Summary
The U.S. Department of State is developing a rank-ordered list of eligible hires for a limited number of Foreign Service Diplomatic Couriers (DCS) positions. Learn more about a career in the Foreign Service and the Bureau of Diplomatic Security.
There is more to joining the Foreign Service than just salary. Refer to the Benefits section for more information on total compensation.
Duties
Foreign Service Diplomatic Couriers assist in worldwide security programs that provide secure transportation services for U.S. Department of State classified diplomatic pouches. Diplomatic Couriers safeguard and escort diplomatic pouches containing classified and sensitive material between U.S. diplomatic missions overseas and the U.S. Department of State. The Department carries out this mission at more than 275 embassies and consulates around the world, offices in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area, and other locations in the United States.
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Diplomatic Couriers spend most of their career in a constant state of travel. Couriers are assigned to regional offices and travel from these postings to constituent embassies and consulates in the region.
Diplomatic Courier duties may include the supervision of subordinate staff and the actual performance of some, or all, of the following functions:
Safeguarding Classified Material:
- Performs travel and transports classified material.
- Escorts other couriers/provides security for shipments for extended periods of time.
- Provides container watch and security for shipments.
- Performs pouching.
- Operates light-duty motor vehicles, such as medium-sized cargo vans including the ability to operate a vehicle on the flight line.
- Operates warehouse material handling equipment.
- Loads and unloads vehicles, material handling equipment, containers, and pallets.
- Assesses risks and identifies contingencies.
- Assists posts with diplomatic pouch questions.
- Provides administrative support within the office.
- Develops travel plans.
- Arranges logistic operations support.
- Coordinates with Embassies/Consulates.
- Negotiates prices and delivery schedules with vendors.
- Develops pouch escort schedules.
- Uses computer applications to plan and manage work.
- Prepares for work in extreme environmental conditions, including heat, cold, and/or noise.
- Maintains records.
- Performs financial tasks.
- Provides customer service contingency: based on current information, desk officer briefings and past experience, develops contingency plans in advance to overcome issues or obstacles encountered while transporting/safeguarding classified material.
- Establishes working relationships.
- Demonstrates commitment to EEO principles.
- Communicates with others.
- Follows security procedures.
- Resolves disputes.
- Assists Regional Diplomatic Courier Offices/hubs.
- Works with other government offices.
- Drafts trip and other reports.
- Improves cultural sensitivity and language capability.
- Trains others.
- Seeks professional development.
- Supervises and evaluates staff (at senior job levels).
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- Be a U.S. citizen and accept assignments based on the needs of the FS.
- Be able to obtain/maintain Top Secret Security Clearance and TS/SCI access.
- Be able to meet the minimum medical qualification standard.
- Be able to meet the supplemental medical for the Courier position.
- Be able to obtain a favorable Suitability Review Panel determination.
- Be at least 20 years old at application and 21 years old to be appointed.
- Be appointed prior to age 60 (preference eligible veterans excepted).
- Possess and maintain a valid/current U.S. Drivers License.
Essential Physical Requirements:
Some of the essential functions of the Diplomatic Courier have a physically demanding component. A Courier must meet the following physical requirements:
- Vision: Ability to see objects that are near, far, or at night.
- Hearing: Ability to hear speech or other sounds, including sufficient sensitivity to hear sounds of low volume or in noisy environments.
- Speaking: Ability to speak clearly enough so others will understand, including speaking to groups.
- Mobility: Ability to walk moderate distances, climb stairs, or access workstations and vehicles.
- Running: Ability to run short distances, up to 250 feet.
- Strength: Ability to lift, push, pull, and carry up to 70 lbs., as well as climb ladders or balance.
- Torso Flexibility: Ability to bend, stretch, stoop, twist, or reach.
- Dexterity: Ability to manipulate small objects with hands or fingers.
- Physical Endurance: Ability to perform movements repeatedly or continually, including the ability to stand for extended periods or take frequent extended trips by plane or other vehicles.
- Mental Endurance: Ability to maintain attention for extended periods or work long hours.
- Tolerance for Extreme Environmental Conditions: Ability to tolerate heat, cold, noise, or pollution.
- Lifting: Ability to lift pouches of 70 pounds waist high and hold for 10 seconds without assistance.
- Climbing: Ability to climb stairs, ladders, and other inclines.
- Crawling: Ability to crawl under, around, or over objects.
Qualifications
Experience
At the time of application, candidates must possess at least three years of work experience with progressively increasing responsibility. Qualifying experience must demonstrate the ability to analyze problems, gather pertinent information and data, plan and organize work, form solutions, implement action, and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Evidence of working and/or living in a multicultural environment is desirable.
Candidates must demonstrate experience and abilities in at least two of the following areas:
- Experience in office operations in a government agency or a business, or an industrial firm servicing a client or client organization, demonstrating initiative, ingenuity, resourcefulness and judgment required to organize, implement and accomplish tasks.
- The ability to think logically and objectively, to analyze and evaluate facts, and to apply sound judgment in assessing the practical implications of solutions such as those required for negotiating contracts, and scheduling services or production runs and to do so independently with little direct supervision.
- Responsibility for planning and scheduling resource needs or organizing requirements for deliverables.
- Experience preparing written and oral reports and presenting findings in a clear and concise manner.
- Interpersonal skills, including cultural sensitivity, discretion, tact, and capacity for obtaining the cooperation and confidence of others during team efforts and when supervising.
- Experience scheduling airline and other transportation. Dealings with routing practices and customs processes, or with agents or officials involved in transporting materials across international boundaries, is also credited.
