Mapping TW2K Language Assets to the USG ILR Scores

[Damocles]

Originally Posted by rcaf_777

what about Regional Security Officer?

RSO is an overseas position available to Diplomatic Security Service Special Agents. Their career was covered with this entry: Per basic rules Federal Law Enforcement career path but entry requirement is reduced to Undergraduate University

Note that DS Agents serve in a variety of roles overseas. RSOs or Assistant RSOs (A/RSO) are the most common overseas positions, but there are others. For example, they may also serve as Site Security Managers (SSMs) for overseas construction projects. DS Agents also serve in a wide range of domestic investigative positions as well.

To assist in understanding this, bear in mind that Foreign Service Officers and Specialists have a skill code which defines the role in the organization they occupy. This is a bit like a military MOS. In addition, FSOs and FS Specialists have a personal rank, similar to members of the armed services.

Domestic and overseas positions have title (RSO, A/RSO, General Services Officer, Deputy Chief of Mission, Political Section Chief, etc.) reflecting specific responsiblities of that job. Since the Foreign Service is a rank-in-person system, a position not only has a title, but also a rank, just as personnel have a skill codes and ranks. Positions are filled for 1-3 years, depending on a variety of factors.

A member of the Foreign Service typically, but not always, serves in a position which aligns with his/her skill code. Serving in a position that aligns with your skill code is referred to as being in-cone. A DS Agent serving as RSO would be a good example of serving in-cone.

In addition, they typically, but not always, serve in a position that aligns with their rank as well. Serving in a position that aligns with your rank is referred to as at-grade. An FS-3 DS Agent serving as an FS-3 RSO at a small overseas post is a good example of serving both in-cone and at-grade.

It is possible however, for a DS Agent to bid on and be selected for different position, such as the General Service Officer for a post. The later would be rare, but it does happen. Normally you would expect a FS Management conned Officer or FS General Service Specialist to occupy a GSO position.

At a small post, the GSO position might be FS-4. At a medium post, it could be FS-2. At a large post, it could be FS-1.

Thus you could have an FS-3 DS Agent serving in a FS-2 graded GSO position at a post. This might be done for a variety of reasons. Hypothetically speaking, a DS Agent looking for more contracting experience might take such a position. This would be an out-of-cone, upstrech (taking a job at a higher level) assignment for the Agent.