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Haha. Oh as to pictures in the cube... Maybe. Usually you'll be fine, but you might have to jump through a few hoops.
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Mar 17, 2013 15:49
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Does anyone have any insight regarding this: If you get an offer for a job as a specialist and then turn it down, what are the odds of ever getting another interview/spot on the register/offer?
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Mar 17, 2013 22:18
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The Moon Monster posted:Does anyone have any insight regarding this: If you get an offer for a job as a specialist and then turn it down, what are the odds of ever getting another interview/spot on the register/offer? Don't think it impacts it at all. However, with the budget situation as it is, I've heard of hiring freezes at other agencies, so, who knows what DoS will do.
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Mar 17, 2013 22:24
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SCRwM - it all depends on where you're going. Soem places you may want to stockpile, other places you can buy things readily available.
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Mar 18, 2013 00:19
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Obelisk -- it's not comparable to big law at all. You'll probably work more than 40 hours, and may miss dinner from time to time, depending on the job. For instance, in consular, you will probably not be staying late for most work, but you may find yourself on call for after-hours American Citizen Services duty. As a political officer you won't have that, but you may be duty officer from time to time, or you may stay later occasionally to get that cable finished and out the door by deadline. But in general, the hours are MUCH better. Your weekends are largely free too. As you get more senior, you may end up working later hours, but even then it's still manageable. At my post, the main reason that anyone stays late is usually because of the time zone difference, in order to accommodate a conference call to the US. Even for other reasons, people are usually home by 6 and rarely at work later than 7. Like everything else in the FS, "It Depends", but generally speaking I would not be worried about comparing this workload with biglaw.
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Mar 18, 2013 09:02
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Just submitted my PNQs for the third time. Third time's the charm, right? Right? Bueller? Many thanks to those of you that read my narratives and gave me some very, very good feedback.
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Mar 19, 2013 22:20
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Just submitted my PNQs! Thanks again to Business of Ferrets and the_chavi for reviewing them. The fast turnaround was great too - I had tons of time left over at the end to carefully tweak them with your suggestions. Now to hurry up and wait two months...
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Mar 20, 2013 05:48
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Well, time to give this another go. Two things: 1) if I get PMs would anyone mind looking at my PNQs as well (IMS) and 2) I'm not too far into my first federal position. I know the lateral transfer time is 90 days. Does that mean 90 days (from my EoD obviously) to apply for anything new or 90 days until I can start the new position? The hiring process will take well beyond the portion of my 90 days that I have left.
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Mar 21, 2013 04:28
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AgentSythe posted:Well, time to give this another go. Two things: 1) if I get PMs would anyone mind looking at my PNQs as well (IMS) and 2) I'm not too far into my first federal position. I know the lateral transfer time is 90 days. Does that mean 90 days (from my EoD obviously) to apply for anything new or 90 days until I can start the new position? The hiring process will take well beyond the portion of my 90 days that I have left. 1) Currently in-between clearance and the IMS register. I can look over and give some pointers on the PNQ. 2) You can apply whenever you want, to whatever you want, for any vacancy announcements announced to the general public, which all specialist vacancies are (well, besides needing to be a US citizen). Those weird rules would come into play for internal transfers or vacancies only open to status candidates. In any case, the only unique thing you should be aware of coming from civil service is the pay match rules; after 90 days at your current job, you're locked into a match at your GS rate. If you live in DC as a GS (like me) you're a special little snowflake and get to include DC locality with the match. http://www.washingtonpost.com/polit...ry.html?hpid=z1 Well, for better or for worse, assuming the House passes the CR bill, we should be finally getting some clarity if a July specialist class will exist. Also not sure if anyone has been following the IA budget proccess for FY2014 (http://www.usglc.org/2013/03/19/international-affairs-budget-update-3-18-13/) but the Senate version is asking for a 9.6% increase and the House, a 7% cut, from sequester levels  . Maybe everyone can just  and meet halfway with a 1.3% increase
problematique fucked around with this message at 06:09 on Mar 21, 2013 |
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Mar 21, 2013 05:40
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I experienced very different. You will not get locality pay as you are considered a local hire, unless your first post is D.C. They will match it, or try to give you a step up, but you don't actually get it. Keep in mind if you are like a GS-13/14/15 (functional equiv. to FS-3) and apply you automatically get downgraded to the base FS-5. Without political appointment, everyone starts at FS-5, or in rare cases, bumped to a low 4. you don't get downgraded if you have a Permanent Change of Station, though. edit: usual it depends disclaimer, as someone likely has other experience Skandiaavity fucked around with this message at 10:37 on Mar 21, 2013 |
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Mar 21, 2013 10:34
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problematique posted:1) Currently in-between clearance and the IMS register. I can look over and give some pointers on the PNQ. I'm still pretty hopeful there will be at least 1 more Specialist class this year.
