Special Assistant

This position is located in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, Assistant Secretary's Office (WHA/A/S). The incumbent provides strategic guidance, programmatic planning, policy and operational advice to the Assistant Secretary (A/S) and/or Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary (PDAS) and is additionally responsible for coordinating the day-to-day activities of the Front Office support staff. Oversees Front Office operations and tracks Assistant Secretary/PDAS engagements and data collection. Oversees processes and procedures for personnel, travel, general services, training, onboarding, and scheduling for the A/S and PDAS. Serves as a strategic advisor and key point of contact for the Assistant Secretary and/or PDAS on engagements with Department leadership and foreign officials. Ensures timely flow of information and communication between A/S, PDAS, and Department leadership through Under Secretary level. Performs special projects and tasks, as directed by the A/S and/or PDAS. Applicants must meet all the required qualification requirements described below by the closing date of this announcement. NOTE: Applicants must meet time-in-grade and time after competitive appointment requirements, by the closing date of this announcement. Time-In-Grade Requirements: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions, per 5CFR 300, Subpart F. Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following: Experience managing a diverse workload in support of senior bureau leadership, to include tracking engagements, managing paper flow, and ensuring officials are fully prepared for meetings and events. Experience serving as a liaison between senior Department officials and key stakeholders, including U.S. Ambassadors and foreign leaders, both domestically and abroad. Experience coordinating with multiple offices within and outside the U.S. Government, to schedule calls, meetings, and support senior-level engagements. There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-13 position. Education requirements do not apply to this vacancy announcement.