U.S. planes and ships delivered medical kits, blankets, cots, food, and other supplies to northern Georgia late 2008 after neighboring Russia invaded the region. The humanitarian aid was delivered by the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State and Defense departments. Photo by: USAID

In March 2009, the U.S. Department of State launched what it termed "Diplomacy 3.0," an employment drive to increase the workforce in diplomacy, development and defense.

The good news for job seekers is that many of those posts have yet to be filled.

According to officials with the State Department, 766 foreign service officers, 587 foreign service specialists and 750 civil service employees will be brought on board in fiscal year 2009. This includes all areas and professionals fields - from information technology to global health and development specialists.

Foreign Service Officers

Those interested in advancing U.S. interests overseas should consider the foreign service.

Foreign service officers work abroad in U.S. embassies and consulates on a variety of assignments. FSOs may be tasked with diplomatic and development missions.

The State Department is in particular need of more management and consular officers, according to Brenda Greenberg, public affairs officer in the agency's management bureau.

Management officers focus less on foreign policy and more on the day-to-day operations of running an embassy. Foreign service consular officers handle many of the embassy functions that outsiders are most familiar with, such as assisting U.S. citizens abroad and issuing visas to prospective U.S. visitors.

Language skills are in high demand, particularly Arabic and Chinese, Greenberg noted.

To become an FSO, candidates must pass the foreign service officer exam. A step-by-step exam guide is available on the Devex Web site, as is a guide to U.S. foreign service career tracks.

Compensation for foreign service officers hinges on an applicant's education and experience, and is determined by the State Department's Board of Examiners and staff of Office of Recruitment, Examination, and Employment staff using a grade- and step-based system. Starting salaries fall around $42,500 for candidates with bachelor's degrees, and around $47,625 for those with master's degrees.

Foreign service specialists

Foreign service specialists may work domestically or overseas. Jobs fall into seven major categories: administration, construction engineering, information technology, international information and English language programs, medical and health, office management, and security.

Qualified candidates must submit an application, pass a panel review and an oral assessment conducted by the Foreign Service Assessment Center.

Compensation is based on academic and work experience. Vacancy announcements include information about specific compensation grades.

Civil service employees

Applicants interested in domestic positions may want to consider the civil service.

Operating from the State Department's Washington headquarters and other cities throughout the United States, civil service officers work in a wide range of positions on issues such as improving trade opportunities, helping Americans adopt children from overseas and monitoring human rights issues abroad.

The majority of civil service employees are compensated under the U.S. government's general schedule, which uses fifteen grades and ten steps within each grade to determine pay. Job location impacts salary.

Those interested in civil service positions can apply online.

The State Department's diplomats in residence, located throughout the country, may answer questions about joining the service.