CIA

Staff Operations Officer

Work Schedule: Full Time
Salary: $57,129 to 79,280
Location: Washington, DC metropolitan area



Based out of CIA Headquarters in Washington, DC, Staff Operations Officers (SOOs) plan, guide and support intelligence collection operations, counterintelligence activities and covert action programs. SOOs develop expertise on a particular geographic region or transnational target (such as terrorism, counterintelligence, proliferation, or crime) and perform the Headquarters-based coordination and investigation that drives operations in the field. The role of CIA Headquarters is to provide strategic guidance, capabilities and resources to the field components pursuing tactical operations worldwide. The SOO is the interface between Headquarters and the field, and the SOO serves a critical role in translating executive guidance into operational action overseas. SOOs provide the 'big picture' in their guidance to field operations.

Clandestine operations require considerable operational, legal, budgetary and policy coordination, much of which is performed by SOOs at Headquarters. SOOs also play a role in obtaining policy and legal approvals for covert actions, which are directed by the President and require coordination with other USG agencies. SOOs may be responsible for managing considerable budgets and resources for a range of covert action or other programs.

SOOs are the Clandestine Service's operational representatives to the Washington, DC national security community. CIA Headquarters is a team environment, and SOOs have the opportunity to work closely not only with other members of the Clandestine Service, but across the Agency Directorates. On any given day, SOOs may work with Directorate of Intelligence analysts on a finished intelligence piece for policymakers, or with Science & Technology officers to procure specialized equipment for a field operation. SOOs interact with the broad range of intelligence community agencies on operational matters and often work with their DIA, FBI, NSA and ODNI counterparts. SOOs may have the opportunity to brief Congress or the National Security Council at the White House, or attend meetings at the Pentagon.
SOOs must possess excellent communication skills, as they are often required to write nuanced operational guidance or brief complex developments, often at short notice. SOOs are also consummate networkers and problem solvers, reaching across the organization to overcome hurdles and enable operations. SOOs who develop a subject matter expertise can pursue successive assignments on that particular issue. Alternatively, SOOs interested in management responsibilities can pursue leadership training and opportunities to manage headquarters-based elements.

Minimum requirements for Staff Operations Officers in the Clandestine Service include a bachelor's degree and a strong academic record (minimum 3.0 GPA), with a demonstrated interest in international affairs. Strong written and oral communications skills are required. Advanced degrees, foreign area knowledge gained through study, travel or work aboard, foreign language proficiency and military experience are all desirable although not required. As with all NCS professional careers, the job responsibilities require absolute personal and professional integrity.

All applicants must successfully complete a thorough medical and psychological exam, a polygraph interview and an extensive background investigation. US citizenship is required.

To be considered suitable for Agency employment, applicants must generally not have used illegal drugs within the last twelve months. The issue of illegal drug use prior to twelve months ago is carefully evaluated during the medical and security processing.

Important Notice: Knowledge by non-Agency personnel of your association with the Central Intelligence Agency or the Intelligence Community may limit your ability to perform or preclude you from certain assignments. NCS applicants should therefore endeavor to protect the fact that they have applied and/or are thinking of applying to the NCS. We urge your discretion throughout the entire hiring process to ensure maximum flexibility for your potential NCS career. Further guidance will be provided as competitive applicants move through the hiring steps.

Additional Requirments / Information

A History of Premier Intelligence

In 1947, President Harry S. Truman signed the National Security Act, creating the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) with a mission to advise the President on intelligence matters related to national security. Today, as the premier agency responsible for providing global intelligence on the ever-changing political, social, economic, technological and military environment, the CIA accomplishes its mission through research, development, and deployment of high-leverage intelligence-gathering technology. The agency also works closely with other organizations within the Intelligence Community to ensure that government policymakers and warfighters receive the best intelligence possible.

Our Careers Are of Utmost Importance to America

CIA career opportunities are unique and diverse - from Clandestine Service Officers serving on the front line of human intelligence to individuals skilled in science, engineering, technology, analysis, foreign languages and administration. Each one has a paramount goal: to protect the national security of the United States, which means that no matter what position you hold, you can truly make a difference for the nation working in the U.S. or around the world.

Analysts: Monitor and assess foreign political developments, leadership, economic issues, military threats and science and technology.



Clandestine Service: This career presents a unique way of life that challenges the deepest resources of an individual’s intelligence, self-reliance and responsibility.




Language Institute: Native speakers utilize the latest instructional technology in teaching 16 different foreign languages. Employees who attain tested levels of language expertise through full-time training, part-time classes or self-study are eligible for monetary incentives.




Science and Technology: Our mission requires us not only to apply existing science and technology, but to develop and implement breakthrough technologies that may never see the commercial marketplace.




Support Services: A wide variety of highly talented professionals serving at home and abroad enable us to meet our mission with skills in ranging from finance to logistics, linguistics to architecture, law to cartography.

A Workforce as Diverse as the Nation We Serve

Meeting our mission of protecting our national security interests requires a workforce as diverse as America itself - the most diverse nation on earth. Our professionals offer their own individual perspective, nationality, race, ethnicity, gender, age, language, culture, sexual orientation, education, values, beliefs, abilities, and disabilities. These assorted attributes create differing demographic, functional, and intellectual views that are vital to our innovation, agility, collection, and analysis. By combining smart, focused people from a myriad of occupations and cultures, and who have various abilities and experiences, we produce a dynamic workforce with unlimited potential.

Students, learn more about the Student Internship Opportunities at the National Clandestine Service.

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