Careers

SECURITY TECHNICAL SPECIALIST

Grade and Starting Salary Range:
FP-06/1: $35,265-$51,788 per annum

Additional Benefits: Tax-Free Housing overseas; Locality Pay for domestic assignments; Tax-Free Educational Allowance for eligible dependents, etc. (See "Benefits Package" brochure for more information.)

Number of Vacancies: The Department of State is developing a rank-order List on the Register to fill a limited number of Foreign Service Security Technical Specialist (STS) vacancies. The specific number to be hired will depend on the needs of the Foreign Service.

Area of Consideration: All sources

Location: Initial assignment will be to Foreign Service posts throughout the world where Security Technical Specialists are assigned, Department of State facilities in the Washington, DC area, or Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Initial orientation and training will be conducted in the Washington, DC area.

All potential applicants are strongly urged to read this entire vacancy announcement to ensure that they meet all of the requirements for this position and that they fully understand the special circumstances involving a career in the Foreign Service before applying. All applicants must be American citizens and at least 20 years old to apply and at least 21 years of age to be appointed. By law, all career candidates must be appointed to the Foreign Service prior to the month which they reach 60.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Foreign Service Security Technical Specialists (STSs) are support personnel within the Bureau of Diplomatic Security who assist in worldwide technical security programs. These programs provide protection for Department of State facilities and personnel from technical espionage, acts of terrorism, and crime. In this protection effort, sophisticated electronic and electromechanical security systems are used throughout the world, which include: intrusion detection systems (IDS), closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems, vehicular and pedestrian access control systems, metal detectors, and explosive detection systems. STS personnel report to Security Engineering Officers (SEOs) who provide overall program management on technical security matters Department-wide. The mission of STS personnel is accomplished through the performance of some or all of the following functions or tasks:

* Repair of technical security systems
* Preventative maintenance of technical security systems
* Verification-of-operation tests of technical security systems
* Use of sophisticated electronic test equipment: oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, etc.
* Bench repair to the component level of defective technical security system equipment
* Equipment Logistics - shipping, receiving, Bill-of-Materials (BOM) preparation
* Equipment Inventory - tracking, spare parts, ordering
* Organizing workshops, shop tools, equipment, parts, and supplies
* Installing technical security system equipment and components
* Travel to overseas embassies and consulates
* Assisting Security Engineering Officers with surveys, system specifications, and installations
* Working with host country personnel (local nationals) when required
* Testing new-generation technical security equipment
* Assisting in technical aspects of criminal investigations
* Assisting in the technical security support rendered to the Secretary of State

In the execution of any of these duties and tasks, STS personnel may frequently be required to:

* Work in confined areas such as crawlspaces, attics, utility pits, tunnels, manholes, and other confined spaces
* Work from heights to include rooftops, ledges, bucket trucks, scaffolding, and extension ladders
* Perform manual installation operations to include hammer drilling, core drilling, pulling wire, running conduit, and terminating cable
* Move heavy objects (hundreds of pounds) such as crates, building materials, motor-generators
* Travel and work in hostile environments such as war zones, areas of civil and political strife, and in regions of the world having extreme climates

I. A CAREER IN THE FOREIGN SERVICE

The Department of State is seeking Foreign Service Security Technical Specialists to serve at U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide. Candidates must agree not only to serve at any U.S. diplomatic or consular post abroad, but also at domestic locations such as the Department of State in Washington, DC, and the Florida Regional Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The Foreign Service is more than a job - it's a career. As a member of a diplomatic team, you will not only help to accomplish the mission of the Department of State, but you will also be a representative of your country to the people of other nations. A career in the Foreign Service involves uncommon commitments and occasional hardships, as well as unique rewards and opportunities. A decision to enter this career involves unusual motivation, a firm dedication to public service, and a clear understanding of the high level of travel required.

Many overseas posts are in small or remote countries where harsh climates, health hazards, and other discomforts exist, and where American-style amenities frequently are unavailable. Travel to and from some locations may involve hardships, and oftentimes, personal inconvenience. However, careers in the Foreign Service offer special rewards, including the pride and satisfaction of representing the United States and protecting U.S. interests abroad.

The Foreign Service strives to maintain diversity in the representation of gender, geographic regions, race, and ethnicity.

II. FOREIGN SERVICE SELECTION PROCESS

The Foreign Service selection process is lengthy, multi-staged, and highly competitive due to the limited number of appointments available. It commences upon receipt of the candidate's application materials and will continue until the candidate is placed on a register (a process which can take as long as 18 months) or is determined to be less competitive than other applicants, in which case the candidacy is terminated.

Initial Review

A completed application package must contain the materials listed in Section V of this Vacancy Announcement. Materials submitted become the property of the Department of State and will not be returned. An application may be terminated whenever any materials do not meet the eligibility requirements for employment in the Foreign Service.

III. THE SECURITY TECHNICAL SPECIALIST CAREER

Foreign Service Security Technical Specialists not only are assigned to embassies and consulates abroad, but also to the Department of State in Washington, DC, and the Florida Regional Center in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Newly appointed Security Technical Specialists are normally assigned to one of the Engineering Services Centers (ESCs) located at various embassies and consulates throughout the world. Future assignments are made in consultation with the employee, taking into consideration the needs of the Department, the particular interests/skills of the employee, career development requirements, family circumstances, and individual preferences.

These ESCs are regional technical security support centers that coordinate the technical security programs of the various U.S. embassies and consulates located in nearby countries. The personnel at an ESC consist of Security Engineering Officers (SEO), Security Technical Specialists (STS), US Navy Seabees, and administrative support staff. STS personnel are assigned to a team led by an SEO and are given specific duties and responsibilities. In the performance of their duties, STS personnel may be required to travel from their normal duty station up to 50% of the time. Generally, this temporary duty travel lasts 5-10 days, with some trips occasionally lasting up to 6-8 weeks.

During domestic assignments, STS personnel continue in their support role in the technical security field through involvement in worldwide programs involving logistics, equipment maintenance, Secretary of State support, and overseas operations. In addition, STS personnel assist in technical security support to the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in New York, and to the various regional offices located throughout the United States. A domestic assignment may also involve some periods of overseas travel.

Prior to their initial assignment, which is normally a two-year tour of duty, each new Security Technical Specialist will complete several months of specialized training. Follow-on assignments will also include any needed training.

INITIAL CAREER DEVELOPMENT ASSIGNMENTS

Domestic Assignments - A Security Technical Specialist assigned to a domestic position will be a team member of a group dedicated to a functional area within the Bureau of Diplomatic Security. Functional areas include:

* Domestic Technical Security
* Systems Development and Evaluations
* Secretary of State Support
* Criminal Investigations Support
* Overseas Support

Overseas Assignments - A Security Technical Specialist assigned to an overseas position will serve as a security technician at any of the Engineering Services Offices or Engineering Services Centers located at U.S. diplomatic or consular posts around the world. While working at Foreign Service posts, Security Technical Specialists are supervised by Security Engineering Officers and perform some or all of the duties described earlier.

Both overseas and domestic assignments may require frequent travel and some long-term temporary duty.

INITIAL SALARY AND SALARY INCREASES

Initial base salary upon appointment will be within the FP-06 pay grade. The specific step within this grade depends on experience level and salary history, and will be determined at the time of a conditional offer of employment. The entry-level salary for Federal civilian employees will be set at the rate, within the Foreign Service FP-06 grade, that is nearest to their previous base salary, provided the work performed in their previous position is relevant to the activities of a Foreign Service Security Technical Specialist.
Grade Level Salary Range Education Required Specialized Experience
FP-06/1 $35,265- $51,788 High School Diploma (required) 3 years

STS personnel will be administratively (i.e., non-competitively) promoted to the FP-05 level after one year of satisfactory performance, and to the FP-04 level after an additional 18 months of satisfactory performance. Security Technical Specialists are considered for further promotion annually in competition with others in their specialty. Positions of increasingly higher responsibility are achieved as a result of successfully competing for promotions which are earned through quality performance.

IV. QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

In addition to the general requirements for employment in the Foreign Service explained further in the supplemental brochure, "Information and Benefits for Foreign Service Specialists," each applicant must possess the required specialized experience as outlined below. Applicants must also possess a high school diploma or equivalent, and hold a valid driver's license. Each applicant must pass an oral assessment examination. This examination will be conducted following successful completion of the initial review stage and the qualifications evaluations review process. Only the competitive candidates will be invited to take the oral assessment examination.

Applicants will be advised of the specific examination dates and location of the place where the entire process will be administered. Travel to and from the examination site will be at the expense of the candidates. On the examination date selected, the candidate must personally appear and competitively pass the qualifications evaluations review process. Applicants will be afforded 70 minutes to complete the qualifications evaluations review process. The competitive applicants will be invited to participate in an oral assessment examination.

Applicants who are competitive in the qualifications review process and the oral assessment examination will be placed on the Eligible to Hire List for the Security Technical Specialist position. Before a candidate is hired he/she must undergo a thorough background investigation to determine eligibility for a security clearance. A thorough medical examination to determine eligibility for a medical clearance is also required. Prior to appointment, a candidate must be determined to be suitable for Foreign Service employment by a Final Review Panel.

DESIRED EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE

* An associate's degree in any electronics specialty
* Vocational or military training in any electronics specialty
* Formal job-related classroom training, equipment manufacturers' schools, etc.

REQUIRED SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE

Applicants for this position must have a demonstrated ability to troubleshoot and repair electronic, electrical, and/or electromechanical systems and equipment, evidenced by work experience in this discipline for three years or more.

DESIRED SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE

Desired areas of expertise include the following:

* Reading, interpreting, and drawing electrical, electronic, and electromechanical schematic diagrams
* Reading and interpreting building plans (blueprints)
* AC power distribution systems, motor-generators
* Motors, motor controls, disconnects, relays
* Low voltage DC electronic systems
* Low voltage DC electromechanical systems
* Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems
* Use, repair, and/or calibration of electronic test equipment - meters, oscilloscopes
* Bench repair of electronic, electrical, and electromechanical equipment to the component level
* Mechanical and electromechanical locking systems - electronic strikes, locks
* Pedestrian and vehicular access control systems - door controls, vehicle barriers/arrest
* Closed-circuit television systems (CCTV) systems - monitors, cameras, switchers
* Metal detectors - hand held, walk through
* Radio communications systems, voice and digital communications networks
* Intrusion Detection Systems - alarms, detectors, sensors
* Public Address Systems - emergency notification systems, intercoms

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE

Applicants may substitute educational achievements for specialized experience. Each time period of related formal academic, technical, vocational, or trade school education may be substituted for the equivalent time period of specialized experience up to a maximum of two years.

SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTIONNAIRE

Purpose: The purpose of the Supplementary Questionnaire is to allow the applicant an opportunity to describe personal experiences and achievements that relate to the skills needed to accomplish the duties and tasks performed by STS personnel. In addition, responses to the Supplementary Questionnaire are used to further evaluate the applicant's overall qualifications.

Instructions: Individually address each of the items listed below. Responses must be typed, double-spaced, and should be limited to 200 words or less for each item. Examples can be drawn from any part of the applicant's experience, but must reflect the applicant's personal accomplishments. Responses should be composed carefully. One of the skills needed by a Security Technical Specialist is the ability to write clearly and concisely.

* Personal Interests, Licenses, Certifications, and Volunteer Activities: Discuss any hobbies, volunteer activities, licenses, or certifications that are relevant to the Security Technical Specialist career. Also, indicate any foreign travel experiences, if any, and how this experience relates to a personal desire to live and work abroad.

* Technical Skills - Indicate any training and/or experience in each of the required and desired specialized experience categories. If none, simply state such.

