Overview
International affairs professionals help the federal government advance U.S. interests around the world. They support diplomacy, international trade, global development, national security, humanitarian assistance and cooperation with foreign governments and international organizations.
While some international affairs professionals work overseas, many are based in the United States. They may analyze global issues, manage international programs, negotiate agreements, support foreign assistance efforts or coordinate with partners across countries and agencies. The federal government needs people with a wide range of skills, including policy analysis, communications, economics, public health, agriculture, science and program management.
What You Might Work On
In the federal government, professionals in this field often:
- Analyze global political, economic and security developments to inform policy decisions
- Support international partnerships, agreements and diplomatic initiatives
- Manage foreign assistance, humanitarian or international exchange programs
- Promote U.S. economic interests through international trade, agriculture and business development
Is This a Good Fit?
While roles and responsibilities vary, you might enjoy this field if you:
- Are curious about global issues and how they affect communities in the United States and abroad
- Enjoy working across cultures, organizations and disciplines
- Like researching complex topics and communicating findings to others
- Want to help address challenges that cross borders, such as public health, trade, climate or security
- Are interested in connecting policy goals with real-world programs and partnerships
Job Series Codes
What are job series codes?
In the federal government, most jobs are grouped into “job series” based on the type of work. Each series has a four-digit code (for example, 1140, Trade Specialist).
How to use them:
You can use job series codes to narrow your search on USAJOBS. Start with a keyword (like “program analyst”), then add a series code for more targeted results. Here are a few examples to get you started — there are hundreds of job series codes across the federal government!
| Code | Series / category name | Common keywords | What you’ll do |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0131 | International Relations | International affairs; foreign policy; diplomacy | Support diplomatic initiatives and coordinate with foreign partners |
| 0135 | Foreign Affairs | Foreign affairs; international programs; global engagement | Develop and implement foreign affairs policies and programs |
| 1160 | Financial Analysis | International development finance; economic policy; international economics | Evaluate economic conditions, investments and international financial programs |
| 1140 | Trade Specialist | International trade; exports; market access | Support trade promotion, market analysis and international business initiatives |
| 0301 | Miscellaneous Administration and Program | Program analyst; international programs; grants management | Manage and coordinate international initiatives, partnerships and operations |
Where You Could Work
The federal government is big — so where do you start?
One approach is to focus on a type of role. Another is to focus on a mission area or the kind of impact you want to have (i.e., in public health, education, transportation or elsewhere).
Keep in mind: mission areas often span multiple agencies, so you may find relevant roles in places you wouldn’t expect!
Professionals in this field work across many federal agencies depending on mission area, including:
- Diplomacy and foreign policy: Department of State
- Global agriculture and food security: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service
- International trade and economic growth: Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration
- National security and defense cooperation: Department of Defense
- Emergency management and disaster response: Federal Emergency Management Agency, International Affairs Division
- Global public health: Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Sample Positions
International Relations Officer – Spanish (0131)
| Employer / agency | Department of Labor, Bureau of International Labor Affairs |
|---|---|
| Location(s) | Washington, D.C.; telework eligible |
| Mission context | The Bureau of International Labor Affairs works with governments, international organizations, workers, employers and civil society partners to promote labor rights, combat child and forced labor and improve working conditions around the world. |
In this role, you may:
- Research and analyze international labor, trade and development issues to support policy recommendations, reports and technical assistance programs
- Engage with foreign governments, international organizations and other stakeholders to advance U.S. labor priorities and address issues such as child labor, forced labor and workers’ rights
Supervisory Program Analyst (0343)
| Employer / agency | Department of State |
|---|---|
| Location(s) | Washington, D.C. |
| Mission context | The Department of State manages domestic facilities and real estate that support diplomatic operations, helping ensure employees, visitors and partners can safely and effectively advance U.S. foreign policy objectives. |
In this role, you may:
- Analyze and evaluate programs, policies and resource needs related to the department’s domestic real estate portfolio and operational facilities
- Lead staff and projects that support space planning, property management and long-term infrastructure investments that enable diplomatic and consular operations
Top 10 agencies for this Field
Top 10 Most Common Jobs in this Field
Positions Currently Open on USAJOBS
Browse current federal job openings on USAJOBS and explore opportunities across agencies and career fields. Use the filters to find positions that match your skills, review requirements, and understand how to apply.
3 Results
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Permanent
Supervisory Intelligence Research Specialist (Field Intelligence Supervisor)
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
- Closes Jul 22, 2026
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Permanent
FOREIGN AFFAIRS SPECIALIST
Air Force Civilian Career Training
- Closes Sep 30, 2026
-
Detail
Investigative Analyst (Criminal Analyst)
Department of Homeland Security – Agency Wide
- Closes Nov 18, 2026
