Design, Buildings Construction, Operations, and Maintenance

“OBO’s mission is to provide the most effective facilities to conduct  United States diplomacy abroad. These facilities represent American values and the best in American architecture, design, engineering, technology, sustainability, art, culture, and construction execution.”

The Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO), one of the world’s largest and most experienced real estate developers, provides safe, secure, functional, and resilient facilities that represent the U.S. government to the host nation. The bureau sets worldwide priorities and allocates the resources for acquiring, designing, constructing, operating, maintaining, leasing, or disposing of U.S. diplomatic properties around the world.

With a $75B portfolio replacement value and more than 280 locations throughout the world, OBO’s workforce and its facilities are dedicated to representing American values and the best in American architecture, design, engineering, technology, sustainability, art, culture, and construction execution.

OBO’s Foreign Service Specialists, Civil Service professionals, and Personal Services Contractors contribute their knowledge and experience in everything from architecture and engineering to real estate planning, construction, facilities management, safety, health, security, and interior design to the mission, as they serve with integrity and professionalism.

Consider a public service career with us, either in the United States or abroad, and contribute your different perspectives, life experiences, and innovative thinking as you collaborate with colleagues throughout the world.  Our opportunities provide for leading and managing intellectually challenging projects, while connecting with global communities, communicating U.S. foreign policy, and having a positive impact on the economic, social, and environmental locations where we serve.

Foreign Service Construction Engineers (FSCEs) oversee all aspects of new construction and major renovation of U.S. diplomatic facilities around the world.  FSCEs  work with multi-disciplinary teams in the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations to execute OBO’s mission and support the Department’s achievement of U.S. foreign policy objectives abroad.

FSCEs work on projects that are professionally some of the most rewarding and challenging projects in the industry. A single OBO project contains almost every aspect of the Built Environment including class A office space, municipal infrastructure, medical space, historic preservation, food service, IT infrastructure, art installation, recreational facilities, environmental stewardship, etc. In short, OBO routinely builds projects that most professionals will wait a lifetime to participate in.

Construction engineers have architectural, civil, electrical, or mechanical engineering degrees from ABET-certified or NAAB-certified programs. They use engineering skills and vertical construction experience to manage new projects, supervise upgrades to existing properties and support sustainable design and energy conservation programs.

They are responsible for ensuring that construction work is professionally performed and compliant. You will be accountable for quality assurance, financial controls, safety and security, commissioning, pre-construction, and administrative tasks related to all aspects of building projects. Those projects provide an opportunity to see the Built Environment through all phases of its lifecycle. From inception to operation and maintenance, it provides a unique opportunity to see a project from the need of the user of the facility. Each project is planned and designed with leading practitioners in the industry including award-winning architects, industry-leading Architecture and Engineering Firms, and Construction and commissioning consultants.

All projects represent the best of the U.S. standards to the world. We represent the American people in the most tangible way possible as we invite Host Nation citizens to come to our facilities.

OBO projects have a direct impact on the daily lives of local employees. Hiring 3 to 4 thousand workers on some of our larger projects, OBO improves the lives of Host Nation citizens and their communities through training and employment. OBO represents the face of America through the diversity of our workforce.

Learn more about what it takes to become a Foreign Service Construction Engineer (CE)

Foreign Service Facility Managers (FMs) are the global professional facilities, technical, and operations experts at U.S. diplomatic missions around the world. FMs support the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) mission. Assigned to more than 200 worldwide locations, FMs operate and maintain U.S. government assets and deliver a wide range of building-related services, manage physical resources, and direct operations in office and residential properties.  They lead large, diverse teams of engineers, technicians, and tradespersons.

Facility Managers in the Foreign Service have the opportunity to:

  • Lead large, diverse teams
  • Experience the adventure and excitement of exploring the world and the challenges of working in different environments
  • Contribute meaningful work supporting U.S. foreign policy
  • Provide cultural learning opportunities for their children
  • Receive excellent benefits and understand that it’s more than just a salary:
    • Free housing when assigned overseas
    • Schooling for K-12 while overseas
    • Retirement – pension and Thrift Savings Plan (401K w/matching)
    • Health insurance
    • Paid days off

Learn more about what it takes to become a Foreign Service Facility Manager (FM).

In addition to the Foreign Service Specialist careers abroad, the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) offers opportunities in our Rosslyn, VA office in a wide range of categories: architecture, engineering, human resources, historic preservation, art curation, security, safety and health, construction, interior design, finance, policy, real estate, and more.

Explore our current open domestic Civil Service and Personal Services Contractor positions.   

If you do not find an opportunity that matches your skill set and experience right now, please join our Talent Network to be notified of future opportunities .

Learn more about what it takes to Work in the United States.

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