Jobs at AFSA

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Employment at AFSA

The Foreign Service Act of 1980, the legal foundation for the Foreign Service, opens by declaring that “a career Foreign Service, characterized by excellence and professionalism, is essential in the national interest.” AFSA speaks for its members individually, ensuring that the law is upheld and due process followed, but also, crucially, for the long-term health and vigor of the Foreign Service as an institution, certain in the conviction that a career Foreign Service, characterized by excellence and professionalism, is in America’s national interest.

AFSA’s membership include active-duty and retired Foreign Service officers and specialists at the Department of State, as well as members of the Foreign Service from the U.S. Agency for International Development, Foreign Agricultural Service, Foreign Commercial Service, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and Broadcasting Board of Governors. AFSA exists to support the United States Foreign Service, which deploys worldwide to protect and serve America’s people, interests and values. The Foreign Service is the only U.S. government entity that is globally deployed with an enduring physical presence in almost every country in the world, creating an enormous competitive advantage for America and for Americans from all walks of life. AFSA’s members are career professionals who spend roughly two thirds of their careers abroad representing America to the people and leaders of other countries. Members of the Foreign Service are posted to more than 270 U.S. embassies, consulates and other missions around the globe—most in difficult and many in dangerous environments.

Our AFSA staff are hired from across the Foreign Service and international affairs communities. If you are interested in supporting the Foreign Service mission and working for AFSA, please keep an eye on our website below for available jobs. In the meantime, we have posted our Employee Handbook here for your information.

Labor Management Advisor

The American Foreign Service Association is recruiting an individual with strong understanding of the Foreign Service, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the other Foreign Affairs Agencies, and the Foreign Service Act (and related laws and regulations) to serve as Labor Management Advisor in its office at USAID.

The Organization

The American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), created in 1924, is the professional association for the U.S. Foreign Service. AFSA’s 16,500 members include active and retired Foreign Service officers and specialists primarily at the Department of State as well as at the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Foreign Agricultural Service, the Foreign Commercial Service, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and the U.S. Agency for Global Media.

AFSA is also a labor union, serving as the exclusive representative of members of the Foreign Service. AFSA negotiates with the management of the principal U.S. Government foreign affairs agencies on personnel policies and practices affecting members’ working conditions, and represents members in formal grievance proceedings, office of security and inspector general investigations, disciplinary proceedings, and EEO cases.

For more information about AFSA, please go to www.AFSA.org.

The Position and its Principal Responsibilities

The Labor Management Advisor serves as grievance litigator and counselor on all constituency complaints for USAID and, as required, for members of other foreign affairs agencies. The Senior Labor Management Advisor provides advice to, and otherwise supports, the Vice President for USAID on negotiations with the agency about rules, regulations, and policy on a daily basis. The position reports to the Labor Management Counselor.

  • Grievance Counseling: Counsel and litigate on behalf of members of the Foreign Service in a wide variety of complex employment-related issues, including grievances: low ranking, performance evaluations, tenure issues, selection out, denial of financial benefits, promotion, discipline, medical, etc. Advise employees regarding appropriate relief, remedies, and discovery. Negotiate settlements of employee complaints and grievances.
  • Collective Bargaining: Provide high-level support to AFSA Vice President for USAID in analyzing and formulating bargaining positions; draft proposals and counter proposals; support AFSA negotiators in briefing and negotiation sessions. Support the principal negotiator on all Framework, Memorandum of Understanding, and Collective Bargaining Agreements for USAID. Represent AFSA in Implementation Disputes and Unfair Labor Practices.
  • Member Assistance: Work to solve member problems with USAID management and administrative offices. Resolve problems informally, when possible, through liaison with established contacts. Answer employee inquiries and concerns on various issues including benefits and allowances in the form of phone calls, emails, letters, and memoranda, and at AFSA recruitment luncheons.
  • USAID Regulations: Respond to member inquiries on USAID regulations and procedures, providing advice and guidance on interpretation and implementation, as required. Where interpretation of regulations is at issue, discuss with USAID officials and internal AFSA sources to provide advice to members.

Required Skills and Characteristics

  • A college degree.
  • Experience in or knowledge of the Foreign Service.
  • Understanding and experience with Foreign Service HR and personnel issues strongly desired.
  • The ability to obtain a security clearance, if necessary.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Superb interpersonal skills.
  • A high degree of integrity and discretion.
  • Legal or Human Resources background a plus.

Compensation

The salary range for this full-time position is $65,000-75,000 with excellent benefits. USAID retirees strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants seeking part-time employment (25+ hours per week) will be considered.

To Apply

Please email a detailed cover letter that explains why you are interested in and qualified for this position and your resume, along with a brief writing sample, to afsa@state.gov.

AFSA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

AFSA Employee Handbook