This a new position with the US Department of State - I will most certainly apply once I finish the program.

http://www.careers.state.gov/specialist/opportunities/inforesource.html

Anyone that would like more information about working and living overseas (with the Department) is welcome to contact me.

Chad Hill [[log in to unmask]]

Announcement No: IRO-09-01
Opening Date: February 09, 2009
Closing Date: March 13, 2009

Position Title:	FOREIGN SERVICE INFORMATION RESOURCE OFFICER
Grade and Starting Salary Range:	FP-03: $64,447 - $94,643 per annum Additional Benefits: Tax Free Housing overseas, Tax Free Educational allowance, etc., plus benefits package (See Compensation and Benefits for more information.)
Number of Vacancies:	The Department of State is developing a rank-order register of eligible candidates to fill a limited number of Foreign Service Information Resource Officer vacancies. The specific number to be hired will depend on the needs of the Foreign Service.
Area of Consideration:	All Sources. Applicants must be U. S. citizens between the ages of 21 and 59, able to qualify for a top secret security clearance, and available to serve world-wide.
Location:	Initial assignment will be to the Department of State in Washington, DC, for orientation and training, followed by an overseas assignment of two years. Information Resource Officer spend an average of 75 percent of their careers stationed abroad, moving at two-to-four year intervals. The remainder of their time will be spent at the Department of State domestically, generally in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

For more information, please contact HR/REE at 202-261-8933 or [log in to unmask].

All potential applicants are strongly urged to read this entire vacancy announcement to ensure that they meet all of the requirements for this position and that they fully understand the special circumstances involving a career in the Foreign Service before applying. All applicants must be American citizens and at least 20 years old to apply and at least 21 years of age to be appointed. By law, all career candidates must be appointed to the Foreign Service prior to the month which they reach 60.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Foreign Service Information Resource Officers provide professional leadership and support to 182 Information Resource Centers located at U.S. embassies and consulates around the world, and to the 475 Locally Employed Staff who operate them. Through extensive travel within the assigned region, Information Resource Officers provide professional direction and guidance to Information Resource Centers by:

Counseling and assisting U.S. Mission officials in determining and developing the most effective program of information resources and services needed to meet the post’s Public Diplomacy and Mission goals and participating in their implementation.
Establishing an annual plan of activities and programs developed in consultation with post officials and Information Resource Center staff, which includes identifying the funding, staffing, and facilities necessary to support the plans.
Evaluating Information Resource Center management policies and practices, and advising post officials on methodology for improving productivity and effectiveness.
Evaluating Information Resource Center electronic and print information resources, and advising post officials on cost-effective ways to improve the quality, currency and relevance of the collections.
Supervising or advising post officials on the supervision of Locally Employed Staff who operate U.S. Mission Information Resource Centers.
Participating in staff recruitment, including writing position descriptions, interviewing candidates, and making recommendations for hiring.
Overseeing the Information Resource Center program at the home post, frequently supervising local staff, taking on a wide range of responsibilities that may include planning program and outreach initiatives, identifying speakers, organizing video conferences, and directing web site development.
Working with Information Resource Center and other Public Affairs Section staff to provide training, develop program ideas. and advise on the collections and programs of host country partners.
Assessing the professional development needs of Locally Employed Staff, providing direct on-the-job training, and creating training programs to meet regional staff development requirements.
Demonstrating and promoting the use of U.S. electronic information resources, including those developed by IIP or other U.S. Government agencies which address issues of U. S. public policy, to Locally Employed Staff, U.S. Mission officials, and foreign audience members from local institutions which the U.S. Mission has identified as key to the bilateral relationship with the United States.
Evaluating and reporting on host country information infrastructure to determine and recommend realistic information programs and applications of electronic information technology appropriate for the local environment.
Establishing and maintaining contacts with host country information institutions as a representative of the U.S. professional information community, to support the creation of U.S.-host country institutional linkages, international exchanges, and local institutional development, as appropriate.
Evaluating and reporting to Washington (IIP and Regional Bureaus) on the Information Resource Center programs in the geographic area of regional responsibility, and recommending program improvements.
Experience in Internet-based and commercial database electronic information resources.
Ability to travel extensively overseas to areas of varying climates and conditions.

