Foreign Service Consular Fellow - Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese, and/or Spanish Proficiency

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

General knowledge of the United States, including customs and culture, society, trends, history, economy, government, political system, and the Constitution.

Skill in written and oral communication, including English grammar and usage, techniques for effective interpersonal communication, techniques for handling interviews, complaints, sources of information, and public speaking ability.

General skills in computers, including computer operations, common office software programs (e.g., Microsoft), e-mail systems, internet.  The Department will provide successful applicants with training on specialized Consular software applications.

General subject matter, including psychology and human behavior, interacting with individuals undergoing stress.  Basic mathematics.

Required language fluency as outlined above.

Other Information:  *The Department of State Suitability Review Panel and its standards are described in Chapter 3 of the Foreign Affairs Manual.  For more information please visit:  Home Page : Foreign Affairs Manual (state.gov).  **Please visit the Department of State’s Careers website for more information about Veteran’s Preference and how it is applied in the FS Selection Process. 

E-Verify: EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION PROGRAM (E-Verify) – U.S. law requires organizations to employ only individuals who may legally work in the United States – 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. 

No applicant will be considered who has previously been separated from the Foreign Service under sections 607, 608, 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 applicant 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. 
 
Executive Branch agencies are barred by 5 U.S.C. § 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.C. § 3110, relatives of federal employees cannot be granted preference in competing for these employment opportunities, and employees may not influence or participate in the hiring process of a relative. 
 
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—whether based on race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, and pregnancy), national origin, disability, genetic information, age, political affiliation, marital status, or other non-merit factors—and retaliation. 
 
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.