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Quality Control - Polygrapher

Office of the Director of National Intelligence

Summary

Lead proactive counterintelligence and security activities across the United States government, integrating the instruments of national power to detect, report, deter, disrupt, investigate, exploit, and defeat foreign intelligence threats.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
05/04/2026 to 05/19/2026
Salary
$143,913 - $187,093 per year

Not applicable for detailees

Pay scale & grade
GS 14
Location
2 vacancies in the following location:
McLean, VA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Multiple
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Drug test
No
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
26-12953461-DNI/NCSC
Control number
867836300

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Internal to an Agency = Open to current permanent ODNI employees Federal Employees = This detail opportunity is for current competitive and excepted service employees only. If you are not a current federal civilian employee you will not be eligible for this position. ODNI Joint Duty Assignments do not apply to members of the Military service or contractors. Applicants from federal agencies may be considered for this position as a reimbursable detailee, if endorsed by the employing agency.

Duties

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Monitors and/or conducts polygraph exams at all levels of priority and/or complexity in conjunction with federal and ODNI standards to obtain significant noteworthy information pertaining to Security Executive Agent Directive (SEAD} guidelines and federal laws.

Adapts to the needs of the subject by utilizing specialized polygraph components (as needed) in order to collect physiological data required to conduct a valid analysis.

Conducts an objective chart analysis of data collected to derive a polygraph result.

Adheres to all ODNI policies and National Center for Credibility Assessment (NCCA) standards and guidelines.

May monitor examinations in progress and provide guidance, feedback, and quality control to examiners.

Conveys verbal or written information to internal partners in a timely manner.

Utilizes a variety of complex elicitation techniques to collect and analyze information real-time, tailoring techniques when necessary to identify sensitive security and/or counterintelligence related issues.

Ensures communication of polygraph examination results through supervision and/or mentoring, accurate and comprehensive documentation, and coordination with internal partners. Produces accurate written reports requiring minimal edits.

Approves and/or produces written reports with accurate information with little to no edits.

Reviews and/or documents all corrective actions administered during a polygraph examination (i.e., component adjustments, instructions given, etc.).

Reviews and/or captures all information discussed during the polygraph examination and documents relevant dialogue in the designated system of record.

Reviews and/or conveys SEAD information elicited during the polygraph examination to internal and external partners as needed.

Ensures comprehensive case preparation is completed for self and others.

Reviews complex records from a variety of sources (i.e., internal security databases, personnel security forms, etc.).

Develops a tailored case approach for self and others, informed by a thorough analysis of available data and documentation.

Assists examiners with developing tailored case strategies informed by relevant data and documentation, when needed.

Leads collaboration with internal and external partners regarding case consultation(s), when necessary.

Leads the advancement of mission capabilities through formal supervision and/or guidance, strategic development, quality assurance, and targeted outreach across the ODNI and IC.

Conducts expert-level quality assurance reviews of cases at all levels of complexity and/or oversees test reviews and chart analysis for others, to ensure ethical and valid polygraphs are performed in accordance with division standards.

Develops acumen and tradecraft by providing knowledge transfer, mentorship, tailored experiences, actionable feedback, and/or additional internal learning opportunities. May lead the development and execution of program initiatives and/or engagement across key internal and external mission partners to enhance relationships, facilitate resource sharing, and align capabilities and services to strategic objectives.

Fosters communication with division leadership regarding training and performance gaps, mission strategy, tradecraft consistency, and division initiatives.

Reviews polygraph reports for accuracy and clarity, and may approve the release of reports to mission partners.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

Must be a current permanent ODNI employee OR must be a current permanent Federal employee with supervisory approval to apply to the Joint Duty Assignment (JDA). JDA applicants must be currently at the grade level specified in the advertisement. No temporary promotion opportunities will be granted for this position. The program does not apply to members of the Military service or contractors.

Joint Duty applicants may be considered for this position as a reimbursable detailee, if endorsed by the employing agency. Joint Duty applicants must have a current TS/SCI clearance with polygraph or have the ability to obtain one. The ODNI does not conduct polygraphs or provide security clearances for detailees.

FREE RESPONSE ESSAY QUESTIONS

All applicants must answer the following four short, free response essay questions. The responses cannot exceed 200 words per question. By submitting your responses to the following questions, you certify that you are using your own words and did not use a consultant or AI (such as a large language model [LLM]).

  1. How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? Provide a concrete example from professional, academic, or personal experience.
  2. In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? Provide specific examples where you improved processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes.
  3. How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? Identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that are significant to you and explain how you would help implement them if hired.
  4. How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Provide one or two specific examples and explain how those qualities would enable you to serve effectively in this position.

Qualifications

Extensive knowledge of interview and elicitation techniques.

Extensive knowledge and appropriate use of ODNI and security databases and systems.

Extensive knowledge of NCCA standards and SEAD guidelines.

Extensive knowledge of polygraph instrument, components, and software.

Extensive knowledge of physiology and psychological principals.

Extensive knowledge of ODNI culture, structure, and resources.

Extensive knowledge of ODNI, IC, and USG security regulations, policies, and procedures and state federal, state and local laws.

Extensive knowledge of polygraph policies, standards, and guidelines.

Extensive ability to apply sound judgement, navigate complex and/or sensitive discussions and remain calm in high-stress and emotional situations.

Extensive knowledge of and experience in the ODNI, Intelligence Community, and CIS mission and responsibilities.

Demonstrated oral and written communication skills and ability to produce clear and logical reports.

Demonstrated ability to utilize critical thinking, analytic, problem solving and conflict resolution skills.

Demonstrated ability to operate, and troubleshoot polygraph instruments.

Demonstrated ability to work independently or in a team environment and manage competing priorities.

Demonstrated ability to compartmentalize and manage troubling and/or disturbing subject matter.

Demonstrated ability to write accurate, thorough and objective reports.

Demonstrated ability to remain objective and adhere to ethical standards.

Demonstrated leadership, risk analysis, customer service and problem-solving skills.

Education

Bachelor's degree

Additional information

JOB INTERVIEW TRAVEL

Candidates from outside the Washington Metropolitan Area (WMA) may be selected for a telephone, teleconference, or in-person interview.

SALARY DETERMINATION

A current Federal Government employee, selected for this position, will be assigned to the position at their current grade and salary.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

The ODNI provides reasonable accommodations to otherwise qualified applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Reasonable Accommodations Officer by classified email at dni_reasonable_accommodation_wma@cia.ic.gov, by unclassified email at DNI_COO_HRM_RA_ALL@odni.gov, by telephone at (703)275-3900 or by FAX at (703)275-1277. Your request for reasonable accommodation will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION TO THE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS EMAIL ADDRESS. THIS EMAIL IS FOR REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS ONLY.

The ODNI is an equal opportunity employer and abides by applicable employment laws and regulations.

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 for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement. We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you are among the best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview.



Office of the Director of National Intelligence

You can help protect the nation at ODNI by working in an environment that provides our nation's leaders with intelligence they require to make decisions and protect the nation. We are integral to forging partnerships and building trust between all 18 intelligence agencies from the Central Intelligence Agency to the Office of Naval Intelligence. Come be a part of the team that ensures our nation's leaders have the intelligence information they require to make the decisions necessary to keep the nation safe.

Agency contact information

ODNI HRM HOST
Email
ODNI_HRM_HOST_Team@odni.gov
Address
NATIONAL COUNTERINTELLIGENCE AND SECURITY CENTER
Director Of National Intelligence
Washington, DC 20511
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Office of the Director of National Intelligence, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://www.odni.gov/index.php/careers

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