§3983 Assignments to Non-service and Other Positions

Summary

The Secretary may assign a member of the Service to work outside the Foreign Service only if the agency or organization taking them agrees. Assignments can be to non-Foreign Service jobs in the Department, other U.S. agencies, or international organizations; to attend domestic or international conferences; for special training with public or private groups; or to work in the United States with state or local governments, nonprofits, schools, or a Member or office of Congress. The member keeps whichever pay is higher: their original Service pay or the pay of the new job. The Service pays that salary from its appropriations, and those funds can be repaid by the receiving organization for salaries and benefits. A member assigned to a Member or office of Congress is treated as a House or Senate employee for travel and other expense payments. Assignments generally cannot run more than 4 continuous years unless the Secretary approves more time for special reasons. For the American Institute in Taiwan, the Secretary may assign Service members if it is in the U.S. national interest. Other department heads may detail employees there with the Secretary’s agreement and the Secretary’s national-interest finding. The law excludes certain kinds of SES appointees and employees in positions excepted from competitive service. Taiwan details may be with or without reimbursement. Those assignments may last up to 6 years, and may be extended one time for up to another 6 years with the required approvals.