Knowledge, Skills, and Other Characteristics
The Department has conducted extensive job analysis research to determine Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) and other attributes conducive to successful performance in this position. A candidate's education level, work experience, and other qualifications will be considered as part of the hiring decision-making process based on these KSA criteria.
- Knowledge of material handling equipment and operating environments, the logistics process and practices, the Travel and Transportation Sector, pertinent international regulations, and knowledge of safety standards and practices and personal protection measures.
- General skills in financial management and individual financial accountability, team leading, initiative, reporting, customer service, negotiation and conflict resolution, being adaptable and resilient, maintaining awareness of working environment, and self-development.
- Superior oral and written communication skills: must consistently meet a high standard for English, both written (overall structure as well as grammar, spelling, and punctuation) and spoken (overall structure as well as delivery, clarity, and succinctness).
- Physical ability to move heavy objects, tolerate endurance demands, and physical ability to drive.
- Other requirements: cross-cultural awareness, tolerance of travel and being on call, tolerance for working overseas, tolerance of varying work environments with high endurance demands, world-wide availability, tolerance of living away from family, dependability, integrity, and willingness to perform other duties.
At the time of application, candidates must possess an Associate's degree (or higher) or 60 credit hours from an accredited college or university by the closing date of the announcement and must provide proof of the education requirement.
Substitution of Education for Experience
- Candidates with 18 credit hours of undergraduate level study in addition to an Associate's level degree may substitute that academic achievement for one year of general experience.
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited university may be substituted for two years of general experience.
Foreign Education
Foreign education acquired outside of any state of the U.S., the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, or any territory or possession of the U.S. must be evaluated by a member organization of one of the two national associations of credential evaluation services (NACES or AICE) in order to be given credit towards qualification.
- The accredited interpretation must include the summary and the foreign education transcripts.
- Foreign education transcripts that have not been evaluated by a credential evaluation service will not be accepted and the candidacy will be terminated.
OPM: www.opm.gov
U.S. Department of Education: http://www.ed.gov
Please refer to the Required Documents Section on how to submit the required educational documentation for this position.
Additional information
EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION PROGRAM (E-Verify) - Verification of employment eligibility in the United States is required.
U.S. law requires organizations to employ only individuals who may legally work in the United States - either U.S. citizens, or foreign citizens who have the necessary authorization. This agency utilizes E-Verify to compare information from the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration (SSA) records to confirm employment eligibility. If the employee's information does not match DHS and/or SSA records, the employee is given an opportunity to resolve the problem. If eligibility cannot be verified, employment will be terminated.
The U.S. Department of State Suitability Review Panel and standards are defined in Chapter 3 of the Foreign Affairs Manual. For more information please visit: https://fam.state.gov/
For more information about Veteran's Preference and how it is applied in the selection process, please visit: https://careers.state.gov/faq-items/are-veterans-given-hiring-preference/ .
No candidate will be considered who has previously been separated from the Foreign Service under sections §607, §608, §610 or §611 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as amended, or who resigned or retired in lieu of separation under these provisions. In addition, no candidate will be considered who has previously been separated for failure to receive a career appointment under section §306 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as amended, or who resigned or retired in lieu thereof.
A Foreign Service Specialist separated for failure to receive a career appointment under section 306 may not re-apply to be a Foreign Service Specialist in the same skill code but may apply for another skill code or to be a Foreign Service Generalist.
Executive Branch agencies are barred by 5 US Code 3303 as amended from accepting or considering prohibited political recommendations and are required to return any prohibited political recommendations to sender. In addition, as mandated by 5 US Code 3110, relatives of federal employees cannot be granted preference in competing for these employment opportunities.
It is the policy of the Federal Government to treat all employees with dignity and respect and to provide a workplace that is free from discrimination whether discrimination is based on race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity or pregnancy), national origin, disability, political affiliation, marital status, membership in an employee organization, age, sexual orientation, or other non-merit factors.
The U.S. Department of State provides reasonable accommodation to candidates with disabilities. Procedures vary by test type, and all candidates must request reasonable accommodations in advance. For more information visit
Requesting Reasonable Accommodations - Careers (state.gov). Decisions for granting reasonable accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis.
- Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window Learn more about federal benefits.
Benefits include health and medical coverage, federal retirement benefits, and paid leave. Overseas benefits include tax-free housing overseas, tax-free education allowance for dependent children between K-12 overseas, and an unrivaled opportunity to see the world and experience different cultures.
The salary range listed is from the Foreign Service Overseas and the Washington D.C. pay scales. The starting step is determined in part by highest education level achieved and specialized experience beyond minimum qualifications. Individuals already working in government positions may be appointed based on their highest previous rate as a federal employee. For information on salary, please visit https://careers.state.gov/benefits/benefits/.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Candidates will be evaluated on their total background including experience, education, awards, training, and self-development as it relates to the position. Selection for this position will be made only from among candidates possessing the best qualifications. Part-time work experience will be prorated.
The Department of State prohibits candidates from plagiarizing any portion of their employment application materials to include responses to questions in which candidates must provide a narrative response. Candidates must create their own responses originally and not copy or adapt them from other sources. The Department analyzes candidate submissions for plagiarism and will discontinue any individual's candidacy if found to have violated this plagiarism policy.
While the Department of State encourages candidates to create their narratives with great care, including correct use of grammar and style, candidates are prohibited from using any artificial intelligence (AI) tool, to include but not limited to ChatGPT, to aid in their written responses. The Department will discontinue any individual's candidacy if found to have violated this prohibition on use of AI tools in the application process.
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