PCS Portal Specialist

The Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Office, part of the Bureau of Administration (A), manages relocation services for 7000 Department of State personnel a year.  In collaboration with DT, A Bureau is launching an exciting modernization initiative (MoveUSA), and the PCS Office has a lead development role. 

MoveUSA will be the Department's next-generation, unified PCS application - a mobile-first, AI-enabled, data-integrated platform designed to replace legacy systems and serve as the single software solution for every step of the PCS lifecycle: from assignment notification through post-arrival settlement and claims processing.

Coming in at the early stages of a major technology transformation, the office requires someone to work directly with software vendors, implementation teams, and stakeholders across the Department to define and hone requirements for a cutting-edge travel management system.  Your prototyping ability will shape how we get the right people to the right place at the right time - making our diplomatic missions more effective and our colleagues’ lives easier.

• →Lead the development of modern dashboard models and data architectures using AI tools and predictive analytics to visualize complex operational data.  
• →Lead requirements gathering for new PCS travel management systems, working with users, technical teams, and vendors to translate operational needs into functional specifications.
• →Collaborate on AI integration by exploring how artificial intelligence and machine learning can automate processes and enhance data processing in PCS workflows.
• →Serve as a bridge between the PCS Office and technology partners, ensuring our operational expertise informs system design.
• →Analyze current workflows to identify pain points and opportunities for improvement in how we manage relocations, travel orders, lodging, and allowances.
• →Support project management activities including documentation, timelines, stakeholder coordination, and risk analysis.

• High School diploma or equivalent is required.  

• Possesses expertise in the Department of State PCS Portal, PCS Claims, and PCS process. 
• Possesses a basic understanding of passport and visa processes, and what resources to liaison with for process assistance.  
• Possesses a general understanding of the DOS Shipping Entitlements Basics and DOS Shipping Travel Basics. 
• Experience with Travel Authorizations and how to address errors in the process. 
• Experience in understanding policy as well as effectively communicating policy to others.  
• Active Secret Security Clearance required. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• PCS move experience as a former Department of State Foreign Service Officer or current/former Eligible Family Member (EFM) is highly desired.  
• Experience with US Government (USG) rules and policy in the areas of shipping, travel, claims, or other PCS-relevant areas.  

 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Interest or experience designing UIs for complex applications (enterprise tools, dashboards, workflows, or similarly involved products).
• Working knowledge of UX / human-centered design.
• Ability to create prototypes that bring requirements to life, from low-fidelity sketches to interactive, clickable flows.
• Comfort (or strong curiosity) using AI tools to accelerate prototyping and explore design directions quickly.
• A collaborative mindset and the communication skills to present work to stakeholders and fold their input back into the design.
• Familiarity with design and prototyping tools (e.g. Figma, or AI-assisted prototyping tools.)
• Must obtain and maintain a Secret clearance.  
• Successfully pass background and drug screening