Foreign Affairs Officer Jobs 2026 are available with the U.S. Department of State in Washington, DC. The opening is for one full-time, permanent position at the GS-14 level. The salary listed in the announcement is $143,913 to $187,093 per year.
The application window starts on October 1, 2026, and closes on October 7, 2026. The position is based at Department of State Headquarters and falls under the Office of Specialized and Technical Agencies.
Foreign Affairs Officer Job Details
This position belongs to the 0130 Foreign Affairs job series and the Competitive Service. The person hired for the role will work in Washington, DC. Some domestic and international travel is part of the job.
The position is not a remote job. Situational telework is available under agency rules with approval from the proper supervisor. Relocation expenses are not covered for this vacancy.
- Job title: Foreign Affairs Officer
- Department: U.S. Department of State
- Grade: GS-14
- Location: Washington, DC
- Vacancies: 1
- Salary: $143,913 to $187,093 per year
- Schedule: Full-time
- Appointment: Permanent
- Travel: Occasional domestic and international travel
- Remote work: No
- Telework: Situational telework under agency policy
What Does the Foreign Affairs Officer Do?
The main work involves U.S. policies and objectives related to international organizations. The officer will review intelligence and diplomatic reporting connected with U.S. work through the United Nations.
The job also involves representing U.S. government interests before UN bodies, offices, commissions, treaty bodies, special bodies, and related groups. Some duties involve organizations outside the UN system as well.
The officer will work with other U.S. government agencies when policy positions need to be coordinated. The role also includes giving technical and diplomatic advice to Department of State offices and other government agencies on matters involving the UN system.
The vacancy describes the position as both a desk officer and an international organization thematic expert.
Education Requirements
For Foreign Affairs Officer Jobs 2026, applicants have several education routes. One route requires a bachelor’s or graduate degree from an accredited college or university in international law, international relations, political science, economics, history, sociology, geography, social or cultural anthropology, law, statistics, or the humanities.
Another route requires a bachelor’s or graduate degree with at least 24 semester hours in the listed subject areas. An additional option includes 12 semester hours in one listed field and 12 semester hours in statistics or quantitative methods.
The announcement also lists an education and experience option. Under this route, an applicant needs at least four years of appropriate experience in one or more listed fields. The work needs to involve international organizations, international problems, or other foreign affairs work.
Work Experience Needed
Along with the basic qualifications, applicants need one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 level in federal service.
The experience needs to include work involving the development and advancement of U.S. foreign policy or reform positions related to international organizations. Experience with policy, reform, and operational issues involving international organizations is also required.
Applicants also need experience coordinating with and representing the U.S. Government before the UN, bilateral stakeholders, and external stakeholders.
Federal employees who are subject to time-in-grade rules need 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade. The required time needs to be completed by the closing date.
Age, Citizenship and Security Requirements
The vacancy announcement does not list a minimum or maximum age. No height, chest, running, endurance, or other physical test is listed for this position.
U.S. citizenship is required. The selected employee will also be subject to random drug testing and needs to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
How the Hiring Process Works
The Department of State will first review applications against the requirements in the vacancy announcement. Applicants who meet the minimum requirements receive a score between 70 and 100.
The hiring process includes an online assessment. A subject matter expert will review resumes from applicants who rank among the top qualified candidates.
There is also a strict resume length rule. A resume longer than two pages will be considered ineligible. The information in the resume also needs to support the answers given in the online assessment.
The review covers knowledge of U.S. foreign policy objectives and international organizations. Other areas include policy development, analysis of complex policy and organizational issues, subject matter expertise, and coordination with government and international stakeholders.
Documents Required for the Application
For Foreign Affairs Officer Jobs 2026, required documents need to reach the automated system by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on October 7, 2026.
Every applicant needs a resume of no more than two pages. The resume should include relevant work or volunteer experience, education, and training. Start and end dates need to be listed by month and year, along with the number of hours worked or volunteered each week.
Applicants using education to meet the requirements need to provide transcripts. Certificates, certifications, and other qualification documents should also be submitted when they apply to the applicant’s situation.
Some current Department of State employees need recent SF-50 documents. Employees applying under certain non-competitive hiring authorities need proof of eligibility. CTAP applicants need the required CTAP documents and applicable performance information.
How to Apply Through USAJOBS
Applicants interested in Foreign Affairs Officer Jobs 2026 need to start the process through USAJOBS. Select the Apply button, sign in or register, and follow the application instructions.
The application includes a resume, online assessment questions, and supporting documents required for the applicant’s situation. Before submission, applicants have an opportunity to review and update their information.
The full application needs to be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on October 7, 2026. An alternate procedure is also listed for people facing an extreme hardship with online submission.
Applicants using the alternate procedure need to contact the Human Resources office listed in the announcement during business hours at least two working days before the closing date. Applications sent by mail are not accepted.
What Happens After You Apply?
After the closing date, the agency will review the applications and check the qualifications. According to the announcement, candidates are expected to be referred to the hiring manager about two weeks after the vacancy closes.
Applicants receive status updates at different points. These include confirmation of application receipt, qualification assessment, referral to the hiring manager, and the final selection stage.
A person who receives a tentative job offer will go through a suitability review or security background investigation. The announcement says this process generally takes an average of at least two to six months.
Foreign Affairs Officer Job Contact Details
The contact person listed for the vacancy is Candice D. Hanna. The email address provided in the announcement is hannacd@state.gov.
The agency address listed in the announcement is the U.S. Department of State in Charleston, South Carolina. Applications are not accepted by mail.
The announcement number is P/IO-MPI-2027-0001. The control number is 887102100. Applicants should keep these numbers available when asking the agency about the vacancy.
Things to Check Before Applying
Applicants using education for qualification need to submit the required transcripts before the closing date. Foreign education also needs documentation showing comparability with education from an accredited U.S. institution.
The agency asks applicants to explain their experience clearly in the resume. Hiring staff do not fill in missing details or make assumptions about an applicant’s background. Relevant duties and experience need to be stated clearly.
Applicants also need to make sure the information in the application is accurate. The announcement warns against overstating qualifications or experience. Missing information or supporting documents might affect eligibility or the application rating.
The deadline for Foreign Affairs Officer Jobs 2026 is October 7, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Before submitting the application, applicants should check the vacancy announcement and make sure all required documents are included.
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