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Mar 21, 2013 13:49
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This year, yes; this FY, maybe.
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Mar 21, 2013 20:40
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problematique posted:This year, yes; this FY, maybe. I sadly just started the app process for the current vacancy. At least there won't be any life complications that keep me on DNC for 14 months this time around.
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Mar 21, 2013 22:00
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Not sure if anyone has discussed this but what are the pros/cons of going to 'tenure' status (other than if you don't in 4? years you are canned)? I feel like there are rules around overtime in other agencies but this may not apply here.
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Mar 21, 2013 22:44
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problematique posted:This year, yes; this FY, maybe. I think we will see one this FY. Of course I may be overly optimistic....
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Mar 21, 2013 22:55
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deemickgee posted:Not sure if anyone has discussed this but what are the pros/cons of going to 'tenure' status (other than if you don't in 4? years you are canned)? I feel like there are rules around overtime in other agencies but this may not apply here. Differs for generalists and specialists. No cons that I can think of for specialists.
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Mar 22, 2013 00:08
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Skandiaavity posted:I experienced very different. You will not get locality pay as you are considered a local hire, unless your first post is D.C. I think we're talking about two different things. Once you start, yes, you lose DC locality pay (you are considered overseas) AND you don't qualify for TDY pay however for the purposes of matching pay when starting you include your GS base pay + DC locality. I thought the GS pay match rules were pretty clear, did you have a different experience? Hopefully I won't have to fight to explain this to HR.
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Mar 22, 2013 00:12
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Even if it's higher, I'll wager you will probably start as a 5-14. I know some folks started at a low 4, but that was because of advanced degrees, position, etc. (it depends) If you are a GS-13 (equiv. FS-3), I believe you will not start as a FS-3. You will lose some of that and enter as a FS-5 step 14. for your second point, not exactly. You aren't really considered overseas (you won't get your post differential until you actually arrive AT post), you're just a local hire and will receive base pay. Everyone from out of town gets all the benefits :P
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Mar 22, 2013 00:35
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Skandiaavity posted:Even if it's higher, I'll wager you will probably start as a 5-14. I know some folks started at a low 4, but that was because of advanced degrees, position, etc. (it depends) If you are a GS-13 (equiv. FS-3), I believe you will not start as a FS-3. You will lose some of that and enter as a FS-5 step 14. Yeah, if you're talking about IMSs that's right. Every specialty and generalists come in at different levels depending on the opening. Initially I was supposed to come in as a FP6, but they changed it to FP5. It all depends. 
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Mar 22, 2013 00:48
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deemickgee posted:Not sure if anyone has discussed this but what are the pros/cons of going to 'tenure' status (other than if you don't in 4? years you are canned)? I feel like there are rules around overtime in other agencies but this may not apply here. For generalists, it means you work on a different EER sheet (for promotions), that you can potentially return if you resign (and not have to go through the FSOT process all over again), I believe it is more difficult to fire you (maybe not, but definitely in practice if not on paper). You stop being eligible for overtime, instead you get comp time (untenured employees can get either). Maybe some other things I'm not thinking of at the moment. BoF and the_chavi would know more, having gone through it.
