Counterintelligence Officer

External Header
Source: External Applicants Only
Open: 2026-10-01
Closed: 2026-10-17
Band: 03
Location: Springfield, VA
Cover Letter
Applicants are not required to submit a cover letter for employment consideration with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. However, a cover letter is recommended. Applicants will have the option to attach a cover letter in the Qualifications - Attachments step of the online application.
Pay Band, Salary Range - Ext
2026 DC Salary Chart (Step 10 Max):

Band 3 $85,447 - $158,322
Permanent Change in Station
PERMANENT CHANGE IN STATION: PCS expenses are not authorized.
NGA Marketing Message
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) is the world leader in Geospatial Intelligence. We analyze imagery and data from many sources and incorporate it into visual displays of essential information for use in national defense, homeland security and safety of navigation. The extraordinary talents and skills of our teams of analysts and other professionals are vital to our success as the worldwide provider of GEOINT.
Know the World, Show the Way...from Seabed to Space!
Assignment Description
ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION: Counterintelligence (CI) Officers detect, analyze, and mitigate foreign intelligence and terrorist threats affecting NGA personnel, technologies, infrastructure, and/or capabilities. They conduct CI inquiries; support investigations; research and analyze data; provide CI training and awareness; and conduct briefings and debriefings. They also monitor security incidents; coordinate damage assessments; advise NGA leadership; and liaise with the Intelligence Community, Federal agencies, and law enforcement agencies. They may specialize in cyber warfare, technical support, insider threat, collection, production, vulnerability threat and risk assessments, and network auditing.
Promotion Opportunity
PROMOTION OPPORTUNITY: Promotion opportunities allow applicants at all band levels to be considered. Qualifications for NGA positions do not include specific time-in-band requirements. NGA will emphasize quality of experience, rather than duration, and assess how the quality of the experience demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies necessary for successful job performance in the NGA occupational structure.
Additional Information
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Conducts counterintelligence activities in support of NGA research, development, and acquisition (RDA) programs and DoW Critical Infrastructure (DCI), with emphasis on CI functional services, CI travel support, and CI collection activities. Provides CI support to protect NGA personnel, information, technologies, and capabilities from foreign intelligence threats. Conducts CI travel, foreign contact, and foreign visit pre-briefs and debriefs; identifies reportable information; and prepares Intelligence Information Reports (IIRs) and other CI documentation as appropriate. Assists in the development and delivery of CI awareness and threat briefings tailored to a variety of work roles. Supports CI coverage planning and threat-informed protection measures for programs, facilities, and personnel. Coordinates with internal and external stakeholders, as appropriate, to support CI mission execution. Maintains documentation, case files, and business processes associated with CI mission support and office administration. Participates in meetings, working groups, and other forums related to CI support, travel, and collection activities, as directed. Ensures activities are conducted in accordance with applicable laws, policies, procedures, and Intelligence Oversight requirements.
Qualifications Mandatory
MANDATORY QUALIFICATION CRITERIA: For this particular job, applicants must meet all competencies reflected under the Mandatory Qualification Criteria to include education (if required). Online resumes must demonstrate qualification by providing specific examples and associated results, in response to the announcement’s mandatory criteria specified in this vacancy announcement:

Demonstrated experience providing CI, security, or insider threat support to DoW Critical Infrastructure (DCI), Research, Development, and Acquisition (RDA) programs, or comparable sensitive government, civilian, or corporate programs, including support to critical technologies, critical program information (CPI) or other sensitive/proprietary information, and development and implementation of support or coverage plans.
Demonstrated experience conducting CI collection activities, including planning and executing pre-briefs and debriefs for official travel, identifying and documenting information of counterintelligence value, and preparing Intelligence Information Reports (IIRs) or comparable serialized reporting in accordance with applicable standards and procedures.
Demonstrated experience ensuring compliance with counterintelligence policies and procedures, including conducting quality control reviews, navigating CI activities through complex CI policy nuances, and maintaining appropriate documentation and oversight of CI activities.
Demonstrated experience conducting defensive counterintelligence support activities for personnel, facilities, or programs, including support to the defense industrial base, foreign contact and foreign visit support, or conference & event support.
Successful completion of an accredited Counterintelligence Special Agent Credentialing Course, the Defense Counterintelligence Agents Course (DCAC), or Service Equivalent Counterintelligence Certification Course.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: A. Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Intelligence Studies, International Relations, Security, Area Studies, or a related field. -OR- B. Combination of Education and Experience: A minimum of 24 semester (36 quarter) hours of coursework in any area listed in option A, plus experience in security, law enforcement, counterintelligence investigations, or a related area that demonstrates the ability to successfully perform the duties associated with this work. As a rule, every 30 semester (45 quarter) hours of coursework is equivalent to one year of experience. Candidates should show that their combination of education and experience totals 4 years. -OR- C. Experience: A minimum of 4 years of experience in security, law enforcement, counterintelligence investigations, or a related area that demonstrates the ability to successfully perform the duties associated with this work. -AND- LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS: Successful completion of an accredited Counterintelligence Special Agent Credentialing Course, the Defense Counterintelligence Agents Course (DCAC) or Service Equivalent Counterintelligence Certification Course as directed by management; Successful completion of the ITC TSCM Fundamentals Course may be required.
Qualifications Desirable
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATION CRITERIA: In addition to the mandatory qualifications, experience in the following is desired:

