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In country now... Good times. Edit: Also the DS Agent position is open right now. I think I am going to take the FSOT sooner rather than later... TCD fucked around with this message at 13:04 on Oct 4, 2009 |
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Oct 4, 2009 12:58
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xanthig posted:
A few things... first, Vile has been to some shitstanias or close to it while in the FS.. have you? I mean, yes if you're going to take a chance at volunteer or do a wild expat living, then yes your outlook is mostly accurate. However, you still have things like power outages (oh hey generator is of fuel whoops) or hot water goes out. Etc. I mean, it's not cush living guaranteed as you will have to put up with some hardships. Also, pubbie tears... you do realize you're the public face of America when overseas right? I mean, stamping visas and denying people is part of the job, but enjoying that poo poo is pretty reprehensible when you are in their country. As for change? I will believe it when I see it. State changes slow... very very slow. Edit: Also writing this from a Cafe with internet, which I got an awesome case of food poisoning from last weekend... It's one of the few places we can get internet outside of work, because it takes a month or two to get internet to your residence. TCD fucked around with this message at 11:42 on Oct 10, 2009 |
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Oct 10, 2009 11:30
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xanthig posted:Why turn this into a dick measuring contest? My point is, what constitutes hardship living overseas can vary greatly depending on one's experience prior to joining the state department. ProdigalSon's post accurately describes the perspective many expats living in Shitstania have of DoS employees. It may or may not be true to reality, but when your experience in Shitstania is making GBS threads in ditches, eating only local fare for months on end and maybe occasionally meeting another american once in a while, life behind the embassy wall looks cushy. My whole point is that you're still going to have some hardship, and yes, you can find yourself making GBS threads in ditches if/when you're outside the walls for personal or work related reasons. I understand that some posters here do know what hardship is... others may not, especially if you've only traveled to first world countries. Also, USAID also looks like really great opportunity from my interactions with them.
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Oct 13, 2009 18:40
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Gravel Gravy posted:I was considering applying for that as something to fallback on. But I'm not to sure if I take that job if it would be a good stepping stone into a better position in the DoS later. When I was sitting on the tarmac the other day waiting for the plane to take off, myself and a coworker were talking about the courier job... There's a chance after a career of being a courier, that you'd see most of the world... But, it would pretty much be international airports. There are a lot of Specialist positions I'd like to do... that's not one of them.
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Oct 19, 2009 19:26
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Muzungu! Nothing like getting called out during an entire driving trip near the border of Burundi.
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Oct 25, 2009 11:15
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Vilerat posted:
Oh god Vile, you're getting another fresh wave of goons in the IMS track.
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Oct 27, 2009 18:31
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BLEEP BLOOP HURF DURF
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Vilerat posted:https://actapps.act.org/fsotresults/goLoggedIn.do Sorry dude Guess I should look into the Mustang route so I can not take the FSOT. TCD fucked around with this message at 20:19 on Oct 28, 2009 |
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Oct 28, 2009 20:14
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Vilerat posted:I failed so that others might pass! That's ok, I'm REALLY ENJOYING messing with this new SMART garbage I couldn't imagine just giving it all up. Haha, I'll hit you on Communicator tomorrow. /me crosses finger poo poo doesn't hit the fan.
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Oct 28, 2009 20:21
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Skandiaavity posted:Vilerat - I already spoke with Mark (and he was very helpful!), did you have any advice on what not to write for the IM position coming up? I went through the QEP IMS position last year.... I don't remember what I wrote exactly, but it worked. Just be honest, thoughtful, and have somebody proof what you wrote. Also, they do have that packet during the Oral Exam fyi.
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Oct 30, 2009 16:53
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AKA Pseudonym posted:Most people who join the Foreign Service have pretty impressive backgrounds when it comes to travel. I know people who've traveled all over China and not had a problem. It helps to have some identifiable purpose if your going to certain places though. Yearly two day "tourist" visits to Beijing and nowhere else would raise eyebrows. I liken it to something like confession. As AKA said about the travel, if you have a valid and plausible explanation, it will probably be ok. Now, for example, if you went to Afghanistan in 2000 and Pakistan in 2002 for "tourism" I'm guessing you'll need a really good explanation. (just a guess, I'm not in DS)
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Oct 31, 2009 09:09
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Vilerat posted:FYI all you NFL fans in nowhereville. Talk to your MGMT officer because the NFL is giving out free online sunday ticket feeds (one per post, so set up a group viewing) or field pass radio feeds. Already on it.
