Diplomatic Security: Foreign Service Security Engineering Officer (FS-2550)
Protects U.S. Department of State personnel, facilities, and sensitive information against crime, terrorism, and technical espionage at over 275 embassies and consulates worldwide.
Foreign Service Security Engineering Officers (SEOs) are members of the Diplomatic Security team who protect U.S. Department of State personnel, facilities, and sensitive information against acts of crime, terrorism, and technical espionage. SEOs carry out this mission at over 275 U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide, as well as offices in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area and Fort Lauderdale, FL. SEOs are deemed essential security personnel whose duties can vary according to the size of the U.S. presence, the requirements of the specific diplomatic facility, and known threats.
The following are the duties and tasks of all the SEO jobs in the Department at all locations and levels to provide a complete understanding of work throughout a career based on the most recent job analysis.
Managing Engineering Offices
Oversees security networks. Plans the layout of facilities. Determines required work. Plans projects, oversees project planning on other areas, and documents completed activities. Distributes workload. Coordinates the flow of activities. Identifies and monitors needed resources. Reports office activities. Evaluates assigned employees. Advocates employee concerns and recognizes employee contributions. Ensures and promotes equal employment opportunities. Manages office safety program. Creates and maintains web sites. Manages accountable property.
Providing Technical Support Throughout Geographic Region
Serves as the security engineering subject matter expert in a geographic region. Monitors the technical security status of constituent posts. Determines required support. Coordinates planned travel. Authorizes and directs regional travel. Designates team leaders. Identifies support and safety requirements. Installs and replaces security equipment. Oversees equipment testing and maintenance. Addresses emergencies on a timely basis. Supports crisis management.
Completing Assessments and Evaluations of Security
Provides technical surveillance countermeasures (TSCM). Performs TSCM inspections at embassies and consulates. Conducts annual technical security assessments. Completes computer security assessments. Ensures material and equipment security. Considers improvements in the technology of adversaries. Completes inspection and assessment reporting. Serves as a non-professional diplomatic courier.
Overseeing the U.S. Department of State's Regional Computer Security Officer Program
Serves as a regional computer security officer. Inspects regional computer facilities. Formally evaluates information technology assessments. Designs, improves, or modifies information technology networks. Manages cyber security programs.
Directing Engineering Disciplines
Works as a design engineer. Works as a systems engineer. Works as a radio-frequency engineer. Works as a project engineer. Works as a network engineer. Works as an emanations engineer. Works as a biometrics countermeasures/verification engineer. Develops requests for proposals. Serves on technical evaluation panels. Serves as a contracting officer's representative. Serves on interagency committees. Develops special projects for physical security in high threat posts. Monitors the development of new equipment. Evaluates equipment proposed for controlled access areas. Designs installation guidance plans. Specifies equipment, supplies, and installation material. Applies systems engineering to the computerized maintenance management system. Addresses computerized maintenance management system support requirements.
Representing the U.S. Department of State on Committees
Represents the U.S. Department of State on technical and physical security issues with allied nations. Represents the U.S. Department of State and the Bureau of Diplomatic Security in committee work. Participates in international and interagency exercises.
Evaluating Technical Security and Construction Projects for the Department or Other Government Agencies
Reviews engineering drawings. Performs quality assurance inspections. Participates in the accreditation process of facilities. Develops technical security standards and policies. Oversees compliance with department security standards. Manages the security of construction sites. Leads in the commissioning of new embassies/consulates/missions. Prepares decommissioning plans.
Requirements
Education
Candidates must have a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree, Master of Science (MS), or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Engineering, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or Physics, from a school with at least one program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), or evidence of successfully passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination or any other written test required for professional registration by a state, District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico engineering licensure board. A current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any state, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico may also be used to fulfill the education requirement.
Specialized Experience
- FP-06: 0-2 years of experience
- FP-05: 3-4 years of specialized experience; or Master's in one of the required degrees and at least one year of specialized experience
- FP-04: 4+ years of specialized experience; or PhD in one of the required degrees and at least one year of specialized experience
Examples of specialized experience include:
- Knowledge of networks and cyber security assessments and testing
- Understanding of the electromagnetic spectrum and RF interrelationships
- Hands-on experience with electronic instrumentation (multimeters, oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, etc.)