* Interpersonal and Communication Skills - Discuss any personal experiences in writing reports, giving oral presentations, and relating technical things to non-technical people. Also describe personal experiences in working with a group to achieve common goals.

* Organizational Skills - Discuss personal experiences in organization and planning that relate to accomplishing a complex task with a deadline. Examples of this might include a tough troubleshooting success, how a creative solution saved the day, or steps taken to reach a goal.

V. PROCEDURES FOR APPLYING

The following materials are required for a complete application package:

1. The Application for Federal Employment , DS - 1950, and Employment Data Form.

2. A completed, signed, and dated Minimum Qualifications Check Sheet. (see form below)

3. A typed autobiography, double spaced, and no longer than two pages, that discusses:
1. Personal background, including interests and hobbies.
2. Motivation for joining the Foreign Service.
3. Motivation for becoming a Security Technical Specialist
4. The completed Supplementary Questionnaire.

5. If claiming any post-high school educational experience or substituting any educational achievements for specialized experience, an official academic institution transcript supporting that claim is required. A copy may be submitted pending issuance of the official documentation.

6. Certificates of completion of any formal but not degree educational experience that is related to the Security Technical Specialist career.

Submitted materials become the property of the Department of State and will not be returned.

These documents must be submitted together, and addressed to:

U.S. Mail, Overnight, or Federal Express deliveries:

U.S. Department of State
Application Evaluation Branch
Attn: Security Technical Specialist (STS 06-01)
2401 E Street, NW, Room H-518
Washington, DC 20522

Please Note: Applications may be faxed to 571-345-3701, but original applications must be received prior to final processing.

For additional information, please refer to the Bureau of Diplomatic Security's Web site at www.state.gov/m/ds/ or the main State Department website at www.state.gov

Applications received through the Department of State's inter-office mail system, or mailed in Government-franked envelopes, will not be processed.

Executive Branch agencies are barred by 5 US Code 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 US Code 3110, sons and daughters of federal employees cannot be granted preference in competing for these employment opportunities.

The Department of State is committed to equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment for all without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, sexual orientation, disabling condition, political affiliation, marital status, or prior statutory, constitutionally protected activity. The Department provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for any part of the application or hiring process should so advise the Department. All decisions for granting reasonable accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis.

Minimum Qualifications Check Sheet
Foreign Service Security Technical Specialist Application

Please complete the following by marking yes or no for each question and sign and date the form at the bottom. This checklist will assist with processing your application and must be submitted along with your application forms. If you answer "NO" to any question, you may not qualify for the position. Any false statement or willful misrepresentation will result in disqualification; if discovered after hiring you may be subject to inquiry as well as administrative or disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.
YES NO
1. I am a citizen of the United States. ______ ______
2. I am willing to live and work anywhere overseas or in the United States. ______ ______
3. I have a high school diploma or equivalent. ______ ______
4. I am at least 20 years old, and younger than 60. I understand that I must be at least 21 years old and not have reached my 60th birthday by the time of appointment. ______ ______
5. I am in compliance with the Selective Service Act or have served in the military. [If applicant is a male and born after December 31, 1959] ______ ______
6. I have a valid U.S. driver's license. ______ ______
7. I have 3 or more years of specialized experience troubleshooting and repairing electronic, electrical, and/or electromechanical systems and equipment
- OR -
I have one or more years of actual experience with up to 2 years of applicable education, to equal 3 years or more of experience. ______ ______
8. I have a valid U.S. driver's license. ______ ______
9. If offered a position, I understand that I must undergo a background investigation, medical examination, and suitability determination for Foreign Service employment. ______ ______
10 I understand that I must undergo an intensive training program and that failure to successfully complete all aspects of this training could result in my separation. ______ ______

Applicant's name (printed): ____________________________________

Signature: _______________________________ Date:_____________

DIPLOMATIC SECURITY SPECIAL AGENT
Foreign Service Special Agent

Grade and Starting Salary Range:
FP-06; $35,625 - $51,788 per annum
Plus 25% Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP)

Additional Benefits: Tax-Free Housing Overseas; Tax-Free Educational Allowance Overseas, etc. (See "Benefits Package" for more information.)

Number of Vacancies: The Department of State is developing a rank-order List of Eligible Hires to fill a limited number of Foreign Service Special Agent (SA) vacancies. The specific number to be hired will depend on the needs of the Foreign Service. The Department expects to hire 100 - 120 Special Agents in FY 2006.

Area of Consideration: All Sources.

Location: All assignments until tenure will be directed by the Department and future assignments will be made according to the needs of the service. Assignments may be to any of 260 Foreign Service posts abroad or to domestic posts in major cities within the United States and Puerto Rico at a Diplomatic Security Field Office, Resident Office, or at Bureau of Diplomatic Security headquarters in Washington, DC. Initial training and orientation will be held in Washington, DC and at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Brunswick, GA.

SPECIAL NOTICES

Applicants must successfully complete an online screening / examination. To access the initial screening / examination, please click here. Only a limited number of Applicants are expected to score high enough to be invited to participate in an oral assessment administered by a Board of Examiners team. Only those applicants will be required to complete and bring all documents listed under "Procedures for Applying" to the test site.

Applicants who are not successful under this announcement are not eligible to reapply until one year after the Announcement's closing date or August 11, 2006. Those who applied earlier this year may not reapply until one year after the closing date of that announcement or May 13, 2006. Applications are accepted only during an open announcement.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Special Agents (SA) of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) are sworn Federal law enforcement officers who are responsible for the security of Foreign Service personnel, property and sensitive information throughout the world. A substantial portion of a DS Special Agent's career is spent living and working abroad. DS Special Agents are also responsible for the protection of the Secretary of State, certain foreign dignitaries during their visits to the U.S., and others as designated by the Secretary of State. Major activities include protective services, management of security programs for Foreign Service posts, criminal investigations, and background investigations, in addition to administrative, training, and liaison functions.

