Duties

As a Polygraph Examiner for CIA, you will assess the credibility of individuals in support of CIA's mission. Your career at CIA as a Polygraph Examiner begins with a four-year tour of duty primarily located in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. You must be a federally certified polygraph examiner or be willing and able to complete CIA's Polygraph Examiner Program which provides training and certification to meet this requirement. Upon successful completion of the federal Polygraph Examiner Program, you will receive Polygraph Premium Pay, a significant addition to your base salary. After your initial four-year tour, you may apply for additional polygraph tours to hone your expertise or seek new skills through other opportunities in the Office of Security.

Polygraph examiners typically conduct two polygraph sessions per day and must work an alternate work schedule comprised of one week of 9-hour days and a second week with three 9-hour days, an 8-hour day, and Friday of that week off. This is known as a 5/4-9 schedule and results in a three-day weekend every other week. This schedule can make for a fast paced, demanding, and, at times, unrelenting job, but the challenge is worth it.

Domestic and foreign travel opportunities may be available after a proven record of performance.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must apply online, while in the United States.
• You must be a U.S. citizen and at least 18 years of age (dual-national U.S. citizens are eligible).
• You must be willing to move to the Washington, DC, area.
• You must successfully complete a thorough medical and psychological exam, a polygraph interview, and a comprehensive background investigation.
• CIA is a drug-free workforce. The issue of illegal drug use is carefully evaluated during the medical and security processing.

For further requirements information, please visit: https://www.cia.gov/careers/how-we-hire/requirements/

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in one of the following fields:
  • Biology
  • Criminal Justice
  • Education
  • Forensic Psychology
  • Forensic Science
  • Psychology
• At least a 3.0 GPA on a 4-point scale is preferred, but exceptions may be made for extenuating circumstances
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Analytic skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to interact with a broad cross-section of society, sometimes under stressful conditions
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment
• Confidence to have your work scrutinized and the grace to accept feedback
• High levels of trustworthiness, tenacity, professional and personal integrity, and loyalty to the United States
• Ability to meet the minimum requirements for joining CIA, including U.S. citizenship and a background investigation

Desired Qualifications

• Professional experience or training/certification in interviewing, investigation or elicitation
• Current or previously qualified federal polygraph examiner certification
• Knowledge of counterintelligence arena
• Experience working with Intelligence Community Directive 704

Education

• Bachelor's degree in one of the following fields:
  • Biology
  • Criminal Justice
  • Education
  • Forensic Psychology
  • Forensic Science
  • Psychology
• At least a 3.0 GPA on a 4-point scale is preferred, but exceptions may be made for extenuating circumstances

Additional information

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

CIA Benefits: https://www.cia.gov/careers/working-at-cia/benefits/