Foreign Affairs Officer (Quantum Advisor) – Direct Hire Authority

Department of State Headquarters (DOS); Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 144,000 - 187,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of State’s Bureau of Emerging Threats seeks a policy expert to guide quantum technology policy on a global scale. You will shape guidance for missions worldwide and partner with international governments on governance and security issues.

This role requires a TS clearance, a relevant graduate or bachelor’s degree, and 4+ years of specialized experience in foreign affairs or related policy areas. Occasional travel and situational telework may be permitted.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or graduate degree in the specified fields.
• Or 24 semester hours in intl law/relations/political science/economics/history.
• Or 12 semester hours in one of the above and 12 in statistics/quant methods.
• Or a combination of education and experience with appropriate related coursework and/or experience.
• If qualifying by education, transcripts must be submitted by closing date.

Responsibilities

• Provide authoritative guidance and strategic direction to U.S. Missions and Posts worldwide on quantum technology policy issues.
• Lead strategic engagements with foreign governments and international partners on quantum technology governance and security.
• Serve as a senior authority and expert on emerging threats from quantum technologies from a foreign policy and national security standpoint.
• Lead the development of comprehensive strategic assessments, policy frameworks, and long‑range planning documents for quantum technology challenges.
• Serve as one of ET/DT’s strategic leaders for quantum policy development across the Department and interagency.

Skills

Policy analysis

Stakeholder coordination

Written briefing materials

Education

Bachelor’s or graduate degree in international law/relations/political science/economics/history

24 semester hours in intl law/relations/political science/economics

12 semester hours in above disciplines + 12 in statistics/quant methods

4+ years experience in intl organizations/foreign affairs

Job description

Summary

This serves as public notice for the use of OPM’s Direct Hire Authority. Applicants who meet the qualification requirements will be forwarded to the selecting official for consideration. We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies. The Bureau of Emerging Threats (ET) leads the Department in both anticipating and responding to national security challenges from adversary use of new technologies. For more information about the Bureau, visit: ET Learn more about this agency.

Employment Details

• Telework eligible: Yes—Situational telework may be permitted per agency policy.
• Remote job: No.
• Relocation expenses reimbursed: No.
• Salary: $143,913 – $187,093 per year.
• Pay scale &grade: GS 14.
• Promotion potential: 14.
• Work schedule: Full-time.
• Travel Required: Occasional domestic and/or international travel may be required.
• Appointment type: Permanent.
• Supervisory status: No.
• Federal service type: This job is in the Competitive Service.
• Drug test: Yes.
• Security clearance: Top Secret.
• Position sensitivity and risk: Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk.
• Background check type: Credentialing, Suitability/Fitness, National security.
• Announcement number: T/ET-DHA-2027-0002.
• Control number: 890827700.
• Location: District of Columbia, DC. 1 vacancy.

Public Eligibility

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

This public notice is to gather applications that may or may not result in a referral or selection.

Duties

• Provide authoritative guidance and strategic direction to U.S. Missions and Posts worldwide on quantum technology policy issues.
• Lead strategic engagements with foreign governments and international partners on quantum technology governance, quantum communications security, and responsible quantum innovation.
• Serve as a senior authority and recognized expert on emerging threats from quantum technologies from a foreign policy and national security standpoint.
• Lead the development of comprehensive strategic assessments, policy frameworks, and long‑range planning documents that shape U.S. Government approaches to quantum technology‑related challenges.
• Serve as one of ET/DT’s strategic leaders for quantum technology policy development and implementation across the Department and the interagency.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
• Obtain/maintain eligibility to access Sensitive Compartmented Information.
• Successfully pass the E‑Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E‑Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit: www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all the qualification requirements described below by the closing date of this announcement. If you are qualifying based on education OR if there are mandatory education requirements listed below, you MUST submit a copy of your college transcript with your application.

Applicants must have the required experience or education as described below and meet any selective factors, when specified.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Have a bachelor’s or graduate degree from an accredited college or university in international law, international relations, political science, economics, history, sociology, geography, social or cultural anthropology, law, statistics, or in the humanities;

OR Have a bachelor’s or graduate degree from an accredited college or university that included a combination of courses, with at least 24 semester hours in international law and international relations, political science, economics, history, sociology, geography, social or cultural anthropology, law, statistics, or in the humanities;

OR Have 12 semester hours in one of the above disciplines and 12 semester hours in statistics / quantitative methods.

OR Have a combination of education and experience where your coursework was equivalent to a major, or a combination of related courses totaling at least 24 semester hours, (as shown above), PLUS appropriate relevant experience OR additional education.

OR Have completed at least 4 years of appropriate experience in one OR more of the fields listed above in work associated with international organizations, problems, or other aspects of foreign affairs. (NOTE: qualifying work experience may have been gained through residence, study, teaching, business or commercial activities, military service, newspaper work, military or civil government activities, missionary or international relief work, or other experience in foreign countries.)

Note: If you are qualifying based on education, you MUST submit transcripts as verification of educational requirement by the closing date of this announcement. If you fail to provide requested information, or the information you submit is insufficient to verify your eligibility, you WILL lose consideration for this position.