THE DIPLOMATIC SECURITY SPECIAL AGENT CAREER

The Department of State is seeking Diplomatic Security Special Agents to serve in the Foreign Service domestically and at U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide. Candidates must agree to live and to serve at any U.S. diplomatic or consular post abroad for a significant portion of their career, and in Washington, DC or domestic field offices such as Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, or San Francisco according to the needs of the service. As members of a diplomatic team, Special Agents not only help to accomplish the mission of the Department of State but also represent the United States to the people of other nations. The Foreign Service is more than a job - it's a career.

A career in the Foreign Service involves uncommon commitments and occasional hardships along with unique rewards and opportunities. A decision to enter this career must involve unusual motivation and a firm dedication to public service. In addition to living and serving in the United States, as with all Foreign Service positions, living and serving overseas is mandatory. Many overseas posts are in small or remote countries where harsh climates, health hazards, and other discomforts exist, and where American-style amenities frequently are unavailable. However, careers in the Foreign Service offer special rewards including the pride and satisfaction of representing the United States and protecting U. S. interests at home and abroad.

Diplomatic Security Special Agents, depending upon assignment, are responsible for Department of State security policies, provision of a range of security services, management of security operations, supervision of subordinate staff, and the actual performance of some, or all, of the following functions:

* Conducting protective security services for the Secretary of State, other U.S. government officials, and visiting foreign dignitaries.
* Administering and managing U.S. diplomatic mission security programs at overseas posts to include protection of personnel, facilities, and sensitive information along with the U S Marine Security Guard and contract local security guard programs.
* Conducting investigations to include criminal investigations, personnel investigations, counterintelligence and counter-terrorism inquiries, and investigative work in preparing for court appearances.
* Conducting or implementing projects or programs involved with the safeguarding of classified and sensitive information and materials as derived from Presidential Directives or Executive Orders.
* Assessing security threats against U.S. interests and diplomatic installations and personnel abroad as well as investigating hostile intelligence attempts to subvert U.S. personnel and interests overseas.
* Managing or implementing security-related aspects of new office building construction; developing and implementing counter-terrorist access controls for existing and new buildings.
* Conducting, administering, and managing security-related training and training assistance programs for U.S. foreign affairs agencies' personnel, and police security officials of designated foreign governments.

INITIAL CAREER DEVELOPMENT ASSIGNMENTS

All Special Agents must complete approximately six months of initial training at the Diplomatic Security Training Center in the Washington, DC area and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Brunswick, Georgia. The training program develops and tests proficiency in job-related subjects that include criminal law, federal court procedures, use of firearms, physical fitness, personal defensive tactics, driving skills, emergency medical procedures, protective security techniques and criminal investigations. Proficiency is measured through a series of scored practical exercises as well as written subject matter-specific and comprehensive written examinations. Failure to successfully complete any aspect of the training program is grounds for separation.

Special Agents normally will be assigned to one of eight domestic Field Offices or possibly to a small Resident Agent Office. Needs of the service sometimes require that domestic assignments be shortened for re-assignment to a Regional Security Office at an overseas post.

The needs of the service will always have a significant bearing upon personnel assignments; that is especially true in a Special Agent's initial assignments. While it is possible that a Special Agent may serve in domestic positions for the initial two tours of duty, it is equally possible that the needs of the service may require assignment abroad much earlier than expected. After Special Agents have gained several years of experience and are tenured, they have a greater opportunity to express their preference for an onward assignment in either domestic or overseas positions. Special Agents are expected to serve a substantial portion of their careers living and working abroad.

Domestically, Special Agents may be assigned to provide protective services for the Secretary of State, and other U.S. officials or visiting foreign dignitaries. Domestic Special Agent duties can entail long hours and extended periods of travel, including overseas travel. Domestic assignments include criminal investigations related primarily to the enforcement of statutes protecting the integrity of U.S. passports and entry visa documents. Special Agents may also conduct background investigations for individuals desiring employment with the Department of State or updating the security clearances of Department of State employees. Throughout their careers, Special Agents can expect to work substantial overtime and occasional irregular schedules that require duty on weekends and holidays.

When assigned abroad, Special Agents serve as security program managers at U.S. diplomatic or consular posts. At Foreign Service posts, Diplomatic Security Special Agents are referred to as Regional Security Officers and are responsible for the administration of a broad range of security services to protect Foreign Service personnel, facilities, operations, and information against hostile intelligence, criminal, and terrorist activities. The Bureau of Diplomatic Security also conducts overseas investigations for the Department of State and other federal agencies. Diplomatic Security Regional Security Officers are assigned responsibilities on a regional basis and often serve Foreign Service posts in several countries, which may require frequent travel.

INITIAL SALARY AND SALARY INCREASES

Initial salary at appointment will normally be at Foreign Service grade FP-6, step three. Exceptions may be made to increase the number of steps based upon such factors as a master's degree in a related field (e.g. criminal justice), or a law degree, and/or other directly related specialized experience. However, maximum salary is limited to the grade that the candidate is qualified for at the time of appointment. No appointments are made above the FP-6, step-14 level ($ 50,723 base pay).

Salaries are determined at the time a final offer of employment is made. Entry-level salary for federal civilian employees, appointed without a break in service, will be set at the step within the Foreign Service grade to which they are appointed nearest to the base salary rate of their previous salary, providing that the previous experience is clearly job-related. No appointments are made above the FP-6, step-14 level ($ 51,788 base pay).

Upon the successful completion of training, domestic salaries will be adjusted (25%) for Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) and, if applicable, locality pay. Upon relocating overseas, salaries may be adjusted to include cost-of-living allowance, post differential, danger pay, and/or other allowances specific to posts of assignment. The actual differences in pay will be determined by the location of assignments.

