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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
This job will close when we have received 100 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$143,913 - $187,093 per year
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
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Drug test
Yes
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
26-12953460-DNI/NCSC
Control number
867836900

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Open to current and former Federal employees with competitive or excepted status; and all U.S. Citizens. Former members of the Peace Corps may be considered for ODNI employment only if five full years have elapsed since separation from the Peace Corps.

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 U.S. Citizen residing in the United States
  • Appointment is subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance based on an SBI with eligibility for sensitive compartmented information (SCI)
  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • A two-year trial period is required for all new permanent appointments to the ODNI.

Qualifications

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.

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

The ODNI uses a rank-in-person system in which rank is attached to GS employees on the basis of individual qualifications, experience, and performance. Individuals whose current GS grade is equivalent to the grade of the advertised position will retain their current grade and step. Individuals who transfer to the ODNI from a non-GS pay scale will have base pay converted to the appropriate GS grade and step as determined by the Chief of Human Resource Management.

In some cases when a current federal civilian employee applies for an ODNI position that is a lower grade than his or her personal grade, the candidate's personal grade will be downgraded to the grade of the advertised ODNI position and pay will be set at the step that is closest to, and not less than, the employee's current annual base rate of pay, not to exceed the maximum step rate of the GS grade to which assigned.

RELOCATION EXPENSES

For new ODNI employees, reimbursement for relocation is discretionary based on availability of funds.

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 Office Representative by 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 accommodations will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION TO THE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION 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 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.dni.gov/

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