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Took the exam today. I guess you are not supposed to talk about the content, so I'll just say it wasn't too hard except for the biographical stuff. Also, I was scolded by the exam proctor for typing too loud.
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Feb 13, 2011 00:16
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How much do they monitor your internet use, both after you've been hired and for the pre-screening? Could  cause you to fail a security clearance or get you fired?
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Feb 13, 2011 01:06
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greenchair posted:How much do they monitor your internet use, both after you've been hired and for the pre-screening? Could As far as going through your computer or browser history or something? Not done, AFAIK, but you will be on a polygraph machine being asked questions by an investigator. Some agencies do care about it (especially the FBI) in the hiring process, anecdotally I've heard some don't, dunno about State. One of the big things the American government/Chamber of Commerce tries to promote overseas is intellectual property (since that's a huge export of ours and it gets ripped off all the time), so it would seem a bit hypocritical to have an FSO torrenting Prison Break or whatever. It can only hurt you so I would recommend to err on the side of caution if you're really that serious about getting a job with State (or another federal agency). Between Netflix, Hulu, Zune Pass/Pandora/Grooveshark, Steam sales, and your local interlibrary loan system (not just books, but DVD's, audiobooks, etc), it's really not that terrible of an adjustment to make. I'd be more concerned about whatever reason you have a TCC tag for, personally.
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Feb 13, 2011 01:34
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Pompous Rhombus posted:As far as going through your computer or browser history or something? Not done, AFAIK, but you will be on a polygraph machine being asked questions by an investigator. Some agencies do care about it (especially the FBI) in the hiring process, anecdotally I've heard some don't, dunno about State. One of the big things the American government/Chamber of Commerce tries to promote overseas is intellectual property (since that's a huge export of ours and it gets ripped off all the time), so it would seem a bit hypocritical to have an FSO torrenting Prison Break or whatever.
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Feb 13, 2011 01:39
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Pompous Rhombus posted:I'd be more concerned about whatever reason you have a TCC tag for, personally. Hmm... maybe I should get rid of it. I was kind of a pot head in college and tried a few other things too. I thought that it wouldn't count against me as long as I'd stoped for a while and wasn't planing on doing it again. I was thinking of applying to take the FSOT, should I wait until it has been 6 months or whatever since I've smoked before I register, or can I register for the test and not smoke anymore. (Recently, I have only been using weed once every couple of months.) A couple of other things I was wondering about : Once you've been hired as an FSO, do you have to do any re-testing periodically, or are you in for life? Do you know anyone who has been fired? How did that happen? Do you have to declare your critical languages initially to get the extra pay, or can you learn one after you've been hired, and then get tested on it to get the pay raise? Part of the reason that they seem to do the security check is to prevent blackmail by foreign interests. Are FSO's common targets for attempted recruitment by terrorists or foreign mafia or companies or spies or whatever? If something like happens, what are you supposed to do? How about bribes? In some countries its probably fairly common to bribe public officials. If that happens(say some one is applying for a visa) do you just say no, or is it a big deal and you have to report it. If it's a common thing to do in that country and they didn't know any better, could it ruin their chance to get a visa? Thanks
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Feb 13, 2011 02:26
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Nobody cares about your personal internet history. But don't try to pull crap at work if you get hired. edit: There's no retesting but we do use an "up or out" system. If you sit around too long without getting promoted you will be booted out. I do know of one person who was fired but I can't really comment on it. I've had to deal with bribery so I can't really speak to that. Any blackmail or any other surveillance must be reported to the RSO. AKA Pseudonym fucked around with this message at 02:43 on Feb 13, 2011 |
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Feb 13, 2011 02:30
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1of7 posted:Network+ & Security+ are the only certs I have that anyone has heard of. ah, yeah. I was wondering about that, since they required a CISSP/CCNA/other certs if you didn't have a bg in I.T. if i am remembering right.. I plan to take the CCNA (again since my old one expired) soon enough, but had some questions.. I guess your BAS counts as a good fit! Congratulations again! ^^ AKA: is it similar ot the contractor's "3 year" rule of up/out or is it a longer timeframe?
