Special Assistant to the Governor

West Virginia; Charleston (WV); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

West Virginia is seeking a Special Assistant to the Governor to serve as an operational assistant and provide critical support to the Governor in public duties. This fast-paced role blends project management with confidential administrative excellence and requires the ability to navigate high-pressure situations.

The position involves executive support, briefing preparation, travel with the Governor, and coordination across policy, communications, legislative, external affairs, and security

Qualifications

• Experience in public policy, government relations, or legislative/executive branch setting.
• Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Public Administration, Law, or related field preferred.
• Exceptional writing and verbal skills, with the ability to distill complex policy data into concise, actionable briefings.
• Organizational skills to manage many tasks concurrently and follow up efficiently.

Responsibilities

• Prepare daily briefing materials and talking points for the Governor’s meetings, appearances, and travel.
• Coordinate with the Governor’s policy, communications, legislative affairs, external affairs, and security teams to ensure readiness for engagements.
• Travel with the Governor to provide on-site support and handle real-time logistical or governmental developments.
• Vet invitations, requests for meetings, high-level correspondence, and Governor’s recognition.
• Respond to constituent requests for information and assistance.
• Support the Director of External Affairs on special projects and initiatives.

Skills

Discretion

Agility

Detail orientation

Interpersonal skills

Writing

Verbal communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Reports To: Chief of Staff or Governor

FLSA Status: Exempt (At-Will)

Executive Summary

The Special Assistant to the Governor serves as an operational assistant, providing critical support to the Governor in the execution of public duties. This is a fast-paced, high-pressure role that requires a unique blend of project management and confidential administrative excellence.

1. Executive Support & Briefing

• Provide support to the Governor’s personal assistant and scheduler in the following activities:
  • Prepare daily briefing materials and talking points for the Governor’s meetings, appearances, and travel.
  • Ensure the Governor is fully prepared for all engagements and meetings by coordinating with the Governor’s policy, communications, legislative affairs, external affairs, and security teams.
  • Travel with the Governor as needed to provide on-site support and handle real-time logistical or governmental developments.

2. Relationship Management and Constituent Services

• Support the constituent services team in the following activities:
• Vet invitations, requests for meetings, high-level correspondence, and requests for Governor’s recognition.
• Respond to constituent requests for information and assistance.
• Support the Director of External Affairs as needed on special projects and initiatives.

• Experience: Experience in public policy, government relations, or in a legislative or executive branch setting is highly preferred.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Public Administration, Law, or a related field is preferred.
• Communication: Exceptional writing and verbal skills, with the ability to distill complex policy data into concise, actionable briefings.
• Organizational skills: demonstrated ability to organize myriad tasks concurrently and successfully monitor task completion and perform necessary follow up.

Core Competencies

• Discretion Ability to handle highly sensitive, confidential, and political information with absolute integrity.
• Agility Capacity to pivot quickly between diverse topics—within the same hour.
• Detail Orientation Ensuring that the Governor never walks into a room without knowing exactly who is there, what the objective is, and that he has all required preparatory information in advance.
• Interpersonal Skills Ability to work across multiple teams and within various levels of state government.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• This role frequently requires long hours, including nights and weekends.
• Significant travel throughout the state and occasionally to Washington, D.C.
• Must be able to maintain a high level of energy and focus in a high-stakes, public-facing environment.