Working for department of State

[Anonymous]

I worked on a relatively quick contract project at State and I am perplexed by something. What is an SBO and what do they do?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I worked on a relatively quick contract project at State and I am perplexed by something. What is an SBO and what do they do?

They sign things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I worked on a relatively quick contract project at State and I am perplexed by something. What is an SBO and what do they do?

The are basically the equivalent of an acting Assistant Secretary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I worked on a relatively quick contract project at State and I am perplexed by something. What is an SBO and what do they do?

The are basically the equivalent of an acting Assistant Secretary.

They all seem to be in roles that don’t match their skill set.

[Anonymous]

It was a mess when I worked there starting in 2005 (and left a few years later). Back then it was run by old men who mostly attended lots of meetings and traveled a lot while giving too much influence to select contractors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I worked on a relatively quick contract project at State and I am perplexed by something. What is an SBO and what do they do?

The are basically the equivalent of an acting Assistant Secretary.

They all seem to be in roles that don’t match their skill set.

I haven't run across a SBO with a skill set yet.

[Anonymous]

Everyone I know at state now is super demoralized. That weirdo Vought character got his wish with a tramatized workforce.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It was a mess when I worked there starting in 2005 (and left a few years later). Back then it was run by old men who mostly attended lots of meetings and traveled a lot while giving too much influence to select contractors.

Its the same now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It was a mess when I worked there starting in 2005 (and left a few years later). Back then it was run by old men who mostly attended lots of meetings and traveled a lot while giving too much influence to select contractors.

Its the same now.

There are old men there (along with old women). Many of the politicals run the show and poorly. Place is running on fumes with a skeleton crew. If what I am hearing is correct, I have no idea where they plan to find a few thousand more employees to cut.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The department’s fiscal 2027 budget justification shows that it plans to keep shrinking its workforce. According to the budget document, the State Department plans to have about 11,000 Foreign Service employees and 6,000 civil service employees next year

https://federalnewsnetwork.com/workforce/2026/05/amid-hiring-push-state-dept-finalizes-layoffs-for-nearly-250-foreign-service-officers/

There are other ways to shrink the workforce besides rifs.

Ok, how? DRP is not happening and the workforce isnt exactly filled with boomers anymore. How shall they shrink it down by 2k by September 30th?

State is full of people who want desperately to get out. Some have jobs lined up elsewhere in the Federal Gov't and are just waiting for final paperwork/transfer of clearances. Some will move to the private sector. And some will just feel too demoralized to go on.

2K by September doesn't seem super-realistic--but definitely 2K by December.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The department’s fiscal 2027 budget justification shows that it plans to keep shrinking its workforce. According to the budget document, the State Department plans to have about 11,000 Foreign Service employees and 6,000 civil service employees next year

https://federalnewsnetwork.com/workforce/2026/05/amid-hiring-push-state-dept-finalizes-layoffs-for-nearly-250-foreign-service-officers/

There are other ways to shrink the workforce besides rifs.

Ok, how? DRP is not happening and the workforce isnt exactly filled with boomers anymore. How shall they shrink it down by 2k by September 30th?

State is full of people who want desperately to get out. Some have jobs lined up elsewhere in the Federal Gov't and are just waiting for final paperwork/transfer of clearances. Some will move to the private sector. And some will just feel too demoralized to go on.

2K by September doesn't seem super-realistic--but definitely 2K by December.

I just can’t see the agency shedding that many bodies on its own through natural attrition. There will need to be an effort and that’s the scary part.