bureau of diplomatic security-opening

[Army101]

Got a passing score! Going onto the minimum requirements. Sorry to hear about the rest of you guys/gals. This is my third time applying.

the 1st time did not get a passing score, the second time applying i am waiting to be rescheduled for my OA. So that is good. Good luck to the rest of you guys!

[NYC1175]

Same here. Good luck in the process! We still have many hurdles to cross.

[bondman007]

Just got an email that my pre-screening score "was at or above the cut score." Onto qualifications review!

Sorry to the folks that were rejected. No idea what set me apart.

Masters, Vet, no 1811 experience.

[Anthropologist]

Same here. Congratulations.

[ZH97]

Received a passing score as well. Nothing special about me. I graduated college this past May though, so I may just be good at test-taking, though I’m not sure that skill alone will take me too much farther in the process. Best of luck to you all!

[NYC1175]

So next step is QEP Panel or what?

[NYC1175]

Razor1775, got it, thanks! So I'm assuming after the minimum qualifications review, comes the QEP where they select people to move on to the OA?

[Razor1775]

NYC1175 that correct. From my understanding the minimum qualifications review is about 1 month and the QEP is about 2 months after that.

[Badger99]

Assuming an applicant has all the required documents submitted on time, how many move past the QEP to the BEX/OA? Is it a tough cut or do most qualified applicants make it through the QEP? Thanks!

[porkchop23]

Badger99 My understanding is that the most liberal cuts happen at the BEX/OA stage.

[DocHolidayFan]

Just got the passing score, kinda shocked honestly. So, whats next?

[porkchop23]

You wait until QEP then panel interview.

[Badger99]

porkchop23 The QEP panel is just a review of your documentation to make sure the applicant meets the minimum qualifications to advance to the BEX, and that the documentation is aligned with answers provided via essay and or the short answer portion? Or am I wrong and the QEP is scored and thus some who meet the minimum requirements still do not advance past the QEP? Thanks!

[NYC1175]

Badger99, pretty sure the QEP is a selection process where only a few move forward to a BEX/OA.

[porkchop23]

It is my understanding that the QEP is indeed a sort of competitive step in the process in that you can be eliminated. Per their own online documentation, "Candidates’ qualifications and work experience are evaluated in the QEP process and this process will determine who receives an invitation to the Oral Assessment"

[ES90]

Current Fed LEO here, somehow didn't get a passing score even though I did when I applied a couple years ago. Oh well, good luck to everyone.

[FlashTACP]

Curious if it’s strictly how y’all answered the questions. Because that’s a lot of experience to be rejected. I’m waiting for the VA to hand me my medical paperwork back so I can send it in. Background should be starting soon.

[ES90]

That's my assumption.

[OCN_1]

Got the notification that I made the cut... first time putting in for it, but not sure how I was selected honestly - considering some of the other guys on here seem to have way more experience.

Current Fed LE, Bachelors, TS/SCI.

[Shadowtrain]

DS is fairly diverse in its agent recruitment. While it's a FLEO position, you're also charged to wear different hats and deal with complex situations.
Also, more experience is usually a plus in many places, but I've seen far too many who can't articulate their experiences onto paper or into words.

Best of luck with your process!

[Badger99]

My understanding is DSS just looks at the essay, multiple choice exam scores, and maybe the short answer/small essay portion. The multiple choice test has more than one right answer but there is one best answer for DSS.

What helped me was reading up for on DSS and State Dept in general and learning how they operate & solve issues (and doing some work in embassies overseas myself as well), in addition to learning some basic diplomatic protocols. Hence it's possible how a FBI or another stateside Fed LEO may handle a problem may not correspond with what DSS & State Dept look for.

[Winter_Patriot]

Is there some magic type of LE experience that they are looking for?

[Shadowtrain]

@Winter_Patriot
There’s no magic formula to DS, other than you need to be able to articulate what you bring to the table, and how you compare against others.
DS draws from such a unique pool of candidates that the level of experience varies. Some have advanced degrees, some have military experience, some have language, and some have unique experiences.
Read the State Department mission and be familiar with what DS is as an organization.

[porkchop23]

Does DSS require a poly?

[griffinlocke]

Wait seriously no poly??

[Badger99]

griffinlocke Most but not all 1811 jobs require a poly (DSS doesn’t, Air Force OSI doesn’t, some others as well).

From what I understand State Dept also in general doesn’t poly their employees, and they’ve resisted calls to do it historically. Based on what I’ve read culturally State Dept just doesn’t believe in polygraphs (I may be wrong on that history, but that’s what I’ve heard/read).

[griffinlocke]

Badger99 , very interesting, I did not know that. Thanks for the info. Speaking of OSI, has anyone heard anything back from the somewhat recent OSI 1811 posting?? I think it might have been recent grads ?

