- Office Home
- About Us
- Key Topics
- Resources
- Contact Us

HomeConsular Affairs – Appointment Eligible Family Member Program...Consular Affairs – Appointment Eligible Family Members Program Vacancy Announcement

# 									Consular Affairs – Appointment Eligible Family Members Program Vacancy Announcement							

		Contact the CA-AEFM Coordinator		

## 								IMPORTANT							

        -  The CA-AEFM program is managed by the Bureau of Global Talent Management’s Office of Career Development and Assignments (GTM/CDA) and the Bureau of Consular Affairs Executive Office (CA/EX). 
        -  Eligible Family Members (EFM) who are interested in becoming a CA-AEFM may apply to this program on a rolling basis for future opportunities as outlined on this page. 
        -  All questions regarding eligibility, application procedures, or other questions should be sent to AEFM-CA@state.gov. 

## Job Vacancy Announcement for Consular Affairs’ Appointment Eligible Family Members (CA-AEFM) Limited Non-Career Appointments

The Bureau of Consular Affairs (CA) sponsors a program to provide Appointment Eligible Family Members (AEFMs) with certification enabling them to work in Consular positions at the overseas post of assignment of their direct-hire employee sponsor. CA-AEFMs are assigned to certain open entry-level consular positions. Under this program, the Bureau of Global Talent Management’s Office of Career Development and Assignments (GTM/CDA) will accept applications from qualified AEFMs interested in serving as Consular Professionals in entry-level positions and will work with the Bureau of Consular Affairs Executive Office (CA/EX) to fill these positions.

### Index

        - About the Position
        - Qualifications
        - Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Requirements
        - How Applicants Will Be Evaluated
        - How to Apply

 

### About the Position

#### Position Title

Consular Affairs – Appointment Eligible Family Member (CA-AEFM).

#### Job Description

CA-AEFMs may be assigned to full-time, entry-level consular positions abroad. CA-AEFMs will be hired under a Family Member Appointment (FMA), which is a Limited Non-Career Appointment (LNA). The potential to extend such appointments is based on satisfactory performance and the needs of the Bureau of Consular Affairs.

#### Series and Grade

FP-06, FP-05, and FP-04.

#### Benefits

CA-AEFMs hired under an FMA are eligible for many benefits, including non-competitive eligibility (NCE) for qualifying service abroad (based on Executive Order 12721), to the extent authorized by 5 C.F.R. § 315.608; Annual and Sick Leave; FEHB; FERS; FEGLI; Thrift Savings Plan; Danger Pay (if applicable); and language incentive pay, if appropriate. They may also be in pay status during periods of required training. CA-AEFMs are not eligible for hardship differential or COLA.

#### Number of Vacancies

Unlimited.

#### Area of Consideration

AEFMs who are U.S. citizens and are at least 21 years of age. For purposes of this program, an AEFM is defined as a U.S. citizen spouse or U.S. citizen domestic partner (per 3 FAM 1610) who is on the travel orders or approved Form OF-126, Foreign Service Residence and Dependency Report, of a Foreign Service or Civil Service employee or uniformed service member permanently assigned to or stationed at a U.S. Foreign Service post or establishment abroad, or at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan abroad, under Chief of Mission authority and who does not receive a U.S. government retirement annuity or pension based on a career in the U.S. Foreign Service, Civil Service, or uniformed service. An AEFM is eligible for assignment only to qualifying positions at the sponsoring employee’s or uniformed service member’s post or office of assignment abroad.

A CA LNA appointment may last up to 60 months and may be terminated at any time based on the needs of the Service. A CA-AEFM is assigned to a U.S. embassy or consulate with the expectation that the appointment and potential extensions will permit completion of a standard two-year tour of duty or completion of the sponsoring employee’s assignment. Upon completion of the first tour of duty with satisfactory service, the CA-AEFM may be assigned to a different post in conjunction with a sponsoring employee’s or uniformed service member’s post or office of assignment abroad. CA-AEFMs are full professional members of embassy and consulate teams. This program does not provide expedited, alternate, preferential, or otherwise special access into the Department of State’s Foreign Service career candidate programs. CA LNA appointments do not lead to guaranteed onward employment with the Department of State or with the U.S. government. CA-AEFMs may apply to become Foreign Service Specialists or Officers, as well as Civil Service employees, but they must meet all applicable qualifications and complete the standard application and assessment processes. CA-AEFMs who subsequently enter the Foreign Service as Entry-Level Officers are still required to fulfill the consular service requirement.

