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Released by the Bureau of Diplomatic Security
March 2003

Available in PDF format

A challenging career awaits those select few who qualify as security technical specialists with the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security.

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security is responsible for the security of Foreign Service personnel, property, and sensitive information throughout the world. Security technical specialists (STS) play a vital role in the Bureau’s mission of protecting Department of State facilities and personnel from technical espionage, acts of terrorism, and crime.

Traditionally, U.S. embassies have been havens from violence and turmoil in foreign countries. Today, our foreign missions are a target for that violence. Attacks against American diplomats and U.S. posts abroad have become more frequent and sophisticated, making the protection of our people, facilities, and national security information an urgent priority.

The Bureau needs qualified technicians to install and maintain sophisticated technical security equipment including: intrusion detection systems, closed-circuit television systems, vehicular and pedestrian access control systems, metal detectors, and explosive detection systems.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

As a result of attacks against U.S. interests abroad, the Department of State greatly expanded its security programs to combat espionage and terrorism against our diplomatic facilities and personnel. Technical security systems used at our overseas missions are becoming more and more complex.

For the security technology program, this expansion has increased our need to install and maintain sophisticated electronic detection systems. We need qualified people who can install technical security systems, as well as conduct preventative maintenance, corrective maintenance, and repairs on these systems.

Security technical specialists play an important role in helping protect our nation’s valuable diplomatic assets abroad. A security technical specialist must have the knowledge not only to install and maintain technical protective systems, but also to work on a variety of sophisticated electronic and electromechanical systems, sometimes under adverse conditions.

QUALIFICATIONS

To apply, you must be a U.S. citizen, between 21 and 59 years of age, and available for worldwide assignment. Male applicants born after 1959 must be registered under the Military Selective Service Act.

All applicants must have the ability to troubleshoot and repair electronic, electrical, and electromechanical equipment. Applicants must have at least 3 years of hands-on experience in this field. An associate’s degree in any electronics specialty can be substituted for 2 years of work experience.

Before appointment, all applicants are required to pass a thorough background investigation and receive a top secret security clearance. Applicants also must undergo a rigorous medical clearance process.

A qualifications evaluation panel will review the experience and background of all applicants to determine if the candidate meets the basic requirements of the position. Successful applicants must then pass a written examination on electronics. Candidates who pass the qualifications evaluation panel and the electronics examination will be eligible to appear before a panel of the Board of Examiners of the Foreign Service for an oral examination. Those who pass the oral exam and are successful in the final selection process are given probationary appointments as Foreign Service career candidates. Upon successful completion of this 4-year probationary period, employees are offered career appointments.

TRAINING

Security technical specialists are initially assigned to a training/orientation position in the Washington, DC area. Each candidate must successfully complete all phases of this specialized program. After training, technical specialist personnel are assigned to a domestic or overseas position, reporting to security engineering officers who provide overall program management on technical security matters Department-wide.

Security technical specialists are members of the Foreign Service and spend a substantial portion of their careers abroad. On overseas assignments, they are based in engineering services centers and offices located throughout the world. Travel to nearby countries to install and maintain technical security equipment can occupy up to 50 percent of a technical specialist’s time overseas.

BENEFITS

The Foreign Service offers an excellent benefits package that includes:

• Group life and health insurance
• Annual leave and sick leave accrual
• Retirement plan and thrift savings plan
• Government-provided quarters or housing allowance overseas
• Home leave to the United States between overseas assignments
• Rest and recuperation leave, with transportation partially paid, for employees and their eligible family members assigned to designated overseas hardship posts
• Cost-of-living allowance where costs are substantially higher than a designated average (some U.S. cities and some overseas posts)
• Education allowance for eligible family members under certain circumstances
• Danger pay at designated overseas posts
• Moving expenses for assignments  

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

U.S. Department of State
Application Evaluation Branch -- 5th Floor
Attention: DS Recruitment Office (STS)
2401 E Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037 
Telephone: (202) 261-8941

Internet website: www.state.gov/m/ds