Intelligence Research Specialist

Department of Energy Headquarters • Washington, DC

5d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is part of the Department of Energy’s Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence (DOE-IN), which identifies and mitigates threats to U.S. national security and the DOE enterprise and informs national security decision-making. DOE-IN advises policymakers on threats and opportunities related to nuclear, energy, cyber, and science and technology fields.

The Intelligence Research Specialist leads all-source cyber threat analysis for DOE and U.S. energy missions. The role represents DOE-IN in interagency and technical forums, delivers written assessments and executive briefings to decision-makers, and identifies intelligence gaps to guide collection requirements. The position is an Excepted Service appointment and does not confer Competitive Service career-conditional or career-tenure status. It is not remote; the selectee is expected to report to the listed duty station. Situational telework may be approved at the supervisor’s discretion, and occasional travel is required.

The position is designated Special-Sensitive (High Risk) and requires obtaining and maintaining a Q-level security clearance and an SCI security clearance before entering on duty. It also requires initial and recurring counterintelligence evaluations, which may include a CI-scope polygraph, and is subject to applicant and random drug testing. A one-year probationary period may be required. Hiring incentives may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate subject to budget availability and applicable regulations.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship or nationality.
• For male applicants born after December 31, 1959, Selective Service registration or exemption.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Q-level security clearance and an SCI security clearance before entering on duty.
• Ability to complete initial and recurring counterintelligence evaluations, which may include a CI-scope polygraph examination.
• Subject to applicant testing and random drug testing after appointment.
• GS-13: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in federal service or equivalent private-sector experience, meeting at least two of the three specified experience areas: multi-source cyber threat research and TTP analysis; writing cyber threat intelligence summaries, assessments, or incident reports; or presenting technical findings to stakeholders or leadership.
• GS-14: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level in federal service or equivalent private-sector experience, meeting at least two of the three specified experience areas: analyzing all-source data and cyber threat reporting on foreign actors targeting critical infrastructure, ICS/SCADA, or enterprise networks; producing finished intelligence aligned with structured analytic standards; or briefing senior leaders or decision-makers on cyber threat assessments.
• Meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the announcement closing date.
• Resume must be no more than two pages for eligibility and qualification review.
• No specific education requirements or substitution of education for experience.

Nice To Haves

• Hiring incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates, subject to budget availability and federal regulations.
• Situational telework may be approved at the supervisor’s discretion.

Responsibilities

• Plan, direct, and conduct complex all-source cyber threat intelligence research and analytical assessments concerning foreign threat actors, advanced persistent threat campaigns, and tactics targeting DOE systems, national laboratories, and critical energy infrastructure.
• Evaluate incomplete, ambiguous, or conflicting technical information using structured analytic methods and competitive hypothesis testing to assess adversary capabilities, establish confidence levels, and uphold Intelligence Community analytic standards.
• Represent DOE-IN as an authoritative technical representative in interagency working groups, task forces, and partner forums; align intelligence priorities, resolve analytic discrepancies, and communicate DOE-IN perspectives.
• Collaborate with DOE national laboratories, the National Nuclear Security Administration, and external energy-sector partners to evaluate complex cyber-physical threats and validate evidence.
• Identify critical cyber intelligence gaps, recommend targeted collection requirements across collection disciplines, and collaborate with collection managers to focus coverage on priority national energy security threats.
• Deliver written assessments and executive briefings for decision-makers.
• Research and analyze cyber threat data from multiple sources; write cyber threat intelligence summaries, assessments, or incident reports; and present technical findings to support defensive actions and risk mitigation, as applicable to GS-13 qualification.
• Analyze all-source data and cyber threat reporting, produce finished intelligence aligned with structured analytic standards, and brief senior leaders or decision-makers, as applicable to GS-14 qualification.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefits and eligibility depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed