Overview
Hiring Path: • Open to the public
Who May Apply/Clarification From the Agency: This position is open to: USEFMs For USEFM - FP grade is FP-06. Actual FP salary authorized by Washington D.C. Security Clearance Required: Top Secret Clearance Appointment Type Temporary Appointment Type Details: Definite Not to Exceed 5 years. (FMA) Definite Not to Exceed 1 year. (PSA) Marketing Statement:
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO): The U.S. Mission provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation.
Summary:
The U.S. Mission in Belgium is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the position of Assistant CLO Coordinator in the Community Liaison Office.
Supervisory Position: No Relocation Expenses Reimbursed: No
Duties
The Assistant Community Liaison Office Coordinator (Assistant CLO, A/CLO) supports the CLO Coordinator in fulfilling all Eight Areas of CLO Responsibility (family member employment; crisis management and security; education; communications and outreach; guidance and referral; welcoming, orientation, and departures; community liaison; and events planning), and in developing and managing post programs to enhance community morale.
The Assistant CLO works with the CLO to identify needs within the diverse post community and responds with effective programming, information and resources, and referrals. The incumbent works under the supervision of the CLO Coordinator and is expected to interact independently with CLO clients to develop CLO materials and programs, to formulate advocacy plans, and to generate ideas for community events. In the absence of a CLO Coordinator, the Assistant CLO will serve as back-up to fulfill all responsibilities.
Support and Maintain CLO Program at Post
The Assistant CLO Coordinator works closely with the CLO Coordinator and staff to develop and manage programs tailored to post-specific needs and diverse community demographics. Under supervision, the Assistant CLO supports all Eight Areas of CLO Responsibility and ICASS service standards, including employment, crisis management, education, communications, orientation, community liaison, and event planning.
The incumbent gathers and shares information from the post community, host country, Washington, DC, and Mission partners to ensure effective communication and outreach. They organize inclusive in-person and virtual programs highlighting U.S. traditions, host country culture, and social, educational, and recreational activities.
The Assistant CLO collaborates with Mission sections and offices to sustain the CLO program and must be prepared to serve as Acting CLO Coordinator when needed. This includes handling complex issues, providing emergency coverage, and participating in key post committees and meetings.
Plan, Coordinate and Implement
The Assistant CLO supports the implementation of action plans that address community needs while meeting DOS and ICASS standards. Responsibilities include coordinating inclusive programs and communications to enhance community morale. The incumbent assists in preparing SOPs, after-action reports, and program evaluations.
They review internal and external information sources for relevance to the post community, provide recommendations to leadership, and manage communications through emails, newsletters, and social media. The Assistant CLO evaluates program effectiveness—such as through Community Needs Assessment Surveys—and engages the community through meetings, town halls, and virtual platforms.
Office Management
The Assistant CLO collects data for required reports on employment, education, demographics, welfare, morale, and post activities. They support newcomer orientations, departure programs, and other initiatives.
The incumbent improves office operations, manages unofficial CLO funds and budgets, and oversees office supplies and equipment. This includes coordinating repairs, submitting work orders, and following up to ensure completion.
Qualifications and Evaluations
Requirements:
All selected candidates must be able to obtain and hold a Top-Secret clearance.
All selected candidates will be subject to a background investigation and may be subject to a pre-employment medical exam.
Selected candidate must be able to begin working within a reasonable period of time (15 weeks) upon receipt of agency authorization and/or clearances/certifications or their candidacy may end.
Education Requirements:
Completion of at least two years of college or university studies is required.
Please address this factor in your ERA application under Education.
Evaluations:
You will be evaluated against the qualifications and requirements in this vacancy announcement.
You may be asked to complete a pre-employment language or skills test.
You must complete the application form and provide the required documents. Your application must address all the position qualifications and requirements including education, experience, language, and any knowledge/skills/abilities listed. If you fail to submit a complete application, then your application may be disqualified for this position.
