BLUF: The Department of State is woefully ineffective and needs to be radically reformed.
The mission of the Department of State is as follows: To protect and promote U.S. security, prosperity, and democratic values and shape an international environment in which all Americans can thrive.
President Trump campaigned on the promise to end the forever wars and stop feeding into the military industrial complex. In order to accomplish this campaign promise, the Department of State must be empowered to carry out their mission. In order for the Department of State to regain effectiveness, the President must excise, reshape, and significantly expand the organization. Resources must be reallocated within the government, focused on executing the foreign policy agenda of America First and ensuring peace through strength. This reshaping must include the following; 1) Eliminating the cronyism and good ole boy nepotism that currently exist in the organization.
2) Realign college recruiting away from compromise universities and to high performing academic institutions that focus on America First principles
3) Increase the diversity within the organization. Holistically, you don’t need to obtain a degree from an Ivy League School to be qualified to work at higher levels within the Department of State.
Your use of diversity could be read and purposely misused to mean DEI. DIVERSITY, Equity, Inclusion. Which should be eliminated from all federal agencies and departments and federally funded or supported programs and schools.
Federal jobs are already intended to be filled through a competitive hiring process that promotes equal opportunity and inclusion for all applicants, including individuals with disabilities and members of minority groups. We do not need additional diversity additions to existing policy. Here’s how this process functions:
1. Merit System Principles
Federal employment is governed by the merit system, which emphasizes hiring based on qualifications, skills, and abilities rather than on personal connections or discrimination.
2. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)
Federal agencies are required to provide equal employment opportunities and to prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, and genetic information.
3. Rehabilitation Act of 1973
This law mandates affirmative action in the hiring of individuals with disabilities. Agencies must make reasonable accommodations to ensure qualified individuals with disabilities can compete for and perform jobs.
4. Veterans’ Preference
Veterans, including those with service-connected disabilities, receive preference in hiring, which helps to level the playing field for individuals who have served in the military.
5. Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives
Federal agencies are encouraged to implement diversity and inclusion initiatives to actively recruit and retain a diverse workforce, including underrepresented minorities and individuals with disabilities.
6. Competitive Hiring Process
Jobs are typically posted on USAJOBS, the federal government’s official employment site. Applicants must meet specific qualifications and may be required to take assessments or undergo interviews.
Hiring managers are expected to consider a diverse pool of candidates and to evaluate them based on objective criteria.
7. Outreach and Recruitment Efforts
Agencies are encouraged to conduct outreach programs aimed at minority groups and individuals with disabilities to ensure they are aware of job opportunities and can participate in the application process.
8. Complaint Process
Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against in the hiring process have the right to file complaints through the EEO process, ensuring accountability and protection of rights.
Conclusion
The federal hiring process is designed to be fair and competitive, with specific protections and initiatives aimed at ensuring individuals with disabilities and minorities have equal and sometimes better access to employment opportunities in the federal workforce.
The DoD does an excellent job with hiring diverse civilians and being inclusive because the DoD civilian workforce is simply a reflection of the active duty culture. Outside of DoD, there is a lot of room for improvement.