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Feb 13, 2011 03:27
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Yes, with a tech bachelor's no experience or certs are required. I only have 2 years help desk experience, so I think my degree was the biggest deciding factor. Minimum requirements are listed on the listing (now closed): http://www.careers.state.gov/specialist/vacancy-announcements/ims
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Feb 13, 2011 04:08
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Pompous Rhombus posted:As far as going through your computer or browser history or something? Not done, AFAIK, but you will be on a polygraph machine being asked questions by an investigator. Some agencies do care about it (especially the FBI) in the hiring process, anecdotally I've heard some don't, dunno about State. One of the big things the American government/Chamber of Commerce tries to promote overseas is intellectual property (since that's a huge export of ours and it gets ripped off all the time), so it would seem a bit hypocritical to have an FSO torrenting Prison Break or whatever. No polygraph at state. Generally those only come in at the TS/SCI level, you're only getting TS. You might possibly have one down the line. quote:It can only hurt you so I would recommend to err on the side of caution if you're really that serious about getting a job with State (or another federal agency). Between Netflix, Hulu, Zune Pass/Pandora/Grooveshark, Steam sales, and your local interlibrary loan system (not just books, but DVD's, audiobooks, etc), it's really not that terrible of an adjustment to make. I had a friend who had a negative experience with this, with an intelligence community agency for a TS/SCI. Basically he was so scared he was going to ping for downloading warez, that he did. Also I actually want the TCC tag  .nm posted:Don't think state uses polygraph for security clearances (in large part because they realize the polygraph is like a slightly more reliable magic 8-ball) They don't for entry FSOs, it's a SSBI (at least, not for domestic hires. We have lots of background investigators) greenchair posted:Hmm... maybe I should get rid of it. I was kind of a pot head in college and tried a few other things too. I thought that it wouldn't count against me as long as I'd stoped for a while and wasn't planing on doing it again. Stop now. You need to be able to say "I've been clean X long" for your clearance, it will come into play. quote:Do you have to declare your critical languages initially to get the extra pay, or can you learn one after you've been hired, and then get tested on it to get the pay raise? quote:Part of the reason that they seem to do the security check is to prevent blackmail by foreign interests. Are FSO's common targets for attempted recruitment by terrorists or foreign mafia or companies or spies or whatever? If something like happens, what are you supposed to do? Yes. Part of Diplomatic Security Service's job is to counter that threat. That's why DSS has essentially the widest jurisdiction of any law enforcement agency out there.
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Feb 13, 2011 05:27
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SWATJester posted:Yes. Part of Diplomatic Security Service's job is to counter that threat. That's why DSS has essentially the widest jurisdiction of any law enforcement agency out there. Uh no. ICE wins that prize.
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Feb 13, 2011 05:41
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Homie S posted:Uh no. ICE wins that prize. ICE has a larger proportion of agents serving domestically.
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Feb 13, 2011 06:09
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SWATJester posted:Stop now. You need to be able to say "I've been clean X long" for your clearance, it will come into play. It is amazing how time can cure pretty much all ills. Some people have some pretty shocking stuff but with a few years of no conduct many of these people got in. I am so happy that in college I just got drunk off my rear end instead of stoned. It was kind of on accident that I never smoked pot but should I even manage to make it that far in the FSO process it will sure make it easier.
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Feb 13, 2011 07:12
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AKA Pseudonym posted:Nobody cares about your personal internet history. But don't try to pull crap at work if you get hired. No way, somebody fired? A FSO? They must have done some pretty serious poo poo. Going back to drugs, I've heard different stories from people who are in, but generally speaking, I'd be concerned about the non-pot drugs, and if you ever sold and especially any mitigating evidence. edit: quote:I was thinking of applying to take the FSOT, should I wait until it has been 6 months or whatever since I've smoked before I register, or can I register for the test and not smoke anymore. (Recently, I have only been using weed once every couple of months.) You'll want to stop right now. I mean, I know people in the FS who smoked pot earlier in their life, but I'm pretty sure nobody was doing it when they were in the hiring application process. I'm guessing it would be the same for a lot of other TS fed jobs. Stop now or find a different career. TCD fucked around with this message at 10:46 on Feb 13, 2011 |
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Feb 13, 2011 10:40
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SWATJester posted:ICE has a larger proportion of agents serving domestically. Actually you are right, I am wrong. I misread what you wrote as widest authority.
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Feb 13, 2011 14:26
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No poly for new FSO's? drat, State, you trusting.
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Feb 13, 2011 16:45
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Pompous Rhombus posted:No poly for new FSO's? drat, State, you trusting. An FSO can correct me on this but I believe this stemmed from when Shultz told Reagan he would resign if he made all of his employees start taking polygraphs.
