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CronoGamer posted:An interesting opinion on security clearances from a former boss of mine. I haven't had to go through the process of getting one yet but I thought some of you might have some thoughts or anecdotes similar to his... I got my current job about 18 months ago. It was just a public trust clearance, which I guess isn't even really a clearance. That would be handled by OPM. I got the COE from State last spring, maybe 8 months ago. My interviews for the two investigations were about a month apart. State's was more in depth, going back farther and asking more questions. Both interviews took about the same time, largely because the OPM one involved reading the entire form back to me line by line. Maybe agencies don't trust other agencies entirely, but it seems unlikely that whatever your standards for are for public trust, that they could exceed another agency's standards for a TS. The OPM interview was ridiculous for many reasons. One, it happened a year after I'd been given my offer and something like 10 or 11 months after I'd started on the job. Two, it was stupid, as the article mentions. And three, there should be some way to know that multiple investigations are done and just let the highest level one go and see if it clears since that should make the others pointless.
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Feb 22, 2013 03:05
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Kase Im Licht posted:I got my current job about 18 months ago. It was just a public trust clearance, which I guess isn't even really a clearance. That would be handled by OPM. I got the COE from State last spring, maybe 8 months ago. My interviews for the two investigations were about a month apart. State's was more in depth, going back farther and asking more questions. Both interviews took about the same time, largely because the OPM one involved reading the entire form back to me line by line. You might be giving reason why State and others don't want to hand it all over to OPM 
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Feb 22, 2013 04:23
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Say TCD, what's it like serving at a two-goon post? The shenanigans must be off the scale..
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Feb 22, 2013 05:01
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Skandiaavity posted:Likewise, mine too? I want to make extra sure I get TCD, Skand - send 'em my way! PM for my contact info.
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Feb 22, 2013 07:43
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EERs are easily my least favorite part of this job and I'm not even to the point where I have to write my own yet.
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Feb 22, 2013 10:42
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Benagain posted:Greetings, I'm an emissary from the Thunderdome in CC, a weekly fiction contest with a lot of swears and mockery. You can visit it by clicking on my awesome avatar! More to the point, this week we've been tasked with researching something completely new and then incorporating it into our stories. I'm asking you guys for help because I know almost nothing about embassies or being diplomatic in general and I'm hoping you can make my eventual story suck less. 1. Still a thing. But it's more of a way to ship supplies and equipment to and from post than the sort of thing people imagine. Anything we really don't people tampering with, like a piece of furniture that somebody might want to put a bug on, goes in the classified pouch which is almost always handled by the IT staff. Somebody from the mission will accompany that shipment as it's being loaded and unloaded from the plane. A Diplomatic Courier will fly along and make sure the handoff happens as it's supposed to. 2. It would be investigated by the Regional Security Officer. The name is a holdover fromt he days when one guy would serve an entire region. Now every post has at least one. Keep in mind though that contrary to what you see in the movies embassy grounds remain a part of the local governemnt's territory. They can decide whether or not to prosecute anybody without immunity, they just can't come onto the grounds without permission. There was a case in the 60s where one diplomat murdered another. The US Governemnt chose to try the case in the US. You can read about it here: http://www.afsa.org/FSJ/1007/index.html#/52/ it's on page 52. Here's another account from a different perspective http://www.afsa.org/FSJ/0408/index.html#/4/ 3. Not anything I want to talk about on a public forum
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Feb 22, 2013 11:33
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Skandiaavity posted:Say TCD, what's it like serving at a two-goon post? The shenanigans must be off the scale.. He's in a CG that's a 2 hour plane ride away. Surprisingly I think we've only met up once so far...
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Feb 22, 2013 13:19
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Bruxism posted:Any idea what caused him to get stopped at that point? An incident from his past which he self reported. He didn't want to get into details.
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Feb 22, 2013 13:22
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Tyro posted:An incident from his past which he self reported. He didn't want to get into details. FRP always seemed like most opaque step in the process (more so than QEP panels). I can't imagine making it so far, through so many hoops, having been cleared already, to get denied. It seems like everyone passes but you always hear one-off stories about someone failing; though, from the few I've read, they seem to involve obvious character/judgement transgressions (travel to cuba via mexico, employment violations) which calms me a bit.
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Feb 22, 2013 14:50
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problematique posted:FRP always seemed like most opaque step in the process (more so than QEP panels). I can't imagine making it so far, through so many hoops, having been cleared already, to get denied. How about getting probation from the SA Forums?
