Duties

Summary

The U.S. Department of State is hiring Foreign Service Facility Managers. Joining the Foreign Service is more than just salary . Refer to the Benefits section for more information on total compensation. Visit https://careers.state.gov/obo for more information on FM careers with the Bureau of Overseas Building Operations (OBO). Note: the salary listed is the low ($56,711) from the FS Base Schedule Payscale and the high is from the FS Overseas Comparability Pay rate ($99,555).

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

Facility Managers (FMs) oversee large holdings of United States government (USG)-owned and leased properties and ensure they are maintained within accepted U.S. standards in a safe and operable condition. The FM is a member of the government's management team who provides a wide range of building-related services, managing physical resources and asset management in a specific country. FMs may be assigned as Regional Facility Managers with responsibilities for FM program activities in several countries. FMs are the facilities and operations experts at post. FMs normally supervise one of the largest and most diverse work forces domestically or at our posts overseas.

The duties of this position include:

• Facilities maintenance and operations strategic planning.
• Management of USG-owned and leased properties.
• Facilities operation and management.
• Management of facilities related services and projects, in accordance with Department of State service standards.
• Supervises engineers, tradesmen, maintenance staff and other facilities personnel and contractors.

FMs are considered "essential personnel" and are on call to provide services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - A Foreign Service Specialist generally spends the majority of his/her career assigned to the Department of State's overseas missions and at times, lives away from family and/or in difficult or isolated conditions. Selected applicants will be notified of an Oral Assessment (OA) requirement in Washington D.C. For the selected applicants, all travel and other expenses incurred in connection with the OA are the sole responsibility of the applicant.

Supervisory status
Yes

Promotion Potential
MC

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Be a U.S. citizen and available for worldwide service.*
• Be able to obtain a Top Secret Security Clearance.
• Be able to obtain an appropriate Foreign Service Medical Clearance.
• Be able to obtain a favorable Suitability Review Panel determination.**
• Be at least 20 years old to apply; at least 21 years old to be appointed.
• Be appointed prior to age 60 (preference eligible veterans excepted).***

A Foreign Service Facility Manager (FM) in the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) manages the operations and maintenance of the Department of State's real property assets abroad.

A Facility Manager must adhere to the highest standards of integrity, dependability, attention to detail, teamwork and cooperation while accepting the need to travel, to live overseas, and when necessary, to live away from family.

The Department of State is developing a rank-order list of eligible hires for a limited number of Foreign Service Specialist vacancies based on the needs of the Department.

Qualifications

Specialized Experience

Specialized Experience demonstrates that the applicant has acquired, and is able to apply, a combination of specific knowledge, skills and abilities appropriate to this Foreign Service position. All qualifying Specialized Experience must be of a progressively responsible nature and must have been acquired from supporting one or more senior individuals. All such experience MUST have been performed within the last 10 years. For the minimum required years of Specialized Experience necessary relative to the highest level of completed education, please see the Education Requirements section. To qualify as a Specialized Experience, the duties MUST have a combination of the components listed below of at least 60% of the work duties.

Examples of Specialized Experience include, but are not limited to:

Working with projects that require specialized knowledge of engineering drawings and designs;

Working with projects that require specialized knowledge of safety functions and applicable building codes;

Managing and administering preventative and non-preventative maintenance programs; and

Managing the financial aspects of a variety of contracts and supervising staff.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA)

The applicant's experience, education, and training must show that they have an in-depth knowledge of their field and possess the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) to successfully perform facility management and/or facility management duties at Department of State facilities worldwide.

1. Demonstrated experience managing and overseeing the routine and non-routine maintenance and repair of large commercial and residential buildings and/or an inventory of multiple properties to include maintenance of the grounds, HVAC systems, plumbing, mechanical and electrical systems, elevators, automated voltage regulator systems, uninterrupted power supply equipment, generators, and the structural aspects of buildings.

2. Demonstrated knowledge of architectural and engineering drawings and designs, building information modeling, building codes, fire/life safety detection and suppression systems, environmental management best practices and procedures applicable to facility management, minor renovation and construction projects.

