Welcome to the Mission! Are you a new DLI? No? Are you a Contractor or a PSC? Oh, you're a Fellow!
That's right, there is an acronym soup for the many people that make up the personnel of USAID. It's not as simple as being just a hire of the Agency, rather, people come to the Missions and are classified through a wide variety of hiring mechanisms. The heart of the difference between all the classifications is funding source and compensation system but also includes to some degree the type of work.
The existence of so many different hiring mechanisms is a result of the budget process (Operational Funding and Program Funding), historical changes in government, and the nature of how development work has changed. It's quite a complicated system and I still wonder, at times, if there might be a more effective and easier to understand way of hiring.
Let's try to break-down the many classifications of employees that makeup USAID.
Civil Service
--These are the Civil Servants of the US Government. They are based out of Washington, DC working at the headquarters of USAID. They follow the General Schedule (GS) salary scale and support the government's development programming from the US, but many will often travel to other countries (the field) in their work. Civil Service employees represent about half of the US direct-hire employees of the Agency.
Foreign Service
--These employees represent the majority of the US direct-hire employees of USAID working overseas. Known as career Foreign Service Officers (FSOs), they have a variety of technical backstops, and represent the Agency and the US Government abroad. Unlike Civil Service employees, they are compensated on a different Foreign Service pay-scale and follow rules from the Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM). USAID has historically hired FSOs under various initiatives, and as a result, additional nicknames came about for newly hired FSOs based off of the initiative in which they were hired. These initiatives include "International Development Intern (IDI)", "New Entry Professional (NEP)", and "Development Leadership Initiative (DLI). The most recent initiative was DLI and hopefully, the Agency will be able to hire for attrition and per future staffing needs in the future. Uneven hiring for FSOs historically is a result of budget shortfalls, hiring freezes, and reductions in force (RIFs) in the Agency's history.
Foreign Service Limited (FSL)
--These are direct-hire employees of USAID who makeup a small portion of USAID's Foreign Service. They use the same pay-scale as typical FSOs but are generally limited to 5 years employment, but in some cases, they can be converted to career FSOs. Recently, the Agency hired many employees as FSLs to help support the staffing needs of "Critical Priority Countries (CPCs)" like Afghanistan and Iraq.
Fellow
--Fellows will join USAID for a couple years at a time as determined by the structure of the Fellows program. The US Government has a variety of different programs and I'm really not knowledgeable on the details of them all. However, the most common Fellow's I've seen at USAID are "Presidential Management Fellows (PMFs)" and "American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)" Fellows. Fellows have opportunities to work in Washington, DC as well as work abroad in the Mission.
Participating Agency Service Agreement (PASA)
--This is an arrangement where another US Government details employees to work at USAID. While the employee is working at USAID, they are still technically an employee of their home Agency. The majority of PASAs at USAID tend to come from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), in my experience, and work alongside Civil Service employees in Washington, DC.
Personal Service Contract (PSC)
--USAID has a unique authority to hire employees on a contract basis but, who are for all practical purposes, essentially a US direct-hire. They are compensated in accordance to their contract which is generally based off the Civil Service pay-scale. They are employed to work at both Washington, DC and abroad but largely are hired abroad in the Missions. Historically, PSCs filled staffing shortages of FSOs and now more increasingly used to provide unique technical support that isn't found within the ranks of FSOs or Civil Service. PSCs can be US citizens (USPSCs) or third country nationals/citizens of a country other than the US or the country in which they are working (TCNPSCs).
Foreign Service National (FSN)
--FSNs makeup the significant majority of USAID employees overseas. These are the local employees of the countries in which USAID works. They are the backbone of the Missions providing Technical Support, Program Management, and Administration for all of USAID's activities. The typical Mission will have Rule of Law Specialists, Infectious Disease Specialists, Water and Sanitation Specialists, etc. providing vital technical and programmatic support. FSNs have the local knowledge, language skills, and expertise to bring effective development solutions to their home countries and are an essential component to sustainable development programs. FSNs are hired technically as a form of PSC and are compensated based off of local pay-scales and benefit plans.