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Mar 22, 2013 12:20
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Diplomaticus posted:For specialists, it means you work on a different EER sheet (for promotions), that you can potentially return if you resign (and not have to go through the full hire process all over again), I believe it is more difficult to fire you (maybe not, but definitely in practice if not on paper). You still get overtime or comptime - your choice. Some of the programs like Mustang are now available. Fixed the quote for us specialists. Basically, there’s zero downside for a specialist being tenured. TCD fucked around with this message at 14:30 on Mar 22, 2013 |
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Mar 22, 2013 14:20
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Hey FS hopefuls: there's a new app that DoS just launched for Android and iOS called DoSCareers that's supposed to be a full suite of information regarding all aspects of joining the Foreign Service. I haven't tried it yet, but from their description it sounds pretty comprehensive and dead useful.DoS Announcement posted:We’re pleased to announce the release of DOSCareers, a new mobile app designed for aspiring Foreign Service candidates and others seeking to familiarize themselves with diplomatic careers. This app offers essential information right at your fingertips: Foreign Service Specialist and Officer career path descriptions, videos of employees in specific career tracks, sample questions from prior Foreign Service Officer Tests (FSOTs), an overview of the selection and hiring processes, links to a variety of free study resource applications, and links to Diplomats in Residence (DIRs) and recruitment events.
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Mar 22, 2013 20:26
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It's funny that they have all these new apps and stuff and we can't use anything close once you're in 
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Mar 22, 2013 20:43
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Hey, we have a person in the lawyer tread wants to be an FSO and things going 200k in debt at columbia Law is the right way to do it. Would you guys like to join us in tell him to run away?
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Mar 23, 2013 19:42
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nm posted:Hey, we have a person in the lawyer tread wants to be an FSO and things going 200k in debt at columbia Law is the right way to do it. Would you guys like to join us in tell him to run away? I didn't say that was the right way to do it (I'm that guy). I was inclined to think it wasn't worth it at all; it was a question of whether, by the same logic, a public policy school was worth it. I've already said I'm probably going to reapply next year to some schools that provide better funding, or not go to school at all. I'm a dead and thoroughly beaten horse... no need for more. Atican fucked around with this message at 21:37 on Mar 23, 2013 |
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Mar 23, 2013 21:35
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nm posted:Hey, we have a person in the lawyer tread wants to be an FSO and things going 200k in debt at columbia Law is the right way to do it. Would you guys like to join us in tell him to run away? That amount of debt... not sure how it will impact the security clearance part. Edit:^^^^ Peace Corps will probably give you a similar amount of things to talk about on the QEP and orals as compared to a graduate degree. TCD fucked around with this message at 05:50 on Mar 24, 2013 |
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Mar 24, 2013 05:12
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For what its worth, the school you're from doesn't really matter. Columbia is a fairly good law school, so they have higher levels of expectation when it comes to writing things in certain perspectives. That may help you during the FSOA/PN/QEP process. 200k in debt shouldn't disqualify you from a clearance, especially for a higher education degree at a well-known uni. If it's a student loan and you're trying to actively repay it, it's very understandable. People go into debt for school all the time, it's pretty easy to mitigate. Mind you, if you're 200k in debt because of something other than student loans, that's a different story. Sadly, I don't know much about employment post law school to comment on public policy or other life decisions. They usually want some specialized experience, so a JD might get an interview but it's not an assurance.
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Mar 24, 2013 13:45
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Representative of a foreign government here. I have to choose between Riyadh and Kuwait for my next posting (which begins in July) and I was wondering whether anyone out there had recent experience of living in either place? I'd be grateful for any advice/perspectives on living conditions.
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Mar 24, 2013 14:35
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possible to disclose which government? it could help.
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Mar 24, 2013 15:18
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So this is a thing now. From STATE 28850 (ALDACS)quote:-------------------------------------------------------- It would be wrong if we didn't push for a goon getting this.