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Nov 1, 2009 21:19
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Vilerat posted:That's bullshit. Iraqistan jobs are purely volunteer at this point. Your first two tours are directed however, but they don't direct you to unaccompanied. I wouldn't throw that out there. We had a few posts that was unaccompanied for EFMs under 21.
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Nov 3, 2009 19:41
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Vilerat posted:Are those directed? I thought those were all volunteer only.I know Iraq/Afghanistan/Pakistan are volunteer only right now. My experiences earlier this year run contrary to what Vile and AKA are saying. We had unaccompanied posts(either under 21) or a few spots were no EFMs. These didn't necessarily have to be in Iraq/Afghanistan. Additionally, some of the posts were accompanied, but I know a few EFMs who made the choice to not accompany. The directed list isn't exactly sunshine and roses, and those with families tend to snag the "Londons". People coming in just need to be aware of this, and often, you'll only have 1-2 weeks during a very crazy time to figure out your country preference. Additionally, an OMS who came in with my class has already been through an evacuation.
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Nov 4, 2009 06:48
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Vilerat posted:Dear Vilerat, Oh gently caress man, that sucks... You're still the coolest FS person in my bookthose transitions are on the way right???? I got my HHE today! (does not include my other HHE sent from DC which has my TV and sound system.) 
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Nov 13, 2009 21:25
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AKA Pseudonym posted:For me it took a couple of months, my memory is pretty fuzzy though. It was the slowest part of the process in any event. 4-5 months for me to go from application submission to receiving invitation for oral exam. During that time, I had only a single instance of contact, and that was to clarify a point, and once I replied, it was back to the no contact phase. The hiring process is slow... TCD fucked around with this message at 17:17 on Nov 16, 2009 |
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Nov 16, 2009 17:12
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Omits-Bagels posted:Does the Foreign Service hire many MBAs? I'm thinking about an MBA but the Foreign Service looks really interesting. If the MBA makes it through the process... I have no idea if a MBA helps or hinders in the QEP. I'm really warming to the Econ side. One of the good things of being in IT. We see a lot of the different Embassy functions. But, being in IT is pretty fun so far, always poo poo to work on at a small shop. Also, VileRat is awesome. Much love from AF.
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Dec 3, 2009 18:21
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Pompous Rhombus posted:No word yet here either. TBH I've kinda almost forgotten about the position, got plenty of other things on my plate now (not that I wouldn't drop all of them for the courier job). Again, it took me a good 3-4 months before I heard anything.. then nothing, then something then nothing... Just be patient guys.. You'll hear eventually.
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Dec 7, 2009 22:05
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Business of Ferrets posted:CherryCola, are you going the specialist route or the generalist (FSO) route? Or do you have several candidacies in play? I'm not sure that specialists get the language bump; does anyone know? Specialists do get a language bump on your application package. We have a different point scale, so the scores are different but yes, you do get a bump as occasionally, specialists positions are lang designated.
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Dec 10, 2009 06:51
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Miss Fats posted:I really want to work in sub-saharan Africa. Maybe Uganda or Rwanda, etc. You're stressed, it's not going to be good for you. I applied to be a specialist on a whim, now I'm in Rwanda. Your chances are quite low getting all the way through on your first try. PC shouldn't be an issue for working in State. Also consider USAID.
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Dec 11, 2009 07:01
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Baby Babbeh posted:So what exactly is the relationship between the FS and the intelligence community? Obviously the state department is not part of the intelligence community, but someone mentioned earlier that you should be careful about going into the peace corps because it would preclude you from working in intelligence. Is Foreign Service->intelligence a common career path then? http://www.state.gov/s/inr/ quote:INR is a member of the U.S. intelligence community.
