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.

[rcaf_777]

Foreign Service Promotion

Chiefs of mission are appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate.

Ambassadors at large are appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate.

Senior Foreign Service (SFS) members are the senior leaders and experts for the management of the Foreign Service and the performance of its functions. They are appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate. SFS may come from the FSO or Specialist ranks and are the equivalent to flag or general officers in the military (see Attachment).

Foreign Service Officers are appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate. These are mostly diplomat "generalists" who, along with some subject area experts, have primary responsibility for carrying out the functions of the Foreign Service.

Foreign Service Specialist provide special skills and services required for effective performance by the Service (including, but not limited to Facilities Managers, IT Specialists, Nurse Practitioners and Special Agents of the Diplomatic Security Service). They are appointed by the Secretary of State.

Consular agents provide consular and related services as authorized by the Secretary of State at specified locations abroad where no Foreign Service posts are situated.

Also you view Comparison between civilian and military rank equivalents see attachement

[Damocles]

This is a good, general breakout of the overall structure of the Foreign Service. It is also entertaining because it makes it seem like either the President or Secretary of State personally knows and appoints every member of an organization with 15,000 members.

What happens in practice is that these names are floated to Congress and the President en masse. This is after the individual member is recommended for tenure, promotion, or entry into the Senior Foreign Service.

http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=...&id=04b7b4426e

So if John Kerry isn't stopping by every office to say, "great work, I think you are ready for the next level of responsibility!", then who does? Well, that would be the Foreign Service Selection Boards which convene annually. They compare the employee’s annual performance appraisal to core precepts to determine if a member is ready for promotion. Employees are rank ordered based on performance. HR indicates a number of positions to be filled by cone, and by grade.

If HR and Diplomatic Security agree they needs 10 more FS-2 Agents and you are number 5 on the DS Agent FS-3 promotion list – congratulations, you just became an FS-2 DS Agent. If you were number 11 on the list, then you remain an FS-3 for the following year.

An older exemplar of these precepts is available here: http://www.afsa.org/Portals/0/2011precepts.pdf