How to hire a deputy chief of staff

How to hire a deputy chief of staff, step by step

Here's a step-by-step deputy chief of staff hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a deputy chief of staff job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new deputy chief of staff
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your deputy chief of staff job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a deputy chief of staff for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A deputy chief of staff's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, deputy chief of staff from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of deputy chief of staff salaries for various roles:

   Type of Deputy Chief Of Staff	Description	Hourly rate
   Deputy Chief Of Staff		$38-83
   Sergeant	A Sergeant is responsible for supervising a group of five or more Soldiers. Sergeants must oversee their daily activities, ensuring they are in proper disposition and are living under the conditions that adhere to the laws and regulations and training them according to the standards of the military... Show more	$16-31
   Platoon Sergeant	A platoon sergeant is responsible for monitoring the platoon on its daily operations, including their training and activities, evaluating their performance, and enforcing disciplinary actions to maintain the order of the group. Platoon sergeants work closely with a platoon commander, advising high-end strategic procedures to support the troops, including defense training and weapon tactics... Show more	$32-64

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Human Resources
   • Federal Agencies
   • Logistics Support
   • Direct Support
   • Legal Assistance
   • Press Releases
   • Policy Development
   • DOD
   • Resource Management
   • Manpower
   • HQ
   • Strategic Plan
   • US Army
   • Personnel Management

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage radar operations to provide around-the-clock missile warning and space surveillance.
   • Manage domestic and international travel arrangements including transportation, lodging, and logistics for individuals and groups utilizing travel management systems.
   • Exercise knowledge of military command structures, missions, programs and organizational relationships to include DoD, OSD, etc.
   • Provide expertise and input on budgetary reviews for projects relating to organizational processes and fiscal reporting requirements within DoD.
   • Execute and conduct deliberate/contingency planning, programming, strategy, and policy for theater and worldwide missile defense operations.
   • Manage domestic and international travel arrangements including transportation, lodging, and logistics for individuals and groups utilizing travel management systems.

   More deputy chief of staff duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your deputy chief of staff job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A deputy chief of staff salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a deputy chief of staff in Arkansas may be lower than in Washington, and an entry-level deputy chief of staff usually earns less than a senior-level deputy chief of staff. Additionally, a deputy chief of staff with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average deputy chief of staff salary

   $119,530yearly

   $57.47 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level deputy chief of staff salary

   $81,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

   Average deputy chief of staff salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$143,554	$69
   2	New York	$129,948	$62
   3	Nevada	$127,534	$61
   4	District of Columbia	$127,196	$61
   5	Ohio	$125,529	$60
   6	New Mexico	$116,860	$56
   7	Illinois	$115,156	$55
   8	Pennsylvania	$114,037	$55
   9	Michigan	$111,444	$54
   10	Kansas	$106,606	$51
   11	Texas	$105,831	$51
   12	Minnesota	$104,327	$50
   13	Georgia	$102,952	$50
   14	Tennessee	$101,700	$49
   15	Alabama	$98,033	$47
   16	Florida	$97,673	$47
   17	South Carolina	$76,024	$37

   Average deputy chief of staff salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	APCO Worldwide	$168,966	$81.23
   2	National Medical Association	$156,139	$75.07
   3	Urban Institute	$146,163	$70.27
   4	TAD PGS	$130,793	$62.88	1
   5	Nautilus Biotechnology	$126,339	$60.74	1
   6	Purpose	$125,994	$60.57
   7	CARE	$122,957	$59.11	1
   8	Minnesota Judicial Branch	$122,589	$58.94
   9	City of Philadelphia	$119,651	$57.52	6
   10	MSSG	$115,720	$55.63
   11	The Ohio State University	$113,684	$54.66	15
   12	Central Intelligence Agency	$111,367	$53.54
   13	The University of New Mexico	$106,159	$51.04	3
   14	Northrop Grumman	$103,444	$49.73	136
   15	Commerce	$101,761	$48.92
   16	State Bar of Michigan	$96,756	$46.52	4
   17	University of California-Berkeley	$85,739	$41.22
   18	City of Houston	$82,657	$39.74	5
   19	Nyc Parks	$82,345	$39.59
   20	Adecco	$72,801	$35.00	7

4. Writing a deputy chief of staff job description

   A job description for a deputy chief of staff role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a deputy chief of staff job description:

   Deputy chief of staff job description example

   + Jobs
   
   + Login
   
   + President's Office
   
   + Baltimore, MD, USA
   
   + Full Time
   
   Email Me Similar Jobs Email Me This Job
   
   If you are passionate about transforming communities with a mission-driven organization, then we have the opportunity for you!
   
