13 FAM 201.2
LANGUAGE-DESIGNATED POSITIONS (LDPs)
(CT:TPD-1; 09-18-2019)
(Office of Origin: FSI)
13 fam 201.2-1 responsible
offices for Establishing LDPS
(CT:TPD-1; 09-18-2019)
(Uniform State/USAGM/Commerce/USAID)
(Applies to Foreign Service Employees)
The following offices are responsible, in consultation
with the chiefs of mission, for designating those Foreign Service positions
that require foreign language proficiency and specifying the level of
proficiency required:
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State
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The Director General of the
Foreign Service and Director of Human Resources, Bureau of Human Resources
(HR)
|
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USAID
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The Deputy Assistant
Administrator for Human Resources (DAA/M/HR)
|
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USAGM
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Director of Personnel, OHR
|
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Commerce
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The Assistant Secretary and
Director General, U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service, International Trade
Administration
|
NOTE: The remainder of this section does not apply to
USAID. See USAID ADS 458.
13 fam 201.2-2 criteria for establishing
ldps
(CT:TPD-1; 09-18-2019)
(Uniform State/USAGM/Commerce/USAID)
(Applies to Foreign Service Employees)
a. Operational need is the determining criterion for
LDPs, where language proficiency is essential, rather than merely helpful or
convenient, to enhancing U.S. effectiveness abroad.
b. In designating LDPs, the responsible offices should
consider the following criteria:
(1) The necessity of using the language to execute
successfully the requirements of the position:
(a) The frequency of daily use of the language; and
(b) The fluency level of that engagement
(2) Official designation of the language as the
national language(s);
(3) Importance host-nation interlocutors attach to our
speaking their language;
(4) The prevalence of another language spoken by a
significant segment of the population;
(5) General level of English language penetration;
(6) English language capabilities of the Embassys
Locally Employed Staff in the relevant section;
(7) Professionalism and availability of interpretation/translation
services;
(8) Prevalence of corruption and the need for language
proficiency to ensure necessary oversight;
(9) Importance of being able to speak certain
language(s) in public or at representational events;
(10) Availability of media in the language(s);
importance of monitoring social media in the local language;
(11) Level of literacy in country:
The prevalence of documents published in the language
(12) Whether speaking and/or reading the language would
notably increase the efficiency and scope of the employees tasks/work
portfolio;
(13) The variety of interactions required for the job
(speeches, formal demarches, receptions, visa interviews, travel and engagement
with population in rural communities, key segments of society, or minority groups);
(14) The importance of building a cadre of speakers of
the language within the Foreign Service:
Does the Department need to develop employees for future
assignment at higher levels of responsibility with these language skills?
(15) The necessity for employees who occupy positions
in sections (for example, security or management) where the need for foreign
language skills is so innate to the job (e.g., the work involves regular
contact with foreign nationals in the local native language) that the post
needs at least one or more LDP per section.
c. To facilitate accurate proficiency level
determinations, posts should review the Proficiency Level Definition
descriptions on FSI's website. Asymmetric LDPs may be appropriate in certain
instances.
13 fam 201.2-3 tested language
proficiency related to ldps
(CT:TPD-1; 09-18-2019)
(Uniform State/USAGM/Commerce/USAID)
(Applies to Foreign Service Employees)
Prior to assuming duties at post, an employee assigned to
a language-designated position must possess the required tested level of
language proficiency designated for the position. Exceptions to this
requirement must be justified by memorandum explaining the exceptional
circumstances necessitating a waiver of training for approval by the following
responsible officers:
State
|
The Director, Office of
Foreign Service Career Development and Assignments (HR/CDA)
|
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USAGM
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Director of Personnel, OHR
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Commerce
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The Assistant Secretary and
Director General, U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service, International Trade
Administration
|
13 fam 201.2-4 Language
Proficiency Waivers
(CT:TPD-1; 09-18-2019)
(Uniform State/USAGM/Commerce/USAID)
(Applies to Foreign Service Employees)
Within the Department of State, language proficiency
waivers will normally be requested by the appropriate bureau, through the
appropriate HR Assignment Officer (AO). In cases where a waiver is needed for
compassionate or personal reasons related to the employee, the Career
Development Officer (CDO) may request the waiver on behalf of the employee,
clearing with the appropriate HR AO. In either case, it is ultimately the
employees responsibility to ensure that any necessary language waiver is in
place before traveling to post.