Action Officer

Guidehouse; Washington; On-site; USD 98,000 - 163,000; Full time

Job summary

Guidehouse is seeking an experienced Action Officer to support a Department of State public diplomacy office in Washington, DC. You will drive cross‑bureau coordination, synthesize complex information, and advance initiatives related to national security priorities including countering foreign malign influence.

The role requires an ACTIVE SECRET clearance, a Bachelor’s degree, and 5+ years in State Department contexts, with strong interagency collaboration skills and the ability to work on

Qualifications

• Active and maintained SECRET security clearance.
• Bachelor's degree.
• 5 years’ experience working in the Department of State.
• Demonstrated experience with interagency processes and collaboration.
• Demonstrated subject matter expertise related to countering foreign malign influence.
• Ability to work on client site in Washington, DC 4-5 days/week.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a liaison between State Department bureaus, interagency partners, and the intelligence community.
• Facilitate information exchange, synchronize operational activities, and ensure alignment on priority national security objectives.
• Provide high‑quality analytical and operational support, including briefings and issue papers.
• Apply SME related to countering foreign malign influence to inform decision‑making.
• Build and maintain partnerships with relevant bureaus and external agencies.
• Manage logistics and sequencing for meetings, deliverables, and special projects.

Skills

Interagency collaboration

Countering malign influence SME

Policy analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Program management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

G Suite

Microsoft Office

Databases

Project management tools

Job description

Job Family:

Operational Effectiveness Consulting

Travel Required:

Up to 10%

Clearance Required:

Active Secret

What You Will Do:

Guidehouse is seeking an experienced Action Officer to support a public diplomacy office at the Department of State to strengthen cross‑bureau coordination, interagency engagement, and policy support across national security and public diplomacy priorities. The ideal candidate brings prior experience within the Department of State, proven effectiveness navigating interagency processes, and subject matterexpertiserelated to countering foreign malign influence.The Action Officer serves as a key integrator, coordinator, and advisor, responsible for driving cross‑bureau efforts,maintainingawareness of priority issues, and ensuringtimely,accurateexecution of operational and policy tasks. This role supports senior leadership by orchestrating interagency engagement, synthesizing complex information, and advancing initiatives related to national security priorities, including issues involving countering foreign malign influence.Core Responsibilities may include but not limited to:

Interagency Coordination

• Serve as a liaison between State Department bureaus, interagency partners, and the intelligence community.

• Facilitate information exchange, synchronize operational activities, and ensure alignment on priority national securityobjectives.

• Track emerging issues and coordinate rapid responses across interagency stakeholders.

Policy & Operational Support

• Provide high‑quality analytical and operational support to leadership, including briefings, talking points, readouts, and issue papers.

• Support development and implementation of policies related to countering foreign malign influence and other national security threats.

• Coordinate internal workflows, taskings, and clearance processes to ensuretimelyandaccuratedelivery of Department products.

Strategic Analysis & Subject Matter Expertise

• Apply subject matterexpertise(SME) related to countering foreign malign influence—its actors, mechanisms, and impacts to inform Department decision‑making.

• Conduct structured research, distill large volumes of information, and generate actionable insights for both internal and external stakeholders.

• Assistin developing strategies, frameworks, and communication approaches to counter foreign malign influence efforts.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build andmaintainpartnerships with relevant bureaus, offices, and external agencies.

• Represent the Department in working groups, coordination meetings, and strategic discussions.

• Ensure leadership is apprised of key developments, risks, andrequiredfollow‑up actions.

Program & Task Management

• Managelogisticsand sequencing for meetings, deliverables, and special projects.

• Track commitments,identifygaps, and ensure operational continuity across fast‑moving priorities.

• Produce well‑organized, high‑quality documentation andmaintaineffective knowledge‑management practices.

What You Will Need:

• An ACTIVE and MAINTAINED “SECRET” Federal or DoD security clearance. Once onboard with Guidehouse, new hire MUST be able to OBTAIN and MAINTAIN a Federal

• Bachelors Degree

• FIVE (5) years’ experience working in the Department of State.

• Demonstrated experience with interagency processes and collaboration.

• Demonstrated subject matter expertise related to countering foreign malign influence.

• Ability to work on client site in Washington, DC 4-5 days/week

What Would Be Nice To Have:

• An ACTIVE and MAINTAINED “TOP SECRET” Federal or DoD securityclearance

• Ability to synthesize complex topics clearly and succinctly.

• Ability to view problems from multiple angles and apply a variety of solutions to solving them

• Ability to professionally represent Guidehouse when participating and leading client‑facing discussions and meetings

• Excellent attention to detail

• Excellent organizational, written, and oral communication skills

• Proficiency in the use of cloud‑based and traditional word processing software, spreadsheets, presentations (e.g., G Suite, Microsoft, et al), databases and project management tools

The annual salary range for this position is $98,000.00-$163,000.00. Compensation decisions depend on a wide range of factors, including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, security clearances, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs.

What We Offer:

Guidehouse offers a comprehensive, total rewards package that includes competitive compensation and a flexible benefits package that reflects our commitment to creating a diverse and supportive workplace.

Benefits include:

• Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision Insurance

• Personal and Family Sick Time & Company Paid Holidays

• Position may be eligible for a discretionary variable incentive bonus

• Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance

• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Basic Life & Supplemental Life
• Health Savings Account, Dental/Vision & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Student Loan PayDown
• Tuition Reimbursement, Personal Development & Learning Opportunities
• Skills Development & Certifications
• Employee Referral Program
• Corporate Sponsored Events & Community Outreach
• Emergency Back-Up Childcare Program
• Mobility Stipend

About Guidehouse

Guidehouse is an Equal Opportunity Employer–Protected Veterans, Individuals with Disabilities or any other basis protected by law, ordinance, or regulation.

Guidehouse will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law or ordinance including the Fair Chance Ordinance of Los Angeles and San Francisco.