Counterintelligence Special Agent (CISA)
What you'd do
The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) is seeking a highly qualified Counterintelligence Special Agent (CISA). As a CISA, you will provide critical counterintelligence (CI) functional services and dedicated support to the cleared Defense Industrial Base. This key position offers an exceptional career path for professionals possessing specific expertise in CI collection methods, CI analysis, and an in-depth knowledge of complex Foreign Intelligence Entity tradecraft.
Major duties
As a Counterintelligence Special Agent (CISA) you will be responsible for the following duties: -Counterintelligence Expertise & Support: Serve as a Subject Matter Expert, delivering comprehensive counterintelligence (CI) functional services, diligent oversight, and proactive support to organizations within the cleared Defense Industrial Base (DIB). This includes serving as a key CI resource and point of contact for cleared industry partners. - Proactive CI Collection & Analysis: Conduct focused CI collection efforts directed against foreign intelligence entities actively targeting cleared industry assets. Collect, meticulously evaluate, conduct field-level analysis of, and disseminate suspicious activities, emerging threat information, and other actionable intelligence to relevant stakeholders. Ensure timely and accurate reporting. - Risk Identification & Countermeasure Development: Identify areas within cleared DIB entities that present increased risk of exploitation by FIEs seeking to illegally obtain classified or sensitive information and technologies. Develop and recommend tailored, appropriate countermeasures designed to effectively mitigate these risks and deter FIE activities. - Intelligence Product Development & Dissemination: Prepare high-quality intelligence reports, concise briefings, and comprehensive executive summaries to support ongoing investigations, CI operations, and strategic decision-making. Ensure the timely and accurate dissemination of intelligence products to relevant recipients, including law enforcement partners, the Intelligence Community, and leadership.
What you need to qualify
The experience described in your resume will be evaluated and screened from the Office of Personnel Management's (OPMs) basic qualifications requirements. See: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0100/intelligence-series-0132/ i.e. for professional positions or positions with a basic education requirement: http://main.opm.gov/policy-dataoversight/ classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0100/foreign-affairs series- 0130/; i.e. for positions with no IOR: http://main.opm.gov/policy-dataoversight/ classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0300/management and -program-analysis-series-0343/) for OPM qualification standards, competencies and specialized experience needed to perform the duties of the position as described in the MAJOR DUTIES and QUALIFICATIONS sections of this announcement by 08/10/2026 Applicant must have directly applicable experience that demonstrates the possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies necessary for immediate success in the position. Qualifying experience may have been acquired in any public or private sector job, but will clearly demonstrate past experience in the application of the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to successfully perform the duties of the position. You must have specialized experience sufficient to demonstrate that you have acquired all the competencies necessary to perform at a level equivalent in difficulty, responsibility, and complexity to the next lower grade GG-12 in the Federal service and are prepared to take on greater responsibility. Generally, this would include one year or more of such specialized experience. Specialized experience for this position includes: - Conducting counterintelligence (CI) investigations and operations, including CI collections and reporting - Developing and maintaining highly collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders - Interpreting investigative and operational thresholds of USG Law Enforcement (LE) and Intelligence Community (IC) agencies - Communicating complex ideas and threats orally and in writing to senior officials that influences stakeholders to take action. Specifically you will be evaluated on the following competencies: 1. Collection Operations - Develops and demonstrates operational knowledge of capabilities and accesses of the collection disciplines, strengths and weaknesses of specific technical sensors/platforms, and human sources in area of responsibility. Executes collection using appropriate collection strategies and within the priorities established through the collection management process. 2. Collection Resources Management - Receives and analyzes customer requirements, determines resource availability and capability, prioritizes and develops collection strategies, identifies task collection resources, evaluates performance and/or reporting, and updates collection planning. 3. Collection Systems Capabilities - Gains and applies knowledge of capabilities, limitations, and accesses of the intelligence source disciplines, strengths and weaknesses of specific technical sensors/platforms, and human sources in area of responsibility. Knowledge of IC collection management processes, systems, and tools. Demonstrates knowledge of collection strategies, targeting, assessment and methodology, feedback, and source validation/vetting processes. 4. Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations. Incumbents who have not previously completed a DoD recognized CI Special Agent credentialing course, must successfully complete the DoD CI Agent Course (DCAC) offered by the Joint CI Training Academy (JCITA) and be certified to carry CI Special Agent credentials within 18 months of onboarding in accordance with DoD 5240.02 and DoD 5240.06. This time-period may be extended due to class availability. Failure to obtain DCAC certification may result in mandatory reassignment to a position that does not require credentials. The incumbent will be required to sign a continued service agreement agreeing to stay with the agency for 12 months upon completion of the DCAC training.
Before you apply
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