[Winter_Patriot]

One of the few agencies that doesn't poly, along with USMS, USPP, US Probation, and various OIGS.

[FlashTACP]

So I actually didn’t finish the writing exercise at the BEX. Bad time management on my end, but I still passed. I mean I was practically finished with it, but just hadn’t completed a sensible conclusion. I will say the entire process so far has been very professional. If you don’t live near DC, the medical part is kinda of confusing due to all the tests, and a lot of private facilities scratching their head at the paperwork. Make sure you put your vet preference down if you have it. It brought my score up to a 6.0, which I think is decent?

[NYC1175]

How would you say the BEX was overall? What was the toughest part for you?

[Anthropologist]

Still waiting for the next step in the process. Come on DSS!

[Anthropologist]

griffinlocke

If that is the case, then I'll probably end up with FAMS or USSS.

[griffinlocke]

Anthropologist , nice. Yeah based on how long this usually takes I’ll hopefully end up with USSS or OSI, whichever is quickest. Somehow didn’t make the cut for FAMS but did for OSI though, which I thought was strange. Anyways, good luck man!

[Anthropologist]

griffinlocke, congrats on OSI! I was the opposite of you and never heard back from AFOSI. lol. Good luck!

[Shadowtrain]

The process is a time suck, that's for sure.
Nows a good time to research and study up on DS - Become familiar with the roles and responsibilities of being a DS agent.

[porkchop23]

It is my understanding that DSS is not an 1811 position. On their website, they still list "entering before your 37th birthday" just like 1811. Thus, can you "stop the clock" for potential later entry into DSS by accepting an 1811 position?

[Shadowtrain]

To answer your question... Yes, you can stop the clock with an 1811 position.

2501 is the foreign service designation. It is equivalent to the 1811 series in the civil service "GS" side of the house. If you stop the clock with another position, say an 1811 or some uniformed FLEO position, you'll be credited the time served and bring you under the 37 age limit, if you join after 37.

[Razor1775]

The question was addressed in the job announcement.

"There is no waiver for current GS-1811s seeking a 2501 appointment at or above age 37 (except for preference eligible veterans.)"

So the answer is yes and no.

Yes if you are a preference eligible veteran.

No if you are not.

[FlashTACP]

Last comment is correct. I’m 37 now and they haven’t said a peep to me about my age. BUT I’m 10 point preference so that’s probably why.

[Winter_Patriot]

Based on Flash's comment, I guess I am out of luck. I am in a 6c-covered position now, but I'll definitely be over age 37 by the time I can apply for the next opening.

[DSguy]

Invites for the April SOAR class have started going out. Anybody received one yet?

[NYC1175]

Interview invites? Is it for the December announcement?

[Anthropologist]

What is SOAR in the context of DSS? I only know that acronym in the U.S. Army Special Operations context.

EDIT: Nevermind, I found the information. SOAR = Specialist Orientation and Readiness

[AvgJoe]

Do you happen to know the start date of april soar?

[Cgrizz]

Does anyone know how often DSS hires for the SA position? Also how do you study for the test? Is there any material we can look at?

[NYC1175]

Once a year, and if you're talking about the initial online assessment that you need to pass to submit the application, I haven't seen a study guide for it. I'm not a great test taker and I passed it, so don't sweat it too much. It's an essay question and some multiple choice situational questions. Just make sure your argument is coherent on the essay question and the grammar is good. On the multiple choice, take time to read over the answers and choose the most logical one. It was subjective, but wasn't hard.

[Cgrizz]

Thanks man.

[Anthropologist]

Anything new from DSS regarding the latest announcement? The last communication that I received was mid-January.

[NYC1175]

For me, application was sent on 12/1. I received the update email on 1/19, and I'm pretty sure we all got it at the same time. If we use a similar interval from the 1/19 email, we should be hearing something this week or the next. This is just speculative optimism haha. But who knows.

[Anthropologist]

Nothing wrong with being optimistic!

[griffinlocke]

Radio silence since the last email about passing the assessment. Staying positive though, would be honored to even get an interview invite for this!

[FlashTACP]

They just started my background. Oct/Nov 2019 tester.

[jpatriot88]

Applied in what was it OCT/NOV 2019.

My OA is schedule for April 2021.

Can't believe it's happening. Thankful for just a chance to make my case in front of someone, and I'll be grateful for that regardless of the outcome. No more waiting for others to give me a chance. Now it's my turn to do it for myself.

Being a Special Agent has been a life long dream. Good luck to the rest of you.

[OutofRoll]

GJ reach for the stars

[Army101]

Where is your OA being held?

[Shadowtrain]

Good luck. Brush up on the roles and responsibilities of DS agents.
Understand the difference between the foreign service and the civil service.

Articulate your experiences and kick ***!