The State Department is soliciting applications from U.S. citizens for the job of Foreign Service Regional Public Engagement Specialist (formerly Information Resource Officer). The application will close on March 10, 2020. The job is on the FP-03 pay scale and pays $86,399 to $137,594 per year. The job requires a Masters’ degree in Library Science, Media, Culture and Communication, Media and Strategic Communication, and three years of Specialized Experience in the last 10 years.

Foreign Service Regional Public Engagement Specialist’s (RPESs) provide professional leadership and project management expertise to over 600 American Spaces at U.S. embassies and consulates, partner institutions, and to the hundreds of U.S. government (USG) and partner staff who operate them. Through technology interfaces and strategic travel within the assigned region, RPESs provide professional direction and guidance to American Spaces by:

1. 1. Using expertise and a high level of understanding of new communications tools and technologies to conduct training for American Spaces and Public Affairs staff on a wide variety of platforms, digital tools, and analytics tools. Using data driven decision making, monitor and improve performance of American Spaces.
   2. Developing new engagement opportunities by conceptualizing and proposing new program ideas and operational procedures, specifically to address foreign policy themes.
   3. Performing advisory functions for public affairs officials to maximize the utilization of American Spaces as key venues to engage foreign publics on U.S. foreign policy matters. Additionally, they advise the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) leadership on overseas program environments; monitor trends and developments; and report on the impact of ECA products and programs.
   4. Serving as project manager for American Spaces initiatives, to include managing fiscal resources; explaining Department policies and procedures; identifying sources of funding and assisting with funding requests; and reporting on results of American Spaces.
   5. Coordinate major projects, such as American Spaces construction or renovation, where multiple stakeholders are involved. For some American Spaces projects, serves as the official Contracting Officer’s Representative or Grants Officer’s Representative.
   6. At some posts, directly supervising Locally Employed (LE) Staff and managing their home post’s American Space(s).

Through people-to-people connections and an open and modern environment equipped with cutting-edge technologies, American Spaces provide the initial exchange that millions of foreigners have with the United States. American Spaces are in-person engagement platforms where visitors learn about the U.S. and participate in discussions on issues affecting U.S. foreign policy. The Regional Public Engagement Specialists (RPESs) corps reports to the Office of American Spaces (A/M) located in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) – the Department’s bureau that works to build friendly, peaceful relations between the people of the United States and the people of other countries through academic, cultural, sports, and professional exchanges, as well as public-private partnerships. The Washington-based ECA/A/M establishes overall program policy, provides technical, and administrative support, coordinates centralized acquisition of digital information resources, funds and tracks American Spaces programs, and manages training programs for staff. The RPES is responsible for ensuring that American Spaces fulfill this important role within the Department.

See the full announcement here or via USAJobs.gov:

Information Resource Officer @BhatnagarA1 visits Korea and takes closer look at wonderful libraries nationwide pic.twitter.com/yHxhCr13kW

— U.S. Embassy Seoul (@USEmbassySeoul) May 22, 2014

Regional Information Resource Officer Fenghua and her shadow Ulla have arrived in Valmiera searching for a partner. pic.twitter.com/gTvgQi0W

— US Embassy Riga (@USEmbassyRiga) February 13, 2013

.@USEmbRu's Information Resource Officer Magia visited #ACCESS students in #Narva, complimenting them on great progress in #English studies pic.twitter.com/b2kVExNKc5

— USEmbassyTallinn (@USEmbTallinn) December 2, 2016