US Department of State is hiring (again)

devilbones

ougijoe wrote: »

Thank you all for posting all of this information. I made it through the OA, medical, and the background investigation (As far as I can tell... they stopped asking questions about a month ago). How were you all notified about your suitability board results? Was there any correspondence prior to that?

When did you apply?

ougijoe

Applied Dec 2015.

josephandre

those of you already employed (or previously) what are some of your favorite / worst assignments? If you're comfortable saying.

greg9891

sounds Interesting..........

7lowe

josephandre wrote: »

those of you already employed (or previously) what are some of your favorite / worst assignments? If you're comfortable saying.

All have had some good and bad aspects and overall I've enjoyed them all. I guess Lisbon is my favorite so far.

Hafssol

I have a question regarding the minimum qualifications. I have two BA degrees and a MA in a non-IT related field. I also have an AAS in an IT and Network+ and CCNA certifications. I do have 2 years of IT work experience. According to the requirements listed here: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/444265500, I don't meet the minimum qualifications. I do qualify for the job according to the information provided on this website: https://careers.state.gov/work/foreign-service/specialist/career-track-quiz/ims. Do you think that I should give it a shot?

Techytach

Hafssol wrote: »

I have a question regarding the minimum qualifications. I have two BA degrees and a MA in a non-IT related field. I also have an AAS in an IT and Network+ and CCNA certifications. I do have 2 years of IT work experience. According to the requirements listed here: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/444265500, I don't meet the minimum qualifications. I do qualify for the job according to the information provided on this website: https://careers.state.gov/work/foreign-service/specialist/career-track-quiz/ims. Do you think that I should give it a shot?

Do you have 5 hours? Half serious really. It comes down to do you want to take the time. I think there is a chance based on what I've read, especially if you have any language skills or ties to multiculturalism.

7lowe

Is the two years experience in the last 3 years? If so, it sounds like you'd almost qualify under "Bachelor’s degree or higher in any major, a minimum of two years of IT work experience in the past three years, and one of the approved IT certifications (link below)."

CCNA isn't listed, but A+ and Network+ is so you could get the A+ if you wanted to be sure, but it might be worth a shot without it. They used to have a matrix for the qualifications and I'm pretty sure you would've qualified under that system so it's probably worth a shot.

Hafssol

@Techytech

It's going to be hard to find 5 hours but if it's worth it... it's worth it My Master's is in Slavic languages and I lived in four countries.

@7lowe

Yes, the two years experience is in the last 3 years and I am currently working in the IT field. It's such a bummer that CCNA isn't listed. I might go ahead and apply this weekend without getting the A+.

Techytach

I also do not understand why the CCNA isn't listed...

rwmidl

josephandre wrote: »

those of you already employed (or previously) what are some of your favorite / worst assignments? If you're comfortable saying.

I'm only on my second tour so I'd need to finish this one before I can say.

devilbones

rwmidl wrote: »

I'm only on my second tour so I'd need to finish this one before I can say.

I have been to about 75 Embassies in the North South America, Europe, Africa and Asia. I cant think of one that I wouldnt like to work at. Can you say where you are?

josephandre

pretty cool.

i applied

rwmidl

devilbones wrote: »

I have been to about 75 Embassies in the North South America, Europe, Africa and Asia. I cant think of one that I wouldnt like to work at. Can you say where you are?

I'll just say I've served in a former Soviet Republic and now I'm somewhere in the South Pacific.

Cyberscum

Huge pay cut, but what the hell. Sounds sweet and I put my name in the hat.

Thanks for the info OP

devilbones

rwmidl wrote: »

I'll just say I've served in a former Soviet Republic and now I'm somewhere in the South Pacific.

I was the tech for the DAO. I wonder if we have ever met.

rwmidl

devilbones wrote: »

I was the tech for the DAO. I wonder if we have ever met.

I know I met one tech when I was in Europe. My whole tour they were trying to get you guys to Post to work on issues.

devilbones

rwmidl wrote: »

I know I met one tech when I was in Europe. My whole tour they were trying to get you guys to Post to work on issues.

I was out of Stuttgart from 2005-2009 and in Boston from 2009-2012. When I left another contractor took over, split our little team in half and the gov took over the travel.

josephandre

So just to get a better understanding of the process, the job closes and at some point in the future you get an update on your status , and if favorable after (on average) a few months you are contacted?

Nyblizzard

The process certainly takes a few months just to get contacted for an interview in DC

7lowe

Yeah, I forget exactly when I submitted my app and didn't remember getting any notice about being forwarded for consideration but I got invited to the interview somewhere between 4-6 months after applying.

ougijoe

Echo what 7lowe said, I was invited to the OA several months after I applied. Additionally, as you progress through the hiring process you're not informed where you are or how you're progressing. Once you are put on the register OR they end your candidacy, you'll be informed.

Interesting and frustrating process, for sure.

josephandre

that's hilarious, in an absolutely non-hilarious sort of way. guess i'll just forget about it and be surprised when/if something pops up.

thanks for the details. good luck everyone

7lowe

josephandre wrote: »

that's hilarious, in an absolutely non-hilarious sort of way. guess i'll just forget about it and be surprised when/if something pops up.

No joke, I got the invite and was like "What the hell is the Foreign Service?" (When I applied I was applying for literally every IT job on USAJobs.gov that I even remotely qualified for.)

Nyousaf

For those who are currently are IMS and or those who have passed the OA,

Any tips on how to answer the questions during the Structured Interview and if the memo should list a resolution for each issue presented in the scenario? How did you all structure your answers? I had an opportunity that I blew last year and missed the cutoff by .05 points and I know it was both the memo and SI.

Thanks
Nadeem

Kalabaster

JoJoCal19, they do higher up do the GS 13-14 pay band for Infosec positions, but there aren't many of these spots around and often requires knowing someone to get in. The Paybands go higher once you're in, but I know for a fact they do hire for GS-13 spots. Keep an eye out on USAJOBs for that.

Nyousaf

I forgot to add that 7lowe, and others who have contributed to the answers, thank you thank you and thank you. I think i spent a couple hours this weekend reading all your post from like 2012 i think regarding the IMS opportunity and all of the details. hope to hear from you all soon

josephandre

You guys get contacted?

ougijoe

Kalabaster wrote: »

JoJoCal19, they do higher up do the GS 13-14 pay band for Infosec positions, but there aren't many of these spots around and often requires knowing someone to get in. The Paybands go higher once you're in, but I know for a fact they do hire for GS-13 spots. Keep an eye out on USAJOBs for that.

Spot on, but the "who you know" factor is huge when it comes to pretty much all Fed openings, even those GS-9 and 10s.

ougijoe

Just received my invite for the January class.