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Staff Operations Officer

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Washington, D.C
Closing date
Jun 26, 2021
Duties

Summary

As a Staff Operations Officer for the CIA, you will provide the seamless integration between CIA Headquarters and Directorate of Operations (DO) offices in the field necessary to drive clandestine operations to success. Your effectiveness, versatility, and resourcefulness as a Staff Operations Officer is critical to the success of the DO's most creative, challenging, and impactful operations.
Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

Staff Operations Officers apply advanced knowledge and expertise of clandestine operations, operational tradecraft, and intelligence priorities when providing strategic guidance and operational case management. In addition, Staff Operations Officers are responsible for program management throughout the DO, from traditional operational activities to specialized initiatives and Covert Action. The demanding pace of DO has Staff Operations Officers finding solutions to complex operational problems, identifying new technical tools and capabilities to advance operations, and tapping the resources of the DO, CIA, and US Government to ensure operational requirements are met. Staff Operations Officers provide objective reviews of on-going and potential operations and serve as the vital link between DO officers in the field, CIA Headquarters, and the Intelligence Community.

Many Staff Operations Officers will spend much of their career serving in the Washington, DC area having opportunities for overseas travel. Opportunities for Staff Operations Officers to serve multi-year postings overseas exist, but these positions are competitive.
All Directorate of Operations (DO) officers are hired at an entry level and train as they are expected to work - as one team. Operations Officers begin their careers spending one to two years learning the foundations of clandestine operational tradecraft via classroom training, practical exercises, and on-the-job experience gained through a series of interim assignments. Following successful completion of the foundational training, each DO officer will transition into advanced training activity to prepare them to serve effectively in their respective career occupational specialty.

This position requires a 5-year Contract Term Agreement.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - 50% or Greater.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
11 - GS-9 to GS-11.

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.


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 at least 3.0 on a 4-point scale is preferred.
  • Personal integrity.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written).
  • Action- and results-oriented.
  • Ability to work effectively as part of a team and independently.
  • Flexibility, adaptability, and commitment to the mission of the CIA and the Directorate of Operations.
Desired Qualifications:
  • Ability to take initiative and deliver results.
  • Ability to develop and maintain broad networks across the CIA and the US Government.
  • Deal effectively, comfortably, and confidently with people at all levels of responsibility, authority, and rank.
  • Ability to multi-task and remain calm under pressure.
  • View challenge and uncertainty as opportunity.
  • Confidence and authoritative voice in strategic operational decisions.


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 at least 3.0 on a 4-point scale is preferred.


Additional information

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.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Top Secret

Drug test required
Yes

Required Documents

The following items must be attached to your on-line application (PDF format preferred):
  • 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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