A CAREER IN THE FOREIGN SERVICE

The Department of State’s Bureau of International Information Programs (IIP) is the principal international strategic communications service for the foreign affairs community. Multi-functional IIP teams design, develop, and implement a variety of information initiatives created strictly for key international audiences, such as the media, government officials, opinion leaders, and academia in more than 160 countries around the world. IIP prides itself on using cutting-edge technology and strategic alliances to produce information products and services, including Web sites, Web casts and Web chats using various social media platforms, electronic journals, speaker programs, and print publications uniquely designed to support State Department initiatives, as well as those of other U.S. foreign policy organizations.

Through its corps of 29 Foreign Service Information Resource Officers, IIP provides professional direction and guidance to 182 Information Resource Centers located at U.S. embassies abroad, while the headquarters office in Washington establishes overall program policy, and provides technical and administrative support, centralized acquisition of electronic information resources, and centralized training programs.

Most Information Resource Officers assigned overseas have regional positions. Information Resources Officers work closely with the Information Resource Center programs at their home posts and are responsible for regularly visiting all the Information Resource Centers within their areas of regional responsibility, which may include five to ten countries. Information Resource Officers are presently assigned to the following home posts: Abu Dhabi, Abuja, Accra, Bangkok, Beijing, Berlin, Brasilia, Buenos Aires, Cairo, Dakar, Jakarta, Mexico City, Nairobi, New Delhi, Pretoria, Rome, Tokyo, Vienna, Warsaw, and Washington, D.C.

While the preference of an applicant for a particular post or area of assignment is given every possible consideration, assignments are dictated by “the needs of the Foreign Service.”

INITIAL SALARY

Newly hired Information Resource Officer career candidates are assigned at the FP-03 level. Specific step (or salary) within that level will be determined at the time a firm offer of employment is made. Steps may be awarded based upon such factors as additional graduate level education and directly related specialized experience beyond the necessary to satisfy qualifications and criteria.

Current Federal Civil Service employees (or former employees) will also be assigned at the FP-03 level. Specific step (or salary) within the FP-03 level will be set at the nearest possible salary rate of the current (or previous) grade.

Federal civilian employees currently receiving DC locality pay will be allow to include DC locality pay as part of their “current salary.” Federal civilian employees who do not currently receive DC locality pay will not be allowed to include locality pay as part of their "current salary."

COMPETITIVE PROMOTION AND WITHIN-GRADE INCREASES

Information Resource Officers are considered for promotion annually in competition with others in their grade level. Promotions are given to those who have the best performance. Persons promoted are advanced to the next grade and receive additional salary equivalent to at least two within-grade increases.

Due to the limited number of yearly promotion opportunities, promotion panels select promotees based on published criteria and quality of performance. Performance is evaluated annually, in writing, by the supervisor.

In general, Foreign Service employees with documented satisfactory performance are eligible to receive a within-grade step increase annually up through step 10 and biannually from step 10 through 14.

TENURE

Information Resource Officer career candidates are considered for tenure (career status) after they have complete a minimum of two years in their first assignment after their training period in the Foreign Service. A Tenuring Board determines suitability based on a number of factors. If tenure is not granted during the first review, a second review will be made one year later. Failure to achieve tenure in the prescribed time frame of four years is grounds for separation.

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS

In addition to the general requirements for employment in the Foreign Service, an applicant must have an M.L.S. (Master’s in Library and Information Science) from an American Library Association-accredited graduate program and at least five years of progressively responsible experience in library or information center programs or services, with in-depth experience in functional areas relevant to the State Department’s Information Resource Center program. Knowledge of and experience in the use of current information technologies are essential as U.S. Mission Information Resource Centers operate in an electronic environment.

The salary grade for Foreign Service Information Resource Officers is FP-03. The actual salary is dependent upon such factors as additional graduate level education and directly-related specialized experience beyond that necessary to satisfy qualifications criteria. To be creditable, such education and specialized experience must be in excess to that which is required to qualify as described under Education and Qualifications Requirements and Specialized Requirements. Salary level will be determined at the time a firm offer is made. Individuals already working in government positions may be appointed based on highest previous rate as a Federal employee, which will be determined at the time a firm offer is made.

