Targeting Officers identify the people, relationships, and organizations with access to information needed to find opportunities to disrupt threats to U.S. interests.
Summary
Targeting Officers identify the people, relationships, and organizations with access to information needed to find opportunities to disrupt threats to U.S. interests.
As a Targeting Officer at CIA, you will identify the people, relationships, and organizations having access to the information needed to address the most critical U.S. foreign intelligence requirements and find opportunities to disrupt terrorist attacks, illegal arms trade, drug networks, cyber threats, and counterintelligence threats.
Targeting Officers are integral to the planning and implementation of Directorate of Operations (DO) foreign intelligence collection, counterintelligence, and covert action operations. You will combine specialized training, utilize advanced analytic skills and tools, and in-depth knowledge and experience in DO operational tradecraft to identify new opportunities for DO activities and enhance ongoing operations.
Many Targeting Officers spend much of their career serving in the Washington, DC, area with opportunities for overseas travel. Opportunities for Targeting Officers to serve multi-year postings overseas exist, but these positions are competitive.
All DO officers are hired at an entry level and train as they are expected to work - as one team. DO officers begin their careers spending one to two years learning the foundations of clandestine operational tradecraft via classroom training, practical exercises, and on-the-job experience gained through a series of interim assignments. Following successful completion of the foundational training, each DO officer will transition into advanced training activity to prepare them to serve effectively in their respective career occupational specialty.
Our physical requirements for training are as follows:
Operate a motor vehicle without second-party assistance in daytime and nighttime conditions.
Traverse uneven terrain, to include climbing and descending staircases, over fixed minimum distances and in varying weather conditions.
Work non-traditional or erratic schedules.
Make reasoned decisions under time constraints.
This position requires a 5-year Contract Term Agreement.
You must apply online, while in the United States.
You must be a U.S. citizen and at least 18 years of age (dual-national U.S. citizens are eligible).
You must be willing to move to the Washington, DC, area.
You must successfully complete a thorough medical and psychological exam, a polygraph interview, and a comprehensive background investigation.
CIA is a drug-free workforce. The issue of illegal drug use is carefully evaluated during the medical and security processing.
For further requirements information, please visit: https://www.cia.gov/careers/how-we-hire/requirements/
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution (applicants within one year of earning a four-year degree will be considered); there is no preferred major or program of study (degrees from foreign academic institutions are accepted, but you are responsible for obtaining and providing CIA with a credential evaluation from an accredited firm confirming that the foreign degree is the equivalent of a BA/BS and/or MA/MS degree conferred by a U.S. college or university).
At least a 3.0 GPA on a 4-point scale preferred.
Personal integrity.
Action- and results-oriented.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Ability to work independently and in team.
Flexibility, adaptability, and commitment to CIA.
Ability to meet the minimum requirements for joining CIA, including U.S. citizenship and a background investigation.
Desired Qualifications
Inquisitive and investigative.
Determined, focused and mission driven team players.
Drawn to complex tasks and finding innovative solutions to overcome obstacles.
Articulate complex analysis verbally and in written communication.
Ability to shift focus quickly, work on multiple tasks concurrently, and excel in high-pressure/high-impact situations.
Ability to learn and apply the latest technologies.
Education
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution (applicants within one year of earning a four-year degree will be considered); there is no preferred major or program of study (degrees from foreign academic institutions are accepted, but you are responsible for obtaining and providing CIA with a credential evaluation from an accredited firm confirming that the foreign degree is the equivalent of a BA/BS and/or MA/MS degree conferred by a U.S. college or university).
At least a 3.0 GPA on a 4-point scale preferred.
Additional information
For more information on CIA careers and correct salary rates, visit https://www.cia.gov/careers
CIA Benefits: https://www.cia.gov/careers/working-at-cia/benefits/
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
For further information and to apply, please visit: https://www.cia.gov/careers/jobs/targeting-officer/
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
The following items must be attached to your on-line application (PDF format preferred):
Resume.
Unofficial transcripts for all degrees.
Cover letter: please describe your knowledge, skills, abilities, and aspirations not evident from your resume, that make you a good candidate for the Directorate of Operations (1 page).
