Foreign Service officer Facts for Kids

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo swears in new Foreign Service Officers in October 2018.

A Foreign Service Officer (FSO) is a special kind of diplomat who works for the United States. Their main job is to help shape and carry out America's plans for dealing with other countries. FSOs spend most of their careers living and working overseas. They serve in U.S. embassies, consulates, and other diplomatic missions (like special offices) in different countries. Some FSOs also work in the U.S. at military bases, for Congress, or at schools. There are thousands of FSOs working for the U.S. government.

What Do Foreign Service Officers Do?
How to Become a Foreign Service Officer
See also

What Do Foreign Service Officers Do?

Foreign Service Officers working for the State Department have five main types of jobs, called "cones." Each cone focuses on a different area of international relations.

Consular Officers: Helping Americans Abroad

Consular Officers help American citizens who are living or traveling overseas.
They assist with things like adoptions, passports, and other important issues in the country where they are stationed.
If there's a natural disaster or an emergency, these officers help Americans leave the country safely.

Economic Officers: Working on Money and Science

Economic Officers work with foreign governments on money matters and trade.
They also deal with international issues related to technology and science.
Their goal is to improve economic ties and cooperation between the U.S. and other nations.

Management Officers: Running the Embassy

Management Officers are like the general managers of an embassy or consulate.
They handle the daily operations, including managing staff and budgets.
They also make sure the embassy has everything it needs to run smoothly, from supplies to services.

Political Officers: Talking About Policy

Political Officers talk with foreign governments about important policy issues.
They work on negotiations and discussions to find common ground.
Their job is to understand the politics of the host country and explain U.S. policies.

Public Diplomacy Officers: Sharing America's Story

Public Diplomacy Officers help people in other countries understand the United States.
They meet with the press, organize educational events, and share information about American culture and values.
Their goal is to build good relationships and understanding between people.

Other Foreign Service Roles

Besides the State Department, FSOs also work for other U.S. agencies. These include the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Commercial Service, and the Foreign Agricultural Service. These officers have different specializations, such as:

Agriculture
Education
Health
Economic growth
Helping in crises

Many top leadership roles in U.S. embassies, like being an ambassador, are filled by experienced FSOs. They get a lot of training, including learning different languages and cultures. About two-thirds of U.S. ambassadors are career FSOs.

How to Become a Foreign Service Officer

Becoming a Foreign Service Officer for the State Department is very competitive.

Applicants must pass a difficult written exam and an oral interview.
They also go through a thorough background check to get a top-secret security clearance.
After passing all steps, candidates are placed on a hiring list based on their scores.
Only a small percentage of people who apply actually become FSOs.

For agencies like USAID, the process is a bit different. USAID often looks for FSOs with specific skills, like a background in health or engineering. Many successful candidates have advanced degrees and job experience related to their chosen field.

Foreign Service officer facts for kids

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