Contractors
--While not under the direct employment of the US Government, they are indirectly employed by USAID and consist of the largest number of people working overseas supporting USAID's activities. Since the 1990's, the US Government increasingly relied on the private sector to perform many previously held functions of government employees. At USAID, almost all of the implementation of activities is now outsourced to contractors and non-government organizations while strategy and project design is general held within USAID. Depending on how one would like to support USAID, working with as a Contractor might actually be a better option as the work would be closer to the field and the daily implementation of development work.
That's all the types of employees that comes to mind but would be curious to know if there are even more!
Showing posts with label hiring process. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hiring process. Show all posts
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
A little about the DLI-17 Class
USAID's DLI-17 class is a fairly big class of 45 people. Many people came with experience in the development world but there are also a good number of people that came in with none. Almost everyone has some international experience of some sort but there are a few that also have none.
In terms of demographics, age-wise, the mean tends to be in the late-twenties to the mid-thirties. However, we have some in the mid-twenties and others in the 40+.
In terms of education, most everyone has a graduate degree but there are some exceptions. A large number have degrees from prestigious universities in the US.
The majority of people have significant others of some sort. Those who have not reached the relationship point of engagement though tend to be facing the upcoming issue of how to maintain the relationship with the spouse having very limited job options when following overseas. At least when overseas, the decision of the spouse working won't be a deciding factor whether you'll be able to put food on the table and more of a means for self-satisfaction, fulfillment, or ambition.
As a whole, the class is very ambitious, intelligent, and committed to the objectives of USAID and passionate about helping others and seeing improvement in the lives of others around the world. USAID is undergoing a number of reforms to re-establish itself as the world's premier development agency and promoting the importance of development to our nation's prosperity and security. I feel very optimistic and confident in facing the challenges to come.
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| With Agency Counselor Bambi Arellano after Orientation Graduation - 4/15/2011. |
Monday, February 28, 2011
State Foreign Service Hiring Process
I went through the State Dept. hiring process before as well. The stages are fairly similar with the exception of the Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT) being the first step to the process. I was eliminated at the Oral Assessment (OA) phase. But if you pass the OA, then it's pretty much the same as USAID in regards to obtaining clearances.
Everything with State begins at their website. Actually, the whole process is outlined very clearly there!
http://careers.state.gov/officer/selection-process
Instead of picking a specific position or backstop, State's positions are a bit more general. State has 5 main career ladders or "cones". Every cone though will have to do a tour or two doing Consular work which means working Visas for people wanting to come to the US or assisting Americans abroad even if they are not in the "Consular" cone.
FSOT & Language Test
While filling in your basic information in the application, you will also have the opportunity to indicate whether you have any language capabilities. After completing the application, you have to select a test date to take the FSOT. The test reminds me of the ACT or GMAT in that you'll take it in one of the various testing centers where they hold those tests. Even more similar is that like those other standardized tests, they even offer an official test preparation guide! http://www.act.org/fsot/.
After taking the test, if you indicated you had a language skill, you may be requested to do an over the phone language test as you will receive bonus points to your score in the very end if you pass the OA. I believe this is only done if you indicate a language ability for one of their critical priority languages (ie. Chinese Mandarin, Arabic). The test will involve you, the tester, and a listener. You will then basically have a conversation with the tester and based off of how you can communicate they will indicate a rating and add that to your candidate file (http://www.govtilr.org/).
Qualifications Evaluation Panel (QEP)
If you successfully pass the FSOT, you will be invited to the QEP stage. Basically, it's like the original application with USAID. There will be various questions on your experience and you will be prompted to provide a short answer response on that. After providing your response to these questions, then your file is sent to the Board of Examiners (BEX) and they will categorize you based off your selected cone and review candidate profiles based off their QEP responses, their FSOT score, language proficiency, etc. Basically, like reviewing an application but they have a lot more information to use in their determination. This will take another month or two until results from this are released.
