Director of Counterintelligence - Senior Counterintelligence Officer (SCIO)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory•Richland, WA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), as a multidisciplinary Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science laboratory, conducts research spanning fundamental science through rapid deployment of technologies in the field. Key areas include quantum computing, artificial intelligence, predictive phenomics, cybersecurity, and other advanced scientific domains. This breadth of research requires a Counterintelligence program that is highly adaptable and technically informed. The Director of Counterintelligence - Senior Counterintelligence Officer (SCIO) must be capable of understanding DOE research priorities and leading a team able to effectively engage with scientists, engineers, and technical staff across the Laboratory. This includes building and managing a Counterintelligence (CI) workforce that is technically inquisitive, able to operate in complex research environments, and capable of translating CI risks in ways that resonate with the scientific community. PNNL is seeking an SCIO to lead and execute an enterprise CI program that protects critical national security assets, scientific research, and DOE sites/facilities from hostile foreign intelligence and international terrorism threats. Reporting to the PNNL Deputy Laboratory Director for Operations, the SCIO serves as the Laboratory’s principal authority on counterintelligence and maintains a strong, integrated partnership with the Deputy Director for Counterintelligence, DOE Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence (DOE-IN). This role provides strategic leadership across PNNL and assigned DOE facilities, ensuring CI risks are proactively identified, mitigated, and neutralized while enabling mission success.

Requirements

BS/BA and 12 years of experience -OR-
MS/MA or higher and 10 years of experience
U.S. Citizenship
Background Investigation: Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter in accordance with 10 CFR 710, Appendix B.
Drug Testing: All Security Clearance positions are Testing Designated Positions, which means that the applicant selected for hire is subject to pre-employment drug testing, and post-employment random drug testing. In addition, applicants must be able to demonstrate non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for the 12 consecutive months preceding completion of the requisite Questionnaire for National Security Positions (QNSP).
Applicants will be considered ineligible for security clearance processing by the U.S. Department of Energy if non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for 12 months cannot be demonstrated.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated experience leading enterprise-level CI or national security programs, including strategic planning and execution
Proven ability to manage complex investigations and sensitive national security matters
Experience working with USIC elements (e.g., FBI, CIA, ODNI, DoD) or equivalent interagency environments
Strong leadership, collaboration, and communication skills, including experience briefing senior executives and classified audiences
Active DOE Q and/or TS/SCI clearance
Experience within the DOE complex or familiarity with DOE CI directives and policies
Demonstrated success integrating CI with cyber, insider threat, and security programs

Responsibilities

The SCIO will develop and execute a comprehensive Counterintelligence (CI) Program to identify and mitigate foreign threats to PNNL and other DOE facilities/sites. The role requires the ability to address complex CI challenges where precedents or established practices may not exist.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate effective leadership in complex organizations and possess deep knowledge of foreign intelligence threats, international terrorism, and technology-based collection activities targeting U.S. Government (USG) personnel, resources, information, facilities, and programs. The role requires applying CI principles, theories, and practices to guide program activities and ensure compliance with organizational and national security requirements. It also involves interpreting and implementing relevant executive orders (e.g., Executive Order 12333), along with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures to support informed decision‑making and safeguard operations.
The SCIO must be capable of developing and implementing effective mitigation strategies and providing expert advice on a wide range of CI and national security issues. Significant experience within the U.S. Intelligence Community (USIC)—including its organizations, missions, capabilities, and priorities—is required. The incumbent should have demonstrated experience integrating CI functions such as awareness, analysis, cyber, collection and reporting, investigations, and briefing/debriefing programs to detect, deter, mitigate, and neutralize CI and terrorism threats to the USG.
The SCIO provides exemplary leadership, collaboration, and communication across the organization. The role communicates effectively by delivering written products, classified briefings, presentations, and public speaking engagements. The SCIO manages personnel and leads organizations with responsibility for prioritizing and allocating funding, facilities, and human resources. The incumbent fosters teamwork, builds trust, and engages effectively across the laboratory, the DOE complex, and with external partners through strong interpersonal skills.
The SCIO serves as a key liaison with local USIC representatives and represents PNNL and DOE-IN on all CI-related matters. This includes regular engagement with the Laboratory’s Senior Leadership Team and other senior managers within PNNL/PNSO (DOE Pacific Northwest Site Office), senior level employees at other agencies and contractor organizations, as well as scientists, researchers, and technical staff throughout PNNL and the DOE complex.
Lead and execute a comprehensive, enterprise-wide CI program supporting PNNL and assigned DOE facilities
Serve as the principal advisor on CI risk mitigation advisor to the Laboratory Director and senior leadership, Pacific Northwest Site Manager, and other DOE federal and contractor staff within PNNL Field Office area of responsibility.
Maintain concurrent accountability to DOE Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence
Identify, assess, and mitigate foreign intelligence and terrorism threats targeting personnel, research, and infrastructure
Oversee CI investigations, inquiries, and analytic activities in coordination with DOE-IN and federal partners
Act as relationship manager with local USIC
Integrate CI functions including analysis, cyber, awareness, reporting, and insider threat mitigation
Lead strategic planning, resource prioritization, and program execution across the CI portfolio
Build and sustain partnerships with the U.S. Intelligence Community (USIC), law enforcement
Provide direct and timely advice and counsel to appropriate facility/site and DOE-IN senior management regarding CI issues and concerns
Collaborate with other members of the senior leadership team to support PNNL's overall strategic goals
Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing CI organization

Benefits

Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support.
Employees are automatically enrolled in our company-funded pension plan and may enroll in our 401 (k) savings plan with company match.
Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.

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