Qualifications Supplement - in a separate PDF attachment address the following questions:
Why does a career in public service appeal to you (1 paragraph)?
Why do you wish to work for the Directorate of Operations (1 paragraph)?
Other than the Directorate of Operations, what other career options are of interest to you (1 paragraph)?
Describe one thing from your academic, military, or professional background that has prepared you for success in the Directorate of Operations (1 paragraph).
Complete this thought: "I do my best work when..." (1 paragraph).
Describe a time when you did not succeed, professionally or academically, and what you learned from that experience (2 paragraphs).
At the time of application, DO applicants select specific DO occupational specialties (i.e. Collection Management Officer, Staff Operations Officer, Operations Officer, Targeting Officer). Competitive applicants will continue to be asked to identify their DO occupational specialty preference(s) at various stages in the hiring process. It is not unusual for applicants to adjust their preference as they progress and learn more about the expectations and requirements of each occupational specialty.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Central Intelligence Agency
Mail Not Accepted
Washington, DC 20505
US
Next steps
Our goal is to respond to each applicant within a 45 day period. However, the CIA receives thousands of applications each month and, unfortunately, we are not able to contact everyone within that timeframe. If you have not heard from us within 45 days, we will not be offering you a position at this time.
If there is interest in your application, CIA recruiters will initiate contact with you by phone or email. Emails from CIA recruiters will have a .gov extension. Please check your email spam filter settings or spam folder to ensure receipt of these emails.
Be prepared to undergo a thorough background investigation examining your life's history, your character, trustworthiness, reliability and soundness of judgment. We also examine your freedom from conflicting allegiances, potential to be coerced, and willingness and ability to abide by regulations governing the use, handling and the protection of sensitive information. The Agency uses the polygraph to check the veracity of this information. The hiring process also includes a thorough mental and physical medical examination in relation to performing essential job functions.
For more information on our hiring process, please visit our How We Hire page at https://www.cia.gov/careers/how-we-hire/
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
The following items must be attached to your on-line application (PDF format preferred):
Resume.
Unofficial transcripts for all degrees.
Cover letter: please describe your knowledge, skills, abilities, and aspirations not evident from your resume, that make you a good candidate for the Directorate of Operations (1 page).
Qualifications Supplement - in a separate PDF attachment address the following questions:
Why does a career in public service appeal to you (1 paragraph)?
Why do you wish to work for the Directorate of Operations (1 paragraph)?
Other than the Directorate of Operations, what other career options are of interest to you (1 paragraph)?
Describe one thing from your academic, military, or professional background that has prepared you for success in the Directorate of Operations (1 paragraph).
Complete this thought: "I do my best work when..." (1 paragraph).
Describe a time when you did not succeed, professionally or academically, and what you learned from that experience (2 paragraphs).
At the time of application, DO applicants select specific DO occupational specialties (i.e. Collection Management Officer, Staff Operations Officer, Operations Officer, Targeting Officer). Competitive applicants will continue to be asked to identify their DO occupational specialty preference(s) at various stages in the hiring process. It is not unusual for applicants to adjust their preference as they progress and learn more about the expectations and requirements of each occupational specialty.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Central Intelligence Agency
Mail Not Accepted
Washington, DC 20505
US
Next steps
Our goal is to respond to each applicant within a 45 day period. However, the CIA receives thousands of applications each month and, unfortunately, we are not able to contact everyone within that timeframe. If you have not heard from us within 45 days, we will not be offering you a position at this time.
If there is interest in your application, CIA recruiters will initiate contact with you by phone or email. Emails from CIA recruiters will have a .gov extension. Please check your email spam filter settings or spam folder to ensure receipt of these emails.
Be prepared to undergo a thorough background investigation examining your life's history, your character, trustworthiness, reliability and soundness of judgment. We also examine your freedom from conflicting allegiances, potential to be coerced, and willingness and ability to abide by regulations governing the use, handling and the protection of sensitive information. The Agency uses the polygraph to check the veracity of this information. The hiring process also includes a thorough mental and physical medical examination in relation to performing essential job functions.
For more information on our hiring process, please visit our How We Hire page at https://www.cia.gov/careers/how-we-hire/
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