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Dec 25, 2009 10:08
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Glaukopis posted:How frequently are medical waivers issued? The Foreign Service website says they are rarely issued, and as a matter of common sense it seems unlikely that they'd consider issuing a waiver when there are plenty of candidates who can get a Class One medical clearance. I thought for sure I was going to be dqued, but, I got my class 1 and now I'm here in Central Africa...
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Dec 28, 2009 19:28
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CherryCola posted:I had been thinking that a small diamond on the side of the nose was not really that big of a deal anymore since pretty much every woman has one.. Thinking about it, I can't remember seeing any girls(or guys) who had a nose piercing. No non-standard piercings, no visible tattoos seems to be the SOP.
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Dec 29, 2009 07:01
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Pompous Rhombus posted:Not talking USAJobs, going by the positions offered on an embassy's HR page. (Or this could be specific to Thailand.) As Vile mentioned, Jobs advertised on Embassy websites are not FSO/FSS job advertisements. We have an internal bid program. Jobs offered on HR websites are typically LES (locally engaged staff). For example, I just interviewed and hired one of those types of advertisements, and the requirements was 4/4 in 4 languages. Now, I'm not sure our 4/4 is the same as getting 4/4 at FSI 
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Jan 13, 2010 06:58
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Vilerat posted:Yeah just as long as you don't think this is a way to transition into the Foreign Service. If you become a GS employee you still have to go through the normal hiring process if you want to become a FS employee. As Vile mentioned, all roads end up at the FSOA. I'm pretty sure that CEP is for Civil Service positions, and much like a Specialist, conversion to an Officer still has to take the Orals. There are ways once you are in to skip some parts of the QEP or the written exam, but you still have to take the Orals.
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Jan 15, 2010 06:48
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Homie S posted:DSS Cool
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Jan 16, 2010 23:48
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Skandiaavity posted:Word! You heading to Queen Anne then? Or jockeying for an overseas post? Just a FYI, the incoming agents in our Specialist class are pretty much told first two postings will be domestic. Now there are domestic postings that have a lot of overseas travel. Oversea postings are highly competitive amongst DSS. edit: typos TCD fucked around with this message at 06:40 on Jan 19, 2010 |
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Jan 18, 2010 23:13
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xanthig posted:What exactly does diplomatic security do? If they are not DS who are the "Security Officers" at foreign posts? Wait wha?
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Jan 20, 2010 21:19
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SWATJester posted:IIRC that is OPM. At least to an extent, it is done by DS @ State.
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Jan 21, 2010 06:32
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Vilerat posted:Secstate trips blow. That is all. I dunno, FAM/FAH arguments suck pretty hard.
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Jan 23, 2010 08:32
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Business of Ferrets posted:Just wanted to remind everyone that lots of people go through the Foreign Service Generalist hiring process (to one extent or another) multiple times before receiving a job offer. So don't be too dismissive if the process didn't work out this time. Skandiaavity posted:For the private sector comparison, I've heard that it's a all-in-one-Systems Administrator, including network and hardware - which is why it asks for the CISSP, MCSE, (or similar) certifications. So you'd be doing a little bit of everything. I would imagine you'd go through the ranks over again (seems common through federal agencies), start out doing grunt work and maybe ultimately end up managing an embassies's network? So yeah, I guess it could fall under "glorified IT support position". (could be wrong here..) Keep in mind, the IMS staff at an Embassy or Consulate can be anywhere from 1-9+ FTE. So, when its just 2 of you, and one goes on leave for a week, it's just you on the job for a month and you're running the comm section solo is a pretty interesting experience. You might get some grunt work, but at a small/med Embassy that's either understaffed or is growing at a pace that hasn't been reflected in IMS/IRM staffing patterns, you can really do it all such as meeting with local telcom officials, being in meetings on deciding best course of action of IT budgets, managing LES staff, hiring LES positions, pulling fiber, doing phone support, etc. TCD fucked around with this message at 18:11 on Jan 30, 2010 |
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Jan 30, 2010 18:02
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problematique posted:What does this mean? Hm? My reply back to Skaan was that IRM/IMS IT Americans (FTE) can be 1-9+ people at a Post, depending on the size Post. So, on your first tour, a month into the job, you can be acting Information Management Officer at a small/med Post. Or, at a large Post that's a pouch hub, you could be stuck working pouch all year long. It "depends". In other news, on my 3 day weekend, I get to work every single day. With two of the days being 5+ hour days.
