the test for free. Additional training is encouraged too, you can get 9% or 14% added to your pay by getting certain certifications.

And no, you aren't going to be doing much heavy work overseas as an IMS. But you might as an IMTS or maybe in a domestic position. And sometimes post needs or wants something special that neither DC or RIMC can help with much and you might need to figure it out on your own. Flexibility is the key here more than anything.

SCRwM
Sep 17, 2012

Business of Ferrets posted:

Makes me wonder what he was trying to intercept before it got to the president.

Nothing like that. He just liked getting the mail.

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SCRwM
Sep 17, 2012

1of7 posted:

They have lots of self paced online training courses. I think you can also get access to Books24x7.

Initial IMS training is about 5 months. After you get to post, the amount of training you get will depend on your position, supervisor, post, funding, etc...

Generally, I think we are pretty lucky & have more training opportunities than most others.

Most of the training is Microsoft, but there are some more non-vendor, department specific classes too.

I would kind of figure that for IMS there would need/have to be more training opportunities given the nature of the job (ie technology is fluid).

The initial 5 months IMS training, does that include A-100 (3 mos I think?) and then an additional 2 for a total of 5? Or is it A-100 and then another 5 months IMS?

AKA Pseudonym posted:

Most classes our in-house rather than Microsoft or whatever, but those classes do exist and you get to take the test for free. Additional training is encouraged too, you can get 9% or 14% added to your pay by getting certain certifications.

And no, you aren't going to be doing much heavy work overseas as an IMS. But you might as an IMTS or maybe in a domestic position. And sometimes post needs or wants something special that neither DC or RIMC can help with much and you might need to figure it out on your own. Flexibility is the key here more than anything.

Thanks for confirming what I had heard (re heavy work). That's fine with me, I knew that going in to the position and I'm fine with "other duties as required". I can hang party streamers with the best of them!

AKA thanks for reminding me about the certification bump. I had actually forgotten about that until you posted it. Too bad what I currently have won't bump me up any initially.

I've always been a big fan of continuing education, so if I have opportunities to keep learning and what I learn can be applied to whatever I'm doing (perhaps DoS) then I'm really for it. Plus, I have my CISSP so I have CPE requirements I have to do in order to maintain the cert. I spent a long 3 months prepping for that beast so I don't want to loose it.

1of7 posted:

By the end of this tour, I will have had 1 week in Bangkok, 6 in Manila, 2 in DC, & probably 1 more in Frankfurt that isn't finalized yet.

So you've racked some serious FF miles in your first year. If you don't mind my asking, if you have a family, did they travel with you when you went "out" for training? If they stayed at home, how did the cope especially since this is your first duty location I believe?

SCRwM fucked around with this message at 14:53 on Jan 19, 2013

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