Staff Assistant

Cherokee Federal•Washington, DC

10h•Onsite

About The Position

Cherokee Federal is hiring a Staff Assistant/Program Analyst II in Washington, DC to support the Department of State’s T/FO front office under the Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security. You will manage high-tempo administrative and program coordination, route taskers, maintain knowledge management and records, support senior leader schedules and travel, and help produce congressional reports and leadership materials. Top Secret required.

Requirements

Top Secret security clearance required (TS/SCI scheduling support is part of the role).
Bachelor’s degree or high school diploma/GED with 6 years experience in international politics/foreign policy, military/defense, or security cooperation.
Must pass pre-employment qualifications of Cherokee Federal

Nice To Haves

Prior experience with the Department of State or another federal department/agency preferred.
Preferred experience in foreign affairs administration, travel planning, complex logistics, political-military affairs, defense/security cooperation, or academic research support.
Preferred experience drafting policy-related or administrative products from diverse sources (government documents, academic/think tank products).
Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Publisher, PowerPoint) and knowledge management tools (Teams/SharePoint) preferred.
Travel management experience preferred, including E2 Solutions.
Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills (written/spoken English); ability to manage multiple tasks and coordinate across locations in a multicultural environment.
Ability to work independently, assess priorities, and execute with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

Route proposals, orders, and taskings to the correct offices for action; track follow-up to closure.
Maintain a basic knowledge management system to track assignments, share information, and organize core documents (e.g., Teams/SharePoint).
Support senior leader engagements: manage calendars, schedule/reschedule meetings, request briefing materials, and coordinate meeting logistics and conference room scheduling.
Support domestic and international travel: make travel arrangements (hotels, passports, visas, advances), accompany leadership to meetings as needed, and complete travel vouchers after trips.
Receive, log, and process official communications in accordance with Department records requirements and standards.
Take and transcribe notes during meetings, briefings, and conferences.
Draft, clear, and submit congressional reports and other written products; assist with correspondence, memoranda, briefing papers, and reports across State and interagency contacts.
Serve as liaison for administrative HR actions (performance appraisal reminders, leave restoration procedures, proxy access, awards nominations).
Serve as timekeeper for T/FO staff; ensure compliance with time and attendance requirements.
Act as point of contact for GSO work orders and basic IT/computer issues.
Support onboarding: process paperwork and coordinate equipment issuance and security access.
Support TS/TS-SCI meeting scheduling (e.g., NSC/IC briefings) and track classified materials related to assigned duties; ensure proper handling per procedures.
Perform special assignments with tact, discretion, and professionalism.
Performs other job-related duties as assigned