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OVERSEAS
JOBS
Government Jobs / Federal Jobs ─
Overseas Job Opportunities
This information is excerpted from
The Book of
U.S. Government Jobs. Order with
all major credit cards toll free by calling 800-782-7424.
Thousands of United States citizens work for the federal government in foreign
countries, in the United States territories, Alaska, and Hawaii. The positions 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.
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There are 88,700 federal employees stationed
overseas in over 140 countries. The Defense Department is the largest overseas employer
with 48,151 workers. The State Department is the #2 overseas employer with
20,712
employees stationed abroad. |
Positions are filled in several ways. In the U.S. territories, Hawaii,
and Alaska most positions are filled through competitive civil service announcements.
Various positions overseas are filled through Excepted Service and Nonappropriated Fund
Instrumentality (NAFI) hiring programs. Excepted Service positions are described in
Chapter Three. Nonappropriated Fund positions are paid using money generated within the
Department of the Army and other military branches through sales revenues. These positions
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 88,700 overseas civilian federal employees, 68,248 are U.S. citizens as of
July 2004. Since 2001, 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 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-p.afsv.af.mil/CR/
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.navy.mil/pls/nexjobs/work4us
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.
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Overseas workers must meet various requirements: physical, security, qualifications, tour
of duty, etc. Announcements list specific restrictions, conditions, and special
qualifications.
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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.
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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.
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Individuals selected for overseas assignment are generally required to sign a
transportation agreement. Typically, overseas tours last from twelve to thirty-six months.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Applications are accepted only from U.S. citizens and American Samoans.
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Apply early. It pays to apply for federal jobs well in advance of the time you will be
available for employment. Applications usually take six to eight weeks for processing. It
may take longer if written tests are required, especially in overseas areas. Many jobs
limit the number of applications available and the time allowed for filing. Applications
are given out until the limit is reached or until the closing date of the announcement.
Detailed overseas employment information is included in the paperback version of
The Book Of U.S. Government Jobs. This book includes:
- Overseas agency personnel office addresses and phone numbers
- Overseas Job hotlines
- Overseas job web sites
- Placement services
- Pacific job opportunities
- Atlantic job opportunities
- NAFI positions
- Over 50 web sites to connect direct to agencies employing overseas workers
- Description of major overseas employing agencies with numbers employed and key jobs that
they fill.
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