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INTELLIGENCE OPERATIONS SPECIALIST (TSCM)

Department of Defense
Defense Threat Reduction Agency

Summary

This position is part of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. The incumbent will be responsible for providing expertise in technical surveillance countermeasure (TSCM) controls and verification.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
02/02/2026 to 02/16/2026
Salary
$121,785 to - $158,322 per year
Pay scale & grade
GG 9 - 13
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Fort Belvoir, VA
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—This position is an in-person position at facilities located at Fort Belvoir, VA. This position may be eligible for limited, situational telework subject to supervisory approval and not to exceed current Agency guidelines.  This position is not eligible for remote telework.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
13
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Drug test
Yes
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
DTRA-26-12876132-MP
Control number
856261500

Duties

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As a INTELLIGENCE OPERATIONS SPECIALIST (TSCM) at the GG-0132-9/11/12/13 some of your typical work assignments may include:

  • Use knowledge of Technical Surveillance Countermeasures (TSCM) procedures and techniques to coordinate and conduct inspections, and technical security surveys or support services in accordance with national policies, procedures and applicable laws.
  • Use knowledge of TSCM tactics, techniques and procedures to perform duties to assess vulnerabilities, hazards, identifications of threats, resolve anomalies and implementing countermeasures in operational physical, and electronic security to ensure the security of sensitive or classified information. Provide a broad range of support to the Government's Technical Security Program.
  • Plan, organize, coordinate TSCM activities; provide recommendations to assist with the inspection processes, maintaining legal limits and regulatory guidelines to determine the best course of action to conduct agency and program operations.
  • Research and test a variety of state-of-the-art technical equipment and configured systems for applicability and appropriateness. Will prioritize, upgrade, replace, or recommend purchase of new systems by controlling, maintaining, and tracking all property assigned. Will support establishment and maintain procedures to quickly repair or replace equipment to ensure mission essential equipment is up-to-date with current technology and mission ready.
  • Represent DTRA on inter-agency and intra-agency planning, working groups, task groups, meetings, and conferences. Will liaise with counterpart operational, analytical, and production elements at the national and theater level.
  • Conduct the full spectrum of Technical Surveillance Countermeasures (TSCM) operations in accordance with national level, DoD, and DTRA Issuances. Will conduct complex technical assignments that require the application of techniques and principals designed to detect, deter, neutralize, or exploit unauthorized electromagnetic, acoustic, and mechanical propagation of information emanating from protected spaces. Will conduct research and analysis on a wide range of complex and sensitive subjects in order to identify the threat and vulnerabilities to DTRA operations, programs, systems, or devices and national level facilities. Will brief TSCM operations findings to on-site security managers. Upon identification of potential technical threats, make appropriate recommendations to mitigate hazards.
    Will develop operational and intelligence reports, and ensure reports are distributed through authorized DoD reporting channels in support of community-wide databases. Will provide briefings, training, and guidance to DTRA personnel regarding foreign intelligence and security technical threats. Will produce a variety of written documents to include memorandums, equipment evaluations, and TSCM reports for DTRA leadership, agency customers and the TSCM community.
  • Researches and develops new ways to counter the emerging technical threats utilized by Foreign Intelligence Security Services (FISS) or Insider Threat to penetrate DoD facilities. Will assist in the establishment of agency-wide TSCM education and awareness programs to improve technical threat awareness among all agency assigned personnel. Develop briefings, curricula, training aides, and appropriate training materials.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen
  • Occasional Travel
  • Work Schedule: Full-time
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
  • Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
  • Overtime: Occasionally
  • Tour of Duty: Flexible
  • Recruitment Incentives: May Be Authorized
  • Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): GG-9/11/12: Non-Exempt; GG-13: Exempt
  • Financial Disclosure: Not Required
  • Telework Eligibility: This position is an in-person position at facilities located at Fort Belvoir, VA. This position may be eligible for limited, situational telework subject to supervisory approval and not to exceed current Agency guidelines.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a TOP SECRET/SCI security clearance.
  • The employee must be willing to comply with each Combatant Command (COCOM) travel medical requirement to include vaccinations. Must consent to and pass pre-employment drug testing and be subject to periodic random drug testing thereafter.
  • Overtime/compensatory time may be required to accommodate operational needs of the organization.
  • May be subject to random DoD counterintelligence scope polygraph if assigned to programs or duty locations requiring such.
  • Pre-employment physical required showing no medical reason for the applicant to be unable to complete rigorous training and performance of duties, and the applicant shall meet the minimum DoD TSCM physical standards.
  • Position is a (DCIPS) position in the Excepted Service under U.S.C. 1601
  • Must be a credentialed CI agent or successfully completed a CI credentialing course per DoD Directive S-5240.02 to obtain DTRA CI Emblem and Credentials.

Qualifications

The experience described in your resume will be evaluated and screened from the Office of Personnel Management's (OPMs) basic qualifications requirements. See: i.e. for positions with no IOR: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0100/intelligence-series-0132/ 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 02/16/2026

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. Such experience is typically in or directly related to the work of the position to be filled.

You may qualify at the GG -09 , if you fulfill the following qualifications:

A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GG/GS-07 grade level in the Federal service as listed below:

  • Assisting in researching Federal & International laws, theories, concepts, principles, policies and procedures governing security protection.
  • Assisting with operations of a TSCM program, AND/OR
  • Appling limited knowledge with National, DoD and agency TSCM, TEMPEST and digital forensics policy & procedures. , OR
B. A master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related, OR
C. You have some specialized experience as described in A, but less than one year; and you have more than one year but less than two years of education as described in B. You have computed the percentage of the requirements that you meet, and the total is at least 100%. (To compute the percentage, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of graduate education beyond the first year by 18. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify.)

