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Assistant Program Officer Jobs in Washington, DC

Serco USA

Action Officer - AUKUS I&A

Washington, DC · On-site

As an Action Officer, you will be on a dynamic team providing technical and programmatic support to ... * Assist in ensuring compliance of program office personnel with established program office ...

My Valuable Business

Program Specialist

Washington, DC · Hybrid

$42K - $47K/yr

Under the direction of the Chief Program Officer, the Program Specialist is responsible for ... Provide ongoing match support and troubleshoot participant challenges; and * Assist in organizing ...

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All JobsProgram Officer JobsAssistant Program Officer JobsAssistant Program Officer Jobs in Washington, DC

Assistant Program Officer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$24.4K

$51.8K

$71.4K

How much do assistant program officer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for assistant program officer in Washington, DC is $51,809.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42,500.00 and $53,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an assistant program officer do?

An Assistant Program Officer supports the planning, implementation, and evaluation of programs within an organization, often in the nonprofit, government, or educational sectors. They assist with administrative tasks, help coordinate program activities, maintain documentation, and communicate with stakeholders. Their role is vital in ensuring that programs run smoothly and achieve their goals. They may also help with budget tracking, reporting, and researching best practices for program improvement.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an assistant program officer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Assistant Program Officer, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and experience in project management, program evaluation, and research. Familiarity with data analysis tools, grant management systems, and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite are commonly required. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are vital soft skills for managing multiple tasks and collaborating with stakeholders. These skills ensure programs are executed efficiently, objectives are met, and stakeholder relationships are maintained.

What are some common challenges faced by assistant program officers when managing multiple projects simultaneously?

Assistant Program Officers often juggle several projects at once, which can present challenges in prioritization and time management. Balancing competing deadlines, coordinating with diverse stakeholders, and adapting to shifting program needs require strong organizational skills and flexibility. Successful professionals in this role proactively communicate with team members, use project management tools, and regularly review progress to stay on track. Being open to feedback and willing to adjust plans as needed are also key to overcoming these challenges.

What is the difference between Assistant Program Officer vs Program Officer?

AspectAssistant Program OfficerProgram Officer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree, relevant experienceBachelor's or master's degree, more experience
Work EnvironmentSupportive team, entry to mid-levelLeadership role, project management
Employer & Industry UsageNonprofits, NGOs, government agenciesSimilar sectors, more responsibility
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

The main difference between an Assistant Program Officer and a Program Officer lies in their level of responsibility and experience. Assistant Program Officers typically support program activities and handle administrative tasks, while Program Officers oversee projects, manage teams, and make strategic decisions. Both roles are common in nonprofit and government sectors, with the Program Officer position requiring more experience and leadership skills.

What are the most commonly searched types of Program Officer jobs in Washington, DC?

The most popular types of Program Officer jobs in Washington, DC are:

Assistant Program Officer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Assistant Program Officer job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,801 per year, or $24.9 per hour.

Navy Action Officer (Directed Energy/Railgun) - Clearance Required

Cydecor, Inc.

