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.
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 career 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.
There is no minimum education requirement for this position.
Benefits include optional participation in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) and Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program as well as participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).
Overseas benefits may include paid housing at post, paid education allowance for eligible dependent children between K-12, ability to earn Non-Competitive Eligibility to apply for civil service positions in the federal government after 48 months of continuous service as a Consular Fellow, recruitment bonus of up to 10% of initial salary depending on language ability at the time of appointment as well as needs of the Service, and eligibility to apply for the Student Loan Repayment Program.
Full federal benefits details →
CFPInfo@state.gov · 000-000-0000
This position is with Department of State Headquarters, Department of State.
The posted pay range is $59726 – $121080/yr.
This position requires a Top Secret security clearance.
Applications close on 2027-03-31.
This is a Full-Time position.
This position is open under the 'Public' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
Apply on official site →