Become a Chief of Staff at the Department of Defense: A Career of Impact

Are you a strategic thinker with a background in complex administrative management? The Washington Headquarters Services (WHS) is looking for a Chief of Staff to join the Security Enterprise Services Directorate (SESD) at the Pentagon. This position offers the rare opportunity to advise senior leadership at the highest levels of the Department of Defense, ensuring the mission readiness of an essential agency.

Job Responsibilities

As the Chief of Staff, you will act as the principal advisor to the Director and Deputy Director. Your core responsibilities include:

Operational Coordination: Overseeing daily mission operations and resource allocation across personnel, equipment, and facilities.
Executive Oversight: Managing property accountability, IT requirements, official travel, and government purchase card programs.
Task Management: Utilizing the Correspondence and Task Management System (CATMS) to ensure organizational goals and deadlines are met.
Strategic Analysis: Conducting complex analyses of financial and operational practices to generate precedent-setting decisions.

Requirements

To be considered for this high-level GS-14 role, you must meet the following criteria:

Experience: One year of specialized experience at the GS-13 level or equivalent.
Clearance: Ability to obtain/maintain an SCI clearance.
Documentation: A maximum 2-page resume adhering to strict formatting guidelines.
Assessment: Completion of the USA Hire Competency Based Assessment.

Candidate Eligibility Comparison

Requirement	Status
U.S. Citizenship	Required
Security Clearance	SCI Required
Education Substitution	Not Allowed
Probationary Period	1 Year

Salary and Benefits

This position offers a competitive salary range of $143,913 to $187,093 per year. Beyond the salary, employees enjoy comprehensive federal benefits including, but not limited to, health insurance, retirement options, TSP matching, and generous paid time off.

Application Tips

Format Matters: The 2-page resume limit is absolute. Ensure your document is in PDF format with at least 0.5" margins.
Detail Your Work: Include hours worked per week for every position listed.
Stay Alert: Monitor your email after applying to ensure you complete the USA Hire assessment promptly.

Serving as a Chief of Staff at the Pentagon is an unparalleled opportunity to influence the direction of the Department of Defense. If you possess the leadership skills and operational experience required, we encourage you to prepare your application package with the utmost attention to detail.

Why This Chief Of Staff Job Matters

Join the elite operations team at the Pentagon as a Chief of Staff for the Security Enterprise Services Directorate.

Chief Of Staff Job Overview

The Washington Headquarters Services (WHS) is seeking a high-level Chief of Staff for the Security Enterprise Services Division (SESD). In this role, you will serve as a primary advisor to the Director and Deputy Director, overseeing critical mission operations, strategic planning, and resource allocation. This is a vital position at the heart of Department of Defense operations, requiring a leader capable of managing complex administrative environments and guiding organizational success in the National Capital Region.

Requirements for Chief Of Staff

Must be a U.S. citizen.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance.
Completion of a 1-year probationary period is required.
Must submit a 2-page maximum resume in PDF format.
One year of specialized experience at the GS-13 level or equivalent private sector experience.
Must pass a pre-employment drug screening.
Must complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessment.

Preferred Qualifications for Chief Of Staff

Experience managing executive-level taskers using CATMS or similar tracking software.
Demonstrated ability to coordinate daily business operations across multiple administrative disciplines including IT, facility management, and official travel.
Proven expertise in financial management and legislative mandate compliance.
Strong ability to translate complex programmatic issues into actionable executive briefings.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Federal health, dental, and vision insurance programs.
✓Life insurance coverage options.
✓Participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).
✓Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with government matching.
✓Paid federal holidays and leave accrual.
✓Opportunities for professional development and training.

💡 How to Apply Chief Of Staff Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Chief Of Staff Job

Review the full vacancy announcement on the USAJobs portal.
Create or update your USAJobs account and profile.
Prepare a resume that does not exceed the two-page limit, ensuring it clearly documents your specialized experience.
Upload required documents, including your most recent SF-50 and any applicable veteran or military spouse documentation.
Submit your application through the online system before the closing date.
Complete the required USA Hire Competency Based Assessment after receiving your unique access link via email.

💡 General Tips

Strictly adhere to the two-page resume limit; exceeding this will disqualify you immediately.
Ensure your resume includes hours worked per week and specific dates to help HR verify your eligibility.
Check your email frequently for the USA Hire assessment invitation; failure to complete this within the deadline will result in removal from consideration.
Verify that your PDF document formatting meets the 0.5-inch margin and 10-point font requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary responsibility of this Chief of Staff role?

The incumbent serves as the principal advisor to the Director and Deputy Director of the SESD, managing mission operations, resource allocation, and organizational performance.

Can I substitute education for the specialized experience requirement?

No, education cannot be substituted for the specialized experience required for this position.

Is a security clearance required?

Yes, this position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance.

Job from Washington Headquarters Services

The Washington Headquarters Services (WHS) acts as the backbone for the Office of the Secretary of Defense and other critical agencies in the National Capital Region. WHS provides world-class support services, ranging from facility management and information technology to executive correspondence and policy analysis, maintaining an environment that fosters service excellence.