Working for department of State

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have any experience with working for the department of State? This is not a foreign service officer, this would be a position in DC. With everything that's going on, is this an extra stressful department to work for?

[Anonymous]

I work for DOS. It's miserable. I'd say State is probably one of the most stressed-out agencies right now. Morale is at an all-time low. People are retiring and leaving in droves. I'm looking elsewhere. Everyone I know is looking elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

As an aside, I've had to call the DOS 2x in the last couple of weeks and they've answered immediately both times. I've been amazed.

[Anonymous]

Shitshow, at least in my Bureau. Upper level management is literally invisible. They put out lots of new directives, but they never take the time to address the workforce who is implementing them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I work for DOS. It's miserable. I'd say State is probably one of the most stressed-out agencies right now. Morale is at an all-time low. People are retiring and leaving in droves. I'm looking elsewhere. Everyone I know is looking elsewhere.

Lowest it’s been in twenty years. Run by SBOs who generally hate the workforce. Mostly a bunch of Heritage - Vought flunkies. They made a ton of domestic Civil Service cuts and plan to make more. Very limited travel and shoddy equipment. Lots of inefficient reviews needed for the most arcane of things. Everyone has turned to the office and most offices feel like a morgue. I guess HST is busy but the politicals are feeling the pressure of the midterms ahead. They know that if the GOO loses the House, things won’t be great for them and a lot more lights will be shined on their doings.

[Anonymous]

Very very sincere thank you to those who responded, this cements not wanting to work here for a good reason. I really appreciate it. Thank you for helping me head off a landmine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work for DOS. It's miserable. I'd say State is probably one of the most stressed-out agencies right now. Morale is at an all-time low. People are retiring and leaving in droves. I'm looking elsewhere. Everyone I know is looking elsewhere.

Lowest it’s been in twenty years. Run by SBOs who generally hate the workforce. Mostly a bunch of Heritage - Vought flunkies. They made a ton of domestic Civil Service cuts and plan to make more. Very limited travel and shoddy equipment. Lots of inefficient reviews needed for the most arcane of things. Everyone has turned to the office and most offices feel like a morgue. I guess HST is busy but the politicals are feeling the pressure of the midterms ahead. They know that if the GOO loses the House, things won’t be great for them and a lot more lights will be shined on their doings.

Bitter, eh? Midterm results won't change anything at state. The gravy train is over. And for good reasons. That's why old guard is upset. Like USAID state was doing things they had no business doing.

[Anonymous]

They pay me well, really well, and what is there to hate about that? It all depends on who your boss is and what department you are getting an offer for.

[Anonymous]

Which bureau? I've been in the department 25 years and it's the worst it's been. Many of us hope this is a phase. Are you coming from another agency or the outside? If you want to have a long career, this might a chance to get in. It is extremely hard to get a cs job here. (And I'm on annual leave today for anyone wondering).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work for DOS. It's miserable. I'd say State is probably one of the most stressed-out agencies right now. Morale is at an all-time low. People are retiring and leaving in droves. I'm looking elsewhere. Everyone I know is looking elsewhere.

Lowest it’s been in twenty years. Run by SBOs who generally hate the workforce. Mostly a bunch of Heritage - Vought flunkies. They made a ton of domestic Civil Service cuts and plan to make more. Very limited travel and shoddy equipment. Lots of inefficient reviews needed for the most arcane of things. Everyone has turned to the office and most offices feel like a morgue. I guess HST is busy but the politicals are feeling the pressure of the midterms ahead. They know that if the GOO loses the House, things won’t be great for them and a lot more lights will be shined on their doings.

Bitter, eh? Midterm results won't change anything at state. The gravy train is over. And for good reasons. That's why old guard is upset. Like USAID state was doing things they had no business doing.

Was there ever a gravy train? If so, which bureau?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work for DOS. It's miserable. I'd say State is probably one of the most stressed-out agencies right now. Morale is at an all-time low. People are retiring and leaving in droves. I'm looking elsewhere. Everyone I know is looking elsewhere.

Lowest it’s been in twenty years. Run by SBOs who generally hate the workforce. Mostly a bunch of Heritage - Vought flunkies. They made a ton of domestic Civil Service cuts and plan to make more. Very limited travel and shoddy equipment. Lots of inefficient reviews needed for the most arcane of things. Everyone has turned to the office and most offices feel like a morgue. I guess HST is busy but the politicals are feeling the pressure of the midterms ahead. They know that if the GOO loses the House, things won’t be great for them and a lot more lights will be shined on their doings.

Bitter, eh? Midterm results won't change anything at state. The gravy train is over. And for good reasons. That's why old guard is upset. Like USAID state was doing things they had no business doing.

What was State doing that had no business doing?

[Anonymous]

The jobs forum is filled with Trump trolls that don’t know the first thing about any of these topics. It’s bizarre.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work for DOS. It's miserable. I'd say State is probably one of the most stressed-out agencies right now. Morale is at an all-time low. People are retiring and leaving in droves. I'm looking elsewhere. Everyone I know is looking elsewhere.

Lowest it’s been in twenty years. Run by SBOs who generally hate the workforce. Mostly a bunch of Heritage - Vought flunkies. They made a ton of domestic Civil Service cuts and plan to make more. Very limited travel and shoddy equipment. Lots of inefficient reviews needed for the most arcane of things. Everyone has turned to the office and most offices feel like a morgue. I guess HST is busy but the politicals are feeling the pressure of the midterms ahead. They know that if the GOO loses the House, things won’t be great for them and a lot more lights will be shined on their doings.

Bitter, eh? Midterm results won't change anything at state. The gravy train is over. And for good reasons. That's why old guard is upset. Like USAID state was doing things they had no business doing.

What was State doing that had no business doing?

I assume the troll meant “saving American lives.”

[Anonymous]

Why does State need to be so large? These days, diplomacy can be conducted virtually. Trump should cut State by at least 50% by the end of his term.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why does State need to be so large? These days, diplomacy can be conducted virtually. Trump should cut State by at least 50% by the end of his term.

Tell us you have no idea what diplomacy is without telling us...