   Since 1939, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) has offered welcome and hope to refugees. LIRS has transformed lives with the support and hard work of people like you, to welcome the most vulnerable to the United States from sea to shining sea.
   
   We help people seeking safety from persecution in their home countries and reunite families torn apart by conflict. We resettle refugees. We protect vulnerable children who arrive alone in the United States. We advocate for compassion and justice for all migrants.
   
   Widely recognized for our expertise in implementing federal programs on behalf of refugees and migrants in the United States, conducts policy advocacy, and advances the protection and rights of vulnerable migrants.
   
   Headquartered in the beautiful Inner Harbor of downtown Baltimore we provide services nationwide through a network of staff and affiliates. Attracting and retaining the best talent is vital to our continued growth and we are proud to offer an excellent benefits package including medical, dental, vision available the first day of employment, professional development, tuition reimbursement, generous paid time off including 20 days of vacation, 12 days of sick leave, 12 paid holidays PLUS the week between Christmas and New Year's Day, 12 weeks of paid parental leave and up to 12 weeks of fully paid FMLA leave, company 403(b) contribution of 3%, an additional 4% match, Family Building benefits for reproductive procedures, adoption/foster care assistance, and an annual wellness benefit that can be customized to support your personal needs including funding enrichment classes, gym memberships, and healthy eating plans (to name a few) all in an inclusive and progressive environment!
   
   Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service is a champion for all uprooted people. Please join us as we make a difference in the lives of newcomers.
   
   Reporting to the President and CEO and serving as an integral partner ensuring that the CEO's external engagement strategy is executed, the Deputy Chief of Staff (DCOS) uses strong leadership and problem-solving skills to support the CEO, advance the focus of the Office of the President, and advance LIRS' mission. The nature of the DCOS role is such that priorities may shift as organizational needs change, and the areas below are a current set of expected priorities.
   
   DUTIES
   
   + Serve as a creative thought partner in the development of the President & CEO's strategic vision, external engagement & messaging, partnerships, and fundraising strategies.
   
   + Alongside the Chief of Staff and administrative staff, ensure adequate preparation for meetings involving the President & CEO and attend appropriate internal and external meetings to provide support.
   
   + Manage efforts to develop and implement overall strategy on CEO's external engagement.
   
   + Lead efforts to manage speaking engagements and coordinate meetings with external stakeholders, donors, and partners for the President & CEO.
   
   + Lead management of the LIRS President's Council (identify new participants, conduct outreach and help manage members' engagement and the realization of Council goals).
   
   + Contribute to research, benchmarking, and data analysis for policy, advocacy, fundraising, and other projects relevant to President's Office, and make recommendations for how to respond to findings.
   
   + In collaboration with colleagues from Programs, Advocacy, Communications, and Development, participate in stakeholder mapping to determine new approaches for targeted outreach to key audiences including funders, affiliates, NGO's, communities, advocacy groups, and government agencies of interest.
   
   + Alongside the Chief of Staff and other staff, help plan and manage events involving the Office of the President.
   
   + Develop pitch decks and concept strategy documents for potential partners.
   
   + Proactively conduct ongoing analyses of compelling policy and advocacy initiatives pursued by peer nonprofits across all issue areas.
   
   QUALIFICATIONS
   
   + Bachelor's Degree in Policy, Management, Business Administration or related field, Graduate degree preferred and at least five to seven years of experience leading high-level initiatives for senior or C-level executives, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
   
   + Demonstrated ability to work in an extremely fast-paced environment, juggling multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.
   
   + In-depth knowledge of policy or advocacy related to immigration issues highly desirable
   
   + Proven ability to work strategically and collaboratively across departments.
   
   + Versatile, effective and action-oriented .
   
   + Demonstrated excellent communication skills (written and oral).
   
   + Strong program management and interpersonal skills.
   
   + Proven track record of effectively interacting in a polished, professional manner with senior level internal and external stakeholders.
   
   + Deep commitment to LIRS's core values and the ability to model those values in relationships with colleagues and partners .
   
   Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
   
   Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find deputy chief of staff for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any deputy chief of staff they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level deputy chief of staff with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your deputy chief of staff job on Zippia to find and recruit deputy chief of staff candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with deputy chief of staff candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new deputy chief of staff

   Once you've selected the best deputy chief of staff candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new deputy chief of staff. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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