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Jan 30, 2010 18:37
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problematique posted:
Depends on the team. Sometimes they have IMTS(State IRM technical people) along, but other times they can be all contractors. DoS IT is a mix of contractors, Civil Service, and Foreign Service.
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Jan 30, 2010 18:40
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problematique posted:IMS stuff. A few things, IPOs can be found at Embassies and ISOs can also report directly to the IMO and or the Mgt Officer. "Depends" essentially. Otherwise pretty accurate. Our bid list was 14 posts for 13 people, and a bureau axed a spot so it was 13/13. Depending on the class, you can essentially work out your picks ahead of time, and then nearly everyone gets their preference. Just a warning, if you're single, CDOs often won't consider you for Seoul but Lagos looks mighty good! I'm trying to get an all goon comm center. That would be hilarious.
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Feb 6, 2010 10:31
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problematique posted:
When I came in the requirements were different. I technically wouldn't qualify right now unless I snagged a few other certs. I'm a first tour IMS right now. Well, there was a few contentions for a few, but again, the single guy didn't get Seoul Our CDO made it clear that was going to be the case, but the dude still listed it #1. I was the only person to pick my Post as #1. It happens to be 25% hardship differential here in AF.
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Feb 6, 2010 17:54
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Vilerat posted:I'm in Montreal, I have a friend who's in Kigali. That person might want to leave Kigali after 3 years whether or not I'm really ready to leave a nice place. Thems the breaks!  I'm leaving in under 20 months. Doesn't matter if I see the gorillas, go to Uganda, or see the Serengeti, or deal with a bazillion VIP visits, my rear end is off to a different Post in a year and a half. I also just got like 20 hours of OT/comp time in the past week so party on. The general rule of thumb for both Specialists and Generalists is first two tours of 2 years each, and then 2-4 year tours after that. The average tour seems to be around 3 years, with tougher places being a year (unaccompanied), 2 years (in a tough spot with your family) or 3 years (average tour) and lastly 4 years (you extended because Bern is pretty sweet). You will not be serving 5+ years at a post unless you hit the DoS lottery.
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Feb 8, 2010 22:45
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Skandiaavity posted:I'm not in State (yet A few things. The general nomenclature that we seem to use is to refer to hardships as Posts with hardship differential (most of Africa, etc) Generally speaking, there's a cut off of I think 15% differential or more is considered a "hardship". Posts in Iraq or Stans are referred to as unaccompanied. They almost always have Post differential (hardship pay) and danger pay. The FS is part of the excepted service and is up or out. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excepted_Service
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Feb 10, 2010 06:52
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Hope the people in HR won't mind, since it's a snow week :P
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xanthig posted:I noticed a lot of the practice hypothetical questions for the OA relate to enforcement of the rules. What is the culture at State like in this regard. Hahahhahahaha, that's good.
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Feb 15, 2010 10:14
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SWATJester posted:Oh dude, your hotel is in a pretty rad location. L st. is (obviously) 1 block north of K st. which is the big law/politics/business corridor; accordingly, all up and down K st. there are restaurants ranging from fast food to cafes, to nice dinners. You can easily find breakfast there.
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Feb 24, 2010 19:53
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Miss Fats posted:Did you get my reply to your PM? Yeah give me a few to respond. Pretty busy at work and at home right now.
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Feb 25, 2010 06:38
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Vilerat posted:They don't really take into consideration that people need to actually live in some of these places sometimes. Yeah I wouldn't need french to do my job in N'djamena but it would really help for our quality of life. I think it's a valid gripe that they don't really care about but in the grand scheme it's a small gripe. Ordering via phrase book can be fun! It's a bitch sometimes though when you want something simple and easily attainable but just can't figure out the words. In Cotonou I ordered a beer. I got a bottle of beer but I saw people with fresh draft beer and tried pointing, tried making pouring motions with a lever, tried using sound effects to show that I wanted a draft beer, no luck. Then some french guy who was laughing at me explained "Biere Pression" so I said it and sure enough there's my beer. This job owns.
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Feb 28, 2010 20:39
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