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Deputy Assistant Director Security Directorate

Office of the Director of National Intelligence
This job announcement has closed

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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Job canceled
Open & closing dates
05/08/2026 to 05/08/2026
This job will close when we have received 100 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$151,166 - $209,700 per year
Pay scale & grade
SL 00
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Bethesda, MD
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
26-12946350-DNI/NCSC
Control number
868528700

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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The Security Directorate (SD) is embedded with the National Counterintelligence & Security Center.

The NCSC/SD protects the nation's security interests by providing comprehensive security solutions.

SD develops and implements policies, guidance, and standards for personnel security, IC-wide and SCI security-relevant issues, and security clearance reform.

SD also engages with government and industry partners to protect national security equities against foreign intelligence and security threats, and advance the U.S. Governments risk management environment to safeguard against adversarial and insider threats.

The NCSC/SD directly supports the DNI's responsibilities as the Security Executive Agency (SecEA) across the Executive Branch and serves as the DNI's designee for oversight of national security programs across the Intelligence Community (IC).

The Deputy Assistant Director (DAD) of the SD, working closely with the Assistant Director of SD to lead the directorates mission and staff.

The DAD/SD will: - Mange the day-to-day operations of the Security Directorate to include leading and supervision a diverse staff of ODNI cadre government employees, Detailees and Assignees from other government agencies, and overseeing the work of contractors spanning four distinct Security Directorate business lines.

Lead Security Clearance Reform efforts, known as Trusted Workforce 2.0, to ensure the USG is best postured to recruit and retain a trusted 21st century workforce

Execute the day-to-day responsibilities of the SecEA on behalf of the DNI.

Provide expert guidance and represent the equities of the DNI in interactions with the Intelligence Community (IC), Federal Partners, the Department of Defense, Congress, the Government Accountability office, and cleared industry on security matters.

Represent the IC in protecting national security equities against counterintelligence and security threats to diplomatic missions abroad and other U.S. government facilities worldwide; and provides technical, analytical, and policy guidance to government, public, and private sector partners.

Support the DNI as the Co-chair of the National Insider Threat Task Force.

Serve the US Government and its public and private sector partners, providing guidance and advocacy to promote active, integrated mission practices that counter all aspects of adversarial and insider threats to public health and safety, economic security, and national security.

In accordance with ICD 701, manage the DNI's IC unauthorized disclosure program.

Execute and lead the National Security Presidential Memorandum -28 National OPSEC program.

Establish, guide, and oversee ODNI and IC working groups, boards, and committees, as needed, to support accomplishment of corporate and strategic goals.

Deliver the necessary security policies, standards, and technical solutions to the USG to enhance their security posture.

Evaluate USG-wide progress in meeting personnel security-related performance goals.

Ensure that the performance of the DNI's essential functions are consistent with DNI requirements and mission objectives; establish and coordinate policies and standards accordingly.

Engage with the media, private citizen interest groups and other elements of the public as required.

Perform personnel management responsibilities with a focus on building a high-performance workforce; promote team building and a collaborative work environment; ensure goals and performance objectives are understood; assess performance and provide timely feedback, recognition, and remediation.

Serve as part of the NCSC senior leadership team, advancing CI and security excellence across the USG.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

  • You must be registered for the Selective Service, if applicable.
  • You must be a U.S. citizen and at least 18 years of age.
  • You must be willing to move to the Washington Metropolitan Area (WMA).
  • You must successfully complete a medical and psychological exam, a polygraph interview, and a comprehensive background investigation.
PROBATIONARY & TRIAL PERIODS

Employees newly appointed to the Senior National Intelligence Service (SNIS) are subject to a twelve (12)-month probationary period to assess their ability to perform assigned duties and responsibilities at a level of excellence expected of a senior executive. For permanent employees newly hired into the ODNI, the probationary period will run concurrently with the first twelve (12) months of a new employee's two (2)-year trial period.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs)

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and the Intelligence Community Senior Officer Core Qualification (ICSOCQ) in your resume. Please see qualification section.

FREE RESPONSE ESSAY QUESTIONS

All applicants must answer the following four short, free response essay questions. Responses cannot exceed 200 words per question. Submitting your responses to the following questions, you certify that you are using your own words and did not use a consultant or AI.
  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

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs)

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and the Intelligence Community Senior Officer Core Qualification (ICSOCQ) listed below in your resume. RESUMES MUST NOT EXCEED TWO (2) PAGES. Resumes over the two (2)-page limit will not be reviewed and will be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, educations, and accomplishments applicable to the qualifications. If your resume does not demonstrate evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position. For more information regarding ECQs, please visit the Executive Core Qualifications page on the OPM website.

ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and Principles of the American Founding
This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.

ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency
This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.

ECQ 3: Merit and Competence
This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.

ECQ 4: Leading People
This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable.

ECQ 5: Achieving Results
This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.

ISCOCQ: Leading the Intelligence Enterprise
This core qualification involves the ability to integrate resources, information, interests, and activities effectively in support of the Intelligence Community's mission and to lead and leverage cross-organizational collaborative networks to achieve significant mission results. Inherent to this senior officer qualification is a deep understanding of the intelligence enterprise and a shared commitment to the IC's core values.

Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM-approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you do not need to respond to the ECQs. Instead, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualification Review Board (QRB)) or your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.


Expert knowledge of the personnel security, physical and technical security, and insider threat missions gained through substantive experience managing and conducting either background investigations, adjudications, polygraph examinations, or any combination thereof; and, expert level experience managing personnel security programs.

Senior level experience with IC and national level policy interpretation, execution and evaluation.

Experience working with senior official counterparts from other government agencies to develop consensus and common purpose on complicated policy issues.

Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to exert influence with senior leadership and communicate effectively with people at all staff levels, both internal and external to the organization.

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.

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.

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. After reviewing your resume and supporting documentation, a determination will be made. You must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement.

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.
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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

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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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