Special Agents will be administratively promoted from FP-6 to the FP-5 level after 12 months of satisfactory performance, and to FP-4 after an additional 18 months of satisfactory performance. To proceed beyond the FP-4 level, Special Agents are considered for promotion annually in competition with their peers.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

General requirements for employment in the Foreign Service are explained further in the supplemental brochure, Information and Benefits for Foreign Service Specialists. Special Agent applicants must be U.S. citizens and must have a bachelor's degree at the time of appointment as stipulated in the educational requirements section. Male applicants must be in compliance with the Selective Service Act. Applicants are required to qualify with firearms during initial training and periodically thereafter. Applicants must be willing to use and carry firearms throughout their career. Applicants must be fit for strenuous physical exertion and able to pass physical fitness tests. Applicants must possess a valid U.S. driver's license and be able to pass specialized driving courses during initial training. Applicants must successfully complete all aspects of the six-month initial training program for their candidacy and their employment to be continued; failure to pass any aspect of the initial training, including physical fitness tests, is grounds for separation.

Applicants for a Special Agent position must not have been convicted of any felony charge. In accordance with the Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act, a person convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence may not possess a firearm. Applicants must be able to certify that they have not been convicted of any such violation and that they are not otherwise prohibited from possessing firearms.

The initial qualification review is conducted to determine if the applicant meets the minimum qualifications for the position. Some of the minimum qualifications are discussed in the following paragraphs. Most of those qualifications are summarized on the minimum qualifications check sheet at the end of this Announcement.

Candidates must be at least 20 years of age and within nine months of receiving their Bachelor's degree in order to apply. Candidates cannot be appointed prior to their 21st birthday. Special Agent candidates must be appointed prior to their 37th birthday - there are no exceptions to this policy.

Candidates for the Special Agent position must be cleared for a Top Secret (TS) security clearance prior to appointment. To determine TS eligibility, candidates must successfully undergo a thorough background investigation. During the course of a Special Agent's career it is likely that he or she will need access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI access). One of the requirements for SCI access is that all immediate family members (generally defined as spouse, parents, siblings, children, or cohabitants) must be citizens of the United States. Candidates should be aware that factors such as having non-U.S. citizen immediate family may considerably delay (and may ultimately be a bar to) receiving an SCI access clearance. The few exceptions to this are based upon national security requirements.

A candidate that already holds a Top Secret security clearance will probably need an SCI access clearance as well. In addition, all candidates must receive a favorable suitability determination by a Final Review Panel for appointment to the Foreign Service.

As is the case with other federal criminal investigators and protective security personnel, Special Agents must perform duties in the field that are physically demanding. Special Agents must be willing and able to meet these physical demands in high-stress, life and death situations. The Special Agent's life and the lives of others may depend upon the Agent's physical capabilities and conditioning. For this reason, Special Agent candidates must satisfy medical suitability and physical fitness requirements that are more rigorous than those of most other professions.

Specifically, candidates must pass a thorough medical examination, which includes a cardiovascular stress test conducted or authorized by the Department of State's Office of Medical Services. In order to continue their candidacies, candidates must receive a Department of State class one medical clearance (unlimited clearance for worldwide assignment). This means that candidates must be generally healthy and free of medical conditions that might require specialized or follow-up medical care that cannot be obtained on a worldwide basis.

Special Agent candidates must meet certain minimum physical standards including various tests for vision in each eye, with and without correction, as well as audio-metric standards for hearing in each ear, sufficient to satisfactorily perform an Agent's duties. For example, uncorrected distant vision must be 20/100 or better in each eye and corrected to 20/20 in one eye and 20/30 in the other eye. Candidates must also pass color vision and depth perception tests. The use of a hearing aid is not permitted in the hearing tests; hearing loss may not exceed 30 decibels in either ear.

Additionally, the Office of Medical Services must deem that a candidate is medically able to meet the numerous and often arduous physical demands that are inherent in and are a necessary part of the essential functions of the job. For instance, Special Agents are required to perform protective security assignments with physical demands that may include, but are not limited to, intermittent and prolonged periods of running, walking, standing, sitting, squatting, kneeling, climbing stairs, quickly entering and exiting various vehicles, enduring inclement weather, as well as carrying and using firearms.

Special Agents conduct raids, make arrests and perform other law enforcement or related functions that may require running, jumping, kneeling, squatting, dodging, lying prone, as well as wrestling, restraining and subduing suspects, attackers, or detainees. Agents must be able, if necessary, to conduct security inspections that may require crawling under vehicles and other low clearances or in tight spaces such as attics and crawl spaces.

Sometimes it may be necessary for an Agent to assist with installing or maintaining security countermeasures, which might involve lifting heavy objects and working on ladders or rooftops. Agents must be skilled at driving and maneuvering a motor vehicle defensively or evasively in a variety of situations and at various speeds.

Special Agent candidates will be trained in many of the above skills, which include firearms training, defensive tactics, and how to physically restrain a suspect. Agent candidates are also trained in specialized driving techniques. Agent candidates must be able to participate in and complete all aspects of their training. Any physical condition that would cause the candidate to be a hazard to himself/herself or others, including those they are protecting or placing under arrest, is potentially disqualifying.

Candidates must be willing and able to travel extensively throughout the world utilizing whatever means are available. Traveling and assignments abroad may involve working in remote areas where traditional comforts and medical facilities are limited. Special Agents may be required to travel to locations of civil unrest where conditions are potentially hostile and where performance of duties is conducted under hazardous circumstances.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Prior to appointment, applicants must have at least a bachelor's degree from a nationally accredited college or university. The accrediting institution or association must be one of those recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. Equivalent degrees from resident foreign colleges or universities are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants currently pursuing a bachelor's degree may apply up to nine months preceding their graduation. Final acceptance will be predicated on receipt of the degree prior to appointment. It is also required that an official transcript that confirms award of the degree is placed in your file prior to appointment. In addition, some experience requirements are identified below.

WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

In addition to the educational requirement, applicants for the Special Agent position must have at least one year of work experience and/or academic achievements that reflect progressively increasing levels of responsibility. Each application will be examined on its own merits to determine if the work experience requirement has been met.

Examination of work experience will be to identify examples of knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience in interpersonal skills, resourcefulness, initiative, leadership, judgement, emotional stability, flexibility, motivation, functional skills (competence in the job), ability to assume responsibility, and trustworthiness.

Specialized experience in such areas as the administration of security programs, the conduct of investigations, threat assessments, service in a law enforcement agency, and service in the U.S. military are all highly desirable. However, it is not essential to have those specific experiences or ability in a foreign language to be considered for the DS Special Agent position.

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE

Applicants with 18 credit hours of graduate level study (beyond the bachelor degree level) may substitute that academic achievement for a year of work experience. Applicants who do not have a minimum of 18 credit hours of graduate study may substitute the following educational achievements for one year of work experience:

* 3.0 or higher overall GPA (grades measured on a standard 4.0 point scale) for the bachelor's degree
* 2.75-2.99 overall GPA for the bachelor's degree and one internship of at least two months duration or six months of full time work experience
* 2.50-2.74 overall GPA for the bachelor's degree and two internships totaling at least four months duration or one year of full time work experience

PROCEDURES FOR APPLYING

Applicants must complete and submit online their responses to the initial online screening/examinations. The screening examinations may be found by clicking here.

Following the submission of online computer pre-screening information and successful completion of the online examination, only qualified, competitive applicants will be invited to take further assessments with Department of State representatives. That assessment process begins with a proctored writing skills examination. The ability to draft an essay demonstrating a strong command of English grammar, spelling and punctuation is essential. A competitive grade on the written examination allows the applicant to proceed to a personal oral assessment conducted by the Board of Examiners.

Applicants who applied under Special Agent Vacancy Announcement SA-05-01, which closed on May 12, 2005, are not eligible to reapply until May 13, 2006. Those who are not successful in applying under this Vacancy Announcement are not eligible to reapply until one year after the closing date of this Announcement or on August 11, 2006. No applications are accepted unless there is an open Special Agent Vacancy Announcement

NOTE: The following four requirements apply ONLY to those applicants who successfully complete the online screening / examinations AND who scored high enough to be invited to participate in further written and oral examinations:

1. The Application for Employment (DS-1950) and the Employment Data Form (this form is found on pages 6 & 7 of form DS-1950).
2. The Minimum Qualifications Check Sheet.
3. A two page typed (double-spaced) narrative autobiography that discusses your background, personal interests and hobbies, your motivation for joining the Foreign Service and your motivation for becoming a Diplomatic Security Special Agent.
4. Official college or university transcript(s) confirming award of degree(s) or the date a degree will be awarded. An "unofficial" copy of the transcript(s) may be used pending issuance of the official documentation. Candidates who are successful in this examination process are reminded that an official transcript is required to complete their official file.

Candidates who have been invited to participate in written and oral examinations must bring these materials with them to the examination site (official transcripts can be mailed later). Candidates will not be permitted to participate in the examination until these materials are provided to the examiners. Submitted materials become the property of the Department of State and will not be returned.

For additional information, please refer to the Bureau of Diplomatic Security's web site at www.state.gov/m/ds or www.diplomaticsecurity.state.gov or the Department of State's Human Resources web site at careers.state.gov.

Executive Branch agencies are barred by 5 US Code 3303, as amended, from accepting or considering prohibited recommendations and are required to return any prohibited political recommendations to sender. In addition, as mandated by 5 US Code 310, sons and daughters of federal employees cannot be granted preference in competing for these employment opportunities.

THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE IS COMMITTED TO EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND FAIR AND EQUITABLE TREATMENT FOR ALL WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEX, RELIGION, AGE, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, DISABLING CONDITION, POLITICAL AFFILIATION, MARITAL STATUS, OR PRIOR STATUTORY, CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED ACTIVITY. THE DEPARTMENT PROVIDES REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS TO APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES. APPLICANTS REQUIRING A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION FOR ANY PART OF THE APPLICATION OR HIRING PROCESS SHOULD SO ADVISE THE DEPARTMENT. ALL DECISIONS FOR GRANTING REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS ARE MADE ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS.

Minimum Qualifications Checklist
Diplomatic Security Special Agent Application

Please complete the following by marking yes or no for each question and sign and date the form at the bottom. This checklist will assist with processing your application and must be submitted along with your application forms. If you answer "NO" to any question, you may not qualify for the position. Any false statement or willful misrepresentation will result in disqualification; if discovered after hiring you may be subject to inquiry as well as administrative or disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.
YES NO
1. I am a citizen of the United States. ______ ______
2. All members of my immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings, children, or cohabitants) are US citizens. (A no answer on this question is not an absolute disqualification. A no answer does indicate that an applicant will have more issues in the evaluation of whether the required special security access clearance can be granted.) ______ ______
3. I have a BA/BS degree from an accredited college or university (or will have within nine months). ______ ______
4. I am at least 20 years old. I understand that I must be at least 21 years old and not have reached my 37th birthday by the time of appointment. ______ ______
5. I am in compliance with the Selective Service Act and I have registered as required (male applicants only). ______ ______
6. I am willing to carry and, if necessary, use firearms in the performance of Special Agent duties. ______ ______
7. I am willing to travel frequently and to live and serve anywhere overseas or in the United States. ______ ______
8. I have a valid U.S. driver's license. ______ ______
9. If I am offered a position, I understand that I must successfully undergo a background investigation and be granted access to Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI). I understand I must successfully complete a medical examination and a determination of my suitability for Foreign Service employment. ______ ______
10 In accordance with the Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act that states a person convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence may no longer possess a firearm, I can certify I have not been convicted of any such violation and I am not otherwise prohibited from possessing firearms. ______ ______
11. I understand that I must successfully undergo a rigorous training program, which includes firearms qualification, physical fitness standards and tests, specialized driving tests, as well as academic subjects and that failure to pass any aspect of the training program is grounds for separation. ______ ______

Applicant's name (printed): ____________________________________

Signature: _______________________________ Date:_____________

TEST SITE PREFERENCE
(Applies ONLY to those invited to an oral assessment)

Those candidates who successfully complete the online written examination and online multiple-choice examination and score high enough to be invited to the oral assessment must bring additional documentation in order to continue their application process. Those materials include the completed Application for Employment (DS-1950), the completed Minimum Qualifications Check Sheet, and a two-page typed narrative autobiography. Also candidates must ensure that a copy of their official college or university transcript is being sent.

