Family Life

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Employment for Spouses
User: Guestjd
Date: 10/24/2011 3:10 pm
Views: 17881
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I have concerns regarding the effects this lifestyle has on family members. One of my concerns is employment for my husband. I have done some research and know the embassies have jobs for EFMs. But are there really enough jobs for all the EFMs? Do EFMs tend to keep the same career path? For instance, if my husband gets a job in security at one post will it be likely to get a job in security at another post or is it whatever’s available? How does the process work?

Thank you.
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Re: Employment for Spouses
P51
User: P51
Date: 10/25/2011 11:22 am
Views: 3061
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EFM employment is one of the most important issues facing Foreign Service employees abroad. Unfortunately it is not possible to make too many generalized statements about career stability or availability of positions. Positions for which EFMs are eligible are typically handled through post's Human Resources office.
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Re: Employment for Spouses
User: An EFM
Date: 10/25/2011 11:49 am
Views: 3444
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Once officers are assigned to a post, they can often get on mailing lists for EFM jobs. These jobs tend to be in the FP6-FP9 pay range and clerical/administrative, with a few occasional exceptions. The availability of these jobs will vary according to post. At some places, everyone who wants to work can usually find a job at the embassy, though they may have to wait for openings, which depend on the plans of the EFM incumbents. At others, there are not enough EFM positions for everyone who wishes to work. In either case, multiple candidates might apply for a particular job. Jobs do not transfer. So, whether your husband would work in the same job at multiple overseas postings depends upon whether the same job was available, he applied for, and he got the job.
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Re: Employment for Spouses
User: MM
Date: 12/19/2011 11:13 am
Views: 643
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A question I have, are the rules identical for military members posted at an Embassy as State Dept employees? Are there any internal site or are jobs posted on embassy public pages the only jobs available?

Thanks
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Re: Employment for Spouses
User: EFM
Date: 12/19/2011 12:09 pm
Views: 653
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Spouses of military personnel assigned to a U.S. Embassy or consulate are also eligible to apply for EFM jobs.Once assigned to an embassy or consulate, newcomers will usually have contact information for their future post's HR or Community Liaison Office (CLO). They can then ask to get on mailing lists for any EFM job announcements that come out. The number and type of EFM jobs available vary by post, but ones I've seen include CLO coordinator, CLO assistant, protocol assistant, HR assistant, administrative assistant, , roving secretary, escort, housing coordinator, customer service staff (don't remember exact position title), media clerk, residential security assistant (not sure of exact title), consular assistant (again, not of exact title), mailroom assistant, etc. Qualified spouses also sometimes can get positions at an embassy's medical unit, too.
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Re: Employment for Spouses
DOS Family Liaison Office (FLO
User: DOS Family Liaison Office (FLO
Date: 12/19/2011 1:38 pm
Views: 619
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Once you are an employee of the State Department or under Chief of Mission Authority, you will be able to access the Family Member Employment Report for each post. These detail all of the family member positions that exist at post whether filled or not. This report also details how many adult family members are working and how many are not. Once a position becomes vacant, all job vacancies are advertised in the embassy newsletter available internally. For more inforamtion contact FLOAskEmployment@state.gov
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Re: Employment for Spouses
User: Ausmerica
Date: 1/30/2012 4:28 pm
Views: 330
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Guestjd,

Family member employment is a big issue for many FS families. Relying on the availability and suitability of positions within missions is a recipe for frustration, there are generally very few positions available, they tend to be low paying and not always suited for everyone.

Working on the local economy is an option but never an easy path given your relatively limited time at post, language, cultural barriers and other obstacles.

Those that have managed to establish a Portable Career, either through a relationship with a US based organization (telework) or by forming a small business tend to survive the best.

The FS lifestyle is a life decision that can be rewarding beyond belief. If you and your spouse are committed to making it work, spending time to establish a portable career path for the Trailing Spouse is an important step in the process.

There are many great people willing to assist in various ways in the Trailing Spouse Network at: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=104868

Jeff Porter
www.Ausmerica.com
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Re: Employment for Spouses
User: Guestjd
Date: 1/31/2012 1:03 pm
Views: 320
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Mr. Porter,

Thank you for your honest answer and insight. We will check out the resource you provided.
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