U.S. Department of State

Our History

The U.S. Department of State has grown significantly over the years. The first Secretary of State, Thomas Jefferson, oversaw a small staff of one chief clerk, three other clerks, a translator, and a messenger. They maintained only two diplomatic posts, in London and Paris, as well as 10 consular posts. More than 230 years later, the Department’s workforce includes some 13,000 members of the Foreign Service, 11,000 Civil Service employees, and 45,000 locally employed staff at more than 270 diplomatic missions worldwide.

Our role has also changed in response to changing global circumstances. At one time, the State Department was responsible for a number of domestic duties ranging from publication of the census to control of copyright to management of the Mint. We now work to fight terrorism, protect U.S. interests abroad, and implement foreign policy initiatives while building a more free, prosperous, and secure world.

Explore our other websites for a more in-depth look at the State Department’s history and the impact of our work through the years and today.

The U.S. Department of State is the lead institution for the conduct of American diplomacy and the Secretary of State is the President’s principal foreign policy advisor. The Foreign Service is a corps of some 13,000 employees dedicated to representing America abroad and responding to the needs of American citizens living and traveling around the world. The Department’s Civil Service, totaling more than 11,000 employees, provides continuity and expertise in accomplishing all aspects of the Department’s mission. There are also more than 45,000 locally employed Foreign Service staff at overseas posts.

On September 15, 1789, the Department of Foreign Affairs became the U.S. Department of State whose mission was to provide for the safekeeping of the Acts, Records, and Seal of the United States and other purposes. Over the years, the U.S. Department of State has been responsible for a number of domestic duties ranging from publication of the census to control of copyright to management of the Mint.

Today, the primary responsibility of the U.S. Department of State and its employees is to fight terrorism, protect U.S. interests abroad, and implement foreign policy initiatives while building a freer, prosperous and secure world.

Thousands of committed and dedicated men and women pursue a career in public service through careers in diplomacy. With more than 25 different career paths available, Foreign Service Officers and Specialists can be sent to any embassy, consulate or diplomatic mission in the world at any time, including locations throughout the United States. Civil Service employees largely remain in Washington, D.C. or other domestic locations and provide continuity and expertise in achieving the Department’s mission.

The Department also operates several other types of offices, most of which are located throughout the United States, including passport agencies, foreign press centers, logistic support offices, security offices, and financial service centers.

Diplomacy: The U.S. Department of State@Work

As the lead U.S. foreign affairs agency, the U.S. Department of State represents the United States at more than 270 diplomatic locations around the world, including embassies, consulates, and missions to international organizations.

The Secretary of State, the ranking member of the Cabinet and fourth in line of presidential succession, is the President’s principal advisor on foreign policy and the person chiefly responsible for representing the United States abroad. The primary goal of the Secretary of State and the U.S. Department of State is to shape a freer, more secure, and more prosperous world through formulating and implementing the President’s foreign policy, while supporting and protecting American interests abroad.

The Department is responsible for promoting peace and stability in areas of vital interest to America. It is a source of support for American businesses abroad, working to achieve fair business practices in commerce, trade, manufacturing and other interests—while also identifying viable opportunities for American businesses.

The U.S. Department of State provides information and services for U.S. citizens traveling abroad, including passport issuance, and it issues visas to foreigners who wish to visit the United States. The Department is responsible for selecting and hiring employees who accomplish America’s mission of diplomacy at home and around the world, including Foreign Service Officers (Generalists), Foreign Service Specialists and Civil Service professionals. For those pursuing university degrees and professionals who are interested in an executive development program in public service, the Department offers a number of programs, including internships and fellowships.

CAREERS REPRESENTING AMERICA

Everyone working for the U.S. Department of State contributes to advancing U.S. interests and implementing foreign policy. Each day, our employees make a difference as they contribute to our global society and defend and advance our country’s interests and values. We work on the business of diplomacy and high priority issues that affect our world – human rights, environment, energy, food security, public health, and technology – all while experiencing a unique career.

Foreign Service OfficersWorldwide

Foreign service officers deal with a variety of ever-changing challenges, which may include consular services such as screening visa applicants and issuing visas; political initiatives such as observing elections in host countries; or analyzing and reporting on issues such as HIV/AIDS, human rights, fair trade, and technology.

Foreign Service SpecialistsWorldwide

Foreign service specialists are instrumental in the daily operations of U.S. embassies and consulates, as they are responsible for security, safety, and protection of people, technology, and structures. We require specific skills in the financial, technical, and support services areas. Opportunities exist in eight different categories with 19 different specialist jobs.

Civil ServiceDomestic

Civil Service employees support U.S. foreign policy right here in the United States. Civil Service professionals work on everything from improving trade opportunities for U.S. businesses, to helping American couples adopt children from overseas, to monitoring human rights issues.

Consular FellowsWorldwide

The Consular Fellows Program offers non-career appointments of up to five years and requires language proficiency in Spanish, Chinese Mandarin, Portuguese, or Arabic. Fellows work abroad with foreign citizens who want to come to the United States and U.S. citizens traveling or living abroad.

Pathways ProgramsDomestic

We offer three types of developmental opportunities, collectively known as “Pathways Programs:” internships for current students, the Recent Graduates Program, and the Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program.

Professional FellowshipsDomestic

Fellowships are unique and innovative executive development opportunities for graduate, post-graduate and experienced professionals across disciplines. As a fellow, you will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to gain insight into U.S. foreign policy and diplomacy, while exploring new career avenues.

There are opportunities beyond the U.S. Department of State that allow you to work overseas and make a difference in our global society.

Peace CorpsVolunteers work at the grassroots level to create change that lasts long after their service.

U.S. Agency for International DevelopmentUSAID’s workforce includes direct-hire and contract employees based in the United States and at field missions around the world.

U.S. Department of AgricultureUSDA is made up of 29 agencies and offices with nearly 100,000 employees who serve the American people at more than 4,500 locations across the country and abroad.

USAJOBSConnects job seekers with federal employment opportunities across the United States and around the world.