NSEP Job Board

(FEATURED!) SPECIAL ASSISTANT
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (DOS Contract)
Department of State
Overview

Open & Closing Dates
10/19/2026 to 10/30/2026
Salary
$95,000 - $100,000
Work Schedule
Full-Time
Appointment Type
Other
Location
City
Washington, DC
State
DC Metro Area
Duties
Summary
The Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs (ECA) requires an Administrative Assistant IV (Senior Executive) to support the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Preservation and Global Platforms. Support includes, but is not limited to, all functional roles of an Administrative Assistant, from daily scheduling, drafting memos, coordinating taskers, to travel, budget, and project management, as well as other functions that directly assist the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Preservation and Global Platforms, as well as the offices under the ECA Deputy Assistant Secretary for Preservation and Global Platforms. Support to the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, the Assistant Secretary, and others in the ECA Front Office will also be required. Note that the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Preservation and Global Platforms may also occasionally serve as the Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary. Exceptional critical thinking, writing and organizational skills is required, as well as the ability to prepare senior principals for a vast array of meetings, engagements, and events
Responsibilities
Provides support directly to Deputy Assistant Secretary level and above.

Conducts research, drafts, and edits written materials such as correspondence, memoranda, speeches, reports, newsletters, and briefing papers.

Facilitates briefing checklists, briefing papers, and briefing books in preparation for an array of meetings and events.

Helps to coordinate and staff diplomatic and other high-level meetings, consultations, and liaison engagements, including those with ministers of foreign countries. Support may include researching and preparing background information on attendees and developing meeting agendas, as well as providing arrangements for security clearances, VIP parking, and building access, or an online meeting solution, as needed.

Cooperates and collaborates with ECA Front Office Staffers in managing the many duties and deadlines involved in supporting the Assistant Secretary and other senior leadership in the bureau.

Prepares the Deputy Assistant Secretary, for meeting with principals and others in attendance for any event. May serve as notetaker for meetings.

Compiles background memoranda, talking points and scenarios, and briefs the Deputy Assistant Secretary, or other assigned principal, in advance of meetings, events, or conferences.

Helps to prepare and coordinate representational events and conferences, including assisting with the planning, budgeting, coordinating, and recruiting of volunteers, working on event material’s content and graphics, as well as providing onsite support.

Supports and escorts principals at representational events, including evening or weekend events. This may include serving as the control officer.

Serves as a liaison for the Deputy Assistant Secretary. Helps to manage the Deputy Assistant Secretary’s calendar and assists in the coordination of meeting schedules, reservations for events, booking transportation, confirming attendees, tracking briefing materials, and sending events information to Public Affairs for the Public Schedule, as well as requesting photographers or other social media support for meetings.

Works directly with the ECA Front Office, and Program Office staff, and/or Posts in the planning, preparation, and conduct of sensitive and/or complex domestic and foreign executive travel. This may include traveling with the Deputy Assistant Secretary or other principal, including the Assistant Secretary.

Provides analytical and logistical support for Bureau projects and/or activities, to include helping to formulate, plan, manage, and execute projects and activities.

Reviews meeting, briefing, speaking or travel requests, advises on priorities and any controversial or other issues, and helps plan and set the Deputy Assistant Secretary’s schedule and activities related to these requests.

Tracks taskers and other requirements to ensure the Deputy Assistant Secretary is appropriately responsive to all required DAS-level clearances and above.

Requirements
Conditions of Employment
Must have an active Secret clearance

Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree valued.

Experience with providing support directly to high level executives, including the Deputy Assistant Secretary level and above.

Possess critical thinking and decision-making skills.

Ability to analyze and properly address, resolve and/or take appropriate next steps on issues, questions and situations, especially problematic ones, to best support the Front Office. This can include questions and issues regarding Front Office and/or Bureau processes and procedures.

Experience arranging and coordinating meetings and travel for high-ranking government officials or top-level business executives.

Experience maintaining calendars and schedules for senior officials.

Outstanding written and oral communications skills.

Excellent organizational and follow-up skills.

Ability to multitask in a fast-paced, high-volume work environment.

Solid Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint skills.

Experience with social media forums and the ability to learn online collaborative tools.

Excellent customer service skills.

3-5 years of professional experience is required.
Security Clearance
Required
Secret
Required Application Materials
Resume
Application Instructions
For more information and to apply, please visit the Delaware Nation Industries website: https://apply.workable.com/dnigov/j/CC39866A35



This is not an NSEP-exclusive position. Please direct all questions to the contractor, Delaware Nation Industries.

Apply at the following website or click Apply below:
apply.workable.com/dnigov/j/CC39866A35
Additional Notes


All contract work for service credit is considered on a case-by-case basis. In general, the NSEP Service Committee considers requests for service credit at a contractor if the company is receiving funding from a Tier One federal agency. The federal funding for the position must come in the form of a contract or cooperative agreement. Work performed under federal grants will not qualify for service credit.




When applying to contracting positions, please be sure to verify with the hiring manager that the position is funded by federal contracts or cooperative agreements and reach out to the NSEP Service Team at nsep@nsep.gov if you have any questions.