Summary
The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) is seeking Foreign Affairs Specialists to be stationed within the Office of International Operations at the Department of Energy's (DOE's) Headquarters in Washington, D.C. These positions require placement at designated U.S. diplomatic missions, where the incumbent will serve as a representative of the Secretary of Energy and the Department of Energy, offering a comprehensive DOE perspective.
Duties
As a Foreign Affairs Specialist, you will: Serve as a Foreign Affairs Specialist and represents the Secretary of Energy and the Department of Energy (DOE) at U.S. diplomatic missions to advance U.S. security and economic interests through a mastery of the U.S. Government's (USG's) and DOE's energy, science, and nonproliferation goals, objectives, agreements, and policies, as well as other DOE initiatives. Conduct analyses of vital foreign affairs policies, programs, and projects that are of national and international interest, scope, and impact to both U.S. and foreign policy makers/officials. These analyses are a basis for decisions regarding a broad range of energy, science, and nonproliferation-related issues. Support DOE energy, science, and nonproliferation programs by: a) maintaining contact with foreign governments, industry, academia, research institutions, and NGOs; b) staying informed on global energy, science, nuclear security, and nonproliferation trends; c) coordinating with DOE headquarters and keeping the Chief of Mission and interagency informed; and d) collaborating with diplomatic mission sections (Economic, Political, Commercial) to align on DOE priorities. Brief senior government policymakers, Congressional delegations, and senior business and/or non-governmental organization decision makers on energy-, science-, and nonproliferation-related issues. Advocate DOE positions within the diplomatic community; negotiate USG and DOE stances on energy, and nuclear security challenges with foreign officials through transformative science and technology solutions; and develop negotiating strategies. Strengthen U.S. national and energy security through cooperation with foreign counterparts and support for DOE programmatic issues. Focuses include U.S. and host country multilateral security; energy policies and associated implications; energy security, fuel diversification, and global energy supplies; exports of U.S. energy and energy technology; nuclear security, energy, and nonproliferation; and commercial investment in and innovation opportunities of energy technologies and resources. Supervise DOE's locally engaged staff (LES) by planning, setting short-term priorities, scheduling work, and assigning tasks based on priorities, assignment requirements, and staff capabilities. THIS POSITION IS ALSO BEING ANNOUNCED UNDER: 26-NA-MB-XA-00755-GOV-C (EN-0130-04; Excepted Service Announcement) "Please note that the desired locations are subject to change based on availability and operational requirements."
Requirements
Subject to Random Drug Testing Must pass a pre-employment drug test. Favorable suitability determination required. Financial Disclosure is required. Must be able to obtain/maintain a Q level Security Clearance. You must be a United States Citizen. This employer participates in the e-Verify program. Males must abide by Selective Service registration requirements. Compliance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD-12) governing personal identity which will require that you provide two forms of identification. A 1-year service agreement is required for posts with Danger Pay allowance. A 2-year service agreement is required for all other locations. Many overseas locations require additional access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), which entails separate and additional clearance requirements. A State Department medical clearance is required for the incumbent and his/her accompanying dependents. You must be eligible for a diplomatic passport and applicable visa(s). You must possess health insurance appropriate to an overseas assignment. Transfers between the United States and overseas locations are considered a qualifying life event. May be required to successfully complete a one (1) year probationary or two (2) year trial period. Employees serving on a probationary or trial period may be terminated at any time during the probationary or trial period for performance, conduct, or business-related reasons in the interest of Federal service. Level 3 Spanish language proficiency, as measured by the Inter-Agency Language Roundtable (ILR), is required for assignments in Latin America. Please limit your resume to no more than two (2) pages. If more than two pages are submitted, only the first two pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility and qualifications. Your full resume will be made available to the hiring manager if you are referred. Probationary periods are required for new employees appointed to competitive service positions for the first time; or reinstated employees who return to Federal service after a break in service of 30-days or more and who have not completed a probationary period will need to complete the requirement. Trial periods are required for all excepted service employees. Trial periods served in the same position and agency with no break in service will satisfy the requirement.
Education
In addition to meeting the specialized experience listed above, applicants must meet the Basic Requirements for the Foreign Affairs (0130) series which include: Degree: major or equivalent, or a combination of courses totaling at least 24 semester hours, in international law and international relations, political science, economics, history, sociology, geography, social or cultural anthropology, law, statistics, or in the humanities; or 12 semester hours in one of the above disciplines and 12 semester hours in statistics/quantitative methods. OR Combination of education and experience -- courses equivalent to a major, or a combination of related courses totaling at least 24 semester hours, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. OR Experience -- four years of appropriate experience in one or more of the fields listed above in work associated with international organizations, problems, or other aspects of foreign affairs. EDUCATION: Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants who have completed part or all of their education outside of the U.S. must have their foreign education evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that the foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. A written evaluation of any foreign education must be provided with your application in response to this vacancy announcement or be received by the closing date of this announcement. Failure to provide this evaluation will result in you being found unqualified for the position. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education, see the Department of Education website, and for a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, visit The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. **If you are selected, official transcripts will be required.**FOREIGN EDUCATION: Applicants who have completed part or all of their education outside of the U.S. must have their foreign education evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that the foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. A written evaluation of any foreign education must be provided with your application in response to this vacancy announcement or be received by the closing date of this announcement. Failure to provide this evaluation will result in you being found unqualified for the position. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education, see the Department of Education website, and for a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, visit The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. Please Note: If your foreign education has already been accepted by an accredited U.S. educational institution as part of a degree program with that institution, you do not need to provide an evaluation of foreign education but must submit a copy of the transcripts listing the degree from the U.S. accredited institution that accepted your foreign education. Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How you will be evaluated
USA HIRE ASSESSMENT The USA Hire Assessments includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in critical, general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment by 11:59 p.m. EDT within 48 hours of the closing date on 08/25/2026. For more information on the USA Hire Assessment click here. Applicants who score successfully on the assessment will be forwarded to the Human Resources Office, which will review the first two pages of your resume and supporting documentation to determine whether you meet the eligibility and specialized experience qualifications. Additional documentation (e.g., cover letter, links embedded in your resume) may not be considered. Federal employees eligible for career transition assistance plans such as CTAP, or ICTAP, requesting selection priority, must meet the Qualifications requirements listed in this announcement and be found "well qualified" for the position. Well-qualified is defined as: experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position, including any selective factors, demonstrated by proficiency in most of the requirements of the job, requiring only limited training or orientation to perform effectively. If you believe that you are eligible for the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), please visit the OPM CTAP//ICTAP website for more information. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses you provided in your online questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation before the vacancy closes, you may be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified'. To preview the application questionnaire, click the link below. https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13041688