Professional Associates Program (Hard-to-fill Exercise)
The following are the general requirements and procedures for the program.
Background
The regular FS assignments process invariably leaves some overseas positions without sufficient qualified Foreign Service bidders. These positions are designated Hard-To-Fill (HTF) and are opened to Department of State Civil Service employees and to Eligible Family Members (EFMs). Positions are announced by cable. EFMs may apply only for positions at the posts listed if their sponsoring employee is currently assigned there. They must commit to serve in the position for a minimum of one year.
Foreign Service direct-hire employees can continue to bid on these positions and receive priority in selection.
Qualified EFMs are given preference over equally qualified Civil Service employees. Veterans are given preference in the selection process.
Eligibility Requirements
In order to be eligible for the PA program, applicants must be the EFM (defined in 3 FAM 8212 b) of a career government employee from any agency under Chief of Mission authority assigned to a full time position at an overseas post. Members of Household (MOH) and family members of contractors are not eligible. Additionally, applicants must be a U.S. citizen at the time of application, a high school graduate, at least 18 years of age, and qualified for the position.
Professional Associates Program Selection Process
HR/CDA convenes Qualifications Evaluation Panels (QEP) which review applications from EFMs and from Civil Service employees for relevant experience and skills, including foreign language proficiency if the position requires it. EFMs without supervisory experience will not be considered for positions with supervisory responsibilities. A representative from the Family Liaison Office (FLO) participates in the QEP as a non-voting member.
EFMs who are certified as qualified by the QEP are notified by the PA Coordinator and their application material is then forwarded to the regional bureaus for consideration for the vacancies for which they have applied. Selections are made by the bureaus. Qualified EFMs should contact the bureau EX Officer directly to express their interest and discuss their qualifications.
Upon Selection
Selected EFMs are required to have the appropriate security clearances for the posts of assignment prior to appointment. Professional Associates are appointed using the Family Member Appointment (FMA) mechanism. The regulations for FMAs are contained in 3 FAM 8200.
Salary is determined by a Human Resources Specialist with experience in setting Foreign Service salaries.
If required, training may be provided at NFATC.
There is no mechanism for the conversion of a Professional Associate to career Foreign Service. EFMs selected for a PA position should be aware that they will not be able to convert to the career Foreign Service at the end of a tour.
EXPANDED PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATES PROGRAM
Background
In July 2008, the Under Secretary for Management announced the expansion of the Professional Associates (PA) Program, which provided additional professional-level, full-time employment opportunities overseas for appoint-eligible family members (AEFMs) and fills critical positions with well-qualified personnel.
2012 EPAP
State has announced its 2012 Expanded Professional Associates Program or EPAP. EPAP gives Appointment Eligible Family Members (AEFMs) an opportunity to work in FS entry level positions in the following cones/disciplines: Political, Economic, Public Diplomacy, Management, General Services, Human Resources, Financial Management, Office Management, Information management, Physician, and Registered Nurse. All positions are at the FS-04 to FS-07 levels. AEFMs whose sponsoring employee has at least one year remaining on his/her tour are eligible to apply. (EP Associates may only be employed at the same Mission as the sponsoring employee.) Applicants must commit to serving a minimum of one year in the position to which they are applying. Positions offered within the EPAP are professional level, full-time positions. It is expected that only applicants who are interested in full-time, all-year employment will apply.
The Department plans to fill many positions for the 2012 EPAP program, but will advertise widely to give both the applicant and the Department greater flexibility. Not all advertised positions will be filled. The deadline for registering for the mandatory “Business Writing” test was January 27; the deadline for submitting the full application package is February 26, 2012. For more information and specific details and instructions about applying, Read the Announcement.
Information provided by the Family Liaison Office
Contact the Family Liaison Office
-07/21/08
Professional Associates Program Expansion
[14 Kb]
