Foreign Service Security Engineering Officer (FS-2550)
Join the U.S. Department of State's Diplomatic Security team to protect personnel, facilities, and information against espionage, terrorism, and crime at embassies worldwide.
Best for:Best for experienced security engineers and IT professionals with expertise in cybersecurity, electronic systems, and technical surveillance countermeasures who are prepared for worldwide assignments.
Overview
The U.S. Department of State is seeking Foreign Service Security Engineering Officers (SEOs) to safeguard American diplomatic personnel, facilities, and sensitive information at over 275 embassies and consulates globally. SEOs serve as essential security personnel within the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, performing duties that span technical surveillance countermeasures, cybersecurity program management, engineering design, and construction project oversight. Assignments vary by location and threat level, and officers may be posted worldwide or in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area or Fort Lauderdale, FL. Candidates should possess strong engineering or information technology backgrounds, with progressively increasing levels of responsibility. This is a career Foreign Service position offering federal benefits and potential recruitment incentives.
What you'll do
- Manage security engineering offices, including oversight of security networks, facility layouts, workload distribution, and resource monitoring
- Provide technical security support across assigned geographic regions, serving as the subject matter expert for constituent diplomatic posts
- Conduct technical surveillance countermeasures (TSCM) inspections at embassies and consulates to detect and mitigate eavesdropping threats
- Perform annual technical and computer security assessments and document findings in inspection and assessment reports
- Oversee the Regional Computer Security Officer Program, including inspecting computer facilities and managing cybersecurity programs
- Direct multiple engineering disciplines including design, systems, radio-frequency, network, emanations, and biometrics countermeasures engineering
- Review engineering drawings, perform quality assurance inspections, and oversee compliance with department security standards on construction projects
- Represent the U.S. Department of State on technical and physical security matters with allied nations and on interagency committees
- Lead commissioning and decommissioning of new embassy, consulate, and mission facilities
- Develop technical security standards, policies, and installation guidance plans for controlled access areas
Requirements
Degree required: Degree in engineering or a related technical field (specific required degrees referenced but not fully enumerated in source)
Language: English; strong command of grammar, spelling, and punctuation required at time of application
Instruction: English
- Knowledge of networks and cybersecurity assessments and testing
- Understanding of the electromagnetic spectrum and RF interrelationships as they relate to electronic and electromagnetic system design and operation
- Hands-on experience operating electronic instrumentation such as multimeters, oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and time-delay reflectors
- Knowledge of computer systems, computer security, operating systems, hardware platforms, and networks
- Ability to read, interpret, and create electrical and electromechanical schematics and architectural drawings
- Knowledge of project management including root cause analysis, project planning, and process management
- Ability to apply technical security policies, guidance, and standards to risk analysis and risk management
- Strong command of English including grammar, spelling, and punctuation
- Must be a U.S. citizen
- Must obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance
- Must meet minimum medical qualification standards
- Must meet supplemental physical qualification standards
- Must obtain a favorable Suitability Review Panel determination
- Must be at least 20 years old at application and 21 years old at appointment
- Must be appointed prior to age 60 (preference eligible veterans excepted)
- Must possess and maintain a valid U.S. Driver's License
- Must accept assignments worldwide based on the needs of the Foreign Service
Funding & terms
How to apply
Submit an application through the USAJOBS portal. Candidates must demonstrate a strong command of English at the time of application. The Department develops a rank-ordered list of eligible hires based on the needs of the Department, and hiring decisions are evaluated against Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) criteria derived from job analysis research.
- Application via USAJOBS portal
- Proof of U.S. citizenship
- Education transcripts
- Evidence of specialized experience
Contact
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