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Foreign Service Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

ARCTICOM LLC

Public Member Consultant

Washington, DC

One key requirement is to include a Public Member consultant on each of the Foreign Service Selection Boards to review the performance records of Foreign Service personnel; recommend employees for ...

ARCTICOM LLC

Public Member Consultant

Washington, DC · On-site

One key requirement is to include a Public Member consultant on each of the Foreign Service Selection Boards to review the performance records of Foreign Service personnel; recommend employees for ...

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Foreign Service information

See Washington salary details

$14

$27

$45

How much do foreign service jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for foreign service in Washington is $27.34, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.86 and $32.69 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Foreign Service officers?

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, and why are they important?

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.

What professions make 200,000 a year without a degree?

In the context of a Foreign Service career, high-earning roles such as senior diplomatic positions or specialized international consultants can reach or exceed $200,000 annually, often requiring extensive experience, language skills, and security clearances rather than formal degrees. Outside of government, professions like sales executives, real estate brokers, or entrepreneurs in certain industries may also achieve this income level without a traditional degree, but typically rely on skills, networks, and performance-based compensation.

What does a Foreign Service worker do?

A Foreign Service worker represents their country's government abroad, performing diplomatic duties such as managing international relations, assisting citizens overseas, and promoting national interests. They often work in embassies or consulates, requiring strong communication skills, cultural awareness, and security clearances. Their responsibilities include negotiating agreements, providing consular services, and reporting on local developments.

How hard is it to become a Foreign Service Officer?

Becoming a Foreign Service Officer is competitive and requires passing a rigorous exam, a comprehensive oral assessment, and a background check. Candidates often need strong communication skills, foreign language proficiency, and relevant experience or education in international affairs or related fields.

What kind of jobs are in the Foreign Service?

The Foreign Service offers a variety of roles including diplomatic officers, consular officers, political analysts, economic officers, and public diplomacy specialists. These jobs involve representing the government abroad, managing international relations, and providing services to citizens overseas, often requiring language skills, cultural knowledge, and security clearances.
What are popular job titles related to Foreign Service jobs in Washington? For Foreign Service jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Foreign Service jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Foreign Service jobs in Washington are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Foreign Service jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Foreign Service job openings:
Foreign Service jobs near you
Infographic showing various Foreign Service job openings in Washington as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $56,872 per year, or $27.3 per hour.

Human Resources Specialist (Benefits)

U.S. Agency for International Development

Washington, DC • On-site, Remote

$121K - $158K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

Summary
By law, this Office of Inspector General has continued oversight responsibility for United States funded foreign assistance activities across multiple agencies, to include the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the Inter-American Foundation, the US African Development Foundation, USAID and the Department of State. Responsibilities may additionally include oversight of and/or oversight coordination for foreign assistance programs with other interagency partners throughout the US Government.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
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As a Human Resources Specialist (Benefits) at the full performance level, you will;
  • Serve as the Office of Inspector General's principal technical authority responsible for administering and overseeing the agency's comprehensive employee benefits program for Civil Service and Foreign Service employees located domestically and overseas.
  • Serve as the agency's principal functional administrator and technical authority for the Office of Personnel Management's Online Retirement Application (ORA), ensuring retirement applications are initiated, validated, adjudicated, routed, and completed in accordance with OPM requirements, agency procedures, and payroll provider processing standards.
  • Plan, develop, administer, evaluate, and continually improve agency-wide employee benefits programs to ensure compliance with statutory, regulatory, and policy requirements.
  • Administer and provide authoritative guidance and liaise with internal and external entities concerning: Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), CSRS Offset, Foreign Service Pension System (FSPS), Foreign Service Retirement and Disability System (FSRDS), Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB), Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI), Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAFEDS), Federal Long-Term Care Insurance (when applicable), Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), Leave administration, Workers' Compensation (OWCP/FECA), Survivor benefits, Military service credit, Deposits and redeposits, Retirement service computation, Employee entitlement programs and Post-retirement benefits.
  • Plan and coordinate annual and recurring employee benefits events, including Benefits Open Season campaigns, retirement seminars, benefits expos, and informational sessions in collaboration with OPM, FEHB carriers, FEGLI providers, occupational health providers, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) representatives, and other Federal and private-sector benefits partners.
  • Establish internal operating procedures, standard operating procedures (SOPs), desk guides, workflow documentation, quality assurance procedures, and internal controls governing employee benefits administration.
  • Provide comprehensive retirement counseling to employees throughout every stage of Federal employment, from initial appointment through retirement and post-retirement.
  • Prepare and certify highly complex retirement estimates involving Mixed retirement systems, Foreign Service conversion, Intermittent service, Temporary service, Military retirement, Law enforcement retirement, Dual retirement eligibility, Breaks in service and Service computation adjustments.
  • Research and resolve disputed retirement determinations requiring extensive legal and regulatory interpretation.
  • Serve as the principal advisor regarding Foreign Service (FS) employee benefits and retirement administration in collaboration with the Foreign Service team.
  • Advise FS employees and management concerning Time-in-Class Expirations (TIC), retirement, and Foreign Service pension calculations in collaboration with the Foreign Service team.
  • Develop agency implementing guidance ensuring compliance while supporting mission requirements. Ensure agency policy remain aligned with Government-wide requirements and recognized human capital best practices.
  • Perform internal control reviews to identify organizational risks affecting employee benefits administration.

Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • United States Citizenship is required.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance.
  • Males born after 12/31/1959, must be registered with the Selective Service.
  • You may be required to serve a one-year probationary/2 years trial period.
  • Completion of Financial Disclosure may be required.
  • Designated and/or random drug testing required

Qualifications
To qualify for the GS-13 grade level, you must have one year of specialized experience at the GS-12 level in the Federal service or equivalent. Specialized experience is defined as:
  • Manage Federal retirement and benefits programs, including FERS, CSRS, TSP, FEHB, FEGLI, disability retirement, and reemployed annuitant programs, in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, OPM guidance, and agency policies;
  • Performing retirement eligibility determinations, annuity computations, retirement estimates, and retirement actions, while providing expert counseling on retirement options, survivor benefits, disability retirement, death-in-service benefits, health and life insurance continuation, and reemployed annuitant requirements; and
  • Serving as technical advisor to civil service and/or foreign service employees, managers, and human resources staff by interpreting federal retirement laws, regulations, and OPM guidance; resolving complex retirement and benefits issues; and coordinating with OPM and other federal agencies to resolve retirement actions.

Time in Grade Requirement: Time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date. This means that you must have served at least 52 weeks at the next grade level (or equivalent) below the grade advertised on this vacancy announcement.
ICTAP/CTAP: If you are requesting special employment consideration under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) or CTAP, you must provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP or CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP or CTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy.
To be well-qualified you must meet the following: OPM qualification requirements for the position, all selective factors, where applicable; special OPM approved qualifying conditions for the position; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate, to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and receives a rating of at least "well-qualified" on the questionnaire. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP or CTAP eligibility, or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Additional information regarding ICTAP or CTAP eligibility is available from Career Transition (opm.gov).
Education
This position does not have a positive education requirement.
Additional information
These are Testing Designated Positions (TDPs) under the Agency's approved Drug-Free Workplace Program. All applicants selected for this position will be subject to random drug testing once they begin working for the Agency.
As condition of employment for accepting this position, New federal employees (and in some cases reinstated or transferred employees) in the competitive or excepted service will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your probationary or trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
SELECTIVE SERVICE: http://www.sss.gov/
EEO Policy Statement: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/EEO_Policy_Statement
Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Reasonable_Accommodation_Policy_Statement
Veterans Information: http://www.fedshirevets.gov/
Telework: www.telework.gov
Disability: www.opm.gov/disability/mngr_3-13.asp
Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities: The following links contain information on the eligibility requirements to be considered under a noncompetitive appointing authority: http://www.opm.gov/hr_practitioners/lawsregulations/appointingauthorities/
Selections are made on the basis of merit without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other non-merit-based factor.
If needed, additional selections will be made from this announcement.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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