Grade Level	Salary Range	Education	General Experience	Specialized Experience	Total Experience
FP-03	$64,447-$94,643	M.L.S.	2	3	5

EDUCATION

One in-grade step increase may be given for a Master’s degree in addition to the M.L.S., in a work-related field, awarded before the date of appointment.
Two additional steps may be given for a doctoral degree in a work-related field, awarded before the date of the appointment.

EXPERIENCE

One step for 3 to 4 years of closely related experience
Two steps for 5 to 6 years of closely related experience
Three steps for 7 or more years of closely related experience

Foreign Service Information Resources Officers are considered for promotion annually in competition with others in their specialty.

SPECIALIZED REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must have a minimum of five years of recent, progressively responsible experience in functional areas relevant to the Department of State’s Information Resource Center program. Specialized experience must demonstrate the applicant possesses the in-depth knowledge, skills and abilities needed to perform effectively as an Information Resource Officer at any U.S. State Department mission overseas.

Knowledge of current U.S. library and information science theory and practice, with special emphasis on electronic information resources and services and the application and management of new technologies, including web 2.0 and social networking.
Experience in the administration of substantial library or information center programs and services, including development of policy, program planning, and budgeting.
Skill in written communication, including the ability to produce concise evaluative reports and program development plans.
In-depth experience in one or more functional areas of library or information center work, such as administration, reference, collection development, or information technology.
Ability to work effectively with officials and foreign national staff to design, implement, evaluate and promote Information Resource Center programs in a cross-cultural environment.
Knowledge of Internet-based and commercial database electronic information resources.
Skill in oral communication, including the ability to carry out public speaking.
Knowledge of American Culture, values and customs, political and social institutions, history and contemporary affairs.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED

Candidates will be evaluated on their total background including experience, education, awards, training, and self-development as it relates to the position. Selection for this position will be made only from among candidates possessing the best qualifications. Part-time work experience will be prorated.

SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTIONNAIRE

Purpose: To allow an opportunity to describe your experiences that relate to the required skills which best show your ability to accomplish the work of the Foreign Service Information Resources Officer.

Instructions: Using plain white paper and either a typewriter or word processor, individually address each of the numbered items listed below, limiting your responses to 200 words or less for each item. The writing should be double-spaced. Examples can be drawn from any part of your experience, but must reflect personal accomplishments. You should compose your replies carefully as one of the skills required of an experienced Information Resource Officer is the ability to write clearly and concisely.

Leadership and Teamwork Abilities: Describe examples of your ability to lead a team in the accomplishment of a goal, and to participate as a team member working toward a common goal.
Functional Experience: Describe specific examples which demonstrate your experience in carrying out information programs or services in a library or information center setting.
Evaluative Abilities: Describe a how your evaluation and/or analysis of a product or program in a library or information center setting resulted in positive change.
Public Speaking and Teaching Abilities: Describe specific examples which demonstrate your public speaking and teaching abilities in a library or information center setting.

HOW TO APPLY

The following documents are necessary for a complete application package. They become the property of the Department of State and will not be returned:

A completed Application for Federal Employment (DS-1950).
A completed Employment Data Form (This is an optional form which requests information to be used for statistical purposes only) on pages 6 and 7.)
Completed Supplemental Questionnaire
Official transcripts, plus any other documentation which includes course taken, grades, semester or quarter hours earned, cumulative grade point averages for all course taken, class standing, and major (copy of M.L.S. degree)

* A copy of the transcript(s) may be used pending issuance of the Official documentation.

These documents should be submitted together and addressed to:

U.S. Mail, Overnight or Federal Express deliveries

U.S. Department of State
Application Evaluation Branch
Attn: Information Resources (IRO) Program
2401 E Street, NW, Room H-518
Washington, DC 20522

Applications which are received through State's inter-office mail system or mailed in Government-franked envelopes will not be processed.

Selected candidates: Please note all travel and other expenses incurred in connection with the oral assessment are the responsibility of the candidate.

Executive Branch agencies are barred by 5 US Code 3303 as amended from accepting or considering prohibited political recommendations and are required to return any prohibited political recommendations to sender. In addition, as mandated by 5 US Code 310, sons and daughters of federal employees cannot be granted preference in competing for these employment opportunities.

The Department of State is committed to equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment for all without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, sexual orientation, disabling condition, political affiliation, marital status, or prior statutory, constitutionally protected activity. The Department provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should so advise the Department. All decisions for granting reasonable accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis.