Duties

Foreign Service Information Management Specialists (IMS) are responsible for the Department's Information Resource Management (IRM) programs and Information Technology (IT) systems world-wide.

The duties of IMS vary according to the size of the post and the requirements of the specific diplomatic mission. At various times, at posts around the world or in domestic locations, the following are some examples of the types of duties and responsibilities an IMS is expected to perform:

Customer Service Skills:

• Provide assistance to users of information management services (for example, by configuring and optimizing software).
• Train users in the use of new software applications, providing guidance and assistance with new or amended IT-related policies and procedures.
• Promote end-user involvement in technology and technical decision-making.

Information Technology Skills/Problem solving:

• Administer computer systems and manage system performance. Set up networks. Start up, operate, and shut down systems.
• Manage user access, train new personnel, identify and resolve problems, report, track and research incidents, counsel users, set up customer equipment, and replace equipment and parts.
• Manage and operate classified and unclassified client/server solutions, desktop systems, messaging solutions, web-based technology, database solutions, and virtual servers to support LAN/WAN.
• Manage telecommunication network services.
• Manage communications equipment, install cabling, provide circuits, support video conferencing, manage communications flow, coordinate with host country officials, and manage wireless communications and Wi-Fi programs.
• Manage voice communication services. Coordinate equipment provision, manage the telephone and radio programs, the personal mobile device program, and VoIP convergence devices.

Information Management Skills/Problem solving:

• Implement IT projects gathering requirements, designing solutions, and assisting with development.
• Acquire IT products and services, test solutions, deploy products, and maintain IT procurement and inventory.
• Manage cloud requirements and support collaboration tools and IT Shared Services efforts.
• Manage pouch programs, diplomatic post office, and telephone operator program.
• Supervise locally employed staff system administrators, mailroom employees, telephone technicians, radio technicians and switchboard operators.
• Manage work assignments and individual performance.,
• Serve as part of the embassy or consulate management team and perform additional duties outside of normal information resource management activities as determined by embassy or consulate management or as dictated by special circumstances.
• Support emergency planning and response and manage emergency wireless communications.
• Ensure emergency destruction capability.
• Maintain alternate processing site.
• Manage emergency digital communications.
• Keep current with specialty, gain and maintain certifications.

Information Security:

• Maintain internal controls on Department of State automated information systems.
• Protect classified documents and classified communications equipment and workspace.
• Promote communications security.
• Update security settings, manage physical security, monitor security, and network security, etc.
• Manage telephone system security.
• Manage the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) program.

Essential Physical Requirements:

Some of the essential functions of the Information Management Specialist (IMS) job have a physically demanding component. In the execution of the duties and tasks listed above, IMSs are required to:

• Crawl under desks, office furnishings, and other objects and work in confined spaces such as under desks or equipment or in crawlspaces, attics, communication closets, etc.
• Walk and climb stairs. Bend, twist, reach, stoop, crouch, climb, and work on feet for extended periods.
• Lift up to 70 pounds and carry up to 50 pounds. Push, pull, or drag heaving objects or equipment. Carry equipment up and down stairs.
• See small objects such as fonts, wires, and computer components and see under low illumination.
• Hear voices in noisy offices, on poor phone connections or at low volume or soft spoken, including distinguishing words in heavy accents. Hear to audibly monitor computer equipment for a faulty condition such as noise from a server or hard drive.
• Pull wires, cables, and ropes that can involve climbing and working on ladders.
• Coordinate precise movements with hands and fingers to assemble electronic components including using hand tools such as screwdrivers and pliers. Feeling and manipulating small objects with hands and fingers.
• Type quickly for extended periods of time.
• Work in adverse environmental conditions, such as extremes of heat, cold, wet, dirt, and dust.
• Work erratic, unusual, unexpected hours and long hours.
• Travel and experience jet-lag, changes in temperature, humidity, etc.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Be a U.S. citizen and available for worldwide service.*
• Be able to obtain a Top Secret - SCI 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).***

Please do not submit your application through USAJobs.

Please submit your application and register to take the Information Management Specialist Test (IMST) at: www.pearsonvue.com/IMST

This is a 2880 Foreign Service skill code (Information Management Specialist) equivalent to the 2210 series in the Civil Service.

Qualifications

Specialized Experience

Qualifying Specialized Experience must demonstrate the potential to perform in progressively more responsible positions in the information resource management field. An applicant's work experience will be evaluated for level of responsibility and length of experience.

To qualify as Specialized Experience, 60% or more of the duties must be related to:

Work with computers, upgrade, repair, replace hardware and software components; or work with network devices, switches and routers; or performing Sys-Admin functions such as: mail server maintenance; add, delete and assign users to roles, patch management and server maintenance; configure or administer virtual network environment; Program Management for IT projects or Data Analytics experience; or expertise in cybersecurity/cloud computing.