#### Location

CA-AEFM assignments can be in any geographic region abroad. A fully certified CA-AEFM candidate should contact the CA-AEFM Coordinator in GTM/CDA/EL at AEFM-CA@state.gov to discuss potential assignments when the candidate’s sponsor begins a bidding cycle. CA/EX and GTM/CDA coordinate all assignments of CA-AEFMs to overseas posts, based on the sponsor’s assignment. GTM/CDA/EL or CA/EX will notify CA-AEFMs of a specific assignment. Per the Foreign Affairs Manual (3 FAM 2424.5), the Department does not permit assignment of U.S. employees to posts in countries of which they are nationals. [Additionally, candidates and their family members should be aware that, in general, countries do not extend diplomatic privileges and immunities to family members who are dual nationals.]

#### Tour of Duty

GTM/CDA will assign the CA-AEFM in most cases to the tour of duty of the sponsor.

#### Description of Duties

As noted above, all consular positions for the CA-AEFM program are full-time consular positions. The range of duties and responsibilities reflect those required of entry-level Foreign Service Officers and Consular Fellows. Please visit the Department’s Career Site for more details regarding Consular Fellows’ basic duties.

#### Special Circumstances

This program is different from other opportunities for AEFMs to work in consular sections because the CA-AEFM program is centrally managed by CA and GTM. The application process, assessment of interested candidates, and assignment of qualified candidates will be handled by Washington, not posts abroad. For this program only, a CA-AEFM may be appointed under a Family Member Appointment (FMA) prior to arrival at post and may be in pay status during consular training and language training, if required.

The assessment process for AEFMs who wish to be a CA-AEFM is administered by the Bureau of Global Talent Management, Office of Assessment and Board of Examiners (GTM/TAC/BEX). The list of AEFMs who successfully pass the assessment process will be maintained by the CA-AEFM Coordinator in GTM/CDA/EL as well as by GTM’s Office of Intake, Planning, and Onboarding (GTM/TAC/IPO). An AEFM who successfully passes the assessment process will not need to do so again during the duration of the direct hire spouse’s employment with the U.S. Government. Following the bidding and assignment process of the U.S. direct hire employee, when an AEFM expresses interest on a subsequent position overseas, the AEFM may have to renew clearances, and/or address the language designation of the position. Should the CA-AEFM go five years without an adjudicatory assignment within a Consular Section, they will be required to retake PC 530, the Basic Consular Course.

When a CA-AEFM accepts an offer to onboard with the Department of State as a CA-AEFM, GTM/TAC provides the CA-AEFM with a “Conditions of Employment” form which candidates must sign and return to GTM/TAC. A copy of the Conditions of Employment is available on GCLO’s CA-AEFM webpage.

#### Initial Grade/Increase in Grade

CA-AEFMs will be hired at the FP-06, FP-05, or FP-04 level, based on years of professional, full-time experience and/or education. CA-AEFMs are eligible for a grade increase to the FP-04 level. The grade increase potential is based on the Foreign Service entry level promotion scale:
        - FP-06 to FP-05 after 12 months of service in pay status with satisfactory performance as an FP-06 CA-AEFM.
        - FP-05 to FP-04 after 18 months of service in pay status with satisfactory performance as an FP-05 CA-AEFM.

The grade increase is applicable only while serving in a CA-AEFM position. CA-AEFMs will be evaluated at least annually on the anniversary date of their arrival at post using the DS-7770 performance evaluation form.

#### Orientation/Training/Assignment

CA-AEFMs are eligible to be in pay status during required training, prior to arrival at an overseas post. Whenever possible, the Department will schedule CA-AEFM training to coincide with the time period when the direct-hire employee sponsor is also in Washington on a domestic tour or on travel orders. CA funds required consular training and, in consultation with GTM/CDA, may fund recommended orientation or other training at the Foreign Service Institute (FSI), based on the direct-hire employee sponsor’s travel orders.

### Qualifications

All CA-AEFM candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria:
        - Be a U.S. citizen and able to obtain authorization to work in country or countries of assignment. (Note: Candidates with dual nationality are ineligible for assignment within their country of dual nationality.)
        - Be at least 20 years old at the time of application; at least 21 years old at the time of appointment.
        - Pass the rigorous testing standard for CA-AEFMs as administered by GTM/TAC/BEX.
        - Obtain and hold a Top-Secret level security clearance as well as meet the minimum medical qualification standard to serve abroad at the direct-hire employee sponsor’s post of assignment.
        - Obtain a favorable Foreign Service Suitability Review Panel determination.
        - E-verify: Verification of employment eligibility in the United States is required.

