UNCLASSIFIED   STATE   00045248 
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DE RUEHC #5248/01 1242358
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O 042338Z MAY 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI IMMEDIATE 7127

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 STATE 045248 
 
INFORM CONSULS, FOR MANAGEMENT OFFICERS, ROME PASS MFO 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AMGT APER
SUBJECT: ANNUAL LANGUAGE-DESIGNATED POSITIONS REVIEW: 
MAY 15, 2009 DEADLINE FOR REQUESTING CHANGES 
 
REFS:   A) 08 STATE 58857  B) 07 STATE 86636, C) 06 
STATE 11747, D) 06 STATE 11421, E) 06 STATE 09014 AND 
PREVIOUS F) 05 STATE 233598; AND G) 05 STATE 23596 AND 
PREVIOUS 
 
 
¶1.  This is an action request - please see paragraph 11. 
 
 
SUMMARY 
------- 
 
¶2.  The Department requests that posts review Language 
Designated Positions (LDPs) and respond by May 15, 2009. 
Posts and bureaus should weigh competing demands, 
including desired language proficiency in positions 
abroad versus the need to minimize staffing gaps in 
light of the Department's commitment to Congress to 
increase LDPs and language proficiency.  The current 
shortfall of mid-level Generalists will only be 
partially mitigated by Diplomacy 3.0 new hiring during 
the upcoming summer bidding cycle.  Posts/bureaus 
wishing to increase language designated positions must 
absorb gaps when employees are in training to attain 
language proficiency.  The Department's goal of 
increasing language competence for all employees will 
shape the LDP review.  Deadline for response is May 15, 
¶2009. 
 
END SUMMARY. 
----------- 
 
LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY 
-------------------- 
 
¶3.  Professional language proficiency is important to 
enhance U.S. effectiveness abroad, especially in 
countries of critical concern.  Language proficiency is 
a central component of the Career Development Program 
(CDP) for Foreign Service Generalist and Specialist 
employees. 
 
Although resource and operational constraints limit the 
Department's ability to increase language proficiency, 
we are trying to expand language training opportunities 
to help meet these objectives, particularly in 
critically needed languages such as Arabic, Chinese, 
Hindi, Urdu, Pashto, Dari and Farsi.  A gradual increase 
in the number and proficiency levels of Language 
Designated Positions (LDPs) overseas is central to this 
process.  Operational need is the decisive criteria for 
each language designated position. 
 
 
LANGUAGE DESIGNATED POSITION CHANGES 
------------------------------------ 
 
¶4.  This message solicits requests for changes to 
Language Designated Positions.  Posts may request 
changes for any position regardless of when it comes 
open; this message is timed to afford the Department an 
opportunity to adjust language designations prior to the 
assignment cycle that begins this summer.  Please 
respond by May 15, 2009. 
 
GENERALIST CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS 
--------------------------------------------- --------------- 
 
¶5.  Generalists are required to demonstrate proficiency 
in one foreign language at the 3/3 level before opening 
the window for consideration for promotion into the 
Senior Foreign Service.  Generalists may select an 
additional language at 3/3 as a Career Development 
Program elective. 
 
See 
 
http://hrweb.hr.state.gov/prd/hrweb/cda/FSCDP /index.cfm 
 
for details and CDP implementation information. 
 
SPECIALIST CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
¶6.  General Services Officer, Diplomatic Security Agents 
and Office Management Specialists tenured after January 
1, 2006, must demonstrate 2/2 proficiency in one foreign 
language.  Regional English Language Officers must 
demonstrate 3/3 (or 2/2 super-hard) for promotion to 01. 
Successful completion on an FSI FAST course is mandatory 
for diplomatic couriers.  Other Specialists may choose 
language proficiency as a CDP elective.  Posts should 
consider designating non-LDPs Specialist LDPs as 0/0 
(language preferred). Refs C-E and 
http://hrweb.hr.state.gov/prd/hrweb/cda/FSCDP /index.cfm 
contain details and CDP implementation information. 
 
