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(FEATURED!) CONSULAR FELLOW - ARABIC, MANDARIN CHINESE, PORTUGUESE, OR SPANISH PROFICIENCY
Foreign Service, Consular Affairs
Department of State

Overview

Open & Closing Dates
04/13/2026 to 09/30/2026

Salary
$59,726 - $121,080

Work Schedule
Full-Time

Appointment Type
Temporary

Location

City
Multiple

State
Overseas

Duties

Summary
The U.S. Department of State, our country’s lead foreign policy agency, provides a rich international experience.  A Limited Non-Career Appointment (LNA) in the Foreign Service is a distinct opportunity to serve your country for up to 60 months and offers candidates considering a career in the Foreign Service first-hand insights and exploration of potential Foreign Service career paths.

Responsibilities
Please visit the Department’s Career Site for more details on the duties and responsibilities of a Consular Fellow.  

Special Circumstances 

This Consular Fellow Limited Non-Career Appointment (LNA) is up to 60 months, but the Department may terminate the appointment at any time based on the needs of the Service.  The Department assigns a Consular Fellow to a U.S. embassy or consulate overseas with the expectation that the appointment and potential extensions will permit completion of a standard two-year tour of duty.  Upon completion of the first tour of duty, the Department may assign the Consular Fellow to a different overseas post.  Consular Fellows are full professional members of embassy and consulate teams.  Consular Fellow appointments, however, do not provide expedited, alternate, or otherwise special access or a pathway into the Department of State Foreign Service.  These appointments do not lead to onward employment with the Department of State or with the U.S. government.  Consular Fellows may apply to become career 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.  Consular Fellows who subsequently enter the career Foreign Service as Entry Level Officers are still required to fulfill the consular service requirement.  Consular Fellows must also complete 24 months of service as a Consular Fellow before joining the career Foreign Service, if after completing the standard application process they are offered such a position.

The Department hires candidates applying for the Portuguese and Chinese language programs primarily for service in Brazil and China.  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.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment
Applicants must be U.S. citizens and available for work outside the United States. U.S. citizen candidates with dual nationality are ineligible for assignment within their country of dual nationality. Applicants may reapply one year after completing the Consular Fellows Program Test (CFPT) for the same position. Applicants may not reapply for two years after a State Department Suitability Review Panel denies them suitability.

Conditions of Employment

The U.S. Department of State maintains a rank-ordered list of eligible hires for LNA Consular Fellow positions.  To learn more about the Department of State and the Consular Fellows Program visit the Department of State’s Careers website at https://careers.state.gov and careers.state.gov/career-paths/foreign-service/consular-fellows.

Qualifications for Employment: 

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.  Recruitment for Portuguese and Chinese languages is targeted for service in Brazil and China, and candidates who are nationals of these countries are unable to meet this qualification).  

Be able to obtain a Top-Secret Security Clearance. 

Be able to obtain a medical clearance to serve abroad at the post of assignment. 

Be able to obtain a favorable Suitability Review Panel determination.

Be at least 20 years old at the time of application; at least 21 years old at the time of appointment. 

E-Verify:  Verification of employment eligibility in the United States is required. 

Must speak an eligible foreign language at the 2 level (current eligible languages are Arabic, Chinese-Mandarin, Portuguese, and Spanish).

For more details on language proficiency, review information at Language Tests - Careers (state.gov). 

The Consular Fellow LNA continues for up to 60 months but may be terminated at any time, with 30 days’ notice, by either the Consular Fellow or the Department.  The Department assigns a Consular Fellow overseas 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.  Upon completion of the first tour of duty, the Department may assign a Consular Fellow to a different overseas post for the remainder of the 60-month LNA. 

Qualifications
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

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), e-mail systems, internet.  The Department will provide successful applicants with training on specialized Consular software applications.

General subject matter, including psychology and human behavior, interacting with individuals undergoing stress.  Basic mathematics.

Required language fluency as outlined above.

Education

There is no minimum education requirement for this position.

Security Clearance

Required
Top Secret

Required Application Materials

Resume

Application Instructions

For more information and to apply, please visit the USAJOBS links and Consular Fellows Program site, which is linked in the USAJOBS posting.
Apply at the following website or click Apply below: usajobs.gov/job/862253500

Additional Notes

This is NOT an NSEP-exclusive position. Please apply at the USAJOBS link and reach out to the POC listed on the announcement for more information.

Apply

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