You may qualify at the GG -11 , if you fulfill the following qualifications:

A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GG/GS-09 grade level in the Federal service as listed below:
  • Researching and understanding of Federal & International laws, theories, concepts, principles, policies and procedures governing security protection in assigned areas of responsibilities under close supervision.
  • Assisting with operations of a TSCM program, AND/OR
  • Appling limited knowledge or experience with National, DoD and agency TSCM, TEMPEST and digital forensics policy & procedures. , OR
B. A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related, OR
C. You have some specialized experience as described in A, but less than one year; and you have more than one year but less than two years of education as described in B. You have computed the percentage of the requirements that you meet, and the total is at least 100%. (To compute the percentage, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of graduate education beyond the first year by 18. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify.)

You may qualify at the GG -12 , if you fulfill the following qualifications:

A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GG/GS-11 grade level in the Federal service as listed below:
  • Researching and understanding of Federal & International laws, theories, concepts, principles, policies and procedures governing security protection in assigned areas of responsibilities under little supervision.
  • Working in operations of a TSCM program under close supervision.
  • Assisting others in using TSCM, Tempest, Cyber and Physical Security equipment and their uses under close supervision.
  • Appling moderate familiarity in the application of National, DoD and agency TSCM, TEMPEST and digital forensics policy & procedures under close supervision; AND/OR,
  • Conducting TSCM survey and technical security evaluation & inspection activities under close supervision.
You may qualify at the GG -13 , if you fulfill the following qualifications:

A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GG/GS-12 grade level in the Federal service as listed below:
  • Utilizing Federal & International laws, theories, concepts, principles, policies and procedures governing security protection in TSCM.
  • Managing operations of a TSCM program with little to no supervision.
  • Using TSCM, Tempest, Cyber and Physical Security equipment with little to no supervision.
  • Applying the application of National, DoD and agency TSCM, TEMPEST and digital forensics policies & procedures with little to no supervision; AND/OR,
  • Conducting TSCM survey and technical security evaluation & inspection activities with little to no supervision.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

For the GG-09: If substituting education for experience, you must possess a masters or equivalent degree OR 2 full years of progressively higher graduate education leading to such a degree, OR LL.B. or J.D., if related.

For the GG-11: If substituting education for experience, A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related,

For the GG-12 & GG-13: Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience.

Superior Academic Achievement does not apply to DCIPS positions.

ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY? You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Failure to provide transcripts will result in you being rated ineligible for this position.

All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.

GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours that your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information

Other Notes:

  • All Defense Intelligence positions under the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) are in the excepted service by specific statue, 10 U.S.C. 1601. This position is in the excepted service and does not confer competitive status.
  • Applicants selected from this announcement may be required to serve a two-year trial period.
  • If selected, Federal employees currently serving in the competitive service must acknowledge that they will voluntarily leave the competitive service by accepting an offer of employment for a DCIPS excepted service positions.
  • If selected, non-DCIPS candidates must acknowledge in writing that the position they have been selected for is in the excepted service and covered by DCIPS.
  • For more information on the DCIPS occupational structure click here.
  • For more information about career advancement in DCIPS click here.
  • The applicant shall meet the minimum DoD TSCM physical standards:
  • Hearing acuity tests results per audiometer test not to exceed 30 decibels (A.S.A. or equivalent I.S.O.) in either ear in the 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz ranges. Applicants must be able to hear the whispered voice at 15 feet with each ear without the use of a hearing aid.
  • Vision must be a minimum of 20/30 in one eye and 20/20 in the other eye, distant and near, through normal vision or corrective measures.
  • Color perception test results, employing the pseudo-isochromatic plates for testing color perception, not to exceed four incorrect identifications out of fourteen test plates.
  • Free from any physical problems which materially hinder manual dexterity. Applicant must have normal range of motion in all extremities.
  • A complete medical examination showing no medical reason for the applicant to be unable to complete rigorous training and performance of duties to include the following:
    • Ability to lift forty pounds overhead, using both arms.
    • Ability to carry forty pounds in a manner similar to carrying a suitcase.
    • Ability to climb a six-foot ladder.
    • Ability to crawl beneath a three-foot barrier.

RE-EMPLOYED ANNUITANT: This position DOES/DOES NOT meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/1400.25-V300.pdf

VETERANS PREFERENCE/CURRENT OR FORMER FEDERAL In accordance with DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, veterans preference is not required to be applied when considering candidates with prior Federal competitive or excepted service who have completed a probationary or trial period and have not been separated for cause. Therefore, veterans preference will not be applied to applicants with current federal service, or former federal civilian service meeting the above criteria.

All applicants must meet qualifications and eligibility criteria by the closing date of the announcement.

Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see Who Needs to Register | Selective Service System : Selective Service System (sss.gov))

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.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents) and the responses you provide on the application questionnaire.

TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT: Your complete application package (resume/supporting documentation and online technical questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are basically qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the online questionnaire. If you are found to be among the top candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.

Competencies:

  • Collection Resources Management
  • Customer Service
  • Oral Communication
  • Teamwork
  • Tools and Methods


You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume as that information may be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.

Top ranked candidates will be referred to the selecting official for further review and consideration.

A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Assessment Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified'.

Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

All eligibility and qualifications requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

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