Action Officer

Guidehouse; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 98,000 - 163,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

Paid holidays

Parental Leave

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, interagency engagement, and policy support across national security priorities.

This role requires a SECRET clearance, familiarity with interagency processes, and SME expertise on countering foreign malign influence. You will brief leadership, develop issue papers, and manage complex workflows and tasks.

Qualifications

• Active and maintained SECRET clearance (DoD/Federal).
• Bachelor's degree and 5+ years of DoS experience.
• Experience with interagency collaboration and policy analysis.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a liaison between State Department bureaus, interagency partners, and the intelligence community.
• Provide high-quality analytical and operational support, including briefings, talking points, readouts, and issue papers.
• Apply SME related to countering foreign malign influence to inform decision-making and strategy development.
• Build and maintain partnerships with relevant bureaus and external agencies; represent the Department in working groups.

Skills

Interagency coordination

Policy support

Stakeholder engagement

Countering foreign malign influence

Briefings

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 matter expertise related to countering foreign malign influence. The Action Officer serves as a key integrator, coordinator, and advisor, responsible for driving cross-bureau efforts, maintaining awareness of priority issues, and ensuring timely, accurate execution 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

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 security objectives. 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 ensure timely and accurate delivery of Department products.

Strategic Analysis & Subject Matter Expertise

Apply subject matter expertise (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. Assist in developing strategies, frameworks, and communication approaches to counter foreign malign influence efforts.

Stakeholder Engagement

Build and maintain partnerships 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, and required follow-up actions.

Program & Task Management

Manage logistics and sequencing for meetings, deliverables, and special projects. Track commitments, identify gaps, and ensure operational continuity across fast-moving priorities. Produce well-organized, high-quality documentation and maintain effective 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 or DoD "TOP SECRET" security clearance.
• 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 security clearance
• 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

What We Offer

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.

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.

Guidehouse is a global AI-led professional services firm delivering advisory, technology, and managed services to the commercial and government sectors. With an integrated business technology approach, Guidehouse drives efficiency and resilience in the healthcare, financial services, energy, infrastructure, and national security markets. Built to help clients across industries outwit complexity, the firm brings together approximately 18,000 professionals to achieve lasting impact and shape a meaningful future.

guidehouse.com