Jobs at AFSA

In This Section

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 U.S. Agency for Global Media. 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.

Counselor for Retirees and Alumni

The American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), the labor union and professional association for the United States Foreign Service, seeks a Counselor for Retirees and Alumni to work at its Washington, D.C. headquarters located at 2101 E St NW, Washington, DC. The position reports to the Director of Membership and Programs and is a key member of AFSA’s team.

This part-time salaried position of 20 hours per week includes the option for some flexible telework, but the incumbent must be in the office a minimum of 1 day a week – preferably Wednesday in conjunction with the membership department. Applications will be accepted through August 3, 2025. The start date will be no later than September 2, 2025, as we hope for some overlap between the incumbent and the successful candidate.

Compensation and Benefits

  • The annualized salary for this position is $50,000-$55,000, depending on experience.
  • Ability to telework up to 1 day a week once onboarding has been fully completed.
  • Part-time employees receive limited PTO.
    • Paid sick, vacation and parental leave adjusted for a half-time position.

The Organization

The American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), created in 1924, is the professional association for the U.S. Foreign Service. AFSA’s 17,000 members include active duty, retired, and alumni members of the Foreign Service 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

AFSA is seeking a highly motivated self-starter to serve in a part-time position as the Counselor for Retirees and Alumni, acting as AFSA’s ombudsman on retiree and alumni issues. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Specific duties include:

  • Respond to questions from retiree and alumni members and provide assistance for those facing problems interfacing with their agencies on retirement benefits and other related issues;
  • Manage and cultivate relationships with various offices within the Department of State and Federal agencies, and with “sister” organizations such as the Senior Living Foundation, the American Foreign Service Protective Association, and the State Department Federal Credit Union, so that AFSA can successfully reach out on issues and problems of mutual interest;
  • Advise AFSA leadership on retiree and alumni issues that are surfacing and signal systemic bureaucratic problems, and suggest solutions;
  • Design, produce, and moderate at least six webinar programs per year on Federal Benefits and post-FS transitions;
  • Respond to all queries and issues from retirees and alumni on retirement and non-OGC issues;
  • Maintain and update AFSA’s Retirement Services page to ensure information is always current;
  • Draft the bimonthly Retirement Newsletter;
  • Draft, with the communications and outreach director, talking points for the AFSA President and VP for Retirees for retiree-related events;
  • Act as AFSA’s prime contact with the Foreign Service Institute on retiree programming. Develop supporting materials for the Job Search and Transition Program and other FSI courses and oversee and organize AFSA’s participation in FSI webinars;
  • Support and attend AFSA events that include retirees and alumni and/or support the membership team;
  • Review Retirement membership documents annually and update.

Required Skills, Education and Characteristics

  • College or advanced degree;
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
  • Experience with organizing and moderating online meetings or programs;
  • Extensive familiarity with and understanding of the structure and functions of the Foreign Service at the Department of State, USAID, or another foreign affairs agency;
  • Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite products, Zoom, and related software.
  • Familiarity with FS human resource issues and retirement regulations
  • Ability to work independently, and with keen judgment and concern for the welfare of AFSA members;

Preferred Qualifications

  • The longer a candidate’s experience within the Foreign Service, the stronger their candidacy;
  • Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times stressful environment;

Please note that this job description is not designed to cover a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.

To Apply

Please email a detailed cover letter, a writing sample, and your resume to jobs@afsa.org, subject line “Counselor for Retirees and Alumni”. The deadline is August 3, 2025.

AFSA Employee Handbook