Oral Assessment (OA)
The structure of this in-person interview is similar to USAID. There are three components being the Group Exercise, Case Study, and Structured Interview. One marked difference is that candidates from all different cones are assessed together in State rather than USAID which evaluates candidates of a similar position together. After the day of testing is complete, State provides immediate feedback of whether you will move on or not. Candidates will be placed in a room and called out. If you are not successful, you will be greeted by two of the examiners and be given a file with your results for the day and be given the chance to ask any questions. I was at least pleased that in the file they gave me, they noted I passed the over the phone language test for Mandarin.
If you are successful, then you will begin the clearance process and eventually be placed on a register for eligible hires. A good group that discusses the OA can be found at this address: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fsoa/
Candidacy Timeline:
August 2009
Submitted application to take FSOT.
October 2009
Took the FSOT.
November 2009
Received confirmation of passing the FSOT and invitation to submit narratives for QEP.
Scheduled and took phone language test for Mandarin.
January 2010
Received confirmation of passing QEP.
February 2010
Registered to take the FSOA.
April 2010
Took the FSOA in DC.
*Disclaimer: If any of this violates the Non-disclosure Agreement, please let me know and I will remove. To the best of my knowledge, the posting contains general information readily available at the State Department website or is generic in nature for disclosure*
Everything with State begins at their website. Actually, the whole process is outlined very clearly there!
http://careers.state.gov/officer/selection-process
Instead of picking a specific position or backstop, State's positions are a bit more general. State has 5 main career ladders or "cones". Every cone though will have to do a tour or two doing Consular work which means working Visas for people wanting to come to the US or assisting Americans abroad even if they are not in the "Consular" cone.
FSOT & Language Test
While filling in your basic information in the application, you will also have the opportunity to indicate whether you have any language capabilities. After completing the application, you have to select a test date to take the FSOT. The test reminds me of the ACT or GMAT in that you'll take it in one of the various testing centers where they hold those tests. Even more similar is that like those other standardized tests, they even offer an official test preparation guide! http://www.act.org/fsot/.
After taking the test, if you indicated you had a language skill, you may be requested to do an over the phone language test as you will receive bonus points to your score in the very end if you pass the OA. I believe this is only done if you indicate a language ability for one of their critical priority languages (ie. Chinese Mandarin, Arabic). The test will involve you, the tester, and a listener. You will then basically have a conversation with the tester and based off of how you can communicate they will indicate a rating and add that to your candidate file (http://www.govtilr.org/).
Qualifications Evaluation Panel (QEP)
If you successfully pass the FSOT, you will be invited to the QEP stage. Basically, it's like the original application with USAID. There will be various questions on your experience and you will be prompted to provide a short answer response on that. After providing your response to these questions, then your file is sent to the Board of Examiners (BEX) and they will categorize you based off your selected cone and review candidate profiles based off their QEP responses, their FSOT score, language proficiency, etc. Basically, like reviewing an application but they have a lot more information to use in their determination. This will take another month or two until results from this are released.
Oral Assessment (OA)
The structure of this in-person interview is similar to USAID. There are three components being the Group Exercise, Case Study, and Structured Interview. One marked difference is that candidates from all different cones are assessed together in State rather than USAID which evaluates candidates of a similar position together. After the day of testing is complete, State provides immediate feedback of whether you will move on or not. Candidates will be placed in a room and called out. If you are not successful, you will be greeted by two of the examiners and be given a file with your results for the day and be given the chance to ask any questions. I was at least pleased that in the file they gave me, they noted I passed the over the phone language test for Mandarin.
If you are successful, then you will begin the clearance process and eventually be placed on a register for eligible hires. A good group that discusses the OA can be found at this address: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fsoa/
Candidacy Timeline:
August 2009
Submitted application to take FSOT.
