LEPP: SOP 134G6
BUREAU OF GLOBAL TALENT MANAGEMENT
OFFICE OF TALENT ACQUISITION
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES NOTICE (SOP) NO. 134G6
This SOP replaces and supersedes SOP 134G5 dated 10/15/2024 and all previous versions of 134G.
SUBJECT: SALARY STANDARDS FOR LATERAL ENTRY PILOT PROGRAM FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER CAREER CANDIDATES EFFECTIVE February 20,2025.
PURPOSE: To provide procedures for determining the salary level for LEPP for Foreign Service Officer Career Candidates in accordance with 3 FAM 3121.1-1.
AUTHORITY: Section 404 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. § 3964) authorizes the Secretary to assign all Foreign Service personnel “to appropriate salary classes in the Foreign Service Schedule.” 3 FAM 3121.1-1 governs salary assignments for Foreign Service Officers.
PROCEDURE:
The Office of Intake Planning and Onboarding (IPO) is responsible for determining the salary level (grade and step) that the candidate is offered, based on the candidate’s specialized experience, education, and current salary. Salary review/appeal procedures are covered by Salary Review Procedure SOP No. 134D.
Determination of Entry-level Grade and Step
A candidate’s grade and step are based on the combination of their level of education and their years of specialized experience (SE).
At the time of application, applicants must possess one of the following to be considered for the FP-03 grade:
- A bachelor’s degree, required with 10 years of specialized experience; or
- A master’s degree, required with eight years of specialized experience; or
- A PhD degree, required with six years of specialized experience.
At the time of application, applicants must possess one of the following to be considered for the FP-02 grade:
- A bachelor’s degree, required with 12 years of specialized experience; or
- A master’s degree, required with 10 years of specialized experience; or
- A PhD degree, required with eight years of specialized experience.
In addition, LEPP candidates who otherwise qualify at the FP-02 level must have:
- Foreign language proficiency, demonstrating, through State Department testing of speaking abilities, either Minimum Professional Proficiency or Limited Working
Proficiency depending on the language demonstrated. For additional details, see section 3 FAM 2245.7 of the Foreign Affairs Manual at https://fam.state.gov/fam/03fam/03fam2240.html for the level of speaking proficiency required for specific languages. - At least four years of experience directly supervising others.
FP 03 Grade:
| EDUCATION | FULL YEARS OF SE | GRADE/STEP |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 10 | FP-3/Step 1 |
| 11-23 | FP-3 /Step 2-14 | |
| 23+ | FP-3/Step 14 | |
| Master’s Degree | 8 | FP-3/Step 1 |
| 9-21 | FP-3/Step 2-14 | |
| 21+ | FP-3/Step 14 | |
| PhD | 6 | FP-3/ Step 1 |
| 7-19 | FP-3/ Step 2-14 | |
| 19+ | FP-3/ Step 14 |
FP 02 Grade:
| EDUCATION | FULL YEARS OF SE | GRADE/STEP |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 12 | FP-02/Step 1 |
| 13-25 | FP0-02/Step 2-14 | |
| 25+ | FP-02/Step 14 | |
| Master’s Degree | 10 | FP-02/Step 1 |
| 11-23 | FP-02/Step 2-14 | |
| 23+ | FP-02/Step 2-14 | |
| PhD | 8 | FP-02/Step 1 |
| 9-21 | FP-02/Step 2-14 | |
| 21+ | FP-02/Step 14 |
For the relevant education level and range of specialized experience, one step above the minimum is added for each year of specialized experience above the minimum, up to the maximum within the range indicated above. For example, a bachelor’s degree plus eleven years of specialized experience receives FP-3, Step 2. A master’s degree plus 9 years of specialized experience receives FP-03, Step 2.
Education:
To be considered, a degree must be conferred prior to appointment by a nationally accredited college or university. The accrediting institution must be one recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. A degree received after IPO has sent a Confirmed Offer of Employment Letter (that is, an offer to join a specific orientation class with a specified starting date), but before the candidate has been sworn in as a Foreign Service Officer (FSO) to the Foreign Service, will be credited for grade and salary determination upon submission of evidence of the degree to IPO. Education completed in foreign institution may be used to meet the education requirements if the candidate can demonstrate that the foreign education is comparable to U.S education.
Calculation of Specialized Experience (SE):
Specialized Experience is professional work of a progressively responsible nature that demonstrates that the applicant has acquired and/or can apply specific knowledge, skills, and abilities appropriate to a Foreign Service Officer. For examples of specialized experience, see the position descriptions linked on the Lateral Entry Pilot Program webpage. An additional step may be granted for each year of specialized experience. Specialized experience is calculated up to the effective date of the Appointment offer (i.e., class starting date). In no case will more than 40 hours of specialized experience be credited for anyone-week period, regardless of the type of work performed, including overtime.
A candidate’s specialized experience refers to professional work that showcases a progressive acquisition of skills, knowledge, and abilities relevant to the role of a Foreign Service Officer. This experience should have been gained within the past 15 years. Additionally, to qualify for an FP-02 grade, a minimum of four years of direct supervisory experience is mandatory.
Salary Determination:
Once a candidate’s grade and step are determined based on education and qualifying experience, IPO will review their current salary to determine if it exceeds the projected salary in the Foreign Service Overseas Salary Table. If the current salary is higher, the candidate’s starting salary will be adjusted to the closest step at or above their current salary within the assigned grade. If the current salary exceeds the highest step available for the assigned grade, the candidate will be placed at step 14 of that grade.
For this SOP, “current salary” refers to the base salary earned for at least 90 days before appointment as a Foreign Service Career Candidate. Federal government civilian direct-hire employees must have no more than a three-calendar-day break in service between their current federal employment and Foreign Service appointment, per government-wide regulations.
For candidates with current or previous federal employment, only base salary will be considered for the purposes of salary matching. Locality pay or other special differentials will not be considered part of “current salary.” The highest federal base salary held for at least 90 days may be considered for purposes of salary matching regardless of how long ago the position was held.
For all other candidates, there must not be a break in service of more than 45 calendar days between their most recent employment and Foreign Service appointment for current salary matching considerations to apply.
Candidates must submit proof of their current salary, e.g. a copy of 90 days’ worth of earnings statements; an SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action (for federal civilian employees only); a signed statement on letterhead from the Human Resources Office of their most recent employer; and/or other appropriate documentation.
For candidates who are not entering the Foreign Service directly from other federal civilian employment but previously held a federal government civilian direct-hire position, their highest federal salary will be considered for purposes of salary matching. Candidates must submit a copy of an SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action for proof of their prior federal employment.
Salary Offer Response Deadline:
You will have 10 calendar days to accept, decline the salary offered.