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Foreign Service Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Leidos

Foreign Language Instructor

Vienna, VA · On-site

We're looking for a passionate professional with a strong foundation in foreign language ... If you're driven, qualified, and passionate about language education and national service, we want ...

Leidos

Foreign Language Instructor

Vienna, VA

We're looking for a passionate professional with a strong foundation in foreign language ... If you're driven, qualified, and passionate about language education and national service, we want ...

Akima

Executive Administrative Assistant

Arlington, VA · On-site

$46/hr

Bachelor's Degree, OR Four years (4) experience; two (2) years must be supporting the Foreign Service (State Department) as an administrative assistant for Foreign Services Officers, Senior Foreign ...

Leidos

Insider Threat Monitoring Analyst

Ashburn, VA · On-site

Actively monitor Foreign Service National (FSN) network activity for network misuse and policy violations. * Support User Activity Monitoring (UAM) activities. * Make recommendations for insider ...

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How much do foreign service jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for foreign service in Virginia is $23.93, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.40 and $28.61 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a foreign service officer?

Foreign Service officers are diplomats who represent their home country abroad, working in embassies, consulates, and missions. They are responsible for promoting their nation's interests, protecting citizens overseas, and engaging in diplomatic negotiations. Their duties can include political analysis, economic reporting, consular services, and cultural exchange programs. Becoming a Foreign Service officer typically involves passing a competitive exam, undergoing thorough background checks, and completing specialized training.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a foreign service officer?

To thrive as a Foreign Service Officer, you need a solid educational background, strong analytical abilities, and proficiency in at least one foreign language, often supported by a bachelor’s degree and passing the Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT). Familiarity with international relations, government procedures, and specialized tools such as diplomatic communication platforms is typically required. Outstanding interpersonal skills, cultural adaptability, and resilience are vital soft skills for building relationships and navigating complex global environments. These skills and qualities are essential for effectively representing national interests and fostering international cooperation.

What are some common challenges foreign service officers face when adapting to new postings abroad?

Foreign Service Officers often encounter challenges such as adjusting to unfamiliar cultural norms, navigating language barriers, and adapting to different political or security environments. Each new assignment can require quick acclimation to local customs and regulations, which may impact both personal and professional life. Building effective relationships with local colleagues and the expatriate community is key, and ongoing training and support from the State Department help officers manage these transitions successfully.

What is the difference between Foreign Service vs Consular Officer?

AspectForeign ServiceConsular Officer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree, diplomatic training, language skillsBachelor's degree, customer service experience, language skills
Work EnvironmentEmbassies, diplomatic missions worldwideConsulates, visa and passport offices
Employer & IndustryU.S. Department of State, foreign serviceU.S. Department of State, consular services

Foreign Service and Consular Officers both serve in diplomatic roles for the U.S. government, often working at embassies or consulates. While Foreign Service officers handle a broad range of diplomatic duties, Consular Officers focus specifically on visa, passport, and citizen services. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and language skills, but their daily responsibilities and work environments differ slightly.

Does the Foreign Service pay well?

The Foreign Service offers competitive salaries that vary based on grade, experience, and location. Entry-level officers typically earn a salary comparable to other government positions, with opportunities for increases through promotions and assignments abroad. Benefits such as housing allowances, health insurance, and retirement plans also contribute to overall compensation.

How to get a job in Foreign Service?

To get a job in the Foreign Service, candidates typically need to pass the Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT), complete an oral assessment, and undergo a thorough background check and medical exam. Strong communication skills, foreign language proficiency, and relevant experience in international affairs or public service are also important qualifications.

What jobs are there in Foreign Service?

Foreign Service offers a variety of roles including Diplomatic Officer, Consular Officer, Political Officer, Economic Officer, Public Diplomacy Officer, and Management Officer. These positions involve representing their country abroad, managing diplomatic relations, providing consular services, and supporting embassy operations, often requiring language skills, security clearances, and specialized training.

What are popular job titles related to Foreign Service jobs in Virginia?

For Foreign Service jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Foreign Service jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Foreign Service jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Foreign Service jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Foreign Service job openings:

Foreign Service jobs near you
Infographic showing various Foreign Service job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 24% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $49,783 per year, or $23.9 per hour.

Foreign Language Instructors & Language Training Professionals - Arlington, VA

Arlington, VA

ICA Language Services
Education Programs Administration • 51 - 200 employees
Learn more about ICA Language Servicesexternal

$46 - $51/hr

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

New

Job description

ICA Language Services is seeking experienced foreign language instructors and language training professionals to support various training programs at the National Foreign Affairs Training Center (NFATC), formerly the Foreign Service Institute (FSI), in Arlington, Virginia.

We are building a ready pool of qualified local candidates for current and anticipated language training requirements. Opportunities include:

  • Foreign Language Instructors
  • Distance Learning Mentors
  • Curriculum Specialists
  • Digital Materials Editors
  • Temporary Testers

These positions support the training of U.S. Government professionals preparing to work and communicate effectively in international environments.

LANGUAGES WE ARE RECRUITING FOR

Albanian, Amharic, Arabic (all dialects), Azerbaijani, Bengali, Bosnian, Bulgarian, Burmese, Chinese, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Estonian, Farsi, Finnish, Georgian, German, Greek, Gujarati, Haitian Creole, Hausa, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Icelandic, Italian, Japanese, Kazakh, Khmer (Cambodian), Korean, Kurdish (Kurmanji and Sorani), Kyrgyz, Lao, Latvian, Lithuanian, Macedonian, Malay, Mongolian, Montenegrin, Nepali, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese (Brazilian and European), Punjabi, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Sinhala, Slovak, Slovenian, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Swedish, Tagalog (Filipino), Tajiki, Tamil, Telugu, Thai, Tibetan, Turkish, Turkmen, Ukrainian, Urdu, Uzbek, and Vietnamese.

Don’t see your language listed? We still encourage you to apply. Language requirements change throughout the year, and we regularly review our candidate pool when new opportunities become available.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates should meet the following requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree in any field
  • ILR Level 4 or higher proficiency in the target language
  • At least three (3) years of experience teaching the target language to adult learners in a classroom setting with two or more students
  • At least one (1) year of experience administering proficiency-based language assessments, such as NFATC assessments, ACTFL OPI assessments, or comparable proficiency-based testing
  • Strong first-hand cultural knowledge of the country or geographic region associated with the target language
  • English language proficiency of at least ILR Level 2/2
  • Proficiency with commonly used computer applications and online learning platforms, including Microsoft Office, Learning Management Systems (LMS), Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and similar tools.

WORK LOCATION

These opportunities are in person at NFATC in Arlington, Virginia. Candidates should currently reside in, or be able to reliably commute to, the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or foreign nationals legally authorized to work in the United States.

ABOUT THIS POSTING

This posting maintains a ready pool of qualified language professionals for current and anticipated NFATC requirements. Submission of an application does not necessarily indicate that an immediate opening is available for your language.

We will review applications and resumes as requirements arise for specific languages, roles, and qualifications. We may contact qualified candidates when an opportunity matching their language/background becomes available.

WHY ICA?

Since 1987, ICA Language Services has provided foreign language training and training support services directly to the U.S. Government. As a woman-owned language services company, ICA brings four decades of experience supporting government professionals who need advanced language and cultural skills for their work.

If you are an experienced language professional interested in supporting America’s foreign affairs community, we invite you to submit your resume and join our pool of qualified candidates.

ICA Language Services is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any other status protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.

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