Overseas Job Options

Government Expansion

The federal sector is still hiring nationwide and overseas. The Affordable Health Care Act includes over 100 new regulatory agencies and commissions and more federal regulators will be needed to administer new EPA and OSHA regulations and to manage the many other federal programs that have been expanded over the past 5 years. The federal government now owns all of Fanny Mae and Freddie Mac plus they took over 100% of the student loan program. There will be bumps along the way and many agencies may experience some downsizing to address budget shortfalls.

There is considerable competition for anyone seeking federal employment and those interested in working for Uncle Sam must develop a professional federal style resume and application to remain competitive and start the process early to improve their chances of success.

Overseas Jobs / Government Jobs / Federal Jobs / Civil Service Jobs

Thousands of United States citizens work for the federal government in foreign countries, in the United States territories, Alaska, and Hawaii. The overseas jobs that are most often available are administrative, technical and professional, accountants, auditors, foreign service officers, budget and program officers, management analysts, nurses, procurement officers, shorthand reporters, equipment specialists, engineers, social workers, housing officers, teachers, and alcohol and drug abuse specialists. Clerical (clerk-typist, stenographer) and secretary positions are normally filled locally overseas.  

Overseas Jobs Menu

• Introduction
• Conditions of Employment
• How to Apply For Overseas Jobs
  • Federal Resume Guide
• Overseas Jobs - Government & private sector
  • Military Exchanges
  • Overseas Hiring Agency Directory (Includes links to agency job lists)
  • Overseas Teachng Jobs with the DODEA
• Resume Writing Service
• Security Clearance Job Center
• Post Your Resume for FREE - Explore ALL private & public job options

The Book of U.S. Government Jobs (Federal Resume Guide)
(Extensive information about overseas employment and how to apply)

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Introduction

Various positions overseas are filled through Excepted Service and Nonappropriated Fund Instrumentality (NAFI) hiring programs. Nonappropriated Fund positions are paid using money generated within the Department of the Army and other military branches through sales revenues. These overseas jobs are primarily governed by military regulations.

When positions are filled locally overseas, U.S. citizens living abroad, dependents of citizens employed or stationed overseas, or foreign nationals, can be hired. Most countries have agreements with United States installations that require the hiring of local nationals whenever possible to bolster the local economy. All positions held by foreign nationals are in the Excepted Service. Excepted Service positions are not subject to OPM's competitive hiring requirements.

Of the 89,204 overseas civilian federal employees, 62,838 are U.S. citizens as of September 2010. Since 2004, total overseas federal civilian employment has increased slightly.

Most of the upper-and mid-level positions are filled through internal placement. Internal placement allows government employees wanting to work overseas to first apply for the positions in-house. If there are no in-house bidders, agencies then advertise through competitive announcements.

Overseas applicants should contact individual Agency and OPM web sites for job listings. Contact the following Employment Service Center for NAFI and military civilian Jobs:

The Army and Air Force Exchange Service is the largest NAF employer. NAF personnel also work in the Army and Air Force morale, welfare, and recreation activities. Major NAF employers in the Department of the Navy include the Bureau of Naval Personnel, Navy Exchange Service Command, and U.S. Marine Corps. For more information about NAF employment, visit the following DOD NAF Component employment websites:

• Army and Air Force Exchange Services
  • http://odin.aafes.com/Employment/default.asp
• Air Force Services Career Program
  • http://www.afsv.af.mil/index.asp
• Army Civilian Personnel On Line
  • http://www.cpol.army.mil/library/naf/
• Navy Morale, Welfare and Recreation
  • http://www.mwr.navy.mil/
• Marine Corp Community Services
  • http://www.usmc-mccs.org/
• Navy Exchange System
  • https://www.nexnet.nexweb.org/pls/nexjobs/work4us
• Navy Civilian Jobs

Also visit the Department of Defense's civilian employment center at http://www.godefense.com. This site is a wealth of information and includes extensive job listings. On May 5th of 2006 their were over 11,200 job vacancy announcements posted on this site alone. 

Conditions of Employment

Overseas workers must meet various requirements: physical, security, qualifications, tour of duty, etc. Announcements list specific restrictions, conditions, and special qualifications.

Physical Examinations

Individuals wanting to work overseas must meet certain stringent requirements. Thorough physical exams for both the applicant and, in many cases, accompanying dependents require physicals. You must be able to physically adapt to the conditions at various locations that may not have adequate health care facilities. Individuals on medication or who require special care will not be considered for certain positions. Any physical impairment that would create a hazard to others or to yourself, or would reduce performance level, will disqualify the applicant.

Security Clearance Checks

All applicants considered for appointment must pass a comprehensive security clearance, character and suitability check. These investigations take from a few weeks to several months to complete. If you are selected for a position you will be appointed conditionally, pending the results of the investigation.

Transportation Agreements

Individuals selected for overseas assignment are generally required to sign a transportation agreement. Typically, overseas tours last from twelve to thirty-six months.

Foreign Language Requirements

A foreign language that would not be a position requirement in the States may be required for certain overseas positions. The job announcement will specify if a language is required. Several agencies appoint candidates without the required language skill and give them a period of time to develop acceptable language proficiency

Dependents

Most agencies permit professional employees to take dependents with them. Professional positions are generally considered to be mid-level positions and above. Other employees can often arrange for dependents to follow them at a later date.

Pay & Benefits

Pay is generally the same overseas for the comparable stateside position. Additional allowances such as a post differential, cost-of-living and quarters allowance, are provided where conditions warrant. Military base privileges are authorized in many circumstances and Department of Defense schools are available for dependent children through grade 12.

Basic benefits are the same for all civil service employees. Overseas employees also receive free travel, transportation and storage of household goods, and extra vacation with free transportation to stateside homes between tours of duty.

Competition

There are a limited number of overseas positions and competition is keen. However, if you are well qualified in an occupation and available for most locations, your opportunity to be selected is good. The normal rotation of current employees back to the United States creates a large number of recurring vacancies.

Citizenship

Applications are accepted only from U.S. citizens and American Samoans.