Are Individuals with Prior Foreign Service Experience Given Hiring Preference?
Effective October 1, 2024, the Department of State implemented a new policy for awarding “bump-up” points to candidates with significant prior overseas Foreign Service experience who pass the exam process to become entry-level career members of the Foreign Service (FS).
Eligible candidates who pass the Foreign Service Officer Assessment (FSOA) or Foreign Service Specialist Assessment (FSSA) and successfully obtain all required pre-employment qualifications and clearances will have 0.17 points added to their assessment score for ranking purposes on the register for entry level career FS positions. This policy does not apply to candidates on the Lateral Entry Pilot Program (LEPP) register.
Candidates may still qualify for bump-up points in other categories, if applicable, including language proficiency and Veteran’s Preference, up to a combined maximum of 0.55 points.
To qualify for the 0.17 FS experience bump-up points, once on the FS register, candidates must have served at least 48 months in the past eight years in any full-time Department of State overseas FS position at the FP-06 level or higher (FP-05, FP-04, and so on). In addition to serving full-time in qualified LNA, AEFM, EPAP, or CS excursion tours, candidates must have evaluations noting successful performance and recommendations for continued employment in their annual performance evaluations covering at least 48 months in the past eight years to qualify.
To apply for the bump-up points, candidates must submit the following required documents to GTM’s Office of Intake, Planning, and Onboarding (GTM/TAC/IPO) by emailing Registrar@state.gov. In a single email, candidates must provide:
— SF-50s showing the start and end dates of all qualifying experience and PDF versions of all finalized employee evaluation reports covering all periods of time the candidate wants considered.
— Finalized, signed Evaluation reports covering at least 48 months of overseas service in the past 8 years must clearly support recommendations for continued employment and note successful performance.
— Current candidates on the registers when this policy takes effect may apply for these bump-up points by following the same procedure.
Q: What is the new Overseas Foreign Service Experience “Bump-Up” Policy?
A: The Department is implementing a new policy to award “bump-up” points to candidates with prior overseas employment experience through Limited Non-Career Appointment (LNA) positions such as Consular Fellows, the Consular Affairs-Appointment Eligible Family Member (CA-AEFM) Adjudicator Program, Eligible Family Members (EFMs) in the Expanded Professional Associates Program (EPAP), and those on Civil Service (CS) excursion tours who pass the Foreign Service (FS) exam process to become career members of the FS. After verification of appropriate service, eligible candidates will have 0.17 points added to their assessment score for ranking purposes on the register. This policy took effect on October 1, 2024.
Q: Why has the Department implemented this new bump-up policy?
A: The policy aims to recognize and reward the valuable experience gained by non-career Foreign Service employees, similar to the additional points awarded for language skills. It acknowledges the contributions of LNAs, EFMs, and CS colleagues in advancing foreign policy and protecting national security.
Q: Who is eligible for the 0.17 FS experience bump-up points?
A: Candidates must have served full-time at least 48 months in the past 8 years in any Department of State overseas FS position at the FP-06 level or higher. This includes service in qualified LNA, AEFM, EPAP, or CS excursion tours, with evaluations noting successful performance and recommendations for continued employment.
Q: How can candidates apply for the bump-up points?
A: Candidates must submit the following documents to the Office of Intake, Planning, and Onboarding (GTM/TAC/IPO) by emailing Registrar@state.gov after October 1, 2024:
– SF-50s showing the start and end dates of all qualifying experience.
– PDF versions of all finalized employee evaluation reports covering at least 48 months in the past 8 years, noting successful performance and recommendations for continued employment.
Q: Does this policy apply to candidates on the Lateral Entry Pilot Program (LEPP) register?
A: No, the experience bump-up points do not apply to candidates on the LEPP register.
Q: As a Veteran, can I receive both the veteran’s preference points and the Overseas Foreign Service Experience “Bump-Up” points?
A: Yes, as a Veteran, you are eligible to receive both the veteran’s preference points and the Overseas Foreign Service Experience “Bump-Up” points, provided you meet the eligibility criteria for each. The veteran’s preference points are awarded independently of the “Bump-Up” points for prior overseas FS experience. Both sets of points will be added to your assessment score, enhancing your ranking on the register. There is a maximum cap 0.55 on all cumulative additional points.
Q: Are Mustang candidates able to receive this bump up?
A: Yes, Mustang candidates on the registers are also eligible to receive this bump-up.
Q: Would this policy also benefit former Local Staff working overseas?
A: Yes. Candidates can receive the bump-up points on their register score FSOT if they have served at least 48 months in the past 8 years in any direct hire Department of State full-time overseas FS position at the FP-06 level or higher. Candidates must have evaluations noting successful performance and recommendations for continued employment in their annual performance evaluations covering at least 48 months in the past 8 years to qualify.
Q: Does the new “bump-up” policy apply to current FS specialists?
A: Yes. Candidates can receive the bump-up points on their register score FSOT if they have served at least 48 months in the past 8 years in any direct hire Department of State full-time overseas FS position at the FP-06 level or higher. Candidates must have evaluations noting successful performance and recommendations for continued employment in their annual performance evaluations covering at least 48 months in the past 8 years to qualify.