Couriers are assigned responsibilities on a regional basis and serve Foreign Service posts in several countries, which will require frequent travel. A substantial portion of a Diplomatic Courier's career is spent overseas and in nearly constant travel status. All Diplomatic Couriers must successfully complete approximately six weeks of training in Washington, DC, before commencing their initial tour of duty assignment. Exceptions may be made to increase the number of steps based upon such factors as the level of graduate education, and directly related specialized work experience. However, salary is limited to the maximum salary for the specific grade level for which the candidate is qualified at the time of appointment.
Salaries are determined at the time that the official job offers are made.
Entry level salary for Federal civilian employees, appointed without a break in service, will be set at the rate, within the Foreign Service grade to which they are appointed, that is nearest to the base salary rate of their previous salary, provided the work performed in the previous position is relevant to Diplomatic Courier Service activities. Beyond the FP-4 level, Diplomatic Couriers are considered for promotion annually in competition with others in their specialty, based upon performance ratings and the recommendations of annual promotion selection panels. Although not a requirement, fluency in a foreign language is desirable. The ability to think logically and objectively, to analyze and evaluate facts, and to apply sound judgment in assessing the practical implications of solutions such as that required for negotiating contracts, and scheduling services or production runs. Responsibility for planning and scheduling resource needs, or organizing requirements for deliverables.