Action Officer

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 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 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

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.

If you have visited our website for information about employment opportunities, or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation, please contact Guidehouse Recruiting at 1-571-633-1711 or via email at [email protected]. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodation.

All communication regarding recruitment for a Guidehouse position will be sent from Guidehouse email domains including @guidehouse.com or [email protected].  Correspondence received by an applicant from any other domain should be considered unauthorized and will not be honored by Guidehouse.  Note that Guidehouse will never charge a fee or require a money transfer at any stage of the recruitment process and does not collect fees from educational institutions for participation in a recruitment event. Never provide your banking information to a third party purporting to need that information to proceed in the hiring process.

If any person or organization demands money related to a job opportunity with Guidehouse, please report the matter to Guidehouse’s Ethics Hotline. If you want to check the validity of correspondence you have received, please contact [email protected]. Guidehouse is not responsible for losses incurred (monetary or otherwise) from an applicant’s dealings with unauthorized third parties.

Guidehouse does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Guidehouse and Guidehouse will not be obligated to pay a placement fee.