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Feb 22, 2013 17:23
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AKA Pseudonym posted:1. Still a thing. But it's more of a way to ship supplies and equipment to and from post than the sort of thing people imagine. Anything we really don't people tampering with, like a piece of furniture that somebody might want to put a bug on, goes in the classified pouch which is almost always handled by the IT staff. Somebody from the mission will accompany that shipment as it's being loaded and unloaded from the plane. A Diplomatic Courier will fly along and make sure the handoff happens as it's supposed to. Thanks! Now I have to go research diplomatic immunity in detail. Any other publicly known embassy weirdness that you can direct me to? Where would be a good place to start digging for that on my own?
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Feb 22, 2013 17:46
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Benagain posted:Greetings, I'm an emissary from the Thunderdome in CC, a weekly fiction contest with a lot of swears and mockery. You can visit it by clicking on my awesome avatar! More to the point, this week we've been tasked with researching something completely new and then incorporating it into our stories. I'm asking you guys for help because I know almost nothing about embassies or being diplomatic in general and I'm hoping you can make my eventual story suck less. Sup friend. One presumes you will link us to any story you write with our able assistance? I'd love to read fanfics of my job. So many papers to fill out... so many visits to staff.... 1. Yes. They're large bags that travel cargo. Not so exciting, at least in our service. I was on a flight to Tripoli last month that had five sketchy looking Bulgarian dudes carrying a cardboard box as carry-on, with lots of tape and the phrase DIPLOMATIC PUCH BULGARIA EMBASSY written on it. I didn't see them get arrested at customs, so I assume it was legit-ish. 2. RSO, unless it's major crimes like terrorism, in which case you can expect the FBI to be involved. 3. Embassy staff or Americans writ large? Americans are dumb as poo poo when they go overseas, so sometimes you have to do things like explain to a guy who got a DUI in Saudi Arabia why you can't smuggle him out of the country for breaking the law (hint: alcohol is illegal in KSA). I've bent the spirit if not the letter of diplomatic exemption laws by bringing a carful of booze and pork from Bulgaria into Turkey, where the taxes on booze is 3X higher than in Sofia.
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Feb 24, 2013 18:44
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Benagain posted:Greetings, I'm an emissary from the Thunderdome in CC, a weekly fiction contest with a lot of swears and mockery. You can visit it by clicking on my awesome avatar! More to the point, this week we've been tasked with researching something completely new and then incorporating it into our stories. I'm asking you guys for help because I know almost nothing about embassies or being diplomatic in general and I'm hoping you can make my eventual story suck less. In regards to number 3 if you google around the term "persona non grata" enough I feel like you'd find some good stories (mixed in with lame ones done for political reasons I suppose). EDIT: also for #2 RSO will sometimes investigate crimes that are not committed on embassy soil, or not even against US law but host country laws. I know, I've seen me do it 
Homie S fucked around with this message at 00:20 on Feb 25, 2013 |
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Feb 25, 2013 00:18
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alt: persona non gratis  Benagain, we all have plenty of stories. The problem is the FS is a very tight knit, small world community. Simply by posting stories online, one can be nearly able to identify who someone is. As stated before in the thread, reputation is paramount in the industry. edit: let this serve as a heads up for our new FS potentials, too. Your reputation will almost always precede you in this business, it's a huge impact of stress for first/second tour people once they realize it. Skandiaavity fucked around with this message at 04:08 on Feb 25, 2013 |
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Feb 25, 2013 00:22
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Skandiaavity posted:alt: persona non gratis Pretty much
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Feb 25, 2013 02:16
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Hey Foreign Service people. I'm about to finish my BA from a tiny liberal arts school on the west coast. I just had a couple questions if you don't mind because working as a FSO is definitely the career path that I'm most interested in. Firstly, is it worth it to try to apply for a job with just a BA? I am also highly considering working towards joining the Peace Corps after graduation to bolster my resume, would this be a better idea? Also, would a liberal arts degree be significantly looked down on? My concentration within liberal arts is International Studies and I've had one semester abroad as well as 2 three week intensive abroad classes (semester in Spain, smaller classes studying ethnic conflict in Ireland, and children's rights in Indonesia). I've read the entire frontpage about how educational background doesn't really matter, what I'm getting at I guess is more the competitiveness. I'm a great interviewer and an alright test taker - would a good interview and FSOT score overwrite my liberal arts degree from a no-name school? Also do many people make it to be hired or is it extremely competitive (thinking strongly about the consular path, but also open to PD or political)
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Feb 25, 2013 14:19
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Angrybarrel posted:Hey Foreign Service people. You got the wrong approach. FS is open to all, and that means everybody that can pass. Having advanced degrees only gives you a leg up in possible field knowledge (ex: legal, hr, etc) and possibly be a better writer (edit: also starting salary, i think). Your degrees aren't looked down upon in the process at all. However, your writing ability and capability to make a coherent argument. or manage a project with a short turnaround are judged. Also if you're a good fellow to hang out with. If you have a good FSOT and FSOA/QEP score that would erase if you went to Jokers State McClown College with a 2.2 GPA Many people make it to be hired. However, a significant amount more apply. I read somewhere that ~80,000 people per year apply and less than 800 make it in. It sounded about right; but these days who knows, but I bet the applicant numbers are still stupidly high. Once you make it all the way through the process, like the OP says: you still have to face the register. Your scoring in the test & interview will determine where you stand; and hiring indicates where/when you will get an invite. Plenty of people have expired off the register. If you're still interested, give it a shot. But unless you're wealthy, it should be by no means your first career choice due to the uncertainty and length of the process. Sorry if that sounds a little disheartening, I don't mean to come off that way but it really is at minimum 1.5 to 2 years. also as a joke: take a look at my posting quality; then realize I'm a FSO. They will take anybody.
