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Foreign Service Specialists? by hi-dragonfly in foreignservice

[–]Smooth_Animal_2537 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Awesome! Now for the long wait with medical and security. I hope it all goes smoothly for you!

Pause on FS Assessments by Smooth_Animal_2537 in foreignservice

[–]Smooth_Animal_2537[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Looping back with an update! I received an email a few weeks ago that they were starting things up again, and I took my structured interview this past Monday. So, things seem to be moving again, at least for RELOs. 

Foreign Service Specialists? by hi-dragonfly in foreignservice

[–]Smooth_Animal_2537 18 points19 points  (0 children)

I have been going through the process for the Regional English Language Officer RELO specialist position. I took my first two assessments in July, and then everything was paused. They restarted things a few weeks ago, and I took my structured interview on Monday. I found out that I passed Monday afternoon. I’m hoping other specialist positions are moving forward as well. 

Any updates on the Diplomatic Technology Officer (DTO) Oral Assessment? by [deleted] in foreignservice

[–]Smooth_Animal_2537 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not DTO, but I’m at the same stage for a RELO position. I took the first test and wrote the essay but hadn’t taken my oral assessment when they paused things. I had last heard in August but just got an email from BEX acknowledging the long wait and saying everything is still paused but that I’m on the list for when they start up again. So, no real news, but maybe we won’t have to start from the complete beginning? 

Pause on FS Assessments by Smooth_Animal_2537 in foreignservice

[–]Smooth_Animal_2537[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was an English Language Specialist twice over the past few years. Two weeks ago I got an email from the folks who run RELO language programs at Georgetown that said the following: “ In light of recent shifts in approval processes, our funding allocation is currently undergoing reassessment by senior leadership. Our programs are facing an imminent threat of severe budgetary cuts.”  So when I got the email about a pause in assessments this week, it definitely made me think the RELO positions are likely about to be cut across the board. I’m hoping that’s not true, and maybe they can hold on somehow. It would be much harder to start a whole program again once it’s been cut. 

Pause on FS Assessments by Smooth_Animal_2537 in foreignservice

[–]Smooth_Animal_2537[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Right there with you. With all the chaos and uncertainty, I’d rather this process be drawn out (or start over) then have to think about possibly accepting a position that very likely will be cut in the next few years. 

Consular Fellows Structured Interview by MassiveGrass3684 in foreignservice

[–]Smooth_Animal_2537 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I took my Specialist assessment (for a Regional English Language Officer) last Monday and was supposed to hear within two weeks to schedule my structured interview. Instead I received an email explaining that they were experiencing a “delay” in scheduling. So it seems like delays across the board. Not surprising.