Specialized Skills Officers conduct and support CIA operations by leveraging technical skills in specialized military fields, media and communication, crisis management, or technology development.
Summary
Specialized Skills Officers conduct and support CIA operations by leveraging technical skills in specialized military fields, media and communication, crisis management, or technology development.
As a Specialized Skills Officer (SSO) for the CIA, you will join a cadre of results oriented professionals who accept significant responsibilities and embrace accountability for results. SSOs conduct and/or directly support CIA operations by leveraging technical skills in either specialized military fields and/or experience in media, communications, marketing, advertising, issue advocacy, crisis management, or technology development. These skills and experiences often include aviation, maritime, psychological operations, civil affairs and information operations. SSOs are a distinct occupation in the Directorate of Operations (DO) and play a unique role in support of intelligence operations for U.S. policymakers, support to Covert Action programs at the direction of President of the United States, and facilitate CIA's Covert Action infrastructure.
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 exercise, and on-the-job experience. You must successfully complete this required foundational training.
SSOs serve primarily at CIA Headquarters, but there are frequent opportunities for temporary duty travel and/or assignments overseas.
As part of the program, some DO officers will be expected to:
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.
Competitive Specialized Skills Officer applicants have knowledge and/or experience in any one of the following categories:
Social media, marketing, advertising, public relations, issue advocacy, crisis communication, or technology development
Business, finance, r legal fields
Military psychological operations and/or civil affairs
Merchant Marine/Commercial Maritime industries and/or military nautical experience
Commercial and/or military diving and underwater experience
Military aviation career fields such as:
Pilot (fixed wing, rotary wing, manned/unmanned)
Navigator
Flight engineer
Crew chief/mechanic
Maintenance
Avionics technician
Mission sensor operator
Forward air controller
Para-rescue
Special tactics squadron
Aviatin foreign internal defense
Counterintelligence experience
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 is preferred
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.
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.
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.
This post is for viewing purposes only. To get started, please visit https://www.cia.gov/careers/jobs/specialized-skills-officer/, where you can read more about this position and express your interest in up to four jobs. Upon expressing your interest, you will be taken to MyLINK, which allows you to submit your resume and job rankings and provide basic information about yourself.
After you express interest for up to four positions on cia.gov/careers, a CIA recruiter may contact you for further discussion if your qualifications meet our needs. See the MyLINK FAQs on our website for more information.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
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.
This post is for viewing purposes only. To get started, please visit https://www.cia.gov/careers/jobs/specialized-skills-officer/, where you can read more about this position and express your interest in up to four jobs. Upon expressing your interest, you will be taken to MyLINK, which allows you to submit your resume and job rankings and provide basic information about yourself.
After you express interest for up to four positions on cia.gov/careers, a CIA recruiter may contact you for further discussion if your qualifications meet our needs. See the MyLINK FAQs on our website for more information.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
