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Polygraph Examiner

Department of Defense
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency

Summary

Polygraph Examiners conduct polygraph examinations on NGA civilian, military, and contractor personnel in accordance with DoD regulations and Federal standards. They conduct in-depth interviews, collect and interpret physiological data, and provide concise written reports on each examination administered. They remain current on changes in techniques, methods, and regulations.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
01/19/2026 to 01/31/2026
Salary
$76,573 to - $141,880 per year
Pay scale & grade
IA 03
Location
Many vacancies in the following location:
Saint Louis, MO
1 vacancy
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Occasional Travel Required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent - This is a permanent position.
Work schedule
Full-time - Full Time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
3
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Drug test
Yes
Announcement number
20260041
Control number
854725000

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

External Applicants Only

Duties

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The NGA Polygraph Branch conducts polygraph examinations on a worldwide basis in support of the NGA security clearance adjudication process and Department of Defense operational missions. NGA polygraph examiners conduct examinations to detect and deter espionage, sabotage, or other acts against the federal government, unauthorized release of classified materials, unauthorized foreign travel or contacts, and unlawful representation of a foreign government. Although stationed at NGA St. Louis (St. Louis, MO), the incumbent may be expected to travel to multiple NGA sites. Duties include administering polygraph examinations in accordance with federal standards for NGA civilian, military and contractor personnel; the analysis of polygraph charts and the conduct of in-depth extended polygraph testing; and post-test interviews. Duties also include conducting polygraph examinations and providing verbal and written feedback to examiners. The incumbent may provide command briefings on the polygraph method when required. The incumbent will also be required to write concise reports on each examination administered or reviewed.

This position may be eligible for a RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE: selected candidates may be offered an incentive as part of the offer of employment. To receive the incentive, selected candidates must be eligible under 5 CFR Part 575, Subpart A, upon issuance of the Final Offer Letter. Changes in federal employment status prior to issuance of the Final Offer Letter may affect eligibility. To receive the incentive, selected candidates will be required to sign a service agreement to stay within the position at NGA for the agreed upon time. If the service agreement is terminated before its completion, the employee may be required to repay a pro rata share amount of the incentive to the government. Additional information regarding recruitment incentives for current federal employees can be found in DoDI 1400.25, Volume 2006.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • US Citizenship is required.
  • Designated or Random Drug Testing required.
  • Security Investigation

SPECIAL INFO:
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

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.


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.

Qualifications

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:

1. Experience administering various types/formats of polygraph examination.
2. Experience documenting polygraph findings in accordance with established federal and/or industry standards.
3. Experience conducting interviews in a polygraph and/or investigative setting, and experience with writing and/or presenting reports.
4. Experience applying guidance from the National Center for Credibility Assessment (NCAA) manuals.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: A. Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. -AND- Experience: A minimum of 2 years of experience in investigations. -AND- LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS: Must obtain DoD/Federal Polygraph Examiner Certification as directed by management.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATION CRITERIA: In addition to the mandatory qualifications, experience in the following is desired:

1. Experience cultivating professional networks of peers internal and external to an organization to work collaboratively
2. Experience working effectively in a team environment and/or as part of a team.
3. Experience in meeting requirements in a fast-paced and/or constantly changing environment.
4. Experience using verbal and written communication and/or presentation skills to clearly convey ideas or information.

Additional information

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

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.

APPLICANT EVALUATION PROCESS: Applicants will be evaluated for this job opportunity in three stages:

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.

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.

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