Skandiaavity fucked around with this message at 15:10 on Feb 25, 2013 |
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Feb 25, 2013 15:05
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Skandiaavity posted:take a look at my posting quality; then realize I'm a FSO. They will take anybody. *clutches pearls*
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Feb 25, 2013 23:15
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Skandiaavity posted:alt: persona non gratis I'd also imagine that similarly to how GiP is pretty much always being watched by domestic counterintelligence (and foreign intelligence), this thread is being constantly being watched by people who aren't here for the goatse and laughs.
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Feb 26, 2013 16:45
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Turned out to be a moot point because despite the goldmine of material on here already my muse abandoned me and I failed. Thanks all for answering my questions anyway.
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Feb 26, 2013 16:49
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I got an email that the English Language Officer is now open, but it's not yet posted on the site. If anyone's interested SUBJECT: FOREIGN SERVICE ENGLISH LANGUAGE OFFICER VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT 1. This is to alert posts that a vacancy announcement for Foreign Service English Language Officers will open on February 27, 2013. It will close on March 27, 2013. http://www.careers.state.gov/specialist/vacancy-announcements/elo#.USzb66WLDTo
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Feb 26, 2013 17:01
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psydude posted:I'd also imagine that similarly to how GiP is pretty much always being watched by domestic counterintelligence (and foreign intelligence), this thread is being constantly being watched by people who aren't here for the goatse and laughs. I thought everybody was here for goatse? 
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Feb 26, 2013 17:19
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Long shot question -- does anyone here have any contacts with Peace Corps or USAID in Malaysia? We have a Burmese (Chin)woman who came to the US from a Malaysian refugee camp, but the father was left behind in Malaysia. The child (my client) is now in CPS custody, and we have been unsuccessful in locating the father through the consulate.
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Feb 26, 2013 19:27
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From the green checkmarks at careers.state.gov forums:quote:As we draw closer to the date Sequestration could take place – Friday, March 1 – we’re hearing more and more questions regarding what this may mean for hiring for the Foreign Service – and understandably so. While we have no definitive answers at this time, we hope the following information will be helpful.
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Feb 26, 2013 20:53
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problematique posted:From the green checkmarks at careers.state.gov forums: The way I read that, local Washington DC hires could be really screwed during a possible furlough. E: not referring to FSNs TCD fucked around with this message at 19:55 on Mar 2, 2013 |
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Feb 26, 2013 22:18
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What about those folks on the register? 
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Feb 27, 2013 00:59
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We get to wait while the clock ticks. 
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Feb 27, 2013 01:07
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Skandiaavity posted:What about those folks on the register? Yup. E: Have a friend at post get on the register the past summer. He was actually invited to a class, but went on do not call against the advice of me and another person in the office. Now he's further down the register with this uncertainty. TCD fucked around with this message at 01:38 on Feb 27, 2013 |
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Feb 27, 2013 01:32
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TCD posted:Yup. Yup, consular register has over 100 people on it and no more than maybe 4? were invited to the March A-100 in that cone.
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Feb 27, 2013 02:00
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TCD posted:The way I read that, local hires could be really screwed during a possible furlough. I think this depends a lot on the local labor laws as well. I think in some countries reducing someone's hours or laying off without cause requires a pretty long notification period.
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Feb 27, 2013 02:04
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My comment was specifically on DC hires in the March class who don't get per diem..
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Feb 27, 2013 02:49
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TCD posted:Yup. Having been on DNC for more than a year, I can only agree wholeheartedly. I'm regretting the reasons I went on in the first place. Fingers crossed that there's a class before July 12.
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Feb 27, 2013 02:51
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In the case of a hiring freeze, any chance register candidacy time limits will be frozen? Based on my knowledge of arcane federal hiring practices, I have a feeling there's some terribly bureaucratic legalese that they can't be.
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Feb 27, 2013 03:18
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I think the parties are really blowing this out of proportion to try to score points. This year's impact is $85 Billion out of a $3.8 trillion budget, but the politicians and talking heads on both sides act like the world is about to end. Selfishly, I just really hope my candidacy isn't sabotaged by this mess.
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Feb 27, 2013 03:43
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problematique posted:In the case of a hiring freeze, any chance register candidacy time limits will be frozen? Based on my knowledge of arcane federal hiring practices, I have a feeling there's some terribly bureaucratic legalese that they can't be. Nope, checked. 18 months is all we get.
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Feb 27, 2013 04:38
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mute posted:Having been on DNC for more than a year, I can only agree wholeheartedly. I'm regretting the reasons I went on in the first place. Fingers crossed that there's a class before July 12. You get 18 months, come hell or high water. Supposedly. DOS is always about exceptions, so who knows.
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Feb 27, 2013 05:04
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Do I stand enough of a chance applying straight out of undergrad (Poly Sci Degree, good but not amazing GPA from a school that's pretty much the same, couple internships, no foreign language, one quarter abroad) for it to be worth my time applying, or is it something I shouldn't even think about until I have a graduate degree/more work experience? I'm looking at the application for FSO on USAjobs right now (it's pretty close to my dream job), but I just have visions of the hiring people scoffing and tossing it in the trash before they go back to the piles of trilingual people with masters
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Feb 27, 2013 06:02
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themrguy posted:Do I stand enough of a chance applying straight out of undergrad (Poly Sci Degree, good but not amazing GPA from a school that's pretty much the same, couple internships, no foreign language, one quarter abroad) for it to be worth my time applying, or is it something I shouldn't even think about until I have a graduate degree/more work experience? I'm looking at the application for FSO on USAjobs right now (it's pretty close to my dream job), but I just have visions of the hiring people scoffing and tossing it in the trash before they go back to the piles of trilingual people with masters 1) No. You don't stand a chance. But thats ok because you should 2) apply to experience the process anyway. It's free and can do no harm. It's important to realize that 3) the average entrance age is ~27 and most have some post-graduate schooling. If it's really your dream job then 4) find the 13Ds and see how you can fill them out in the next couple years.
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Feb 27, 2013 06:30
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themrguy posted:Do I stand enough of a chance applying straight out of undergrad (Poly Sci Degree, good but not amazing GPA from a school that's pretty much the same, couple internships, no foreign language, one quarter abroad) for it to be worth my time applying, or is it something I shouldn't even think about until I have a graduate degree/more work experience? I'm looking at the application for FSO on USAjobs right now (it's pretty close to my dream job), but I just have visions of the hiring people scoffing and tossing it in the trash before they go back to the piles of trilingual people with masters Short answer: yes. But you'll never know if you don't apply. Just go for it, don't over think it. It doesn't hurt to apply. Worse case scenario you'll be better prepared next time. Unless I'm mistaken you're not looking at an FSO position there but a Foreign Affairs Officer position. There was someone here who was an FAO and described his/her experiences a while back. Civil service based in DC, but still a pretty rad job.
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Feb 27, 2013 06:37
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Ugh, in the words of several people this was "the most hosed up, awful medivac ever." Was good to meet Tyro and HiroProtaganist though.themrguy posted:Do I stand enough of a chance applying straight out of undergrad (Poly Sci Degree, good but not amazing GPA from a school that's pretty much the same, couple internships, no foreign language, one quarter abroad) for it to be worth my time applying, or is it something I shouldn't even think about until I have a graduate degree/more work experience? I'm looking at the application for FSO on USAjobs right now (it's pretty close to my dream job), but I just have visions of the hiring people scoffing and tossing it in the trash before they go back to the piles of trilingual people with masters I would be surprised if there was a class in recent history that didn't have someone in your position. Pretty much every A-100 class is going to have a certain number of people who don't have more than a BS. There is literally no downside to applying. At worst, you're right back where you started with more insight into the process.
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Feb 27, 2013 07:26
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