Almost all Civil Service positions in the U.S. Department of State require at least a Secret security clearance, and many require Top Secret clearance. The clearance process considers such factors as registration for the Selective Service; failure to repay a U.S. government-guaranteed student loan; past problems with credit or bankruptcy; failure to meet tax obligations; unsatisfactory employment records; violations of the law (including federal drug laws), drug or alcohol abuse; or less-than-honorable discharge from the armed forces.

Pathways Recent Graduates opportunities are posted on USAJOBS on an as-needed basis, with the vacancy announcements opening for applications at 12:01am Eastern time on the first day of the application period.   

There is an extensive list of benefits available for Civil Service employees, including child care, health and life insurance and a matched retirement plan. View the complete list of Civil Service benefits.

Yes.  The Department may provide up $4,700 per year for three years towards your student loans. In return, the employee must agree to remain with the Department for at least three years. 

Yes.  The Department of State has regular openings for information technology positions, and also has occasional openings for engineering, architecture, and science positions.   

All listings on USAJOBS include a section entitled “Telework eligible.”  That section will indicate whether or not the employing office is open to telework for the position. 

There may be occasional employment opportunities available for Civil Service employees overseas. These positions are usually filled by career Foreign Service employees, but when appropriate bidders are not identified they may be deemed “Hard to Fill” and opened to Civil Service bidders on excursion tours. At that time, the vacancies filled through a competitive process.  Some Civil Service employees may also have the opportunity to fill gaps in employments at overseas posts.  In addition, it is not uncommon for Civil Service employees to travel overseas. 

As long as you are a U.S. citizen, you may apply for any Civil Service position for which you qualify, even if you have other nationalities.