Lateral Entry Pilot Program

The U.S. Department of State is proud to announce a new Lateral Entry Pilot Program.  This career opportunity, which seeks mid-career professionals with expertise in critical areas, is a pilot program for entry into the Foreign Service at mid-level (grades FP-03 and FP-02) ranks.

The Lateral Entry Pilot Program is mandated by the Department of State Authorities Act of FY 2017 and is designed to help fulfill the Department’s commitment to close staffing gaps by recruiting and hiring mid-career professionals with the required experience in areas critical to U.S. foreign policy.  Those areas include:

• Cyberspace and emerging technologies;
• Climate, environment and energy;
• Global health security and diplomacy;
• Strategic competition with the People’s Republic of China;
• Economic statecraft;
• Multilateral diplomacy; and
• Consular management.

Those selected will receive an appointment as a Foreign Service Officer Generalist.  Lateral Entry hires must meet all of the following requirements:

• Successfully pass the Qualifications Evaluation Panel and Foreign Service Officer Assessment (FSOA);
• Demonstrate professional experience in the specific areas identified by the program as outlined in the relevant vacancy announcement;
• Be a U.S. citizen at the time of application; and
• Be able to meet minimum medical qualification standards and pass and retain suitability and security clearance requirements.

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 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;

And demonstrated:

• Foreign language proficiency – demonstrating 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 for the level of proficiency needed for specific languages.  Candidates will only be tested for their speaking ability after receiving a conditional offer of employment.
• Supervisory experience – at least four years directly supervising others.

All candidates applying for LEPP must also satisfy the below requirement at the time of application:

• A U.S. citizen on the date you submit your registration package 
• At least 20 years old and no older than 59 years of age on the day you submit your registration 
• At least 21 years old and not yet 60 on the day you are appointed as a Foreign Service Officer 
• Available for worldwide assignments, including Washington, D.C. 

Specialized Experience – In addition to the education requirements, applicants must possess the minimum requirements of specialized experience.  Specialized Experience is professional work of progressively responsible nature that demonstrates that the applicant has acquired and can apply the specific knowledge, skills and abilities appropriate to a Foreign Service Officer.  This experience must have been within the last 15 years.

The LEPP selection process begins with an application via USAJobs.gov, including personal narratives, and proceeds through the selection process, including the Foreign Service Officer Assessment (FSOA). Lateral Entry applicants will not be required to take the Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT).  Instead, they will receive invitations to the Foreign Service Officer Assessment (FSOA) based on their skills and professional qualifications.  Only the most competitive candidates will receive invitations.

Candidates who are successful at the FSOA and obtain medical, security, and suitability clearances will be placed on a dynamic, rank-ordered register organized by critical area and may receive offers of employment as positions are identified.

Those who are selected for the program will go on to follow a Foreign Service Officer (Generalist) career path.  Lateral Entry hires agree to the same requirements regarding availability for assignments, must meet foreign language proficiency requirements to be eligible for tenure, and must receive tenure within 54 months of their entry into the Department.  Upon completion of their directed tour, LEPP hires will be considered untenured mid-level officers and will be expected to compete against other mid-level for jobs and promotions.  As mid-level FSOs, LEPP hires will be evaluated against the same tenure and promotion criteria as other similarly ranked officers.

Interested candidates must apply via the vacancy announcements that will be posted on USAJOBS.