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Mar 25, 2013 13:10
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Apparently there is now a new program where spouses of FSOs are eligible for up to $2,500 in reimbursements for professional development programs. This includes things like CLEs (PDUs, etc.) and professional education requirements, distance learning, conference participation, etc. If I am reading the thing right, it appears to be only for spouses of US Direct Hire employees serving overseas under Chief of Mission authority, and you are responsible for the first 25% before the department kicks in the rest. Posts that are Historically Difficult to Staff, or that lack a bilateral work agreement get priority. May 15 deadline, subject to budget considerations, yada yada. Also WTF, Baghdad is considered an HDS post? Leif. fucked around with this message at 13:29 on Mar 25, 2013 |
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Mar 25, 2013 13:27
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EER time...
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Mar 25, 2013 13:42
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Diplomaticus posted:Apparently there is now a new program where spouses of FSOs are eligible for up to $2,500 in reimbursements for professional development programs. This includes things like CLEs (PDUs, etc.) and professional education requirements, distance learning, conference participation, etc. If I am reading the thing right, it appears to be only for spouses of US Direct Hire employees serving overseas under Chief of Mission authority, and you are responsible for the first 25% before the department kicks in the rest. Posts that are Historically Difficult to Staff, or that lack a bilateral work agreement get priority. May 15 deadline, subject to budget considerations, yada yada. This has been around for some time, and it is a good deal for those who qualify. At a previous post, one spouse used the funding to get certified as a professional fitness trainer. That's pretty cool, and a great portable career option. Diplomaticus posted:Also WTF, Baghdad is considered an HDS post? One of the main reasons Baghdad has such a high fill rate is that no other assignments are allowed to be made until the DGHR certifies that AIP is "filled." Also, every year HR quietly threatens to direct Iraq, etc., assignments, if there aren't enough volunteers (there have always been enough volunteers, though some people have essentially been "voluntold.")
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Mar 25, 2013 13:52
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Business of Ferrets posted:One of the main reasons Baghdad has such a high fill rate is that no other assignments are allowed to be made until the DGHR certifies that AIP is "filled." Also, every year HR quietly threatens to direct Iraq, etc., assignments, if there aren't enough volunteers (there have always been enough volunteers, though some people have essentially been "voluntold.") Huh. Makes sense I suppose.
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Mar 25, 2013 14:05
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I had one of those days today.  EER time didn't make it any better.
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Mar 25, 2013 14:19
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On one of the cheesy State career videos overviewing IMS careers the lady said her first posting was Pakistan. I thought AIP was only open to tenured folk? Can officers or specialist be assigned AIP right out of FSI?
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Mar 25, 2013 14:37
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problematique posted:On one of the cheesy State career videos overviewing IMS careers the lady said her first posting was Pakistan. I thought AIP was only open to tenured folk? Can officers or specialist be assigned AIP right out of FSI? Well, Pakistan is a latecomer to the priority staffing game. Only because Holbrooke was jealous of the benefits and perks going to Afghanistan and Iraq staffing. Can't blame the guy, though Pak is fundamentally different from the active war zones the others are/were. There are plenty of dangerous places out there, and first-tour officers wind up at most of them.
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Mar 25, 2013 14:55
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problematique posted:On one of the cheesy State career videos overviewing IMS careers the lady said her first posting was Pakistan. I thought AIP was only open to tenured folk? Can officers or specialist be assigned AIP right out of FSI? I can't speak for generalists or other specialists, but it is extremely common for untenured DS agents to both TDY and PCS to AIP and other high-threat posts.
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Mar 25, 2013 15:28
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Bruxism posted:I can't speak for generalists or other specialists, but it is extremely common for untenured DS agents to both TDY and PCS to AIP and other high-threat posts. Pretty much an expectation these days.
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Mar 25, 2013 20:36
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Not exactly a Foreign Service question, but it is still State Department related. I'm looking at job postings on Usajobs for vaccancies for Foreign Affairs Officer. Is it really as easy taking the Civil Service exam and applying for a vacancy? And does anyone have experience as/working with Foreign Affairs Officers?
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Mar 26, 2013 02:35
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