Knowledge, Skills, and Other Characteristics

1. Knowledge of information technology, IT telecommunications, radio systems, the cloud, off-the-shelf (COTS) software, IT technology assessment, systems integration, information security, cybersecurity, virtualization, PBX and VoIP convergence, IT shared services, data analytics and data management, project management principles and IT planning, IT acquisition process, techniques in leveraging IT to satisfy business needs, problem and resolution tracking procedures, customer service theory and techniques, managing processes and operations, and management theory.

2. Specialized skills in IT modernization, integrating local IT mission with Global IT vision, translating business needs into technical solutions, IT asset management, IT project management, information security, customer service, presenting technical concepts in layperson terms, enterprise systems, desktop and peripherals, network infrastructure, mobile services, and video conferencing.

3. General skills in critical thinking, active learning, instructing, active listening, coordination, service orientation, persuasion, monitoring, equipment selection, time management, installation, learning strategies, complex problem solving, systems evaluation, management of personnel resources, systems analysis, management of material resources, judgment and decision making, management of financial resources, equipment maintenance, mathematics, negotiation, technology design, repairing, operations monitoring, operation and control and quality control analysis.

4. Superior oral and written communication skills: In order to perform the duties of an IMS, successful applicants 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).

5. Other requirements: cross-cultural awareness, tolerance of travel and being on call, tolerance for working overseas, tolerance of varying work environments, world-wide availability, tolerance of living away from family, attention to detail, dependability and integrity.

Education

At the time of application, applicants must possess one of the following to be considered for the FP-05 grade:

• Minimum 36 months "fully successful" employment in a State Department Expanded Professional Associates Program- Information Management (EPAP-IM) position at FP-06 level, or any grade above, and met the training requirements in place at the time of prior EPAP-IM employment; or
• Minimum 36 months "fully successful" employment in a State Department Information Management Assistant position at the FP-06 level, or any grade above, and met the training requirements equivalent to an EPAP-IM.
• HS Diploma or GED Certificate and 5 years of specialized experience; or
• AA or AS or higher in an IT-related field; or
• AA or AS or higher degree in a non- IT field and 2 years of specialized experience; or
• Served in a US Military IT Specialty Code, or Civil Service IT Specialty, or as an IT contractor to the USG, and 2 years specialized experience. A list containing U.S. military occupational specialty codes or designators is provided for your reference only . Please note that this list is not all inclusive.
• IT-related degree or training must be in the following: Information Management, Telecommunications Management, Computer Information Systems, Networking, Data Processing, Computer Sciences, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, IT Acquisition and Control Management, IT Business processes; or other related computer networking fields.

At the time of application, applicants must possess one of the following to be considered for the FP-04 grade:

• HS Diploma or GED Certificate and 5 years of specialized experience; and 1 current certification in an IT-related field (for example: A+, N+, MCSA, MCSE, CSMA, CCNP or CISSP); or
• AA or AS in an IT field and 4 years of specialized experience; or
• BA or BS in an IT-related field and at least 3 years of specialized experience; or
• BA or BS or higher in a non-IT field and 5 years of specialized experience, and 1 current certification in an IT-related field (for example: A+, N+, MCSA, MCSE, CSMA, CCNP or CISSP); or
• MA or MS or higher in an IT-related field and at least 1 year of specialized experience; or
• Served in a US Military IT Specialty Code, or Civil Service IT Specialty, or as an IT contractor to the USG, and 3 years of specialized experience. A list containing U.S. military occupational specialty codes or designators is provided for your reference only . Please note that this list is not all inclusive.
• IT-related degree or training must be in the following: Information Management, Telecommunications Management, Computer Information Systems, Networking, Data Processing, Computer Sciences, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, IT Acquisition and Control Management, IT Business processes; or other related computer networking fields.

You must submit a copy of your university transcript(s), or your DD-214 and your military training report with the title of training when requested . If you do not submit this documentation to demonstrate your educational achievements, you will not be given credit.

If your application moves to the Qualifications Evaluation Panel (QEP) official or unofficial transcripts will be requested. Your transcript must include your name, the school's name, and, if applicable, the degree and date awarded and have no missing pages. A transcript missing any of these elements will not pass the minimum qualifications and the candidacy will not continue. Copies of diplomas may not be submitted in lieu of transcripts for education above high school level.

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.

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.

NACES: www.naces.org/members.htm

AICE: www.aice-eval.org/members

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.

OPM: www.opm.gov

U.S. Department of Education: http://www.ed.gov

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 selection process, please visit: http://careers.state.gov/faqs/faqs-wiki/are-veterans-given-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 separated for failure to receive a career appointment under section 306 may not re-apply to be a Foreign Service Specialist 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 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 ReasonableAccommodations@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.