Staff Assistant Job in Arlington, VA

Vacancy No. IMP-12905454-26-NS Department Drug Enforcement Administration
Salary $70,623.00 to $111,087.00 Grade 9 to 11
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 3/11/2026 Close Date 3/21/2026
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Arlington, VA


Summary

This position is located in the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Office of Compliance.

This position(s) primary purpose is to exercise independent judgment and discretion in assisting in the preparation and processing of confidential employee matters. The incumbent will also maintain and coordinate the administrative support program by initiating and ensuring effective communication, coordination, and follow-up action with other Divisions.

This job is open to

Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of the hiring agency that posted the job announcement.

Clarification from the agency

Current Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) employees in the competitive service on a career or career conditional appointment. Eligible displaced and surplus Department of Justice (DOJ) employees in the local commuting area.

Duties

As a your typical work assignments may include:

  • Schedules meetings, prepares and distributes meeting materials, including preparing meeting materials such as notices agendas, and supporting documentation for internal and external meetings.
  • Opens and screens all incoming mail.
  • Conducts research on a variety of documents in order to gather information.
  • Assists in the preparation of special projects.
  • Assist with travel arrangements for frequent travel.

A reassignment is a move to a position at the same grade level, which can involve new duties, locations, or organizations. This reassignment will be within the same agency, from one position to another without promotion or demotion.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required.
  • Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation. Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
  • Incumbent is subject to random drug testing.
  • You must be a current DEA Employee to be considered for this reassignment.

Qualifications

For more information on eligibility requirements see: DEA Employment Eligibility

Applicants must meet the required qualification requirements described below by the closing date of the announcement.

Applicants must meet the Specialized Experience requirements as noted below. Qualification claims will be subject to verification.

You may qualify. at the GS-09 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service (experience may have been gained in the private sector) that demonstrate your ability in: 1) Scheduling meetings, preparing and distributing meeting materials, such as agendas and other supporting documentation; 2) Receiving and reviews incoming correspondence prepared for the signature and approval of senior management; 3) Tracking requests and communication to ensure timely and accurate responses.

OR


You may qualify at the GS-11 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service (experience may have been gained in the private sector) that demonstrate your ability in: 1) Tracking pending action items and confirming staff responsibilities and timelines for completion; 2) Planning and coordinating travel, accommodations and transport for senior officials and special guests; 3) Working closely with senior officials in management and meeting planning, coordinating policy activities, analyzing logistical issues and recommending alternatives; and 4) Developing internal operating procedures to ensure efficiency and consistency with administrative and office procedures.

Additional information on the position qualification requirements are located in the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Qualifications Standards Handbook.?

Education

Education requirements do not apply to this vacancy announcement.


Additional information

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents).

Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) candidates must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for selection priority. Candidates are considered well qualified if their knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) exceed the minimum qualifications described in the announcement.

Required Documents

All required documents listed below, that are applicable to you, must be submitted to our automated system by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.

  1. Resume - must be no more than two pages in length; resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. Resume should include applicants' name, email address, phone number, relevant work/volunteer experience, education and training. Include the start and end dates (from month/year to month/year), work schedule (e.g. part or full-time), the number of hours per week worked/volunteered, job title and description of duties performed. Education/Certification/Licensure when relevant or required for position. See Guidance for Applicants on 2-Page Resume and visit the USAJOBS Help Center for more information.
  2. SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action): SF-50(s) must show the effective date, position title, series, grade, salary, tenure, competitive status, position occupied, full promotion potential, and name of agency. Multiple SF-50s may be needed to show all required information. Award SF-50s often do not show the required information. To verify the time in grade requirement, applicants must submit a SF-50 verifying the highest grade held for at least 52 weeks. Examples include, promotions with an effective date greater than one year, within grade increases demonstrating the highest grade held for at least 52 weeks or appointments/conversion of appointments with an effective date greater than one year.
  3. Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable. (e.g., reduction-in-force (RIF) separation notice, RIF separation SF-50 personnel action, certification of expected separation, etc.), most recent Performance Rating and more recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) noting current position, grade level, and duty location.
  4. Other Qualification documents (e.g. certificates, certifications, etc.), if applicable. See the Qualification section of this announcement for more information.

How to Apply

Prepare your application in USAJOBS

During the application process you can review, edit, delete, and update your information. We'll automatically save your progress as you go, so you won't lose any changes. You have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement to complete the application process.

STEP 1: Select the "Apply" button and follow the instructions to register or sign into USAJOBS.
STEP 2: Submit your resume. Resume must not exceed two pages. Please see the Required Documents section for specific information that should be outlined in your resume.
STEP 3: Submit all required documentation applicable to you, as listed in the Required Documents section.

Alternate Application Procedures: If applying online poses an extreme hardship, you may request alternate application procedures to submit your application package. Contact the Human Resources office listed on the announcement between the business hours of 8:15 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET at least 2 working days prior to the closing date of this announcement. The application package for alternate application procedures must be submitted and received in the Human Resources office no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on the closing date of this announcement. Paper applications and information sent by mail will not be accepted.

Agency contact information

Nathaniel Smith
Email
Nathaniel.Smith@dea.gov
Address
Drug Enforcement Administration
Do Not Send Postal Mail
Springfield, VA 21310
US

Next steps

Once the online application package is received, you will be notified through USAJOBS of your qualification status and referral or non-referral to the hiring official for further consideration. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. We will notify you by email the outcome after each of these steps has been completed. Your application status will be updated up to four times during the following hiring phases:

  1. After applications are received.
  2. After applications are assessed to determine qualifications.
  3. After candidates are referred to the hiring manager.
  4. If selected, candidates may receive additional notifications regarding the next steps in the hiring process.
Your status will also be updated on your USAJOBS account throughout the process.