Staff Assistant

Bureau Of Emerging Threats

The Bureau of Emerging Threats (ET) advances U.S. national security by anticipating and responding to challenges from adversary use of new technologies. ET identifies and counters emerging threats in cyberspace, outer space, critical infrastructure and undersea, quantum technologies, and artificial intelligence (AI). ET focuses on protecting U.S. national security in these areas of strategic and technological competition using diplomatic tools and interagency capabilities as part of effective, coordinated foreign policy responses.

This bureau is led by an Assistant Secretary, a Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, and two Deputy Assistant Secretaries overseeing five offices. The Assistant Secretary reports to the Under Secretary of Arms Control and International Security.

Job Duties:

This position performs a full range of administrative, research, and analytical duties, special assignments, and related functions supporting the missions for Department of State. The Staff Assistant oversees the management and administrative operations of bureau headquarters and serves as a critical liaison between senior leadership and subordinate offices.

Specific duties include:

• Administrative Problem-Solving: Responding to administrative and programmatic problems brought to the attention of bureau management, relieving senior leadership of unnecessary interruptions and demands on their time by handling matters of a general nature.
• Project Coordination: Coordinating a wide spectrum of projects within the bureau including conducting research on administrative projects, analysis of data to ensure relevant data is present, and providing comprehensive reports. This includes tracking projects across ET's five offices.
• Administrative Monitoring: Monitoring office administrative functions and transactions, and preparing a variety of reports utilizing various databases and automated systems.
• Information Management: Providing information and serving as a source of referral to the proper official or other agencies, ensuring that issues or problems are addressed by subordinate offices and expediting as necessary.
• Executive Support: Arranging for the preparation of briefing materials, talking points, and executive summaries to be viewed by bureau leadership. Working closely with members of the leadership staff and with others outside the office to track projects and ensure implementation dates are met.
• Policy and Procedure Development: Developing, devising, and analyzing internal administrative policies, procedures, and management processes to support the bureau's mission of addressing emerging technological threats.
• Training and Guidance: Developing and providing administrative training, resource materials, operating manuals, and standard operating procedures (SOPs). Providing administrative guidance and assistance to subordinate organizations by answering questions on financial and organizational-oriented procedures.