Targeting Analyst

Office of the Director of National Intelligence • Bethesda, MD

1d

About The Position

The National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC) leads U.S. counterintelligence and security communities, counters threats from adversarial foreign intelligence, and supports interagency and public-sector efforts to protect the United States. The Targeting Analyst plans, researches, develops, and communicates in-depth analyses of complex national, regional, and global issues for senior policymakers and partners across the Intelligence Community (IC), law enforcement, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI). The role applies strategic collection capabilities and coordinates with national, defense, and domestic authorities on operational leads and targeting aligned with national counterintelligence priorities.

The analyst guides counterintelligence targeting and information sharing with internal and external partners; writes analytic and investigative leads that meet tradecraft and sourcing standards; and provides expert direction in applying methodological tools to complex issues and producing sophisticated intelligence products. The role also briefs senior customers, explains complex topics to non-experts, leads multidisciplinary analysis supporting U.S. national security and foreign policy objectives, develops intelligence-gathering strategies, maintains professional networks across the ODNI and IC, and supports the training and development of junior targeters.

This is an excepted-service GS-14 position open to the public and eligible current federal employees. It requires U.S. citizenship and U.S. residence, suitability review, and the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility. New permanent appointees are subject to a two-year trial period.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship and residence in the United States.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance based on a single-scope background investigation, with eligibility for sensitive compartmented information (SCI).
• Completion of a suitability or fitness determination based on a background investigation.
• Extensive knowledge in multiple subject-matter areas and of critical IC databases and datasets used for analytic targeting.
• Demonstrated application of ICD 203 analytic tradecraft and ICD 206 sourcing requirements.
• Skill in data exploitation and data wrangling to maximize the analytic value of available data.
• Extensive knowledge of targeting analysis, raw collection, data exploitation, analysis, and production.
• Extensive knowledge of information-sharing rules and the ODNI and broader IC mission, operations, tradecraft, capabilities, and requirements.
• Ability to apply expert knowledge of ODNI, IC, and relevant customer organizations or operations to understand requirements and provide appropriate outputs.
• Knowledge of IC policy and procedures, analytic tradecraft, and how to communicate intelligence judgments to generalists and specialists.
• Ability to produce finished analytic intelligence related to the subject matter, as a lead analyst or manager of analysts, and broad knowledge of intelligence analysis within the IC.
• Ability to lead and promote a broad range of methodological approaches and tools for researching, analyzing, and presenting data, such as modeling, link analysis, or software.
• Ability to develop and maintain regular contacts within ODNI and the IC for information exchange.
• Flexibility, open-mindedness, willingness to revise judgments based on new information, ability to support group decisions, and willingness to solicit coworkers' opinions.
• Ability to oversee and direct information-sharing programs and promote information-sharing practices across ODNI and the IC.
• Strong analytic, critical-thinking, and strategic-thinking skills.
• Ability to execute senior-level guidance in a fast-paced environment and translate strategic goals into measurable objectives and methods for tracking progress.
• Interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills for working with senior IC and government personnel to justify, defend, negotiate, and resolve significant or controversial issues.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively and to mentor junior colleagues.
• Creative problem-solving skills and initiative in carrying out mission responsibilities.
• Bachelor's degree is the lowest acceptable education level.
• Current federal employees applying must be at GS-14 or one grade below and submit a recent SF-50; GS-12 and below are ineligible.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete the Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.

Responsibilities

• Plan, research, develop, and communicate in-depth analyses of complex national, regional, and global issues for senior policymakers and IC, law-enforcement, and ODNI partners.
• Apply strategic collection capabilities and coordinate with national, defense, and domestic authorities on operational leads and targeting aligned with national counterintelligence priorities.
• Guide targeting leads and counterintelligence activities with internal and external partners, follow information-sharing guidelines, and communicate timely intelligence leads.
• Guide the training and professional development of junior targeters by identifying relevant courses aligned with their skills, career paths, and team mission requirements.
• Write analytic and investigative leads for partners that meet rigorous tradecraft standards, avoid overstating analysis, meet ICD 206 sourcing requirements, and provide timely intelligence for action.
• Provide expert guidance on planning, analysis, and the application of methodological tools to understand complex analytical issues and incorporate findings into intelligence products.
• Plan, prepare, and deliver written and oral briefings to senior internal and external customers; explain complex concepts to non-experts and tailor products to customer needs.
• Lead, plan, direct, and coordinate tactical, multidisciplinary, and strategic analysis supporting U.S. national security and foreign policy objectives and shaping IC analysis and priorities.
• Develop and implement strategies for gathering intelligence or historical information in support of U.S. interests and policy objectives; identify and cultivate relevant sources.
• Cultivate and maintain working relationships with colleagues, experts, IC members, policy committees, and law-enforcement agencies to share relevant information.
• Attend relevant training, seminars, and conferences; build and leverage collaborative networks within ODNI and across the IC.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package for employees and their families.
• Relocation reimbursement for new ODNI employees may be available at the agency's discretion and subject to funding.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior