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Intelligence Research Specialist

Department of State
Department of State - Agency Wide

Summary

This position is in the Excepted Service under U.S.C. 50 § 3024(v) and appointments are made without regard to the requirements of the Competitive Service by laws, Executive order, or OPM regulations.

This position is located in the Bureau of Intelligence & Research, Office of Analysis for Terrorism, Narcotics, & Crime (INR/TNC). TNC is responsible for  review/analysis of classified, unclassified, & open-source materials concerning issues related to worldwide terrorism, narcotics, and crime. 

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
05/06/2026 to 05/12/2026
Salary
$143,913 - $187,093 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 14
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Washington, DC
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—Situational only per Agency policy
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Some occasional may be required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
14
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Top Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
High Risk (HR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
S/INR-EXC-2026-0017
Control number
867859300

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

U.S. Department of State employees within the Bureau of Intelligence and Research only

Duties

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  • Serves as the expert senior Intelligence Research Specialist responsible for providing all source intelligence analysis on enduring and emerging trends in terrorism in the Middle East
  • Leads direct intelligence support and analysis on the most significant terrorism threats emanating from the region informing key national security deliberations, supporting interagency counterterrorism coordination processes
  • Develops and maintains strong relationships with counterparts in INR, policy clients in the Bureau of Counterterrorism and other Department of State policy bureaus and offices, intelligence community counterparts, etc.
  • Represents the Department in interagency meetings, provides guidance to policymakers, briefs key stakeholders in the U.S. Congress, and serves as a government-wide expert in their field in various intergovernmental and non-governmental fora
  • Advises on and performs intelligence research bearing on U.S. relations with foreign governments and international organizations

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required.
  • Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
  • Obtain/maintain eligibility to access Sensitive Compartmented Information

Qualifications

Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level in the Federal service which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position.

Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

  • Experience in providing oral briefings and written analysis for senior government policymakers on all relevant issues involving enduring and emerging trends in terrorism in the Middle East, specifically jihadist terrorism threats from Yemen-based al Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and the Iran Threat Network, including Iran-aligned Militia Groups in Iraq, the Houthis, and the al Ashtar Brigades.
  • Experience working with interagency processes, particularly but not exclusively within the IC and other national security agencies.
  • Experience with intelligence analysis methods and techniques to produce policy relevant assessments that involve the research and analysis of information derived from a variety of sources.

There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-14 position.

Education

Education requirements do not apply to this vacancy announcement.

Additional information

  • For reasonable accommodation at the U.S. Department of State, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations at OAA@state.gov. 
  • If eligible, situational telework agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval.  
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to other similar positions in other Bureaus/Offices in the Department for up to 240 days. Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions.

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.

For this announcement, all applicants will be assessed to determine if they meet the qualifications for this position, specifically the education, specialized experience, and knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) necessary to perform the work of the position. All applications that meet the required qualifications and determined to be best-qualified will be referred to the hiring official for further consideration and possible interview.

Your resume limited to two pages serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant work experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to this job opportunity. Resumes longer than two pages will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered further.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following KSAs and other characteristics that are relevant to the duties of this position and must be fully supported by information in your resume:

  • Knowledge of the theories and principles of political science, international relations, economics, history, geography, or other related disciplines applied in conducting intelligence analysis related to U.S. foreign policy programs
  • Knowledge of intelligence analysis to produce policy relevant assessments that involve the research and analysis of information derived from a variety of sources
  • Ability to provide advice, guidance, and consultation to senior officials with regard to the interpretation and application of intelligence analyses
  • Ability to establish liaison at all levels throughout the foreign policy and Intelligence Communities to exchange information and establish strategic goals vital to both spheres of operation
  • Knowledge of current U.S. foreign policy objectives and programs to assess the relevance and implications of global social, political, economic, geographic, and military issues, developments, and events affecting the
    formulations and execution of U.S. foreign policy, and to recommend intelligence collection programs in the assigned specialty area
  • Skill in oral and written communication to prepare and defend analyses, provide guidance, solicit information, defend proposals, and negotiate agreements

Veterans:  Although consideration of Veterans’ Preference is not required under 50 U.S.C. § 30240(v) to the extent it would be under the competitive service; the Department of State considers veterans' preference as a positive factor in the hiring process.


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Department of State - Agency Wide

The U.S. Department of State, our country’s lead foreign policy agency, provides employees with a dynamic international career whether at home or abroad and unique professional development opportunities.  Each day, our employees make a difference as they advance the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity, through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance.  We embrace our talented workforce which reflects the personal, professional, and educational strengths of our country. 

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Agency contact information

Tony Rice
Phone
000-000-0000
Fax
000-000-0000
Email
RiceTL@state.gov
Address
U.S. Department of State
Not accepting applications by Mail
Charleston, South Carolina 29405
United States

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