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Feb 13, 2011 18:38
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Skandiaavity posted:^^ AKA: is it similar ot the contractor's "3 year" rule of up/out or is it a longer timeframe? It's 15 years I think. Nothing to worry much about at any rate.
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Feb 13, 2011 18:44
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Can't bloody sleep at all, thanks jet lag! it's 5am, suns almost up Yeah I think DSS gets the widest authority. ICE/Customs probably has more agents per capita but DSS is practically lateral with the USSS. AKA: Oh, 15 years is a lot of time! I have to kind of agree with that sentiment. If you're not going anywhere in 15 years.. then its likely you're not going anywhere at all. I applied for the IMS last november, checked the status today and referred to hiring official! Hoping it gets through. I have a half-tech degree (Business with concentration in IT) and some certs/more tech experience as a contractor. 1of7 & IMS goons it would be nice to work with you. For security clearance, my own case was special but I can tell you that all the other posters are pretty much right. If you're at all serious about it, get straight for a while before you think of applying. Don't fib/dance around on the questions, either. If they ask you a straightforward question, answer it straightforwardly.
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Feb 15, 2011 04:57
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Pompous Rhombus posted:No poly for new FSO's? drat, State, you trusting. State does a hell of a background check. One of my mom's employees joined state and a group of scary looking government men descended on her university department and started interrogating everyone. He passed and is now in state.
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Feb 15, 2011 07:30
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Skandiaavity posted:Yeah I think DSS gets the widest authority. ICE/Customs probably has more agents per capita but DSS is practically lateral with the USSS. I should've clarified this, my bad. DSS has the widest jurisdiction. They can reach out pretty much anywhere in the world extremely quickly. Whether its coordinating with investigations domestically or helping another agency out, this is definitely true. They don't have nearly as many agents on the ground stateside, but they still cover CONUS. ICE has the widest authority. They can investigate federal violations of law, but they are also title 8 immigration officers. This gives them the ability to do deportations, removal of criminal aliens, administrative asset forfeiture (probably the best one I think; use that car/boat/house/establishment to smuggle some aliens? Uncle Sam is taking it, EVEN if you're not convicted). USSS and DSS are very different, domestic operations included.
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Feb 15, 2011 13:31
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Pompous Rhombus posted:No poly for new FSO's? drat, State, you trusting. The SSBI fails more than enough people.
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Feb 15, 2011 14:02
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State 14046:quote:1. The Bureau of Information Resource Management (IRM) is Get your chat on homies!
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Feb 15, 2011 20:37
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That's a relief for me. :-) I was afraid I'd end up somewhere that I'd only have Internet access at work & I wouldn't be able to use that to keep in touch.
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Feb 15, 2011 21:29
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There were always... ways.
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Feb 15, 2011 21:32
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Vilerat posted:State 14046:  GTALK PARTAY
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Feb 15, 2011 22:57
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[ASK] me about meebo.
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Feb 16, 2011 03:32
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Homie S posted:USSS and DSS are very different, domestic operations included. Yeah, my turn to clarify haha - I did not mean they were similar in operations or capacity - I meant laterally as in just that they had similar wide breadth/very wide reach and are usually given leeway/cooperation from other agencies or involved parties... e.g. with feds usually there is some kind of jurisdictional dick-waving, but with those two agencies I've noticed if they show up then everyone either appreciates their involvement or are terrified cause they're the sort of folks that can make your day go from 'bad' to 'worse'. i just thought of a question about Information Systems in relation to DSS... I'm not sure if it's sensitive/SBU as it may deal with an internal process, so i'd rather not post it. do you have an email where I can reach you?
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Feb 16, 2011 03:53
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Skandiaavity posted:i just thought of a question about Information Systems in relation to DSS... I'm not sure if it's sensitive/SBU as it may deal with an internal process, so i'd rather not post it. do you have an email where I can reach you? You'll find it in the profile.
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Feb 16, 2011 04:45
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I was wondering: Is this thread specifically for U.S. Foreign Service hopefuls and current employees? (Yes I can read the title, but I thought this might be a good place to talk about foreign service experiences too (in general)). I've started working in the foreign service for another country, and was hoping I could run some of my experiences by some of the diplomats that read/post here (from whatever country). I'm trying to see if my experiences are typical or atypical for someone rather new (and therefore junior) on this totem pole. If it's considered a derail/thread crap I won't post my questions here, but if it's kosher I will. If any of you are posted in Berlin, that'd be interesting for me too. If we can't have this sort of discussion in the thread please feel free to PM me, and we can take it from there as well.
