Home | Search

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

  U.S. Mission Management Circular

GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
San José, Costa Rica
U.S. Mission Management Circular 

ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: 2009-022

OPEN TO: All Interested Candidates

POSITION: TEMPORARY SECRETARY, FSN-6; FP-8* 

OPENING DATE: September 28, 2009  CLOSING DATE: October 13, 2009

WORK HOURS: Full-time; 40 hours/week. 

SALARY: * Not-Ordinarily Resident (NOR): US$30,231.00 annual (Starting salary)
(Position Grade: FP-8 is confirmed by Washington)

* Ordinarily Resident (OR): ¢440,123.00 monthly (Starting salary)
(Position Grade: FSN-6) 

LENGTH OF HIRE: Temporary position not to exceed three months from the date of hire.

NOTE: ALL ORDINARILY RESIDENT APPLICANTS MUST HAVE THE REQUIRED WORK AND/OR RESIDENCY PERMITS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION.

The U.S. Embassy in San Jose is seeking an individual for a temporary position of Secretary in the Environmental Office.

BASIC FUNCTION OF THE POSITION

The incumbent serves as the secretary for the Environmental Hub for Central America and the Caribbean at the American Embassy, San Jose, Costa Rica. Provides overall secretarial and administrative support to the Regional Environmental Officer, one FSN Environmental Specialist and one FSN Environmental Assistant. Performs other reporting and clerical/administrative responsibilities as necessary.

A copy of the complete position description listing all duties and responsibilities is available in the Human Resources Office. Contact Ext: 2374.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

NOTE: All applicants must address each selection criterion detailed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item.

1. Completion of secondary school is required. 
2. Two years experience in an administrative or customer service field is required. 
3. Fluent Speaking/Writing/Reading English and Spanish ability is required. This will be tested.
4. Proficiency in the use of computer programs (e.g., Microsoft Office, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.) is required. 
5. Must have a tactful, pleasant personality in order to give the best service to Environmental Hub clients.
6. Ability to set own priorities and to work under pressure is required.

SELECTION PROCESS 

When equally qualified, U.S. Citizen Eligible Family Members (AEFMs) and U.S. Veterans will be given preference. Therefore, it is essential that the candidate address the required qualifications above in the application.

ADDITIONAL SELECTION CRITERIA

1. Management will consider nepotism, conflicts of interest, budget, and residency status in determining the successful candidacy.
2. Current employees serving a probationary period are not eligible to apply. 
3. Currently employed U.S. Citizen EFMs who hold a FMA appointment are ineligible to apply for advertised positions within the first 90 calendar days of their employment.
4. Currently employed NORs hired under a Personal Services Agreement (PSA) are ineligible to apply for advertised positions within the first 90 calendar days of their employment, unless currently hired into a position with a When Actually Employed (WAE) work schedule.

TO APPLY: Interested applicants for this position must submit the following or the application will not be considered:

1. Application for U.S. Federal Employment (OF-612); or
2. A current resume or curriculum vitae that provides the same information as an 
OF-612.
3. Candidates who claim U.S. Veterans preference must provide a copy of their Form DD-214 with their application.
4. Any other documentation (e.g., essays, certificates, awards, copies of degrees earned) that addresses the qualification requirements of the position as listed above.

SUBMIT APPLICATION TO 

Human Resources Office
Email: jobs@usembassy.or.cr 

POINT OF CONTACT

Human Resources Office
FAX: 519-2157

DEFINITIONS

1. Eligible Family Member (EFM): Family Members at least age 18 listed on the travel orders of a Foreign of Civil Service or uniformed service member permanently assigned to or stationed to a U.S. Foreign Service post or establishment abroad with a USG agency that is under COM authority who do not meet the definition of AEFM above.

2. AEFM: A type of EFM that is eligible for direct hire employment on either a Family Member Appointment (FMA) or Temporary Appointment (TEMP) provided s/he meets all of the following criteria:

- U.S. citizen;

- Spouse or child who is at least age 18;

- Listed on the travel orders of a Foreign or Civil Service or uniformed service member permanently assigned to or stationed at a U.S. Foreign Service post or establishment abroad with a US Government (USG) agency that is under Chief of Mission (COM) authority;

- Is resident at the sponsoring employee’s or uniform service member’s post of assignment abroad, approved safehaven abroad, or alternate safehaven abroad; and

- Does not receive a USG annuity or pension based on a career in the U.S. Civil,
Foreign, or uniformed services. 

3. Member of Household: A MOH is a person who: 1) Has accompanied, but is not/not on the travel orders of a U.S. citizen Foreign or Civil Service employee or uniform service member permanently assigned to or stationed at a U.S. Foreign service post or establishment abroad; 2) Has been declared by the sponsoring employee to the Chief of Mission as part of his/her household; and 3) Resides at post with the sponsoring employee.

4. Ordinarily Resident (OR): A citizen of the host country or a citizen of another country who has shifted the main residency focus to the host country and has the required work and/or residency permits for employment in country.

5. Not-Ordinarily Resident (NOR): Typically NORs are U.S. Citizen EFMs and EFMs of Foreign Service (FS), General Service (GS), and uniformed service members who are eligible for employment under an American USG pay plan, on the travel orders and under Chief of Mission authority, or other personnel having diplomatic privileges and immunities.

CLOSING DATE FOR THIS POSITION: OCTOBER 13, 2009

The U.S. Mission in San Jose provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation. The Department of State also strives to achieve equal employment opportunity in all personnel operations through continuing diversity enhancement programs.

The Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) complaint procedure is not available to individuals who believe they have been denied equal opportunity based upon marital status or political affiliation. Individuals with such complaints should avail themselves of the appropriate grievance procedures, remedies for prohibited personnel practices, and/or courts for relief.

Contact Information