- Knowledge of computer systems, computer security, operating systems, hardware platforms, and networks
- Ability to read and create electrical/electromechanical schematics and architectural drawings
- Knowledge of project management, root cause analysis, and process management
- Applying technical security policies to risk analysis and risk management
- Managing a budget, including cost analysis, logistics, and travel
Key Requirements
- Be a U.S. citizen and accept assignments based on the needs of the Foreign Service
- Be able to obtain/maintain a Top Secret/SCI clearance
- Be able to meet the minimum medical qualification standard
- Be able to meet the supplemental physical qualification standards
- 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. driver's license
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)
- Knowledge of engineering principles, electronics, and the electromagnetic spectrum
- Knowledge of IT equipment, networks, network protocols, and basic cybersecurity concepts
- Ability to read, interpret, and develop schematic diagrams, electrical drawings, and building plans
- Skill in selecting, operating, and maintaining electronic equipment
- Project management skills: planning, organizing, defining scope, timelines, and deliverables
- People management and interpersonal skills: supervising, motivating, leading teams, fostering collaboration
- Intellectual and communication skills: logical thinking, problem analysis, clear presentation of technical findings
- Professionalism and independence: working with minimal supervision, accepting responsibility
- International career readiness: willingness to pursue a global career, flexibility for worldwide assignments
Essential Physical Requirements
- Vision correctable to 20/20 in one eye and 20/40 in the other, no color blindness, adequate night vision, good peripheral vision
- Hearing with no loss greater than 30 decibels at 500, 1000, or 2000 Hz (hearing appliances not allowed)
- Ability to walk moderate distances, climb stairs/ladders, crawl, lift/push/pull/carry objects, bend, stretch, stoop, twist, reach, manipulate small objects
- Endurance to stand for extended periods, take frequent/extended trips, work long/irregular hours
- Tolerance to heat, cold, noise, or pollution
Benefits
- Health and medical coverage
- Federal retirement benefits
- Paid leave
- Overseas benefits include tax-free housing and tax-free education allowance for dependent children between K-12 overseas
- Unrivaled opportunity to see the world and experience different cultures
- Recruitment incentive may be available
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Additional Info
Locations
- Montevideo, Uruguay
- Toshkent, Uzbekistan
- Vatican City, Vatican City
- Caracas, Venezuela
- Hanoi, Vietnam
- Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- San'A, Yemen
- Lusaka, Zambia
- Harare, Zimbabwe
- Kabul, Afghanistan
- Tirane, Albania
- Algiers, Algeria
- Luanda, Angola
- Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Yerevan, Armenia
- Canberra, Australia
- Melbourne, Australia
- Perth, Australia
- Sydney, Australia
- Vienna, Austria
- Baku, Azerbaijan
- Nassau, Bahamas
- Manama, Bahrain
- Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Bridgetown, Barbados
- Minsk, Belarus
- Brussels, Belgium
- Belmopan, Belize
- Cotonou, Benin
- Hamilton, Bermuda
- La Paz, Bolivia
- Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Gaborone, Botswana
- Brasilia, Brazil
- Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
- Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
- Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
- Sofia, Bulgaria
- Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
- Rangoon, Burma
- Bujumbura, Burundi
- Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- Douala, Cameroon
- Yaounde, Cameroon
- Calgary, Canada
- Halifax, Canada
- Montreal, Canada
- Ottawa, Canada
- Quebec, Canada
- Toronto, Canada
- Vancouver, Canada
- Winnipeg, Canada
- Praia, Cape Verde
- Bangui, Central African Republic
- Ndjamena, Chad
- Santiago, Chile
- Beijing, China
- Chengdu, China
- Guangzhou, China
- Shanghai, China
- Shenyang, China
- Wuhan, China
- Bogota, Colombia
- Cartagena, Colombia
- Brazzaville, Congo
- Kinshasa, Congo (DRC)
- San Jose, Costa Rica
- Abidjan, Cote D'Ivoire
- Zagreb, Croatia
- Havana, Cuba
- Nicosia, Cyprus
- Prague, Czech Republic
- Damascus, Syria
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Ali Sabih, Djibouti
- Djibouti, Djibouti
- Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
- Dili, Timor-Leste
- Guayaquil, Ecuador
- Quito, Ecuador
- Alexandria, Egypt
- Cairo, Egypt
- San Salvador, El Salvador
- Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
- Asmara, Eritrea
- Tallinn, Estonia
- Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Suva, Viti Levu, Fiji
- Helsinki, Finland
- Bordeaux, France
- Lyon, France
- Marseille, France
- Paris, France
- Rennes, France
- Strasbourg, France
- Toulouse, France
- Libreville, Gabon
- Banjul, Gambia, The
- Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia
- Berlin, Germany
- Dusseldorf, Germany
- Frankfurt, Germany
- Hamburg, Germany
- Leipzig, Germany
- Munich, Germany
- Accra, Ghana
- Athens, Greece
- Thessaloniki, Greece
- Saint Georges, Grenada
- Guatemala City, Guatemala
- Conakry, Guinea
- Georgetown, Guyana
- Port-Au-Prince, Haiti
- Tegucigalpa, Honduras
- Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- Budapest, Hungary
- Reykjavik, Iceland
- Calcutta, India
- Chennai, India
- Hyderabad, India
- Mumbai, India
- New Delhi, India
- Jakarta, Java, Indonesia
- Medan, Sumatra, Indonesia
- Surabaya, Indonesia
- Baghdad, Iraq
- Kirkuk, Iraq
- Dublin, Ireland
- Jerusalem, Israel
- Tel Aviv, Israel
- Florence, Italy
- Milan, Italy
- Naples, Italy
- Rome, Italy
- Kingston, Jamaica
- Fukuoka, Japan
- Nagoya, Japan
- Naha, Okinawa, Japan
- Osaka, Japan
- Sapporo, Japan
- Tokyo, Japan
- Amman, Jordan
- Almaty, Kazakhstan
- Astana, Kazakhstan
- Nairobi, Kenya
- Seoul, South Korea
- Pristina, Kosovo
- Kuwait City, Kuwait
- Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
- Vientiane, Laos
- Riga, Latvia
- Beirut, Lebanon
- Maseru, Lesotho
- Monrovia, Liberia
- Tripoli, Libya
- Vilnius, Lithuania
- Luxembourg, Luxembourg
- Skopje, North Macedonia
- Antananarivo, Madagascar
- Lilongwe, Malawi
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Bamako, Mali
- Valletta, Malta
- Majuro Atoll, Marshall Islands
- Nouakchott, Mauritania
- Port Louis, Mauritius
- Ciudad Juarez, Mexico
- Guadalajara, Mexico
- Hermosillo, Mexico
- Matamoros, Mexico
- Merida, Mexico
- Mexico City, Mexico
- Monterrey, Mexico
- Nogales, Mexico
- Nuevo Laredo, Mexico
- Tijuana, Mexico
- Kolonia, Micronesia (FSM)
- Chisinau, Moldova
- Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
- Podgorica, Montenegro
- Casablanca, Morocco
- Rabat, Morocco
- Maputo, Mozambique
- Windhoek, Namibia
- Kathmandu, Nepal
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- The Hague, Netherlands
- Curacao, Netherlands Antilles
- Auckland, New Zealand
- Wellington, New Zealand
- Managua, Nicaragua
- Niamey, Niger
- Abuja, Nigeria
- Lagos, Nigeria
- Oslo, Norway
- Muscat, Oman
- Islamabad, Pakistan
- Karachi, Pakistan
- Lahore, Pakistan
- Peshawar, Pakistan
- Koror, Caroline Island, Palau
- Panama City, Panama
- Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
- Asuncion, Paraguay
- Lima, Peru
- Manila, Philippines
- Krakow, Poland
- Warsaw, Poland
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Ponta Delgada, Portugal
- Doha, Qatar
- Bucharest, Romania
- Moscow, Russia
- Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Vladivostok, Russia
- Yekaterinburg, Russia
- Kigali, Rwanda
- Apia, Samoa
- Singapore, Singapore
- Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Dakar, Senegal
- Freetown, Sierra Leone
- Bratislava, Slovakia
- Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Muqdisho, Somalia
- Capetown, South Africa
- Durban, South Africa
- Johannesburg, South Africa
- Pretoria, South Africa
- Barcelona, Spain
- Madrid, Spain
- Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Juba, Sudan
- Khartoum, Sudan
- Paramaribo, Suriname
- Mbabane, Eswatini
- Stockholm, Sweden
- Geneva, Switzerland
- Dushanbe, Tajikistan
- Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Lome, Togo
- Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
- Tunis, Tunisia
- Adana, Turkey
- Ankara, Turkey
- Gaziantep, Turkey
- Istanbul, Turkey
- Asqabat, Turkmenistan
- Kampala, Uganda
- Kiev, Ukraine
- Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Belfast, United Kingdom
- Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- London, United Kingdom
- District of Columbia, District of Columbia
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- New York, New York
- Belgrade, Serbia
Who May Apply
Open to all U.S. citizens.
Conditions of Employment
- Employment eligibility verification (E-Verify) required.
- Suitability Review Panel determination required.
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI clearance.
- Drug test required.
- Relocation expenses may be authorized.
- Travel required: 25% or less.
- Foreign Service Specialist tenure board grants permanent status.
Series and Grade
FP-04, FP-05, or FP-06 (equivalent to GS-12 to GS-14).
Pay Band
Salary range $87,709 - $121,080 per year (Foreign Service Overseas and Washington pay scales).
Application Instructions
Apply online at https://gov.pearsonvue.com/dsseot.html. Deadline: 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on closing date. Complete application includes work history for past 10 years and self-assessment questions. Candidates have six months to complete the application and take the DSSEOT test.
Background Check
Extensive background check of work and education history required.
Training
Approximately 12 months of specialized training in Springfield, VA and Fort Washington, MD. Failure to complete training is grounds for separation.
Skills & Keywords
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