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Feb 18, 2011 13:56
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Ordeith posted:I was wondering: I'd love to hear about your experiences for what it's worth.
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Feb 18, 2011 19:07
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^^ Me too I had a question about other international programs from the State department, specifically USAID. USAID has its own long-term abroad program (though more centered around the third-world, I'm sure). Does USAID work separately from the various embassies that y'all work at. Is the hiring process the same, and are workers able to side-step into the diplomatic programs?
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Feb 18, 2011 21:33
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Slaan posted:^^ Me too Depends... Depends are you talking about direct hires, contractors, implementing partners, etc etc. Some Embassies (and possibly Consulates) can either be co-located with DoS, or not. Generally speaking, even on co-located compounds (where State and USAID are in the same building), FSOs have different hiring processes. USAID Officers are still called Foreign Service Officers. As of now, they are essentially seperate, but still work closely together. Two of my close friends at Post are a tandem couple with first tour USAID and State officers.
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Feb 18, 2011 21:58
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Ordeith posted:I was wondering: The thread says U.S. but it's not limited. We'd love to hear about your experiences as far as you're allowed to discuss.
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Feb 18, 2011 22:24
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The quote below is from the Dept. Of Labor's Office of International Relations. quote:OIR conducts research on international labor issues and advises senior administration and officials regarding labor issues and related policy matters in foreign countries. The office provides expertise and conducts research and analyses on labor issues in the Americas, Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East in support of the Administration's foreign policy priorities and also reports on foreign labor trends and global labor issues. It also manages the Department's Foreign Visitors Program and assists in the training and support of State Department Foreign Service Officers. I see that labor is listed under the Political track. Can anyone with experience in this capacity expand on their experiences? What does the training entail, what are typical assighnments, when on a consular rotation do they push the visa interviews on you due to the labor background, etc. Would appreciate any background on this aspect of the State Department. Tortilla Maker fucked around with this message at 04:06 on Feb 19, 2011 |
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Feb 19, 2011 03:44
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A question for the former military folks. I'm currently in the Navy in a very technical centric field. 12 years in and 3 to go on my current contract. I plan on getting out after doing my 15 if I can find a suitable job to jump to for a mixed bag of reasons. The good news is I should have my engineering degree by then. This field looks right up my alley and is a strong candidate for me to shoot for, but the time requirement on the application process presents a problem in that if I do get out I would at least like to know that I am in a favorable position to land the job. Is it possible to begin the application before ending active duty having the end of active duty service date land somewhere in the middle? That way if I am not invited past the written examination I do not end up quiting the current job just to pursue a dead end application.
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Feb 19, 2011 06:20
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Jimb posted:A question for the former military folks. This shouldn't be a problem. Just do your research on how long the process takes. If you happen to be in the military overseas, you can actually defer for up to two years if you pass.
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Feb 19, 2011 08:28
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Vilerat posted:I'd love to hear about your experiences for what it's worth. Okay. As I start to write this I hope to keep it as concise and brief as possible, but consider this a disclaimer that in my attempts to describe my experiences as accurately as I can, I may fail utterly in my attempt at being brief. I apologise for my English in advance. 1. The Good So, after meeting a number of diplomats from my country I was attracted to a career in the foreign service. Since our embassies are quite small, diplomats get a taste of everything from doing the monthly accounts, to attending high level briefings very early on, to handling lost passports, to private sector endeavours (say your country is quite interested in testing the latest and greatest wind farm technology - putting a company (or Ministry) in your country in touch with the counterpart in the country where you are stationed, and so on. The variety is nice, because I tackle initiatives in everything from illegal immigration to climate change, and to be honest I'm interested in a lot of these topics on a personal level so I find the work engaging. Initiatives on your part (at least for the country I work for) can reap large (relatively speaking) rewards for your country, though issues begin to arise procedurally (at least for me). 