October 2009
Took the FSOT.
November 2009
Received confirmation of passing the FSOT and invitation to submit narratives for QEP.
Scheduled and took phone language test for Mandarin.
January 2010
Received confirmation of passing QEP.
February 2010
Registered to take the FSOA.
April 2010
Took the FSOA in DC.
*Disclaimer: If any of this violates the Non-disclosure Agreement, please let me know and I will remove. To the best of my knowledge, the posting contains general information readily available at the State Department website or is generic in nature for disclosure*
USAID Foreign Service Hiring Process
USAID is one of 4 agencies that use the Foreign Service classification system. Their process is similar in some ways to the State Dept. with the main difference of not requiring what is called the Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT).
It all begins with their website http://www.usaid.gov/careers/.
At the website, you can get all sorts of information about what the Foreign Service is, what the different positions are (called "Backstops" in USAID lingo), and what vacancies they have. After that, it's as simple as applying like any other job. The initial application is a bit more intense than some other jobs in that you'll need to write several short answer responses to questions on your experience as it relates to various key skills of the position you are applying to. Just note, pretty much all positions have a requirement for a graduate degree.
Afterward, if you are selected, you'll be contacted for an interview in Washington DC for their Oral Assessment.
USAID Oral Assessment
The interview or "Oral Assessment" is similar to that of the State Department. There will be 3 components for your interview which will include a Case Study (write a memo or response to a situation relevant to the position for which you applied), a Group Exercise (discuss and develop a solution to a case study with the other candidates), and then Structured Interview (same as typical interview) with a panel consisting of a HR type, a FSO, and a Technical expert in your position. After the day is complete, you will be finished and you can expect to receive a response on whether you will be accepted from 2 weeks to a month. They will follow up with references that you provide and your package of your scoring from the interview, your experience, and your reference responses will be forwarded to a final panel for determination (Keep in mind this is partially made from assumptions combined with my experience. Actual internal process may differ).
Security/Medical Clearance Process
If you are successful, you will begin the Pre-employment process. This consists of obtaining a Security Clearance and Medical Clearance. Lots of information will be provided on the specifics of this process but expect it to take several months at least to obtain these. Security Clearance should be ok so long as you have good credit, have a fairly clean background, and have kept a good record of places you have lived/worked and can have different references vouch/confirm.
Medical has many conditions but you'll probably be able to obtain clearance if you could probably live in a isolated country with limited to no medical facilities available. USAID positions are often deemed as very "Technical" positions so a chance for a limited medical clearance may be possible if your position is in a "critical" or priority backstop.
Final Suitability Review/Position Availability
Once these hurdles are cleared, you will be on their register or list of eligible candidates. Cleared candidates are grouped by their backstop and then often rank-ordered. A panel will then review the eligible candidates and make their selection on those to appoint. For the past two years, every other month or so would be an orientation class where they hire new batches of candidates. In a conversation with the DLI hiring coordinator, he mentioned they are trying to keep a good queue of a couple hundred people to select and hire from.
General advice through this process is to be prepared with all the information that is expected of you in regards to the Security Clearance and Medical Clearance. For Security, have lists of different references for all the places you lived/worked and a supplemental list of people they can contact and meet with. For Medical, if you have any conditions, be sure to get a written opinion from your physicians and send that all with your packet. Finally, patience is important because as this is a federal government position, the whims of politicians, budgets, and other circumstances can all affect hiring. Keep in touch with your HR contacts and you'll hopefully make it through. Also, a forum where many people discuss the USAID Foreign Service is found here: http://federalsoup.federaldaily.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4834&PN=1&title=usaid-junior-officer
My Candidacy Timeline:
June 2010
*Disclaimer: If any of this violates the Non-disclosure Agreement, please let me know and I will remove. To the best of my knowledge, the posting contains general information readily available at the USAID website or is generic in nature for disclosure*
It all begins with their website http://www.usaid.gov/careers/.
