Recent Graduates Program

The Recent Graduates Program (RGP) targets recent graduates of qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution, as well as completion of a Registered Apprenticeship Program.

To be eligible, applicants must apply within two years of degree or certificate completion. Veterans who, due to military service, were unable to apply for positions, will have up to two years from their release or discharge from active duty, not to exceed six years after degree and/or certificate completion. Successful applicants will be placed in a one-year career development program. 

RGP vacancy announcements are posted to USAJobs year-round, on an as-needed basis based on the needs of the Department.  

  • U.S. Citizenship
  • Recent graduate within the previous two years (veterans precluded by their military service obligation will have up to six years)
  • You will be subject to random drug testing
  • Be able to receive and maintain Secret or Top Secret security clearance

To qualify for RGP positions at the GS-07 level, you must satisfy one of the requirements described in A or B below:

A. EDUCATION — Have successfully completed one full year of post-secondary education (18 semester hours or the equivalent); or possess a bachelor’s degree that meets the provisions of Superior Academic Achievement. Specific coursework may be required depending on the career field. Any additional qualifications can be found on each Pathways opening on USAJOBS Student Jobs.

OR

B. EXPERIENCE — You must demonstrate that you have experience (not necessarily job series related) not limited to the following competencies: (1) Attention to Detail (2) Customer Service (3) Oral Communication (4) Problem Solving AND possess at least one full year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 grade level or higher in the Federal Service.

While the government uses at least six different pay scales, the majority of Civil Service employees are paid using the GS (General Schedule) pay scale. The General Service pay scale for Civil Service employees features 15 pay grades, GS-1 (lowest) – GS-15 (highest) with 10 steps within each grade. You can visit the GS pay scale here: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages. You can review our benefits at: https://careers.state.gov/benefits.Employees hired under the Pathways Programs on appointments for 90 days or more are eligible to earn annual and sick leave.

All Recent Graduate positions will be posted to USAJobs, year round, on an as-needed basis based on the needs of the Department.  A complete application must be submitted by 11:59PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration, or when the application cut-off limit has been reached, whichever happens first.* This includes submitting the online application as well as any required documents as defined in the Required Documents section listed in the announcement. Candidates are encouraged to complete their applications well before the application deadline to ensure they receive consideration. Should candidates be missing any of the required documents or submit their application late, they will be disqualified for consideration of employment.

*There is a maximum number of applications for each vacancy announcement. The vacancy will close on the closing date listed in the announcement or when the maximum number of applications is received. The vacancy will close when the first of these conditions are met. If the application limit is reached on the same day the announcement opened, the open and close date will be the same.

Candidates have until 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time on the closing date on the announcement to complete the application process, or when the specified application limit has been reached, whichever comes first*. This includes submitting the online application as well as any required documents as defined in the Required Documents section in the listed announcement. Candidates are encouraged to complete their applications well before the application deadline to ensure they receive consideration. Please note if a candidate modifies their application before the announcement closes, a new time stamp will be assigned to their submission, potentially pushing them past the application cut-off limits. Should candidates be missing any of the required documents or submit their application late, they will be disqualified for consideration of employment.

*There is a maximum number of applications for each vacancy announcement. The vacancy will close on the closing date listed in the announcement or the day the maximum number of applications is received. The vacancy will close when the first of these conditions are met. If the application limit is reached on the same day the announcement opened, the open and close date will be the same.

  1. Resume – your resume or any other written format you choose should contain the required information as specified in the “How You Will Be Evaluated” section. Insufficient information will result in an ineligible rating.
  2. A completed online job specific self-assessment questionnaire through the Department’s automated system “Gateway to State”.
  3. Transcripts – if you are qualifying based on education OR if there are mandatory education requirements listed under the Qualifications and Evaluations section, you MUST submit a copy of your college transcript(s) with your application. If selected, an official/sealed college transcript(s) will be required to verify education prior to employment. NOTE: Qualifying Transcript(s) (showing graduation within the past two years)
  4. Veterans Preference – If claiming veteran’s preference, you must indicate the type of veteran’s preference you are claiming on your resume.

For 5-point veteran’s preference, you must provide a copy of your DD-214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (Member Copy 4 is preferable) which must show the type of discharge and dates of active duty. If you are currently on active duty, you must provide a certification on letterhead from your military branch which contains your military service date, expected date of discharge or release, and the character of service to show that your military service was performed under honorable conditions. The expected date of discharge or release must be within 120 days of the date the certification is submitted for consideration for this vacancy announcement. If the appropriate information is not submitted to confirm your current or expected discharge status, dates of service, etc., you will not receive credit for the claimed active duty military service.

For 10-point veteran’s preference, you must submit a current version of the SF-15 (Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference), dated October 2013, and any documentation required by this form to support your claim. Previous editions of the SF-15 will not be accepted. If we cannot verify your 10-point preference status, you will receive 5-point preference if veterans’ preference requirements have been met.

For Sole Survivorship preference, you must provide a copy of your DD-214 (Member Copy 4 is preferable) or another form of official documentation which shows your discharge or release from active duty occurred on or after August 29, 2008 and was based on a sole survivorship discharge.

Training has always been considered a fundamental part of the Recent Graduates (RG) Program. Bureaus are responsible for ensuring that RGs receive at least 40 hours of training which includes mandatory training, as listed in the Master Training and Development Plan (MTDP). RGs are required to complete one 30-day rotational assignment in a different functional area within their job series.

Master Training and Development Plan (MTDP)

The Master Training and Development Plan describe the planned training and development activities during the course of the one year Recent Graduates Program. These activities are designed to enable the participant to acquire the competencies, knowledge and skills for successful job performance.

The MTDP includes:

  • Required Tasks and Competencies
  • DoS Orientation
  • Mandatory and Optional Formal Classroom Training
  • Structured On-the-Job Training
  • Mandatory and Optional Rotational Assignments
  • Recommended Self-Development Activities

Formal classroom training is provided primarily through the Department’s Foreign Service Institute (FSI) at the National Foreign Affairs Training Center. It is supplemented by other public and private training vendors such as the Graduate School USA. Host bureaus are responsible for funding all non-FSI training courses as well as related travel and per diem expenses. Travel and per diem is authorized only when the training course is not offered locally.

To be eligible for conversion to the competitive service after completion of the program, an RG must:

  1. Be a U.S. Citizen;
  2. Demonstrated successful job performance under the agency’s approved performance appraisal system and receive a rating of record (or summary rating) of at least Fully Successful or equivalent;
  3. Completed required number of hours of training;
  4. Meet agency-specific requirements as specified in the Participant Agreement;
  5. Received recommendation for conversion by the first-level supervisor, bureau coordinator, and the Bureau’s Executive Office; and
  6. Meet the OPM qualification standard for the competitive service position to which the RG will be converted.

The US Department of State is not obligated to make an offer of employment, nor is the student obligated to accept an offer of employment.