Courier Details:
Diplomatic Couriers are required to safeguard and escort diplomatic pouches containing classified and sensitive material between U.S. diplomatic missions and the Department of State. Diplomatic Couriers are entrusted with ensuring the inviolability of diplomatic pouches and their safe hand secure delivery throughout the world. They operate under the auspices of international agreements and treaties as governed by the Vienna Convention. They are responsible for Department of State policies, regulations and the strict security procedures that define the control and movement of U.S. diplomatic pouches internationally and within the United States. Diplomatic Couriers spend a substantial portion of their career living and working overseas in a nearly constant travel status.
I. A CAREER IN THE FOREIGN SERVICE
The Department of State is seeking Foreign Service Diplomatic Couriers to serve as international diplomatic couriers. Initially appointed in Washington, DC for training, the Diplomatic Courier career candidate must agree to work at and travel to any of the U.S. Embassies and Consulates worldwide. Candidates must agree not only to travel to any U.S. diplomatic or consular post abroad, but also to be assigned to any of the nine Regional Diplomatic Courier Offices worldwide, according to the needs of the Foreign Service.
The Foreign Service is more than a job – it's a career. As a member of the Diplomatic Courier team, you will not only help to accomplish the mission of the Department of State, but you will also be a representative of your country to the people of other nations. A career in the Foreign Service involves uncommon commitments and occasional hardships, as well as unique rewards and opportunities. A decision to enter this career involves unusual motivation, a firm dedication to public service, and a clear understanding of the high level of travel required.
Many overseas posts are in small or remote countries where harsh climates, health hazards, and other discomforts exist, and where American-style amenities frequently are unavailable. Travel to and from some locations may involve hardships and oftentimes personal inconvenience. However, careers in the Foreign Service offer special rewards, including the pride and satisfaction of representing the United States and protecting U.S. interests abroad.
II. FOREIGN SERVICE SELECTION PROCESS
The Foreign Service selection process is lengthy, multi-staged, and due to the limited number of appointments available, highly competitive. It commences upon receipt of the candidate's application materials and will continue until the candidate is placed on a list of eligible candidates (a process which can take as long as a year) or is determined to be less competitive than other applicants, in which case the candidacy is terminated. The entire selection process (qualification process and oral examination) is done in the following cities: Washington, DC Metropolitan Area; Miami, FL; Chicago, IL; Dallas, TX; Boston, MA; Los Angeles, CA.; Denver, CO; New York, NY. Travel to one of these locations is at the expense of the applicant.
INITIAL REVIEW
A completed application package contains the materials listed in Section V of this Vacancy Announcement. Materials submitted become the property of the Department of State and will not be returned. An application may be terminated whenever any materials do not meet the basic eligibility requirements for employment as a Diplomatic Courier in the Foreign Service.
III. DIPLOMATIC COURIER CAREER
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Couriers are responsible for the security of the Department of State’s Courier accompanied diplomatic pouch operations worldwide. Diplomatic Courier duties may include the supervision of subordinate staff and the actual performance of some, or all, of the following functions:
- Provide Diplomatic Courier services for the Department of State and other U.S. government agencies that may need to transmit official, government classified or sensitive materials across international boundaries. Identify needed logistical support; provisioning for the storage or staging of the pouch; detect and bring to resolution the cause and impact of delays or other logistical problems; as well as adjust plans and schedules for all related actions to accommodate timely and secure movement of pouches.
- Develop, plan, and implement pouch escort programs and schedules; assess the efficiency and effectiveness of operations and provide practical solutions; ensure the proper allocation and expenditure of appropriated funds; and provide timely and appropriate pouch delivery and dispatch services to posts worldwide. Responsible for maintaining internal management controls in order to prevent waste, fraud and mismanagement.
- Manage, regulate, coordinate, or otherwise exercise control over the pouch material through application of material management functions. This includes initial planning, provisioning and determining handling and accountability, and oversight of physical accountability (maintenance and management of inventory records, conduct of periodic inventories, and releases from accountability).
- Plan, coordinate and implement travel and transportation pouch support needs domestically and at posts serviced worldwide, including motor vehicle operations and needs, issuance of travel orders, and ticketing for commercial and military air and surface transportation. Evaluate, negotiate, and participate in awarding contracts with commercial organizations and other government agencies involved in provision of, or support of, travel and transportation activities.
- Enforce Department of State pouch regulations required to ensure the inviolability of diplomatic pouches from the point of origination to international destinations as governed by the terms and authorities of the Vienna Convention.
- Assess risks to movement of diplomatic pouches and cargo to ensure against any infringement of diplomatic rights and privileges as established by the terms of the Vienna Convention; detect and report attempts to damage or subvert the principal of inviolability of the diplomatic pouches and cargo.
- Conduct, administer and implement diplomatic pouch security training and training assistance programs for U.S. foreign affairs agencies’ personnel, and officials of designated foreign governments.
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