# Secretary Of State Job Description? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 15, 2008, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secretary-of-state-job-description/472882 "2008-11-15T18:10:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2008, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secretary-of-state-job-description/472882/1 "2008-11-15T18:10:47Z")
With all the talk of Hillary maybe taking on the post of Secretary of State, I have tried to Google a good job description and cannot find one. Anecdotally, I know that past Secretary of States meet with foreign leaders to discuss American policy and try to influence other countries to agree with US policies. This would lead me to think they would return to the White House to inform the President of private conversations and try to find some middle ground in conflicts. Is there an “official” job description anywhere, or does it mostly depend upon the President and the person they select for the job? ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2008, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secretary-of-state-job-description/472882/2 "2008-11-15T18:25:26Z")
The Secretary of State is in charge of the State Department. That means: [ul] [li]They are, aside of the president, the nation’s chief diplomat[/li][li]In charge of all ambassadorial and consular missions abroad[/li][li]Responsible for directing all foreign diplomatic policy[/li][li]Responsible for high-level diplomatic negotiations[/li][li]The chief adviser to the president and the cabinet on foreign affairs[/li][li]In charge of the Office of Diplomatic Security, which has the largest collection of black, tinted-window SUVs you’ll ever see[/li][li]In charge of the Office of Protocol, which tells the president and other important people not to offer the King of Saudi Arabia some delicious bacon[/li][li]The primary adviser to the executive branch on issues of international law[/li][/ul] And, of course, she signs your passport. ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2008, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secretary-of-state-job-description/472882/3 "2008-11-15T19:09:15Z")
> [@friedo](#): > > [li]In charge of the Office of Protocol, which tells the president and other important people not to offer the King of Saudi Arabia some delicious bacon[/li] Not even Bacon Salt? Damn. But thanks,\*\* friedo\*\*. I tried to find a description like you gave, but couldn’t find anything. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2008, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secretary-of-state-job-description/472882/4 "2008-11-15T19:24:25Z")
In addition to **friedo** ’s list, the Secretary of State is responsible for the [Great Seal of the United States](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Seal_of_the_United_States). ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2008, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secretary-of-state-job-description/472882/5 "2008-11-15T20:15:01Z")
The Secretary of State is also responsible for certifying the ratification of amendments to the Constitution, IIRC, and is a statutory member of the National Security Council. He or she is also the first in the Cabinet in line to succeed to the Presidency (if otherwise eligible), after the VP, Speaker of the House, and the President pro tem of the Senate. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2008, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secretary-of-state-job-description/472882/6 "2008-11-16T02:59:30Z")
Don’t forget, the Secretary of State is also the person to whom the President would [submit his resignation.](http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/american_originals/resign.jpg) [QUOTE=USC Title 3, Chapter 1, 20] “The only evidence of a refusal to accept, or of a resignation of the office of President or Vice President, shall be an instrument in writing, declaring the same, and subscribed by the person refusing to accept or resigning, as the case may be, and delivered into the office of the Secretary of State.” [/QUOTE]