3. Applying quality control and assurance practices to preventative and non-preventative maintenance, minor renovation and construction projects, maintenance scheduling techniques, demonstrated use of computerized maintenance management systems, building automation systems, project management software, and AutoCAD.

4. Managing financial elements of contracts for maintenance and repair services, minor renovation and construction, equipment replacement projects, reviewing contractor invoices for contract compliance, analyzing and negotiating contractor claims and change order requests, compliance with manufacturers and contractor guaranties and warranties.

5. Developing strategic plans for short and long-term preventative and predictive maintenance to include the development of scopes of work, budgeting to include projects and operational budgets.

6. Determining human resource requirements through work order analysis, maintenance staff deficiencies, staff training requirements and out sourcing potential for maximum efficiency and customer satisfaction.

7. Recognizing maintenance and repair problems, developing options for action and recommending solutions to include preparing work orders, cost implications, sustainability awareness and energy savings.

8. Displaying effective leadership and supervision of staff to include positions of project team leader, program and/or project management role, team building and consensus building skills with colleagues, supervisors and subordinates.

9. Demonstrating effective verbal and written communications skills with technical and non-technical personnel, use of standard computer software for presentations, fiscal monitoring and daily communication.

Applicants must demonstrate a strong command of the English language to include grammar, spelling and punctuation. Foreign Service Specialists must consistently meet a high standard for English, both written (overall structure as well as grammar, spelling and punctuation) and spoken (overall structure as well as delivery, clarity and succinctness).

Physical Requirements

Some of the essential functions of the job have a physically demanding component. In the execution of the duties and tasks listed above, Facility Managers MUST have:

The ability to work in confined areas such as crawl spaces, attics, utility pits, tunnels, manholes, and other confined spaces;

The ability to work from heights such as rooftops, ledges, scaffolding, including climbing extension ladders and scaffolding;

The ability to move and handle heavy objects (up to 50 pounds of weight) such as equipment, tools, and other building materials;

The ability to see objects that are near, far, in color, or at night, possibly including depth perception; and

The ability to hear speech or other sounds, possibly including sufficient sensitivity to hear sounds of low volume or in noisy environments.

Education

Education Requirements

At the time of application, applicants MUST have one of the following:

1. Undergraduate degree in any major and three years Specialized Experience in the last 10 years; or
2. Master's degree or higher in any major and two years Specialized Experience in the last 10 years; or
3. Undergraduate degree or higher in Facility Management or Facilities Engineering (does not require Specialized Experience).

You must submit a copy of your university transcript(s) with your application. If you do not submit this documentation to demonstrate your educational achievements, you will not be given credit and your candidacy will not be continued. NOTE: Copies of diplomas may not be submitted in lieu of transcripts.

Official or unofficial transcripts may be submitted with your application. Your transcript MUST include your name, the school's name, the type of degree, date awarded, and include all pages. A transcript missing any of these elements will not pass the minimum qualifications and the candidacy will not be continued.

Education from a program or institution within the United States MUST be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation, in order to be credited towards qualifications or your candidacy will not be continued.

Education completed in foreign high schools, colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Only accredited organizations recognized as specializing in the interpretation of foreign education credentials that are members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE) are accepted. If documentation from an accredited organization is not provided, your candidacy will not be continued.

For further information on the evaluation of foreign education, please refer to the Office of Personnel Management and the U.S. Department of Education . The U.S. Department of State neither endorses nor recommends any individual evaluation service.

Additional information

*EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION PROGRAM (E-Verify) - Verification of employment eligibility in the United States is required.

U.S. law requires organizations to employ only individuals who may legally work in the United States - either U.S. citizens, or foreign citizens who have the necessary authorization. This agency utilizes E-Verify to compare information from the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration (SSA) records to confirm employment eligibility. If the employee's information does not match DHS and/or SSA records, the employee is given an opportunity to resolve the problem. If eligibility cannot be verified, employment will be terminated.

