• Federal Employment Health Benefits Plans
  U.S. Department of State employees have a choice of an extensive array of Federal Employment Health Benefits Plans, with costs shared by the Government. Employees are eligible to enroll in a wide variety of health insurance plans, including fee-for-service plans and health maintenance organizations. The employee's portion is paid through payroll deductions. Please click here for more information on Federal Employment Health Benefits Plans.
  
  
• Thrift Savings Plan (equivalent to 401(k) with Government matching)
  The Thrift Savings Plan is a retirement savings and investment plan for Federal employees, and contributions are tax deferred. The purpose of the TSP is to provide supplemental retirement income. TSP offers Federal employees the same type of savings and tax benefits that many private corporations offer their employees under 401(k) plans. Click here for more information on Thrift Savings Plans.
  
  
• Life Insurance
  The Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) plan offers low rates that are paid through payroll deductions. The U.S. Government pays one-third of the cost of this insurance. Participation in the FEGLI plan is voluntary. The plan is intended as a form of immediate protection against financial hardship or loss in the event of death. It is not offered as a form of term life insurance with a cash value, such as might be purchased through private insurance agents. Click here for more information on Life Insurance.
  
  
• Long Term Care Insurance
  Long Term Care Insurance is offered and carries into your retirement. Click here to go to the Office of Personnel Management's page on Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP).
  
  
• Annual Leave
  Vacation/Personal Leave; maximum ceiling or limitation of accrual is 30 days per leave year.

  • 4 hours per pay period or 13 days per leave year for less than 3 years of federal service
  • 6 hours per pay period or 20 days per leave year after 3 years of federal service but less than 15 years
  • 8 hours per pay period or 26 days per leave year after 15 years of federal service

  Click here for more information on Annual Leave
  
  
• Sick Leave
  Accrued at a rate of 4 hours per pay period, 13 days per leave year. Click here for more information on Sick Leave.
  
  
• Family Medical Leave
  The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) of 1993 provides Federal employees with an entitlement of up to 12 workweeks of unpaid leave during any 12-month period for the following purposes:

  • the birth of a son or daughter of the employee and the care of the newborn;
  • the placement of a child with an employee for adoption or foster care;
  • the care of a child, spouse or parent of the employee with a serious health condition; or
  • a serious health condition of the employee that makes an employee unable to perform the major functions of the job.

  Click here for more information on Family Medical Leave.
  
  
• Student Loan Repayment Program
  The State Department ranks near the top of all federal agencies offering the Student Loan Repayment Program. Civil Service employees may qualify if encumbering designated pre-qualifying positions and are in career-type appointments. The purpose of the program is to encourage the highly skilled seeking specific targeted positions to consider the Department as the employer of choice. It is also an incentive to reward employees encumbering those same hard-to-fill positions. Since implementation in 2001, annually the Department has approved payments of close to $5,000 to be made to the lenders of some 1650 Department of State employees. Click here for more information on the Student Loan Repayment Program.
  
  
• Ten Paid Holidays Per Year
  • New Year's Day
  • Martin Luther King's Birthday
  • President's Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Columbus Day
  • Veteran's Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Day

  (In addition to the above holidays, the U.S. Government also observes some local holidays celebrated at overseas posts of assignment.) Click here for more ifnromation on Paid Holidays.
  
  
• Voluntary Leave Transfer Program
  A federal program that enables one federal civilian employee to transfer annual leave to another federal employee who faces a personal medical emergency or a medical emergency of a family member.
  
  

Unique U.S. Department of State Work Life and Family Friendly Programs

Child Care Centers
The Department sponsors two on-site child care centers: Columbia Plaza, across from Main State, and the Foreign Service Institute in Arlington, Virginia.

Child Care Subsidy
A separate child care subsidy is available to Department employees meeting certain criteria. This independent program provides child care tuition assistance for employees whose total family income does not exceed a certain limit. Families who meet this and other eligibility requirements may be able to receive subsidies of up to 50% of their total child care expenses.

Convenient Employee Services
Including an on-site Credit Union and various bank ATMs, fitness facility, U.S. Post Office, barber/beauty shops, dry cleaner and gift/card shops.

Employee Consultation Service
Staffed by licensed clinical social workers to provide counseling and referrals for personal and family concerns.

Flexible Work Hours, Alternative Work Schedules, Telecommuting and Job Sharing
Varies from office to office.

IQ: INFORMATION QUEST
A counseling, education and referral service to help employees manage personal and professional responsibilities (e.g., adoption, adult care).

MetroChek Transit Subsidy
The Federal Government provides transportation benefits to qualified Federal employees to encourage the use of mass transportation domestically to conserve energy, improve air quality and reduce traffic congestion on U.S. roads and highways. The MetroChek Transit Benefit program helps defray the cost of traveling to and from work. The benefit is based on actual commuting costs and, as of January 2005, cannot exceed $105 per month.

Recruitment Bonuses and Retention Allowances
In designated occupations.

We also offer:
Employee Recreation Association (discount tickets to movies and sporting events)
Employee Recognition through our Incentive Awards Program
Extensive Training Opportunities through our Foreign Service Institute (FSI)
Flexible Work Hours (alternative work schedules)
Global Career Mobility Opportunities (if desired)
Managerial and Leadership Development
Periodic Performance-Based Pay Adjustments (within grade/step increases)
Shuttle Bus Service to State Annexes
Special Salary Rates (designated occupations)
Telework
Job-Sharing and Part-Time Work
Workers' Compensation Coverage for work-related injuries/conditions

Equal Opportunity Employer.