2. Elitism One example is what I'd call a certain level of obvious and strict social climbing. Now, I'm not naive. I'm sure it's part of your job to make contacts and so forth, but in my experience quite a few people simply hand out their business card with a "Hi my name is" and then move on, and other countries simply make no attempt whatsoever at meeting anyone at the conferences. I'm not sure how to describe this but, for the diplomats here who go to briefings/debriefings, have you noticed a similar phenomenon? As an example, I have yet to meet an American diplomat (perhaps none of you feel the need to interact with diplomats from most other countries) and met my first Canadian diplomat on Friday (I bummed a smoke from her on the way to the subway - she was polite, but certainly not interested in any sort of collaboration). So, I'm not certain what the point is in obtaining someone's business card. I have more than 100 business cards now from various people (including Vatican representatives and so on) and I have yet to use one. Are the people who make no attempt at interacting with other diplomats at these meetings the hardened version of me? Get in there, get the notes, zip back to the Embassy, write the report, move on? I understand that this is a job, but I thought that part of this job was to try and increase relations between states. I have seen none of it so far, especially from certain countries' representatives. I haven't been told "do your best to meet people from countries X, Y and Z", have you? 3. Glory I'm finding that junior people who do all of the groundwork for a project end up getting as minimal a credit as possible (if any). For example, I did all of the research for a very important interview for someone who is a higher up in my Embassy, and for some reason I find it irksome that I do weeks of research (often at home after work or on weekends) to ensure a comprehensive report, and this gets glanced over by someone higher up, who quickly gives an interview and gets his name in a paper and so on. It's not that I'm proud, or arrogant, but something sticks oddly in my craw about doing the vast majority of the work "for someone else's C.V". Other diplomats here might know what I mean re: lazy superiors who don't want to go to a briefing and schmooze, and end up sending someone like me (or you) to a briefing, to take the notes, type up the report, and "run it by them" before it is sent. The higher up then sends the report from his email address (noting of course that I went), but again, this is irksome. I went to the meeting, I wrote the report, and having a really pedantic correction made just so the other person can put his name on the report too seems to infuriate me. I'm not sure if this is common in other missions. 4. Competition I am not averse to healthy competition. But, there is such a high level of competition for jobs in my foreign ministry that it seems people are out to (see the Glory section) deliberately "steal the light" from your work. I'm not sure if I'm upset about "not being appreciated", or "not being recognized" and it probably sounds that way. I guess the hierarchies seem to dictate behaviour between people, so when I mention my rather junior status to a First Secretary or a Counselor, should I simply expect to be outright snubbed? Is this part of the game? So, I guess: In principle I'm finding the work a lot of fun, but I don't like the fact that there's this abstract idea that is "recognition for my work" and it's simply up to my boss whether to bestow that credit on me or not. Without breaking NDA, I guess something like this is what started it all: My country has an initiative X that is quite important for economic=>political reasons. I noticed that it was taking weeks and weeks for the relevant Ministry to get its act together. I did some local research myself and sourced a number of companies who were very excited about initiative X, and I contacted them personally to "feel them out". After I received positive feedback, I approached a higher up in my Embassy and told him what I did. He asked for the names, I gave them to him (and the contact information), and when the Minister came from our country to get this initiative X going, I wasn't invited at all. I was not invited to meet the companies, to the dinners with the Minister, nothing. No "hey, you did a great bit of work there", nothing. The problem with me is that these things are objective. In part it was my effort that pushed initiative X forward. I didn't get to meet the Minister, there were no notches added to my belt, nobody even knows that I did that work (except my boss, but I'd bet he's putting his name on it in order to make it look like he's doing work). This really gets under my skin. I want to be recognized for the work I do, isn't that natural? The logic (in my mind) is this simple: If I make a mistake, I get told it's a mistake. When I do something good, why shouldn't I get told that it's good? Is this some management technique that I'll learn someday, if/when I become a manager? 4. Conclusion So, in sum: I like the work I do in the job, I don't like how the higher ups seem to "make the work their own" in order to compete with higher ups in other Embassies, I suppose. I wonder what the diplomats who read what I wrote would have to say about it. I'd really appreciate some feedback on this, even if you think I'm being a competitive moron or am overly sensitive or whatever - or, if what I describe is some sort of truism then...well, I'll just have to get over it.
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Feb 19, 2011 15:35
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Odd, Even as a specialist, I've met probably 20+ other diplomats or other embassy technical staff outside of our Embassy.
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Feb 19, 2011 23:24
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It depends on where you're at a little bit. Some places, particularly smaller cities, often have more tight-knit expat communities. I can't really speak to having professional contacts though, just social ones.
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Feb 20, 2011 00:15
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So who else is psyched for a shutdown? Hell yes I am! 
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Feb 20, 2011 05:28
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