**The Department of State Suitability Review Panel and standards are defined in Chapter 3 of the Foreign Affairs Manual. For more information please visit: https://fam.state.gov/.

***For more information about Veteran's Preference and how it is applied in the FSS Selection Process, please visit: https://careers.state.gov/faq-items/vets-hiring-preference/

No applicant will be considered who has previously been separated from the Foreign Service under sections §607, §608, §610 or §611 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as amended, or who resigned or retired in lieu of separation under these provisions. In addition, no applicant will be considered who has previously been separated for failure to receive a career appointment under section §306 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as amended, or who resigned or retired in lieu thereof.

A Foreign Service Specialist (FSS) separated for failure to receive a career appointment under section 306 may not re-apply to be a FSS in the same skill code, but may apply for another skill code (or to be a Foreign Service Generalist).

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 3110, relatives of federal employees cannot be granted preference in competing for these employment opportunities.

It is the policy of the Federal Government to treat all of its employees with dignity and respect and to provide a workplace that is free from discrimination whether discrimination is based on race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity or pregnancy), national origin, disability, political affiliation, marital status, membership in an employee organization, age, sexual orientation, or other non-merit factors.

The Department of State provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for any part of the application or hiring process should so advise the Department at ReasonableAccomodations@state.gov , within one week of receiving their invitation to the oral assessment. Decisions for granting reasonable accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

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.

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Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Top Secret

Drug test required
Yes

Required Documents

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure all required documents are uploaded and the application is fully completed before the closing deadline of this announcement. Any missing required documents or incomplete applications will result in the application not being considered further.

1. USAJobs Resume Builder is the only resume format that is accepted for this Vacancy Announcement.

2. Completed online application including the completed required Accomplishments Questionnaire and Statement of Interest narratives in the online application.

3. Uploaded/faxed all required supporting documentation including proof of educational achievements, certifications, professional licenses, or completed forms as required in this Vacancy Announcement to qualify for this position.

4. For applicants who are age 60 to 65, you must provide your Veteran's Preference documentation at the time of your application. If claiming a 5 pt. veteran's preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or Certification of service. If claiming a 10 pt. veteran's preference, you must submit your VA letter and SF-15, in addition to your DD-214 or Certification of service. A Certification must be from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions within 120 days after the Certification is submitted by the applicant and should include military service dates, date of expected discharge or release, and character of service and disability rating, if applicable.

Accomplishments Questionnaire and Statement of Interest

These required questions provide an opportunity to describe examples and accomplishments from your education, life, and/or work experience that demonstrate your qualifications for becoming a Foreign Service Specialist (FSS). Examples can be drawn from any part of your professional or personal experience. The information you give may be used in your oral assessment should you be invited and is an important factor in the competitive evaluation of applicants. Each response is limited to 300 words or fewer (maximum length 2,000 characters) for each item. You should compose your replies carefully, as one of the skills necessary to succeed as an FSS is the ability to write clearly and concisely.

Accomplishments Questionnaire questions:

Substantive Knowledge: Describe your skills, knowledge and experience that are applicable to performing the work described in this vacancy announcement including experience in supervision and performance management of subordinate staff.

Intellectual Skills: Describe an example of when you used such skills to respond to unanticipated circumstances to solve a problem.

Interpersonal Skills: Describe how you have used your interpersonal skills in a specific situation to resolve a problem or achieve a goal.

Communication Skills: Describe a situation in which you used your communication skills, including foreign language skills if appropriate, to further an aim or achieve a goal.

Management Skills: Describe a project you managed or helped to manage and how you planned and organized, set priorities and allocated time and resources to achieve the project's goals.

Required narrative Statement of Interest which discusses your:

Motivation for joining the Foreign Service;

Comments about your work experience, include special skills (e.g. computer), current licenses, honors, awards, special accomplishments, and/or training (with date completed) relating to this position; and

Experience living or working in a multicultural environment, overseas or in U.S.

NOTE: Answers to all of the items in the Accomplishments Questionnaire and Statement of Interest are required and MUST be completed in the online application or your candidacy will not be continued.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.