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Department Of State Contractor Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

State of Virginia

State Chief of Staff

Richmond, VA

$190K - $195K/yr

State Chief of Staff State Role Title: General and Operations Managers Hiring Range: $190,000 ... Department of Military Affairs Location: Richmond DSCR Agency Website: DMA Recruitment Type:

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Department Of State Contractor information

See Virginia salary details

$65.9K

$101.8K

$153.7K

How much do department of state contractor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for department of state contractor in Virginia is $101,825.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,900.00 and $134,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Department of State contractor?

Department of State Contractors are individuals or companies hired by the U.S. Department of State to provide specialized services, support, or expertise that supplement the work of direct government employees. These roles can include security, logistics, IT, translation, construction, and administrative support, both domestically and abroad. Contractors work under specific contracts and are not considered federal employees, but they play a crucial role in fulfilling the Department's global mission.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Department of State contractor?

To thrive as a Department of State Contractor, you need specialized expertise in your field, a relevant degree or certification, and experience working in government or international environments. Familiarity with government contracting procedures, security clearance protocols, and systems like GSA or SAM.gov is often required. Exceptional communication, cultural sensitivity, and adaptability are crucial soft skills for collaborating across diverse teams and navigating complex assignments abroad. These skills ensure compliance, effective project execution, and successful representation of U.S. interests in challenging global contexts.

What are some common challenges Department of State contractors face when working on international assignments?

Department of State Contractors often encounter challenges such as adapting to different cultural norms, navigating complex security protocols, and working in high-pressure environments. Assignments may require flexibility to handle rapidly changing situations, sometimes in regions with limited resources or heightened political sensitivities. Collaboration with both U.S. government officials and local partners is essential, and clear communication is key to ensuring mission success and personal safety.

What is the difference between Department Of State Contractor vs Diplomatic Security Officer?

AspectDepartment Of State ContractorDiplomatic Security Officer
Required CredentialsSecurity clearance, relevant certifications, sometimes military or law enforcement backgroundSecurity clearance, law enforcement or military experience, specialized training in security and protection
Work EnvironmentContract-based, often in diplomatic missions, government facilities, or international locationsOn-site security at diplomatic facilities, embassies, or consulates, often in high-threat areas
Employer & Industry UsagePrivate contractors working for the Department of State, government contracting firmsU.S. Department of State, diplomatic security services

While both roles involve security and require clearance, Department Of State Contractors typically work on contractual projects supporting diplomatic missions, whereas Diplomatic Security Officers are employed directly by the State Department to provide security at diplomatic facilities. The roles differ mainly in employment status and specific duties, but both require similar credentials and security expertise.

What are popular job titles related to Department Of State Contractor jobs in Virginia?

For Department Of State Contractor jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Department Of State Contractor jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Department Of State Contractor jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Department Of State Contractor jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Department Of State Contractor job openings:

Department Of State Contractor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Department Of State Contractor job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 51% Full Time, and 49% Part Time. Highlights an 98% In-person, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $101,825 per year, or $49 per hour.

Contractor Program Manager (CPM)

Makwa Global LLC

Mclean, VA • On-site

Full-time, Contractor

Re-posted 24 days ago

Job description

Description:

The Contractor Program Manager (CPM) serves as the primary management and operational interface between the Contractor and the U.S. Department of State for the SPAS Subject Matter Expert (SME) Course Instructors BPA. The CPM is responsible for ensuring high-quality, timely, and compliant delivery of instructional services, honoraria support, and course content development in accordance with the Performance Work Statement (PWS), BPA Orders, and Department of State policies.

The CPM provides day-to-day program leadership, oversees contractor personnel and subcontracted instructors, manages quality control and reporting, and maintains continuous coordination with the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), Alternate COR (ACOR), and Government Technical Monitors (GTMs). The CPM is mission-critical to SPAS. This role directly influences instructional quality, student experience, and the Government’s ability to prepare U.S. foreign affairs professionals to advance national interests worldwide. The CPM is not administrative overhead—this is an execution and leadership role with direct visibility and impact

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Government Interface

  • Serve as the single point of contact for the Government on all matters related to daily BPA execution.
  • Interface routinely with the COR, ACOR, and GTMs to ensure alignment on schedules, priorities, budgets, and performance expectations.
  • Exercise full authority to act on behalf of the Contractor for day-to-day contract operations during NFATC core hours.

Operational Management

  • Plan, coordinate, and oversee delivery of in-person, virtual, and blended learning courses across SPAS divisions.
  • Ensure contractor personnel and Course Instructors perform within scope, schedule, and quality requirements of each BPA Order.
  • Maintain instructor coverage, including primary and backup instructors, to ensure continuity of training delivery.

Instructor Oversight & Workforce Management

  • Recruit, vet, onboard, and manage a community of SME Course Instructors and guest speakers.
  • Coordinate instructor approvals with SPAS Course Chairs/Coordinators and Deputy Course Chairs.
  • Monitor instructor performance through observation, student evaluations, and feedback loops; initiate corrective actions when required.

Quality Control & Compliance

  • Develop, implement, and maintain the Quality Control Plan (QCP) and oversee its execution.
  • Conduct continuous quality monitoring, trend analysis, and corrective action tracking.
  • Ensure all deliverables, instructional materials, and course execution comply with NFATC curriculum standards, Section 508 requirements, and DOS policies.

Reporting & Communication

  • Submit required monthly activity reports, annual status reports, and other contract deliverables.
  • Lead weekly and ad-hoc coordination meetings with Government stakeholders.
  • Conduct after-action reviews and incorporate lessons learned into future course delivery.

Administrative & Security Support

  • Oversee contractor compliance with badging, public trust investigations, system access, and facility access requirements.
  • Ensure proper timekeeping, personnel accountability, and adherence to Government directives.
Requirements:
  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.
  • Minimum five (5) years managing a federal contract or six (6) + years of progressively responsible management experience within a government or government-support environment.
  • Demonstrated experience in education, training, or adult learning environments.
  • Proven leadership ability coordinating with multiple Government stakeholders.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize, multitask, and operate under time constraints.

Highly Desired Qualifications

  • Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
  • Prior experience supporting Foreign Affairs agencies (e.g., Department of State, USAID, Intelligence Community).
  • Knowledge of embassy operations, overseas environments, and cross-cultural or global workforce management.

Work Location & Presence Requirements

  • Full-time CPM with physical presence at NFATC at least two days per week during planning phases and up to five days per week during in-person course delivery.
  • Availability during NFATC core hours (10:00 AM – 3:00 PM EST, Monday–Friday).

Clearance / Suitability

  • Public Trust required (Government-sponsored).
  • No security clearance required; contractor must support all badging and access coordination.