IN ADDITION to the basic requirements, this position requires one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS‑13 level in the Federal service which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position.

Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

• Experience developing policy recommendations on emerging technology issues.
• Experience coordinating with stakeholders or organizations on technology‑related policy matters.
• Experience preparing written policy analysis or briefing materials for senior decision‑makers.

Note: If you are qualifying based on education, you MUST submit transcripts as verification of educational requirement by the closing date of this announcement. If you fail to provide requested information, or the information you submit is insufficient to verify your eligibility, you WILL lose consideration for this position.

Education

See the qualifications section of this vacancy announcement for education requirements.

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For a list of accredited organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials, visit: www.naces.org/members.php.

Additional information

• RA requests cover additional time on timed sections only.
• Applicants submitting a RA request MUST attach supporting medical documentation signed by a licensed, treating medical provider. The documentation should describe the nature, severity, and expected duration of the condition, identify the relevant medical condition or diagnosis, and explain the basis for the requested extension. RA requests that do not contain supporting medical documentation attachments at the time of initial request may be subject to further review.
• Note: the following documents do not, on their own, qualify for automatic approval of the RA request: Schedule A letters, VA benefits letters, or SSA letters.
• Applicants MUST submit their application before the vacancy closes, even if pending an accommodation decision.
• Applicants are encouraged to carefully follow instructions related to medical documentation provided in the vacancy announcement prior to beginning the RA process.
• Applicants will have 48 hours after their RA request is adjudicated to complete the assessment battery. Scores generated after the allotted timeframe will not be admissible and the applicant will not be considered further for the vacancy.
• If a different type of RA is needed, please contact OAA directly at [e-mail].
• If eligible, situational telework agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to other similar positions in other Bureaus/Offices in the Department for up to 240 days. Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions.
• Under the provisions of the Direct‑Hire Authority, veterans’ preference and traditional rating and ranking of applications does not apply.
• Agency & Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP & ICTAP): View OPM’s CTAP & ICTAP eligibility website for more information. You must be rated in the Well‑Qualified category and submit supporting documents under the required documents section of this announcement to receive selection priority consideration. To be considered Well‑Qualified applicants must: score an 85 or above, meet Minimum Qualifications, and demonstrate proficiency in some, but not all major aspects of the position.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window. Learn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits. Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full‑time, part‑time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

Required documents

1. Resume limited to two pages showing relevant work/volunteer experience, education and training. Include the start and end dates (from month/year to month/year) and the number of hours per week worked/volunteered. Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must support your answers to the completed online assessment questions. Resumes longer than two pages will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered further.

2. Transcripts if applicable and you are qualifying based on education. See the Qualification and Education sections of this announcement for more information. If selected, an official/sealed college transcript(s) will be required to verify education prior to employment.

3. Veterans’ Preference Documentation , if applicable. Veterans’ preference does not apply to this vacancy. Any supporting documentation received from veterans will be retained to document veteran’s status for appointment purposes, if selected.

• To claim 5-point preference, submit a copy of your DD‑214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.
• To claim 10-point preference, submit all required documentation outlined on the SF‑15 (Application for 10‑Point Veteran Preference) to support your claim (e.g., DD‑214, official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs, etc.). If we cannot verify your 10‑point preference claim, your application will be reviewed for 5-point preference.
• To claim 10-point ++derived++ preference (i.e., spouses, widows, widowers or mothers of veterans), submit a completed SF‑15 ++and++ all required documentation listed on the SF‑15 to support your claim.
• To claim 0-point Sole Survivorship preference, submit a copy of your DD‑214 or another form of official documentation showing that your discharge or release from active duty occurred on or after August 29, 2008 and was based on a sole survivorship discharge.
• For all preference claims:
• DD‑214 Member 4 copies are preferred and must show the dates of service, type of discharge, and any qualifying service campaign medals.
• For more veterans’ preference information, visit the USAJOBS Help Center.

1. ICTAP/CTAP documentation if applicable (e.g., reduction‑in‑force (RIF) notice, RIF separation SF‑50 personnel action, certification of expected separation, etc.). In addition, submit a copy of your current (or last) performance rating of record which must be at least fully successful or equivalent and submit all required documents listed above that apply to you (e.g., resume, transcripts, etc.).

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

Agency contact information

Daniel Seebaugh

Phone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Address: U.S. Department of State, Charleston, South Carolina 29405, United States.

Next steps

Once the online application package is received, you will be notified through USAJOBS of your qualification status and referral or non‑referral to the hiring official for further consideration. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. If a tentative job offer is made, the Department of State will conduct a suitability and/or security background investigation.

You will be notified up to four times during the hiring process:

1. Upon receipt of your application.
2. Upon minimum qualification determinations.
3. After the list of eligibles is issued.
4. After final selection is made.

Fair and transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance. Criminal history inquiries Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Financial suitability New employee probationary period Privacy Act Reasonable accommodation policy Selective Service Signature and false statements Social security number request