There is no minimum education requirement for this position.

### Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Requirements

The education, work experience, and other qualifications evaluated for evidence of the following knowledge, skills, abilities, and other requirements have been identified as important to successful job performance as a Consular Affairs AEFM, based on extensive job analysis research.
        - General knowledge of the United States, including customs and culture, society, trends, history, economy, government, political system, and the Constitution.
        - Skill in written and oral communication, including English grammar and usage, techniques for effective interpersonal communication, techniques for handling interviews, complaints, sources of information, and public speaking ability.
        - General skills in computers, including computer operations, common office software programs (e.g., Microsoft Office), e-mail systems, and Internet. Successful applicants will receive training in specialized Consular software applications.
        - General subject matters, including psychology and human behavior, and interacting with individuals undergoing stress.

### How Applicants Will Be Evaluated

CA-AEFMs are required to pass the Board of Examiners (BEX) assessment process to qualify for certification as a CA-AEFM. The CA-AEFM Coordinator in GTM/CDA/EL (hereinafter referred to as “the Coordinator”) will accept applications and check that the minimum qualifications are met. The Coordinator will forward qualified applications to the Consular Professional Unit (CPU) within BEX to begin the testing process.

The first step of the BEX assessment process is the Consular Fellow Program Test (CFPT). The CFPT is an online exam which tests general knowledge, English language expression, situational judgment, and understanding regulations. CA-AEFMs will have the option of completing the online portion of the test in a proctored and controlled setting overseas or completing it virtually with a proctor from the CPU within BEX. Those applicants who pass the CFPT will be invited to take the Foreign Service Consular Professional Assessment (FSCPA), i.e., the case management exercise and the structured interview. The entire assessment process is completed virtually. Applicants who do not pass the CFPT will be required to wait one year from the date that GTM/TAC/BEX received their application before they are eligible to re-test.

**Applicants who pass the FSCPA will be subject to a security clearance investigation and suitability review. They must also meet the minimum medical qualification standard to serve abroad at the direct-hire employee sponsor’s post of assignment.**

**Once BEX determines that a candidate is fully qualified, BEX will notify the Coordinator. The CA-AEFM certification of qualifications does not expire; CA/EX and GTM/CDA/EL will indefinitely keep the name of the qualified CA-AEFM candidate on its list of fully certified candidates. CA-AEFMs may need to be retrained on consular matters or update security and medical clearances to accept a specific assignment overseas.**

### How to Apply

Submit all application materials electronically to AEFM-CA@state.gov. Include the following:

#### DS-1950 Application for Employment

        - Download the DS-1950. Accessible via  Form Finder (state.gov) .
        - Fill out the form in its entirety including an ink signature and date on  pages 1 and 3.
        - Print, sign, scan, and save as a .pdf.

#### Also include:

        - Evidence of U.S. citizenship (for example, either provide U.S. passport number and date of issuance or a scanned photocopy of the biographical information page of the U.S. passport).
        - Full name of direct-hire employee sponsor.
        - Agency of direct-hire employee sponsor.
        - Current assignment of direct-hire employee sponsor.

Once the Coordinator determines an applicant meets the minimum qualifications, the Coordinator will pass the application to GTM/TAC/BEX. Each applicant will receive a confirmation email from the Coordinator upon determination that the applicant meets the minimum qualifications. **GTM/TAC/BEX will then contact the applicant with instructions on the assessment process. Please do not contact either the Coordinator or BEX beforehand.**

The Department of State is committed to equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment for all without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, sexual orientation, disabling condition, political affiliation, marital status, or prior statutorily or constitutionally protected activity. The Department of State provides reasonable accommodation to qualified candidates with disabilities. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for any part of the application or hiring process should so advise the Department at the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations (OAA) by emailing OAA@state.gov. Additional information may be found on the Department’s careers.state.gov website.

**Obtaining certification as a qualified CA-AEFM candidate does not guarantee employment. A CA-AEFM position does not automatically lead to further employment in the State Department.**

Applicants may not reapply for one year after their previous application for the same position. Applicants may not reapply for two years if a State Department Suitability Review Panel denied them suitability within the last two years. All questions regarding the application process, eligibility requirements, or other issues may be sent to AEFM-CA@state.gov or CFPInfo@state.gov.

Tags

Family Member Employment

Back to Top