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Specialized Skills Officer

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Washington, D.C
Closing date
Jun 21, 2019
Duties

Summary

As a Specialized Skills Officer (SSO) for the CIA, you will join a cadre of results oriented professionals who accept significant responsibilities and embrace accountability for results.
Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

SSOs conduct and/or directly support CIA operations by leveraging technical skills in either specialized military fields and/or experience in media, communications, marketing, advertising, issue advocacy, crisis management, or technology development. These skills and experiences often include aviation, maritime, psychological operations, civil affairs and information operations. SSOs are a distinct occupation in the Directorate of Operations (DO) and play a unique role in support of intelligence operations for US policymakers, support to Covert Action programs at the direction of President of the United States, and facilitate CIA's Covert Action infrastructure.

All DO officers are hired at an entry level and train as they are expected to work - as one team. DO officers begin their careers spending one to two years learning the foundations of clandestine operational tradecraft via classroom training, practical exercise, and on-the-job experience. You must successfully complete this required foundational training.

SSOs serve primarily at CIA Headquarters, but there are frequent opportunities for temporary duty travel and/or assignments overseas.
This position requires a 5-year Contract Term Agreement. Learn more about the Contract Term Agreement .

For further information and to apply, please visit: https://www.cia.gov/careers/opportunities/clandestine/specialized-skills-officer.html .

Travel Required

Occasional travel - 50% or Greater

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
None

Requirements

Conditions of Employment


  • US citizenship required (dual national US citizens are eligible).
  • All positions require relocation to the Washington, DC metropolitan area.
  • All applicants must successfully complete a thorough medical and psychological exam, a polygraph interview, and a comprehensive background investigation.
  • All applicants must generally not have used illegal drugs within the last twelve months. The issue of illegal drug use prior to twelve months ago is carefully evaluated during the medical and security processing.
For further information and to apply, please visit: https://www.cia.gov/careers/opportunities/clandestine/specialized-skills-officer.html

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution (applicants within one year of earning a four year degree will be considered); there is no preferred major or program of study (degrees from foreign academic institutions are accepted, but you are responsible for obtaining and providing CIA with a credential evaluation from an accredited firm confirming that the foreign degree is the equivalent of a BA/BS and/or MA/MS degree conferred by a US college or university).
  • GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4-point scale is preferred.
  • Personal integrity.
  • Strong interpersonal and communications skills (verbal and written).
  • Action and results oriented.
  • Ability to work effectively as part of a team as well as work independently.
  • Flexibility, adaptability, and commitment to the mission of the CIA and the Directorate of Operations.
Desired Qualifications:
Competitive Specialized Skills Officer applicants have knowledge and/or experience in any one of the following categories:
  • Social Media, marketing, advertising, public relations, issue advocacy, crisis communication, or technology development.
  • Business, finance, or legal fields.
  • Military psychological operations and/or civil affairs.
  • Merchant Marine/Commercial Maritime industries and/or military nautical experience.
  • Commercial and/or military diving and underwater experience.
  • Military aviation career fields such as:
  • Pilot (fixed wing, rotary wing, manned/unmanned.
  • Navigator.
  • Flight engineer.
  • Crew chief/mechanic.
  • Maintenance.
  • Avionics technician.
  • Mission sensor operator.
  • Forward air controller.
  • Para-rescue.
  • Special tactics squadron.
  • Aviation foreign internal defense.
  • Counterintelligence.


Education

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution (applicants within one year of earning a four year degree will be considered); there is no preferred major or program of study (degrees from foreign academic institutions are accepted, but you are responsible for obtaining and providing CIA with a credential evaluation from an accredited firm confirming that the foreign degree is the equivalent of a BA/BS and/or MA/MS degree conferred by a US college or university).
  • GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4-point scale is preferred.


Additional information

Benefits

Every career at the CIA is a rewarding one. In addition to serving your country with the certainty that your work makes a difference, the CIA offers a comprehensive benefits package to reflect the dedication and contributions of our employees. To learn more about CIA benefits, click the following link: https://www.cia.gov/careers/benefits.html

Other Information

For more information on CIA careers and correct salary rates, visit https://www.cia.gov/careers/

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications of the specific position to which you are applying. To view this position's requirements, visit: https://www.cia.gov/careers/opportunities/clandestine/specialized-skills-officer.html

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Top Secret

Drug test required
Yes

Required Documents

  • Unofficial transcripts for all degrees.
  • Cover letter: please describe your knowledge, skills, abilities, and aspirations not evident from your resume, that make you a good candidate for the Directorate of Operations (1 page).
  • Qualifications Supplement - in a separate PDF attachment address the following questions:
    • Why does a career in public service appeal to you (1 paragraph).
    • Why do you wish to work for the Directorate of Operations (1 paragraph).
    • Other than the Directorate of Operations, what other career options are of interest to you (1 paragraph).
    • Describe one thing from your academic, military, or professional background that has prepared you for success in the Directorate of Operations (1 paragraph).
    • Complete this thought: "I do my best work when..." (1 paragraph).
    • Describe a time when you did not succeed, professionally or academically, and what you learned from that experience (2 paragraphs).


If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

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