New State Department Policy Rewards Foreign Service Experience

The U.S. Department of State is implementing a game-changing policy recognizing and rewarding prior Foreign Service experience in its hiring process. Starting October 1, 2024, candidates with significant overseas Foreign Service experience will receive additional points on their assessment scores, potentially fast-tracking their path to a career in diplomacy.

A much-needed policy, I am excited to see that State is formally recognizing candidates with former Foreign Service experience. Formerly a missed opportunity, it now incentivizes individuals to participate in programs, such as the Consular Fellows Program, where their experience will benefit them on the Register.

What Is the New “Bump-Up” Policy?

The State Department’s new policy aims to acknowledge the valuable experience gained by non-career Foreign Service employees. Under this initiative, eligible candidates who pass the Foreign Service Officer Assessment (FSOA) or Foreign Service Specialist Assessment (FSSA) will receive an additional 0.17 points on their assessment scores for ranking purposes on the register.

Key Eligibility Criteria:

• At least 48 months of service in the past 8 years in a Department of State overseas Foreign Service position at the FP-06 level or higher
• Applicable to experience in Limited Non-Career Appointment (LNA) positions, Consular Affairs-Appointment Eligible Family Member (CA-AEFM) Adjudicator Program, Eligible Family Members (EFMs) in the Expanded Professional Associates Program (EPAP), and Civil Service (CS) excursion tours
• Successful performance evaluations and recommendations for continued employment covering the qualifying period

Benefits of the New Policy

This policy change brings several advantages to both candidates and the State Department:

1. Recognition of Experience: It acknowledges the skills and knowledge gained through prior Foreign Service work.
2. Improved Ranking: Eligible candidates will have a better chance of ranking higher on the register.
3. Attraction of Talent: The policy may encourage more experienced professionals to pursue a career in the Foreign Service.
4. Diverse Skill Set: By valuing prior experience, the Department will likely enhance the diversity of its workforce’s skills and backgrounds.

How to Apply for the “Bump-Up” Points

If you believe you’re eligible for these additional points, here’s what you need to do:

1. Prepare the following documents:
   1. SF-50s showing the start and end dates of all qualifying experience
   2. PDF versions of all finalized employee evaluation reports covering at least 48 months in the past 8 years
2. Ensure your evaluation reports support recommendations for continued employment and note successful performance
3. After October 1, 2024, email these documents to [email protected]

Note: Current candidates already on the registers when this policy takes effect can also apply for these bump-up points following the same procedure.

Impact on Different Candidate Groups

The new policy affects various candidate groups differently:

• FSO and FS Specialist Candidates: Both groups are eligible for the bump-up points.
• Mustang Candidates: They can also receive this bump-up.
• Former Local Staff: Eligible if they meet the service and evaluation criteria.
• LEPP Register Candidates: The policy does not apply to candidates on the Lateral Entry Pilot Program (LEPP) register.

Combining with Other Preferences

It’s worth noting that candidates may still qualify for bump-up points in other categories, such as language proficiency and Veteran’s Preference. The combined maximum of all bump-up points is 0.55 points.

Implications for Foreign Service Recruitment

This policy shift signifies the State Department’s commitment to valuing real-world experience in diplomacy and foreign affairs. By incentivizing those with prior Foreign Service experience, the Department is likely to:

1. Attract a pool of candidates with proven track records in diplomatic settings
2. Retain talented individuals who have already contributed to U.S. foreign policy objectives
3. Create a more experienced and diverse Foreign Service corps
4. Potentially reduce training time and costs for new hires who already possess relevant skills and knowledge

Conclusion: A Step Forward for the Foreign Service

The State Department’s new “bump-up” policy represents a significant step forward in recognizing the value of prior Foreign Service experience. For eligible candidates, this change could make a crucial difference in pursuing a Foreign Service career. As the policy takes effect on October 1, 2024, aspiring diplomats with qualifying experience should prepare to take advantage of this opportunity.