All applicants must be permanent residents of Switzerland or legally eligible to work.  Applicants must provide proof of residency in the form of an unrestricted, current work permit or residency permit at the time of application.  The Mission does not sponsor work permits for employment applicants.

Eligible Family Members (EFMs) or Members of Household (MOHs) on official orders who derive their eligibility to work in the Mission from their US direct-hire sponsor, who is assigned to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, may apply for positions prior to their arrival in Switzerland.

Applicants for employment must be at least 18 years of age. Employees with less than 52 weeks of employment are not eligible to apply. Currently employed USEFMs who hold a Family Member Appointment (FMA) and Not-Ordinarily Residents (NORs) hired under a Personal Services Agreement (PSA) are ineligible to apply for advertised positions within the first 90 calendar days of their employment unless currently hired into a temporary part-time or intermittent position.

When qualified, a U.S. Citizen Eligible Family Member (USEFM) is entitled to a preference in hiring.  A U.S. Citizen Eligible Family Member (USEFM) who is also a U.S. Veteran (subject to post HR review) is entitled to receive the higher preference in hiring over non-veteran USEFMs.

Our Local Employment Recruitment policy does not use points in applying the hiring preference for USEFM or USEFM with U.S. Veteran preference candidates.  Under U.S. law, including the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as amended, status as a USEFM or USEFM Veteran is an affirmative factor in employment.  To receive a preference in hiring, USEFM and USEFM Veteran candidates must be fully qualified before receiving first consideration for the advertised position.  Qualified USEFM applicants who are also U.S. Veterans will receive the highest preference.  A USEFM is eligible to receive preference each time he/she applies for Mission advertised positions.  A USEFM Veteran candidate is eligible to receive preference once per agency, per post, when he/she applies for Mission advertised positions, subject to Mission HR confirmation of eligibility.  The Mission HR’s decision on eligibility for U.S. Veterans Preference is final.

The HR Office receives applications through the BernHRJobs@state.gov e-mail address.  If you are interested in applying for vacant positions, you must submit your application directly to our recruitment mailbox. Applicants are required to submit their applications/resumes/CVs in English if a position is advertised with an English Language Level of 3/3 or higher.  

1. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Do not include your race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation in your CV or resume.
2. If you apply using the U.S. Mission’s Employment Application Form DS-174 (PDF 640 KB), provide your date of birth and nationality information only in response to specific questions on the form.
3. Your resume/CV and DS-174 (PDF 640 KB) must explain how you meet all of the requirements of the vacant position. Your application will not be considered if you fail to address all of the qualifications requirements. Applicants are required to submit their applications/resumes/CVs in English if a position is advertised with an English Language Level of 3/3 or higher.   
4. Include all relevant work experience, paid and voluntary in detail in your resume/CV/DS-174. Start with your present or most recent work experience. When describing work, list specific duties/responsibilities and accomplishments. Include supervisory responsibilities and the number of employees supervised if applicable. Go into as much detail as possible for work experience that directly relates to the advertised position.
5. Include in your resume/CV/DS-174, the names, addresses and contact details for three (3) personal references and three (3) professional references. The personal references are ideally individuals who know you professionally and can comment on your suitability for employment at the mission. Personal references must exclude relatives and former supervisors. The professional references should be supervisors who can also comment on your suitability for employment with the Mission. We will obtain your permission before contacting any reference.
6. Candidates who claim U.S. Veteran’s preference must specify that they have a DD-214 in their resume/CV or cover letter to be considered as a U.S. Veteran and a copy of the DD-214 will be required before an interview is scheduled. If you claim conditional preference status as a U.S. veteran and are selected for an interview, you must provide proof of eligibility before an interview is scheduled; a copy of your current military orders or a letter on official military letterhead signed by the commanding officer that states the type of service and that you are in active duty status.

1. Short listing and interviews are normally completed within six weeks of the closing date. Please assume that your application has been unsuccessful if you have not heard from us within six weeks of the closing date.
2. We will indicate on our vacancy announcement any job requirement which may require testing before short listing is completed and interviews are scheduled. You will be required to come to one of our HR offices (depending on the location of the job) in person for testing.
3. If the interview panel determines that you are the best person for the job, your previous employer will be contacted and asked to provide employment references for you prior to a conditional offer of employment being made.
4. If you are not successful in the interview process, please be advised that we are unable to provide feedback to you about your interview.

1. If you are selected for a position with the Mission, you will receive a conditional offer of employment which includes a breakdown of the salary and benefits offered as well as general information about terms and conditions of employment. After you accept our conditional offer, no changes can be made at a later time to the salary and benefits package. After acceptance of the conditional offer, you will be provided with medical and security forms which must be completed within five work days and returned to the HR Office.
2. Candidates should never resign from their current employment until they receive a final offer from HR. The final offer letter means that you have successfully completed the medical and security clearance requirements.