At the website, you can get all sorts of information about what the Foreign Service is, what the different positions are (called "Backstops" in USAID lingo), and what vacancies they have. After that, it's as simple as applying like any other job. The initial application is a bit more intense than some other jobs in that you'll need to write several short answer responses to questions on your experience as it relates to various key skills of the position you are applying to. Just note, pretty much all positions have a requirement for a graduate degree.
Afterward, if you are selected, you'll be contacted for an interview in Washington DC for their Oral Assessment.
USAID Oral Assessment
The interview or "Oral Assessment" is similar to that of the State Department. There will be 3 components for your interview which will include a Case Study (write a memo or response to a situation relevant to the position for which you applied), a Group Exercise (discuss and develop a solution to a case study with the other candidates), and then Structured Interview (same as typical interview) with a panel consisting of a HR type, a FSO, and a Technical expert in your position. After the day is complete, you will be finished and you can expect to receive a response on whether you will be accepted from 2 weeks to a month. They will follow up with references that you provide and your package of your scoring from the interview, your experience, and your reference responses will be forwarded to a final panel for determination (Keep in mind this is partially made from assumptions combined with my experience. Actual internal process may differ).
Security/Medical Clearance Process
If you are successful, you will begin the Pre-employment process. This consists of obtaining a Security Clearance and Medical Clearance. Lots of information will be provided on the specifics of this process but expect it to take several months at least to obtain these. Security Clearance should be ok so long as you have good credit, have a fairly clean background, and have kept a good record of places you have lived/worked and can have different references vouch/confirm.
Medical has many conditions but you'll probably be able to obtain clearance if you could probably live in a isolated country with limited to no medical facilities available. USAID positions are often deemed as very "Technical" positions so a chance for a limited medical clearance may be possible if your position is in a "critical" or priority backstop.
Final Suitability Review/Position Availability
Once these hurdles are cleared, you will be on their register or list of eligible candidates. Cleared candidates are grouped by their backstop and then often rank-ordered. A panel will then review the eligible candidates and make their selection on those to appoint. For the past two years, every other month or so would be an orientation class where they hire new batches of candidates. In a conversation with the DLI hiring coordinator, he mentioned they are trying to keep a good queue of a couple hundred people to select and hire from.
General advice through this process is to be prepared with all the information that is expected of you in regards to the Security Clearance and Medical Clearance. For Security, have lists of different references for all the places you lived/worked and a supplemental list of people they can contact and meet with. For Medical, if you have any conditions, be sure to get a written opinion from your physicians and send that all with your packet. Finally, patience is important because as this is a federal government position, the whims of politicians, budgets, and other circumstances can all affect hiring. Keep in touch with your HR contacts and you'll hopefully make it through. Also, a forum where many people discuss the USAID Foreign Service is found here: http://federalsoup.federaldaily.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4834&PN=1&title=usaid-junior-officer
My Candidacy Timeline:
January 2010
Submitted Application online
April 2010
Referral List Issued – Referred to Selecting Official
June 2010
Invitation to Interview
June 2010
Interview at USAID.
July 2010
Request to submit updated references
August 2010
All references submitted, application sent to USAID HR.
Pre-Employment Selection.
Security Clearance (EQIP) request submitted.
September 2010
Temporary Security Clearance Granted
Medical clearance form submitted.
October 2010
Personal interview for Security Clearance.
November 2010
Medical clearance received.
Received Salary Offer.
December 2010
Full TS Clearance Granted
Appointment received to DLI 16 beginning January 2011. Requested Deferral - Granted.
January 2011
Appointment received to DLI 17 beginning in March 2011.
*Disclaimer: If any of this violates the Non-disclosure Agreement, please let me know and I will remove. To the best of my knowledge, the posting contains general information readily available at the USAID website or is generic in nature for disclosure*
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