Is the foreign service exam mandatory for all embassy positions?

Question

Even minor ones?

Answer 1

No. There are foreign service specialists (budget folks, computer people) who don't take the exam but still get to live in various places overseas like regular FSOs. Look under "employment" here: http://www.state.gov/aboutstatedepartment/
Other government agencies also send employees overseas sometimes.

There are also thousands of local hires, who do most of the clerical and manual work; Americans who live in those places can apply for those jobs - of course, they pay the local wages, too.

Andy, below, says that Americans can't take local jobs, but this is one of the few times he is wrong. If they already live in the country and have permission to work, they can be hired just like "locals" can. I currently have three American citizens working for me as local hires, filling foreign service national jobs.

Answer 2

In addition to the previous answer: there are many jobs filled in US Embassies by persons who do not work for the Department of State: aside from foreign service officers who work for the Dept of Commerce, etc., employees who are not FSOs work for DOD and for numerous other agencies of government (Customs, FBI etc.) Many work for the CIA and for AID.

There is a "lateral entry" program for mid-career staff, although only a limited number of openings are available, sometimes none at all. And there are some political appointments, especially as ambassador.

For overseas careers with State, however, the Foreign Service exam is how nearly all officers join. Staff (secretaries, clerks, couriers, etc.) do not take that exam; and some of them are able to switch to career officer positions after a tour or two through a special program.

I do not think it is correct that American citizens can take Foreign Service National jobs, which are reserved for citizens of the host country (or, in some places, of third countries). The US will not, for one thing, secure diplomatic or quasi-diplomatic for local-hire personnel in most countries. And in others, to have local staff who are American citizens without diplomatic privileges would be a security risk. The number of American citizens working as local hires whom I knew about over 21 years was infinitesmal. Only one such person comes to mind. (A number of spouses, etc. worked as contractors; that's a separate issue.)

Answer 3

Ah divnae ken

Answer 4

yes

Answer 5

Well in the UK there is