POST AND BUREAU ROLE: PLANNING TIMELINES 
---------------------------------------- 
 
¶7.  Post judgment in language designation is critical. 
The Department welcomes posts' active participation in 
this annual review.  Foreign policy goals and the Career 
Development Plan require that we make language training 
available to those who need it.  Posts should note the 
Transfer Eligibility Date (TED) of incumbents when 
reviewing positions and how a change would affect the 
TED and advertising the position.  The May 15 deadline 
allows participating bureaus and offices to discuss and 
effect changes in time for the summer 2010 assignment 
season.  The Department will work with posts and bureaus 
to make changes with the least disruption to post 
operations, to avoid disadvantaging bidders and to 
ensure that your LDP vacancies attract the widest range 
of qualified bidders. 
 
PROFICIENCY LEVELS 
------------------ 
 
¶8.  Requests for changes should recommend specific 
speaking and reading levels - see 3 FAH-1 H-2731.2 for 
definitions.  In requesting LDP changes, keep in mind 
that designations may vary from the usual S-3/R-3 level, 
including asymmetrical designations in which a mandated 
speaking proficiency may be higher than the reading 
proficiency -- S-3/R-2, S-2/R-1, or even S-2/R-0.  If 
job requirements call for either of two languages, 
consider dual designations, with the preferred language 
listed first.  For advice on specific cases, please 
contact FSI/SLS - James North or HR/CDA/ML - Nicholas 
Dean by email. 
 
PROFICENCY LEVELS:  UNTENURED EMPLOYEES 
--------------------------------------- 
 
¶9.  Proficiency requirements for untenured positions at 
some hard and all "super-hard" language posts may not be 
higher than the 2/0, 2/1 or 2/2 level, because of the 
limit on training for untenured employees.  ("Super- 
hard" languages are Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, and 
Korean.)  Entry-level Specialist positions, particularly 
at "super-hard" language posts, should not be designated 
above 0/0 unless they require significant daily contact 
with staff or officials who do not speak English. 
 
LANGUAGE PREFERRED POSITIONS 
---------------------------- 
 
¶10.  In addition to Career Development Plan, 13 FAM 233, 
235, and 236 underscore that every Foreign Service 
employee assigned to a foreign-language post, regardless 
of portfolio, should have the opportunity for training 
to an elementary or "courtesy" level.  Introductory 
exposure to a language--via an FSI Fast Course, testing 
at a 1/1, or otherwise gaining basic knowledge of a 
foreign language in, for example, post language 
programs,--pays dividends in repeat tours and training 
to higher levels of proficiency later in an employee's 
career.  Despite resource constraints, we encourage 
posts to consider designating positions language- 
preferred. 
 
ACTION REQUESTED 
---------------- 
 
¶11.  Please submit by May 15 a short justification for 
each LDP change request, giving the following 
information as appropriate: 
 
- Specific tasks requiring language skills and the 
percentage of time spent on each; 
 
- Job factors - including changes in responsibilities 
that justify changing current language level 
requirements; 
 
- Factors at post that are not directly work-related, 
but which require an employee to be language proficient; 
 
- OIG recommendations for changes in a position's 
language designation; and 
 
- CDP aspects of the request for changes in language 
designation. 
 
Please slug messages requesting changes for HR/CDA/ML - 
Nicholas Dean, for the Executive Office of your 
geographic bureau, and for FSI/SLS - Gretchen Welch and 
James North.  (FSINFATC must appear as an addressee on 
any message slugged for FSI/SLS).  Please also slug 
cables for HR/CDA/AD assignments officers according to 
their geographic portfolios: 
 
AF  - LEWIS CLARK 
EAP - KEN WILLIAMS 
EUR - TAMARA COMISKEY 
NEA - NANCY STAFFORD 
SCA - TRACY MADRIL 
WHA - DALE RUMBARGER 
 
Functional bureaus controlling positions overseas (such 
as CA, DS, INL, IO, MED and PRM) should coordinate their 
requests through the relevant regional bureaus. 
 
¶12.  As soon as possible, before the summer 2010 bidding 
cycle begins, HR's Language Officer will chair a 
committee comprised of FSI, regional bureaus, HR, and 
other interested offices to review suggested changes. 
LDP change requests should be for language proficiency 
that the incumbent of a position requires to fulfill 
his/her job responsibilities.  Requests to upgrade or 
downgrade LDP requirements will need strong 
justification. 
 
¶13.  MINIMIZE CONSIDERED. 
CLINTON