Demonstrated experience coordinating with various Department of War Components, Intelligence Community partners, and/or Federal law enforcement agencies in support of CI missions and operations.
Demonstrated Experience with the GEOINT enterprise, space-based technologies, radar systems, or artificial intelligence in support of mission operations, analysis, or capability development.
Demonstrated leadership of multiple concurrent mission requirements while balancing complex support responsibilities.
Demonstrated experience conducting or managing CI or HUMINT source operations, including source development, management, coordination, or operational support.
Demonstrated experience leading CI communication strategies for a large workforce, including developing tailored threat briefs, orchestrating CI awareness campaigns, or supporting enterprise-level CI activities across diverse mission populations.
Special Info External
As a condition of employment at NGA, persons being considered for employment must meet NGA fitness for employment standards.

- U.S. Citizenship
- Security Clearance - Top Secret /Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI)
- Polygraph & Drug Test
- Direct Deposit
- Trial Period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. We may consider: performance conduct; needs and interests of the agency; and whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government and the efficiency of the Federal service
Applicant Evaluation Process
APPLICANT EVALUATION PROCESS:

1) All applicants will be evaluated using the Mandatory Qualification Criteria,
2) Qualified applicants will then be evaluated by an expert or panel of experts using a combination of qualification criteria to determine the best-qualified candidates,
3) Best-qualified applicants may then be further evaluated through an interview process.

Military retiree applicants, if selected, may be impacted by the 180-day appointment restrictions of DODI 1402.01. HD personnel will provide additional information if applicable.

Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the Assignment Description, Additional Information Provided By the Selecting Official, and the Qualification Requirements; and then construct their resumes to highlight their most relevant and significant experience and education for this job opportunity. This description should include examples that detail the level and complexity of the performed work. Applicants are encouraged to provide any education or degree information referenced in the announcement that is relevant. If education is listed as a mandatory requirement, only degrees obtained from an institution accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the Secretary, US Department of Education will be accepted. You must use the NGA resume builder and limit your resume to 2 pages.

In accordance with section 9902(h) of title 5, United States Code, annuitants reemployed in the Department of Defense shall receive full annuity and salary upon appointment. They shall not be eligible for retirement contributions, participation in the Thrift Savings Plan, or a supplemental or re-determined annuity for the reemployment period. Discontinued service retirement annuitants (i.e., retired under section 8336(d)(1) or 8414(b)(1)(A) of title 5, United States Code) appointed to the Department of Defense may elect to be subject to retirement provisions of the new appointment as appropriate. (See DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 300). Reemployed annuitants must meet additional selection criteria as outlined in the DODI 1400.25, v300.

All candidates will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, disability, or sexual orientation.

NGA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Applications will only be accepted online. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify us at recruitment@nga.mil. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.
DCIPS Statement
NGA utilizes all processes and procedures of the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). Non-executive NGA employees are assigned to five distinct pay bands based on the type and scope of work performed. The employee's base salary is established within their assigned pay band based on their unique qualifications. A performance pay process is conducted each year to determine a potential base pay salary increase and/or bonus. An employee's annual performance evaluation is a key factor in the performance pay process.

This position is a DCIPS position in the Excepted Service under 10 U.S.C. 1601. DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans' Preference to preference eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement. If you are an external applicant claiming veterans' preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., you must self-identify your eligibility.
Benefits
Pay is only part of the compensation you will earn working for the Federal Government. We offer a broad array of benefits programs and family friendly flexibilities to meet the needs of you and your family.

For more information on the array of benefits programs, please visit https://www.nga.mil/careers/Benefits_&_Pay.html.
How To Apply
Application submission involves applying using NGA's online application process at NGA Careers Portal. Additional information concerning NGA's hiring process can be found by visiting NGA Hiring Process.

All announcements close at 11:59PM EDT on the closing date listed. Be sure to complete and submit your application by that time in order to be considered.

ONLY ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Both applicants for employment and current employees of NGA are entitled to request religious accommodations from generally applicable employment-related rules and requirements, so long as the accommodation requested would not result in an undue hardship to the conduct of NGA’s business.
What To Expect Next
After visiting the NGA Careers Portal and applying via NGA's online application process, applicants can follow their status via that same NGA online application functionality. Several other topics relating to what is involved in the hiring process and how long it takes can be found by visiting the NGA Hiring Process.
Special Requirements
You must be able to obtain and retain a Top Secret security clearance with access to SCI. In addition, you are subject to a Counterintelligence Polygraph examination in order to maintain access to Top Secret information. All employees are subject to a periodic examination on a random basis in order to determine continued eligibility. Refusal to take the examination may result in denial of access to Top Secret information, SAP, or unescorted access to SCIFs.

Employees with SCI access and who are under NGA cognizance are required to submit a Security Financial Disclosure Report, SF-714, on an annual basis in order to determine continued eligibility. Failure to comply may negatively impact continued access to Top Secret information, Information Systems, SAP, or unescorted access to SCIFs.