Candidates who have been invited to participate in written and oral examinations must bring the official application, minimum qualifications check sheet, and autobiography with them to the examination site (official transcripts can be mailed later). Candidates will not be permitted to participate in the examination until these materials are provided to the examiners.

The oral assessment process includes a written requirement and takes approximately two hours. Teams from the Board of Examiners will visit various cities in the United States to conduct assessments. Candidates selected for oral examinations should consider which city (from the list below) in which they wish to be tested. Expenses including travel for testing are the candidate's responsibility.

We intend to conduct assessments / examinations in the following cities:

Chicago, IL; Dallas, TX; Fort Lauderdale / Miami, FL; Kansas City, MO; Los Angeles, CA; New York, NY; San Francisco, CA; Seattle, WA; and Washington, DC.

Selected candidates will be advised of the proposed date, time and place for Board of Examiner's assessments in various cites. Candidates unable to meet with a team in a scheduled city may, at least 30 days after their successful online application, request that their assessment be scheduled in Washington, DC if none of the other cities are convenient.

The two-hour assessment consists of a written examination and oral assessments. Various phases of this assessment process are scored using the following dimensions: written and oral communication skills, motivation, composure, interpersonal skills, judgment, resourcefulness, initiative and leadership, adaptability/flexibility, perspective and breadth of knowledge, cultural awareness and experience, stability and adjustment, analytical and synthesizing ability, planning and organizing. Questions posed to applicants may address current events, motivation, interpersonal skills, objectivity and integrity as well as some technical hypothetical questions concerning the Special Agent position.

Specifically, the Board of Examiner's assessment process is comprised of three phases: 1) A 45-minute written essay; 2) An oral qualifications interview; and 3) An oral assessment administered by a member of the Board of Examiners and a member of the Diplomatic Security Service. Candidates must receive a competitive score at each phase to go on to each successive phase of the examination / assessment process.

Reminder: expenses, including travel for testing, are the candidate's responsibility.

With almost 2.6M registered nurses (RN) in the United States, nursing is now the largest health care profession in the country. If you think that hospitals are the only place a nurse could be found, you are certainly misled. Public health agencies, communities, ambulatory care centers and other places where health care services are rendered also commonly have nurses employed.

1. The Nursing Practice

Nursing covers a wide area of practice. It includes

- Childcare
- Elderly care
- Services for pregnant women
- Services for newborn infants
- Specialty area - injury nursing
- Specialty area - cancer nursing
- Specialty area - forensic nursing

2. Choose Your Nursing Program

The first step to be a nurse is to graduate from a nursing program. This would enable you to take a state licensure examination. In the US, more than 1500 nursing programs are offered. Three of these programs prepare you in assuming different tasks once you graduate.

A. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
This is a four-year curriculum offered in colleges and universities. A graduate of this course has the advantage of learning health care settings that includes leadership and management. A degree in BSN is preferred and often required in many fields of nursing.

B. Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
This is a 2 to 3 year program offered in community college as well as in junior collages. This program prepares the student in handling direct patient care.

C. Hospital Diploma
This is a 2 to 3 year program that is based in hospitals.

3. Nursing Positions

Now that you’ve covered the basics, let’s take a closer look on some of the nursing positions you can occupy. These positions are based on your experience and education.

A. Entry-level nursing position
This is the Staff Nurse Position. The nurse takes on making judgments based on scientific knowledge. You have to rely on procedures and standardized care plans.

B. Certified Mid-wife
This is a specialty nurse position where the nurse aids childbearing women. It starts during the preconception stage and goes through the prenatal, labor and delivery. Postpartum period care is also included in her duties. The nurse also provides family planning counseling as well as gynecological care for women.

C. Case Manager
Over time, a nurse can become a nurse case manager. In this position, the nurse will be involved in the process of organizing as well as coordinating the resources and services of an entire group of nurses, such as an entire hospital.

D. Nurse Educator
This is also a position a nurse could get involved with. Educating people about proper health care needs and procedures would be the basic tasks for this position. A Nurse Practitioner on the other hand conducts physical exams on patients, conducts diagnoses and provides treatments. A nurse practitioner could also write prescriptions and could also manage patients with chronic conditions such as diabetics and those with hypertension.

E. Nurse Anesthetist
A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist assists during operations. They give anesthesia to the patients before and after the operation.

There are also various specialty nursing programs that would help you specialize in a specific area. Radiology Nursing, Rehabilitation Nursing, AIDS Care Nursing, and Forensic Nursing are few of these specialty areas. Radiology Nurses are concerned with patients that undergo diagnosis in radiology imaging environments. It also includes Ultrasonography, magnetic resonance and radiation oncology. Rehabilitation Nurses or Psychiatric Nurses takes on providing physical and emotional support both to the patient and their families. They deal with patients having mental incapacities. An AIDS Care Nurse manages the physical, psychological, spiritual and social needs of a patient suffering with AIDS. A Forensic Nurse works in a different environment with other nurses. They work with the law enforcement officials to help in the investigation of crimes like sexual assault and accidental death. They also help in the treatment of the victims of these crimes.