Qualifications:
EXPERIENCE:
Minimum three (3) years of professional experience, including but not limited to administration, office management, customer service, program management, or public policy is required.
Please address this factor in your ERA application under Major Duties and Responsibilities.
LANGUAGE:
Good working knowledge in English
(This may be tested.)
Please address this language requirement in your ERA application.
JOB KNOWLEDGE:
A good understanding of the Foreign Service community and the structure of the federal government. Knowledge of general principles of program management and program monitoring. Standard knowledge of Microsoft Office required.
Knowledge of the Department of State's programs and policies pertaining to CLO Coordinator's Eight Areas of Responsibility (community liaison, crisis management, employment, education, guidance and referral, communications and outreach, welcoming/orientation/departures, and events planning).
Please address this factor in your ERA application under Major Duties and Responsibilities.
SKILLS & ABILITIES:
Just like the CLO Coordinator, the Assistant CLO is often a front-line responder in addressing quality of life issue for individuals or the broader post community. The Assistant CLO exercises good judgment when advocating for diverse employees and family members and dealing with confidential matters.
Must possess excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact well with others, demonstrating good teamwork.
Must be able to work in a high-stress, fast-paced work environment.
Possess experience in data collection and report writing.
Please address this factor in your ERA application under Major Duties and Responsibilities.
Benefits and Other Info
Benefits: Agency Benefits:
The U.S. Mission offers a competitive compensation and benefits package for local employees that may include: life insurance, hospitalization insurance (family included), meal tickets, transportation reimbursements, seniority leave, special holidays, training, Employee Assistance Program, etc.
For Eligible Family Member (EFM) applicants, benefits should be discussed with the HR Office. The pay plan is assigned by the HR Office and confirmed by Washington, D.C.
Other Information:
HIRING PREFERENCE SELECTION PROCESS:
A hiring preference is extended to eligible and qualified applicants in the order listed below. It is essential you accurately describe your status in your application, failure to do so may result in a determination that you are not eligible for a hiring preference.
HIRING PREFERENCE ORDER
1. Appointment Eligible Family Member (AEFM) / U.S. citizen Eligible Family Member (USEFM) who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran*
2. AEFM / USEFM
3. Foreign Service (FS) on Leave without Pay (LWOP) and Civil Service (CS) with reemployment rights **
* IMPORTANT: US citizen Eligible Family Member (USEFM) applicants who claim status as a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran must submit a copy of their most recent DD-214 (“Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty”) preferably Member Copy 4, Letter from Veterans’ Affairs which indicates the present existence of a service-connected disability, equivalent documentation, or certification. A “certification” is any written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days after the certification is submitted by the applicant. The certification letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. Acceptable documentation must be submitted in order for the preference to be given.
** This level of preference applies to all FS employees on LWOP and CS with re-employment rights back to their agency or bureau.
For complete definitions of AEFM, USEFM, EFM, Member of Household, etc., please visit the
ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT CONSIDERATIONS
The following apply to EFMs, USEFMs, and AEFMs only:
4. Current employees who used a hiring preference to gain employment who are within their first 90 calendar days of employment are not eligible. This does not apply when the hiring mechanism is TEMP or the work schedule is intermittent or irregular.
5. Candidates with a hiring preference who have already accepted a conditional offer of employment may NOT be extended a second conditional offer of employment unless and until they withdraw their candidacy for the first position in writing.
The following apply to Locally Employed (LE) staff only:
6. Current employees serving a probationary period are not eligible.
7. Current employees with an Overall Summary Rating of Needs Improvement, Unsatisfactory, or an MBC score of less than 100 points on their most recent Employee Performance Report are not eligible.
How You will be Evaluated:
You will be evaluated against the qualifications and requirements in this vacancy announcement.
You may be asked to complete a pre-employment language or skills test.
You must complete the application form and provide the required documents. Your application must address all the position qualifications and requirements including education, experience, language, and any knowledge/skills/abilities listed. If you fail to submit a complete application, then your application may be disqualified for this position.