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State Department Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Peraton

Business Development Director- DoS

Reston, VA · On-site

$176K - $282K/yr

Responsibilities Business Development Director - Department of State Peraton | Federal Civilian Sector | DC Metro Area | U.S. Citizenship Required Behind Every Embassy, Every Visa, Every Diplomatic ...

Department of State Headquarters

Editor

Washington, DC · On-site +1

$143K - $187K/yr

Serves as a point of contact on these reports with geographic bureaus and other State Department Officers as well as other U.S. governmental agency officials and representatives of nongovernmental ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsState Department JobsState Department Jobs in Reston, VA

State Department information

See Reston, VA salary details

$69.2K

$106.9K

$161.3K

How much do state department jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for state department in Reston, VA is $106,851.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $76,500.00 and $141,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does the State Department do?

The State Department is the United States federal agency responsible for the country's foreign policy and international relations. It manages diplomatic missions, negotiates treaties and agreements, and represents the U.S. at the United Nations and other international organizations. The State Department also provides services to American citizens abroad, such as issuing passports and assisting in emergencies. Additionally, it works to promote peace, democracy, and economic growth around the world.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a State Department Foreign Service Officer?

To thrive as a State Department Foreign Service Officer, you typically need a bachelor’s degree, strong analytical and communication skills, and a broad understanding of international relations. Familiarity with foreign languages, government databases, and diplomatic protocols is highly valued, with Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT) certification often required. Adaptability, cultural sensitivity, and resilience are important soft skills for building relationships and navigating complex environments abroad. These abilities are crucial for effectively representing U.S. interests, managing diplomatic challenges, and ensuring successful international engagement.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working at the State Department, and how can applicants prepare for them?

Professionals at the State Department often navigate complex international issues, manage high-pressure situations, and adapt to rapidly changing global events. Common challenges include working in fast-paced environments, handling sensitive information, and collaborating with diverse teams across cultures and time zones. Applicants can prepare by developing strong communication skills, learning about international relations, and gaining experience in cross-cultural settings. Flexibility, resilience, and a commitment to ongoing learning are valuable assets for success in this dynamic field.

What is the difference between State Department vs Foreign Service Officer?

AspectState DepartmentForeign Service Officer
CredentialsBachelor's degree; often requires foreign language skillsBachelor's degree; Foreign Service exam and oral assessment
Work EnvironmentGovernment offices, embassies, consulatesInternational postings, diplomatic missions
Employer & IndustryU.S. government, foreign policyU.S. Department of State, diplomacy

The State Department is the federal agency overseeing U.S. foreign policy, while a Foreign Service Officer is a career diplomat working within the State Department to represent U.S. interests abroad. The two are closely linked, with Foreign Service Officers being employed by the State Department to carry out diplomatic missions worldwide.

What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for State Department jobs?

Cities near Reston, VA with the most State Department job openings:

State Department jobs near you
Infographic showing various State Department job openings in Reston, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 22% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $106,851 per year, or $51.4 per hour.

Policy Associate

The New Foreign Assistance

Washington, DC • On-site

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

Policy Associate
The New Foreign Assistance • Washington, D.C. • Full-time
The New Foreign Assistance is a conservative aid reform advocacy group. We believe that the end of USAID creates a unique opportunity to build a better approach to American aid. Stripped of the bureaucratic barnacles that inhibited USAID, the system being created at the State Department can draw on principles of private sector-led development, cost-effectiveness, flexible procurement, and government accountability.
We believe development happens organically by supporting those making change on the ground; not by parachuting in programs designed from behind embassy walls and implemented by outsiders. We support the Trump Administration's direction of travel on foreign assistance to simplify program design and procurement and use commercial diplomacy to unlock productive bilateral relationships. Our work centers on supporting authorizing and appropriating committees, foreign assistance leadership and staff at the State Department, and relevant White House officials as they work to establish this new approach.
To learn more see: thenewforeignassistance.org
About the role
We seek someone to help build out our initiatives. The incumbent will support the Executive Director, Chief of Staff, and Director of Programs to turn leads into white papers and programs to take to the State Department, and draft bills to take to Congress. You will work closely with the Executive Director and Chief of Staff on internal operations as well. The candidate will be able to learn and manage a wide variety of tasks. The candidate should be tenacious and firmly dedicated to America having an excellent foreign assistance system. That system will take the best of the old approach and jettison the rest.
The right person could come from a think tank, the private sector, the aid world, or the advocacy world. We care more about whether you can build, write, organize, and follow through than whether you have a conventional résumé.
In practice, that means you will:
Support our policy agenda and products
  • Research and design flagship initiatives, for example: on trade and investment, health moonshots, procurement reform, etc.
  • Assist in the research for white papers, briefing memos, and analyses to take to the State Department and Congress
  • Support budding partnerships and external events needed to turn ideas into high-impact programs

Bring ideas to policymakers
  • Support briefings for the State Department, White House, and congressional staff
  • Represent The New Foreign Assistance in consultations and coalition working groups
  • Work with other advocacy organizations to build bipartisan support where possible

Conduct and manage research and research presentation
  • Support research and analysis in support of The New Foreign Assistance mission
  • Socialize that research through social media, presentations, and op-eds
  • Support the Executive Director and Chief of Staff in board meeting preparation

Requirements
You can support programs related to commercial diplomacy. The Administration is moving aways from typical village level social programs in favor of private sector trade and investment and other forms of commercial diplomacy. Familiarity with the private sector is strongly desired.
You write well and think clearly. AI use is expected and encouraged. Human judgment and polish required.
You have a proven ability to learn quickly. You can support senior staff in a wide variety of policy, programmatic, partnership and operations tasks.
You move quickly. The role requires balancing moving fast with moving strategically and appropriately.
You are at home in the conservative and Republican policy world. We enthusiastically work with reform-minded Democrats but don't hide our core conservative values.
You are comfortable with ambiguity, a small team. The New Foreign Assistance exists to exploit a tight window for policy impact. We plan to staff up over the next 6 months. Comfort with strategic pivots, opportunistic flexibility and rapid decision-making required.
Benefits
$80,000-$120,000 commensurate with experience as well as a full benefits package.
The role is based in Washington, D.C., with in-person work expected several times per week, generally along the Orange Line. Candidates must be able to get to D.C. on short notice. There will not be fixed in-person and work from home days. We are not covering relocation. Regional and international travel is expected to be 10% or less.

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