About the Author:

For more great nursing career related articles and resources check out http://www.nursing-school-advisor.com

Read more articles by: Trevor Marshall

Article Source: www.iSnare.com

A career in massage therapy can be an extremely rewarding choice for people interested in working with and helping others. While learning the proper techniques from an accredited school or academy is paramount, there are a number of other important considerations to reflect upon while considering a career in massage therapy.

To begin, you ought to ask yourself a few important questions. Do you enjoy working with people? Do you enjoy caring for and tending to the needs of others? Are you comfortable spending much of your day in silence? How strong are your interpersonal skills? These are only a few of the things you ought to ask yourself. It takes a certain special type of person to work with others day after day, especially in a health care setting. Look inside yourself, and you will undoubtedly find the right answers.

Prospective massage therapists should also try to get a feel for the job by spending some time researching the job. This can be performed in a number of ways. One of the best ways is to spend some time with another massage therapist. Why not make an appointment for a massage, and use the opportunity to ask any questions you might have? Most massage therapists will be only too glad to assist you, as they are generally very enthusiastic about their work. This would also be a great opportunity to learn about any requirements for practice in your area.

There are as many schools teaching massage therapy, as there are massage therapists. Be sure to research all of the schools you are considering thoroughly. While there are many reputable schools out there, there are some that are better than others. Accreditation should be a determining factor in your choice. If your degree is not recognized by your local authorities, there is no point taking the course. Do your homework, and be sure that you receive a degree from a reputable school that will allow you to practice in your area.

One of the best ways to gain exposure in your chosen field is to do volunteer work with a local masseuse. It will give you excellent exposure to your local client base, and will allow you to network and meet other people in the industry. Talk to your school about a possible co-op placement. This way, you can make the industry contacts you need and get school credit for it, too. Once you have gained the experience you need to thrive in your career, you can feel comfortable branching out on your own.

About the Author:

Stephanie Macintosh is a certified massage therapist based in Portland. When she is not busy with her growing practice, she writes for http://www.massagetherapy101.com – an insightful website with information about the benefits of Massage Therapy, Massage Techniques, Massage Equipment and more.

Read more articles by: Stephanie Macintosh

Article Source: www.iSnare.com

Do you love dogs? Do you find yourself automatically trying to train each dog you come across? Would you like a fun, satisfying career that revolves around working with dogs? Then starting a dog training career could be the best career option for you. As a dog trainer you will be able to work one-on-one with loveable dogs and help them to learn the proper behaviors.

Having a successful dog training career is dependent upon the time and effort you place into the venture. The odds of having a productive dog training career are low if you decide to just read a book or two on the subject and set up shop. This type of surface level preparation for your dog training career may leave you ill equipped to deal with the business aspects and typical obstacles.

If you do garner any clients they may not be satisfied with your services and your reputation goes down the tubes. Remember if you embark on a dog training career that you need to establish a good, respectable reputation from the beginning. This is especially true if you wish to expand your dog training career from the average household to dog shows. The competitive dog world can be a small, close knit group that watches the performance of dog trainers closely.

As you can see, starting a dog training career is a serious choice that needs to be investigated thoroughly before you begin. Let's say that you have decided you will put in the time and effort necessary for a successful dog training career because you love dogs, want to work with them everyday, and out committed to being a knowledgeable, skillful dog trainer. The next big question is how to do you start your dog training career?

A dog training career can begin in a number of ways. You can take home correspondence courses that range in complexity and time commitment. You can contact local breeders and dog trainers in your area and become a mentor or take lessons from them directly. You can also begin a dog training career by finding any dog training companies or stores such as PETCO to get you started.

The method you should use to begin your dog training career depends on the type of dog trainer you wish to be and your time commitment level. Can you work only part time and want to lead basic dog training classes at your recreation center? Do you want your dog training career to become a full time job where you train dogs for dog competitions such as Westminster? You need to determine your interest level to begin.

Maybe you are not sure yet how much time you want to spend on your dog training career. If this is the case, hop on over to places such as PETCO and inquire about their programs to become a dog trainer. They can answer your individual questions and help you to decide if a dog training career is right for you. You can also consult many book, e-books, magazines, and websites on the subject. You will often find that others have the very same questions and concerns.

You can also speak with dog trainers and dog groomers in your area that have experience in this field. They can help you determine the level of commitment you want to bring to your dog training career. They can point out the pros and cons of a dog training career that might not be highlighted in dog training career books.

What do you typically learn during your dog training career? There are a whole slew of items you need to understand including: establishing effective communication with your dog and basic to advanced tricks and commands. You will learn the best way to teach your dog these tricks. You also need to understand the mind of your dog and learn about dog temperament and the unique needs of each dog.

As with any career you will need to understand the background and history of not only your dog, but every dog as well. You will definitely come across more than one dog breed to train during your dog training career so it is imperative that you comprehend the intricacies of each breed. For example, you need to be aware of the historical strengths of each breed such as the Bichon Frise breed can jump extremely high and used to be circus dogs.

In addition to dog history and the dynamics of each dog breed, it is vital that you have a good grip on proper dog nutrition. During your dog training career you want to produce dogs that are healthy, happy, and well behaved. Understanding their nutrition and exercise needs will help you to accomplish this. Dog hygiene and grooming are areas of study as well so you can present a pooch that has a shiny coat and sparkling teeth.

While working with dogs comprises the majority of your dog training career, you will also need to focus on the business aspect. Your dog training career will become a business. Therefore, it is a necessity to understand how to operate your business regarding fees, overhead, and other financial and time considerations.

Having a thriving, rewarding dog training career might be just what you need in your life. If you love dogs and want to work with them on a daily basis then consider starting a dog training career.

About the Author:

Katie, a lifelong dog lover, owns http://www.dog-breeds-infosite.com which is the ultimate dog lover's resource. Research dog breeds & get free tips on dog training, dog supplies, dog health, dog school, dog grooming, dog laws, dog products & more.

Read more articles by: Katie Brandt

Article Source: www.iSnare.com