OVERSEAS JOBS
Government Jobs / Federal Jobs ─ Overseas Job Opportunities

• Overseas Jobs Introduction

• Conditions of Employment

  • Physical Exams

  • Security Examinations

  • Transportation Agreements

  • Foreign Language Requirement

  • Dependents

  • Pay & Benefits

  • Competition

  • Citizenship

• Applying For Jobs Overseas

• Federal Resume Writing Service (Professional Services can Improve Your Chances)

• Clearance Jobs Career Center (Matches job seekers that hold active or current security clearances to hiring employers and recruiters looking for skilled cleared candidates.)

 

This information is excerpted from The Book of U.S. Government Jobs. Order with all major credit cards toll free by calling 800-782-7424.

Thousands of United States citizens work for the federal government in foreign countries, in the United States territories, Alaska, and Hawaii. The positions that are most often available are administrative, technical and professional, accountants, auditors, foreign service officers, budget and program officers, management analysts, nurses, procurement officers, shorthand reporters, equipment specialists, engineers, social workers, housing officers, teachers, and alcohol and drug abuse specialists. Clerical (clerk-typist, stenographer) and secretary positions are normally filled locally overseas.

Positions are filled in several ways. In the U.S. territories, Hawaii, and Alaska most positions are filled through competitive civil service announcements. Various positions overseas are filled through Excepted Service and Nonappropriated Fund Instrumentality (NAFI) hiring programs. Excepted Service positions are described in Chapter Three. Nonappropriated Fund positions are paid using money generated within the Department of the Army and other military branches through sales revenues. These positions are primarily governed by military regulations.

When positions are filled locally overseas, U.S. citizens living abroad, dependents of citizens employed or stationed overseas, or foreign nationals, can be hired. Most countries have agreements with United States installations that require the hiring of local nationals whenever possible to bolster the local economy. All positions held by foreign nationals are in the Excepted Service. Excepted Service positions are not subject to OPM's competitive hiring requirements.

Of the 93,891overseas civilian federal employees, 68,248 are U.S. citizens as of July 2004. Since 2001, total overseas federal civilian employment has increased slightly.

Most of the upper-and mid-level positions are filled through internal placement. Internal placement allows government employees wanting to work overseas to first apply for the positions in-house. If there are no in-house bidders, agencies then advertise through competitive announcements. Overseas applicants should contact individual Agency and OPM web sites for job listings. Contact the following Employment Service Center for NAFI Jobs:

The Army and Air Force Exchange Service is the largest NAF employer. NAF personnel also work in the Army and Air Force morale, welfare, and recreation activities. Major NAF employers in the Department of the Navy include the Bureau of Naval Personnel, Navy Exchange Service Command, and U.S. Marine Corps. For more information about NAF employment, visit the following DOD NAF Component employment websites:

Army and Air Force Exchange Services:
http://odin.aafes.com/Employment/default.asp

Air Force Services Career Program:
http://www-p.afsv.af.mil/CR/

Army Civilian Personnel On Line:
http://www.cpol.army.mil/library/naf/

Navy Morale, Welfare and Recreation:
http://www.mwr.navy.mil/

Marine Corp Community Services:
http://www.usmc-mccs.org/

Navy Exchange System:
https://www.nexnet.navy.mil/pls/nexjobs/work4us

Also visit the Department of Defense's civilian employment center at http://www.godefense.com. This site is a wealth of information and includes extensive job listings. On May 5th of 2006 their were over 11,200 job vacancy announcements posted on this site alone. 

Return to top of page

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Overseas workers must meet various requirements: physical, security, qualifications, tour of duty, etc. Announcements list specific restrictions, conditions, and special qualifications.

Return to top of page

PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS

Individuals wanting to work overseas must meet certain stringent requirements. Thorough physical exams for both the applicant and, in many cases, accompanying dependents require physicals. You must be able to physically adapt to the conditions at various locations that may not have adequate health care facilities. Individuals on medication or who require special care will not be considered for certain positions. Any physical impairment that would create a hazard to others or to yourself, or would reduce performance level, will disqualify the applicant.

Return to top of page

SECURITY CLEARANCE CHECKS

All applicants considered for appointment must pass a comprehensive security clearance, character and suitability check. These investigations take from a few weeks to several months to complete. If you are selected for a position you will be appointed conditionally, pending the results of the investigation.

Return to top of page

TRANSPORTATION AGREEMENTS

Individuals selected for overseas assignment are generally required to sign a transportation agreement. Typically, overseas tours last from twelve to thirty-six months.

Return to top of page

FOREIGN LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

A foreign language that would not be a position requirement in the States may be required for certain overseas positions. The job announcement will specify if a language is required. Several agencies appoint candidates without the required language skill and give them a period of time to develop acceptable language proficiency

Return to top of page

DEPENDENTS

Most agencies permit professional employees to take dependents with them. Professional positions are generally considered to be mid-level positions and above. Other employees can often arrange for dependents to follow them at a later date.

Return to top of page

PAY AND BENEFITS

Pay is generally the same overseas for the comparable stateside position. Additional allowances such as a post differential, cost-of-living and quarters allowance, are provided where conditions warrant. Military base privileges are authorized in many circumstances and Department of Defense schools are available for dependent children through grade 12.

Basic benefits are the same for all civil service employees. Overseas employees also receive free travel, transportation and storage of household goods, and extra vacation with free transportation to stateside homes between tours of duty.

Return to top of page

COMPETITION

There are a limited number of overseas positions and competition is keen.However, if you are well qualified in an occupation and available for most locations, your opportunity to be selected is good. The normal rotation of current employees back to the United States creates a large number of recurring vacancies.

Return to top of page

CITIZENSHIP

Applications are accepted only from U.S. citizens and American Samoans.

Return to top of page

APPLYING FOR AN OVERSEAS JOB

Apply early. It pays to apply for federal jobs well in advance of the time you will be available for employment. Applications usually take six to eight weeks for processing. It may take longer if written tests are required, especially in overseas areas. Many jobs limit the number of applications available and the time allowed for filing. Applications are given out until the limit is reached or until the closing date of the announcement.

Detailed overseas employment information is included in the paperback version of The Book Of U.S. Government Jobs. This book includes:

• Overseas agency personnel office addresses and phone numbers
• Overseas Job hotlines
• Overseas job web sites
• Placement services
• Pacific job opportunities
• Atlantic job opportunities
• NAFI positions
• Over 50 web sites to connect direct to agencies employing overseas workers
• Description of major overseas employing agencies with numbers employed and key jobs that they fill.

Return to top of page

Home | About Us | Site Map | Feedback | Search