Washington, DC • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 7 days ago

Job description

Cydecor is a premier Federal Government solutions provider, delivering differentiated innovations in mission systems and business platforms. We leverage leading-edge secure systems and software development, backed by industry-leading subject matter expertise, and business intelligence to enable decision-support and remain ahead of ever-evolving national security challenges. Our success rests squarely on three bedrock principles: People, our center of gravity; Mission, what inspires us; and an unyielding commitment to Excellence, what separates us.
Job Description:
We are seeking a Navy Action Officer (Directed Energy/Railgun) to provide on-site programmatic, technical, requirements, and acquisition support to the OPNAV N96C1 Weapons Branch. This role supports Navy surface warfare weapons, combat systems, directed energy, railgun concepts, and related modernization efforts at the Resource Sponsor level.
The ideal candidate will bring deep Navy surface combatant weapons experience, strong JCIDS and PPBE expertise, and the ability to advise senior leadership on cost, schedule, performance, requirements, acquisition strategy, and future capability development.
Responsibilities include:
  • Provide program requirements management support at the Resource Sponsor level for Afloat Navy directed energy systems, high energy lasers and high power microwaves i.e. HELIOS, ODIN and JLWS . Serve as the principal technical advisor and provide day-to-day on-site support including weekly program/project status updates and recommendations related to program cost, schedule, and performance. Identify issues and provide recommendations to achieve overall near-term and long-term goals. Assist in supporting Integrated Product Teams (IPT), special advisory boards, off-sites, and working groups.
  • Provide on-site support, strategic analysis, and well-integrated/coordinated support for N96C Weapons Branch in accordance with DoD program requirements management and acquisition oversight policies and strategies.
  • Prepare briefs, outlines, draft reports, and publications and documentation to support Flag level technical and financial briefings/meetings and major milestone decisions (e.g. Developmental system concept of operations (CONOPS), Navy Training System Plan (NTSP), Quick Reaction Combat Capability (QRCC), Initial Capability Document (ICD), Capabilities Development Document (CDD), Capabilities Production Document (CPD), Acquisition Program Baseline (APB), Test and Evaluation Management Plan (TEMP)).
  • Monitor programs and projects to measure progress towards reaching objectives in an effective and economical manner.
  • Assist in the development of proposals for Program Objective Memorandum (POM) budget cycles. Identify, integrate and coordinate emerging and/or derived requirements into the POM cycle.
  • Assist in drafting white papers, concept papers, Memorandums of Agreement (MOA), impact statements, technical reports, meeting summaries, or other material that documents meetings, test results or analyses, and/or pertinent issues relating to the overarching Defense Planning Guidance activities.
  • Participate in acquisition processes to include JCIDS processing and PPBE management of Navy Surface Combat capabilities.
  • Review and/or assist in the development of acquisition strategies and plans. Communicate program objectives to key high-level officials and project officers in those organizations that support the programs. Assist in drafting formal presentations and high level briefings (e.g., SECNAV, SECDEF) to support and defend programming proposals.
  • Provide analysis to utilize new initiatives and best practices to improve areas within program management.
  • Participate in, or perform independently, systems engineering design and studies as relates to supporting all phases of system/equipment lifecycle.
  • Maintain daily liaison with OPNAV N96's Division and Branch chain of command and Senior Leadership.
  • Maintain a strong relationship and open communication with Program Offices and related government activities and industries under contract to the Program Offices.
  • Perform tradeoff studies and assessments. Assist/participate in feasibility, rough order of magnitude, and concept studies.
  • Provide background for responses to Congressional, DoD, other Government agency or industry inquiries to include researching policy/procedures and providing back up analysis.
  • Participate in management meetings held for the purpose of deciding whether to modify or initiate a new program or project, to make suggestions for possible alternatives or options that should be considered before beginning modifications or to initiate action.
  • Provide analysis regarding requirements and assist in the evaluation and impact determination of Analysis of Alternative (AoA) reports.
  • Assist in the development of program performance metrics to include review and analyses of schedules, funding profiles, and fielding profiles.
  • Participate in System Requirements Reviews and provide recommendations/resolutions to issues and actions.
  • Participate in Government/Contractor meetings as well as other interagency government meetings as required.
  • Provide advice and guidance to various levels of stakeholders' leadership on development and defense of proposals for DoN, SECDEF, and Congressional priorities, in the allocation of resources to operating programs in accordance with policies and constraints. Provide consultation to N96, OPNAV staff, on impact and risks for program/system changes on resource plans and requirements.
  • Assist in analyzing inventory requirements. Review and recommend for approval all requirements / allowances / allocations; to include Naval Munitions Requirements Process (NMRP) and Non-Combat Expenditure Allocations (NCEA). Review and recommend for approval the sale (replacement in kind), or transfer of munitions for Foreign Military Sales (FMS)
  • Conduct risk assessments.
  • Perform Total Ownership Cost evaluations.
  • Conduct reliability, maintainability, and availability analyses.
  • Prepare and track Milestone documentation.

Here's what you need:
  • Minimum of five (5) years of hands-on experience in performing operational functions and applying mission associated concepts, policies, requirements processes, and program guidance. Experience includes regular interactions with senior leadership internal and external to affiliated organization.
  • Expert level JCIDS and PPBE experience.
  • Extensive knowledge and experience that exceeds 10 years in the following: fleet Anti-Air Warfare (AAW) and Anti Surface Warfare (ASuW) opeational experience, interrelationships with applicable ship class combat systems and weapon systems command and control (C2), and applicable fleet training and manning infrastructure.
  • Intimate knowledge of surface combatant combat systems and weapons systems component programs to include primary interfaces.
  • Extensive knowledge and experience in schedule and performance/technical aspects of current, future, and interrelated programs.
  • Fleet, International, and Commercial contacts across the aforementioned spectrum which includes Navy and Joint programs.
  • Advanced level knowledge of directed energy and railgun conceptual operational employment and concepts to ensure the program outpaces threats.
  • Must understand the interrelationships among existing Program of Record weapons and combat systems along with new and emerging technologies, and how to best incorporate those technologies to find multi-purpose applications in a cost efficient and timely manner.

Bonus points if you have:
  • Experience with Directed Energy programs

Security Clearance:
  • Top Secret clearance and be TS/SCI eligible

Work Schedule:
  • Onsite

Compensation and Benefits:
The projected compensation range for this position is $100,000-130,000. There are numerous factors that can impact a final salary/hourly rate including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills and competencies that align to the role, work location, education/certifications, and a contract's Labor Categories.
Cydecor offers a comprehensive compensation package including Health and Dental Insurance, Vision and Life Insurance, Short-Term & Long-Term Disability, 401(K) + company match, Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Company Holidays, Tuition and Professional Development Assistance and more.
What We Believe
We have an unwavering commitment to diversity with the aim that every one of our people has a full sense of belonging within our organization. As a business imperative, every person at Cydecor has the responsibility to create and sustain an inclusive environment.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Cydecor is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer (EEO/AA). All employment and hiring decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs without regard to race, religion, color, sexual orientation, nationality, gender, ethnic origin, disability, age, sex, gender identity & expression, veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability and/or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site because of your disability. You can request assistance by contacting HR@cydecor.com or calling 703-884-2105.

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