13 FAH-1 H-500
FSI TRAINING SERVICES FOR Locally employed staff
13 FAH-1 H-510
General Information
(CT:FSIH-38; 09-01-2022)
(Office of Origin: FSI)
13 FAH-1 H-511 Purpose
(CT:FSIH-38; 09-01-2022)
(Uniform State/Agriculture/USAGM/Commerce/USAID)
(Applies to Locally Employed Staff Only)
Locally Employed Staff (LE Staff) training programs provided by the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) are designed to help increase the proficiency of LE Staff in the performance of their official duties, to maintain and improve their skills and knowledge, provide professional development opportunities, and expose them to innovative tactics and strategies which will improve operation of posts.
13 FAH-1 H-511.1 Types of Programs
(CT:FSIH-38; 09-01-2022)
(Uniform State/Agriculture/USAGM/Commerce/USAID)
(Applies to Locally Employed Staff Only)
a. In the United States: FSI offers a variety of courses designed for development of core and specialized competencies for LE Staff, including Management, Consular, Economic and Commercial Affairs, Information Management, Office Management, Political, and Public Diplomacy. These courses are held primarily in Washington, DC, but could also be conducted at regional centers located in the United States.
b. Regional training: FSI, in partnership with regional bureaus, arranges regional training and workshops for LE Staff. These trainings may be provided exclusively for LE Staff or as part of training provided to other post staff, on such topics as Management Operations, Consular, Economic and Commercial Affairs, Information Management, Office Management, Political Affairs, and Public Diplomacy; as well as Leadership, Personnel Management, Customer Service, Crisis Management, and Supervisory Skills.
c. Virtual Instructor Led Training (vILT): FSI offers vILT for a variety of courses that are available to LE Staff. vILT is offered based on Washington, DC and other time zones, depending upon the course and target audience.
d. Distance Learning: FSI offers a wide range of distance learning self-study courses available to LE Staff in both multimedia and non-multimedia formats.
e. Course descriptions are in the FSI Course Catalog, and more information can be found on the FSI LE Staff Training Website. The LE Staff Training Plan also provides further information on appropriate courses based on job category and experience.
13 FAH-1 H-511.2 Responsibilities
(CT:FSIH-38; 09-01-2022)
(Uniform State/Agriculture/USAGM/Commerce/USAID)
(Applies to Locally Employed Staff Only)
a. FSI is responsible for establishing and maintaining Washington-based training programs and for advertising and announcing training opportunities available to LE Staff. This information is provided through the FSI website and online course catalog, direct email distribution, and/or through Department Notices and cables to the field.
b. In general, posts or bureaus should expect to fund all travel and per diem costs associated with LE Staff training. For particular course offerings, however, FSI may provide full or partial funding for travel and/or per diem costs for State LE Staff. Inquiries about the courses and funding should be referred initially to the FSI program office offering the course.
c. Non-State agencies are responsible for the payment of tuition costs to State/FSI if their LE Staff participate in FSI training programs, and for all associated travel, per diem and miscellaneous costs.
d. For applicable courses, the post nominates qualified candidates for training. Post is responsible for assisting LE Staff selected for training with the preparation of travel orders, obtaining travel advances and required visas, and making travel and lodging arrangements, as needed.
e. The appropriate FSI program office reviews nominations and selects participants in coordination with the respective regional bureau, as appropriate. Some courses (e.g., distance learning) do not require regional bureau review.
f. Appropriate Department Bureaus and offices provide personnel to meet with LE Staff in Washington and to give briefings on topics related to their work and field of expertise. Regional bureaus are responsible for arranging any special consultations not included as part of FSI training.
13 FAH-1 H-511.3 Basic Criteria for Nominations
(CT:FSIH-38; 09-01-2022)
(Uniform State/Agriculture/USAGM/Commerce/USAID)
(Applies to Locally Employed Staff Only)
In making nominations, post managers will consider LE Staff who meet the following criteria:
(1) The “target audience” criteria outlined in the FSI provided course description and whether the training is related to the LE Staff employee's current or soon-to-be-assigned job responsibilities;
(2) Have demonstrated high potential for more responsibility and effective work in the Department’s interest, and have proven to be dependable, cooperative, and adaptable in new situations;
(3) Ability to apply knowledge in the performance of duties, to transfer knowledge and to instruct others in learned skills after completion of the training;
(4) The English language requirement for the proposed course (this does not apply for those courses designed to improve English language skills);
(5) Agreement to the terms of any necessary Continued Service Agreement; and
(6) Valid security certification appropriate for select training; and
(7) Eligibility for visas to enter the United States or another country if the training is held in the United States or another country.
13 FAH-1 H-511.4 Continued Service Agreement
(CT:FSIH-38; 09-01-2022)
(Uniform State/Agriculture/USAGM/Commerce/USAID)
(Applies to Locally Employed Staff Only)
In the future, please refer to 3 FAM 7630 for the policy regarding Continued Service Agreements for Locally Employed Staff.
13 FAH-1 H-512 through H-519 unassigned