Staff Assistant

POSITION:
Staff Assistant

OFFICE:
Mayor's Office on Returning Citizens Affairs (MORCA)

OPEN:
October 8, 2025

CLOSED:
October 24, 2025

GRADE:
Excepted Service, Grade 5 (ES-5)

SALARY:
$67,382.97

This is an Excepted Service position.
Selected candidate must be a District resident or establish residency within 180 days of hire.

Current District of Columbia residents will receive priority and advanced preference for screening and interviews.
background
The Bowser Administration seeks an energetic and qualified candidate to serve as the Staff Assistant for the Mayor's Office on Returning Citizens Affairs (MORCA) in the Executive Office of the Mayor. The mission of the Mayor's Office on Returning Citizens Affairs (MORCA) is to improve the quality of life of the District's Returning Citizen's residents by addressing a broad range of social and economic needs through strategic management of public and private partnerships, expertise on policy, community relations, civic engagement and community-based grants. For more information on the office, please visit here:

The purpose of this position is to serve as the principal liaison and confidential personal assistant to MORCA, performing program, analytical and administrative assignments that address management, administrative, analytical, coordination and communication matters on behalf of the MORCA's Executive Director and Director of Operation.

Major duties

• Strengthen directly with senior leadership to provide operational and logistical support.
• Draft, review, and send communications on behalf of MORCA leadership.
• Organize and prepare for meetings, including gathering documents and attending to logistics of meetings.
• Provide administrative support such as but not limited to scheduling meetings, taking meeting notes, and ordering office supplies.
• Answer and respond to phone calls, communicate messages and information to the executive team at MORCA.
• Prepare communications, such as memos, emails, reports, and other correspondence.
• Read and analyze incoming memos, letters, and reports to determine their significance and distribute appropriately.
• Prioritize emails and respond when necessary.
• Coordinate travel arrangements.
• Serve as the key person engaging with clients, residents and stakeholders answering incoming communications, including phones, email and visiting guests on behalf of the Executive Director and Director of Operation.
• Create and maintain project information in project management system; create statement of work (SOP), purchase orders and track orders in their respective data systems.
• Coordinate invoices and monitor payments to subcontractors and vendors.
• Write and edit documents from letters to reports and instructional documents for the Executive Director and Director of Operations.
• Assist in preparing various reports and maintaining agency website, newsletter and social media accounts.
• Manage office documents for supervisor's use in preparing correspondence, meetings, reports, and other events.
• Monitor level of supplies and handle shortages.
• Resolve office-related malfunctions and respond to requests or issues.
• Coordinate with other departments to ensure compliance with established policies set by the Mayor, DCHR(MOTA), MORCA, DMPSJ, and MORCA senior leadership.
• Perform receptionist duties when needed.
• Manage information systems and databases to track documents, processes and appointments.
• Provide administrative support to the team on special events and other projects
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Organized and methodical; ability to multitask.
• Able to work well under pressure and meet tough deadlines in a fast paced, demanding environment.
• Constituent focused; positive outlook; strong people skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences.
• Ability to communicate both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work with diverse communities in a respectful manner.
• Basic understanding of frequently used computer software and programs, such as Microsoft Office

Work environment
The work is performed primarily in-person. Times in the field are frequently required for related events.

SPECIAL NOTE - SECURITY SENSITIVE
This position is deemed security sensitive. The incumbent of this position will be subject to enhanced suitability screening pursuant to Chapter 4 of DC Personnel Regulations, Suitability – Security Sensitive.

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT
There is a legal requirement that each new appointee to the Excepted Service either:

• be a District of Columbia resident at the time of appointment; or
• become a District resident within one hundred eighty (180) days of appointment.

The law also requires that Excepted Service employees remain District residents during the duration of the individual's appointment. Failure to remain a District resident for the duration of the appointment will result in forfeiture of employment.

If you are interested in this role, please upload your resume and answer the questionnaire. Only the candidates deemed most suited for the position based on resume will receive a call to schedule further discussion.