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INTELLIGENCE SPECIALIST

Department of the Air Force
National Air and Space Intelligence Center
INFORM EXPLOITA SQ

Summary

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below for IMPORTANT additional information.

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a team lead collecting and researching Publicly and Commercially Available Information (PAI/CAI) and other open sources (OS) for information relevant to organizational information needs, with a focus on Chinese language sources.

Overview

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Posted today · Apply by 06/09/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 9, 2026
Location
Few vacancies in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$110,401 - $143,523 per year
Pay scale & grade
GG 13
Promotion potential
13
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Excepted Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Position sensitivity and risk
Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
9X-DCIPS-12975328-333689-JB
Control number
871341800

Duties

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- Collects, processes, and exploits complex intelligence information. Serves as a team lead, planning and implementing appropriate collection methods to gather semi-complex to complex technical intelligence data in the Chinese language for analysis and production activities.

- Collaborate to gather relevant information, improve tradecraft, and create high-value reports. Works with assigned analysts, PAI/CAI coordinators, collection managers, OSINT specialists, system engineers, translators, and other personnel to collect available information on a required topic.

- Serves as a functional expert on Chinese language, culture, and scientific and technical open sources. Makes policy recommendations to management regarding operational matters.

- Applies expertise to special initiatives, guides junior analysts, enhances cooperative efforts, and safeguards classified information. Applies expertise to special initiatives, studies, products, and Chinese working group reports and activities.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship Required
  • All new DCIPS employees are required to complete a two-year DCIPS trial period.
  • If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/
  • This posn is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
  • Must be registered for Selective Service, see Legal and Regulatory Guide
  • Employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours, to include evenings, weekends and/or holidays
  • Shift work and emergency overtime may be required
  • Employee must maintain current certifications
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments
  • Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit
  • Advance in hire may be authorized if there is demonstrable proof provided on your resume
  • Recruitment Incentive may be authorized for this position
  • Relocation Incentive may be authorized for this position
  • Leave accrual may be authorized upon request
  • Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period.
  • Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
  • Work is primarily sedentary in an office environment. Prolonged periods of sitting, reading, and intense analysis are typical and occur within office space without windows
  • The employee may be required to travel in military and/or commercial aircraft to perform temporary duty assignments.
  • A bachelor’s, master’s degree, or equivalent experience in intelligence, foreign area studies, language studies, the social sciences, or other related disciplines are highly desired.

Qualifications

This is a GG-13 position in the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). The GG-13 duties for the "Professional" work category are at the "Full Performance" work level and are equivalent to those at the GS-13 level. The selectee's salary will be set within the grade equivalent to a GS/GG grade based on the selectee's qualifications in relation to the job.

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Administrative and Management Positions.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Your resume must reflect the quality level of experience which demonstrates the possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies necessary for successful job performance required for this position. Examples of creditable experience include: knowledge of intelligence research and collection methods, principles, techniques, and concepts, as well as relevant terminology and intelligence analysis tools used for analytic reporting. Moreover, the incumbent must possess proficiency in advanced data principles, concepts, and methods to collect and disseminate detailed, semi-complex to complex information from various sources, including open sources. This role requires a demonstrated understanding of the national intelligence community, DoW, and joint structures, organizations, and mission/functions, as well as their interrelationships and operations. Additionally, experience with OSINT analysis strategies, principles, practices, and techniques, as well as knowledge of OS data and PAI/CAI available, is essential. This includes skills in conducting unbiased research to identify appropriate data sources and producing detailed collections requirements, as well as leveraging agency capabilities. Furthermore, fluency in English and Chinese is required, specifically to utilize professional, academic, scientific, and technical publications and other mission-relevant information sources. Note: Creditable experience may include previous military experience, experience gained in the private sector, or experience gained in another government agency.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

1. Knowledge of a wide range of theories, principles, techniques, and methods of intelligence research and collection, as well as relevant terminology and the use of intelligence analysis tools, in producing analytic reporting.

2. Knowledge of the national intelligence community, DoW, and joint structures, organizations, mission/functions, interrelationships, and operations, as well as security practices for ensuring the safeguarding of classified information; knowledge of Chinese professional, academic, scientific, and technical publications, and other mission-relevant information sources, as well as skill in reading and writing in English and Chinese and understanding the syntax of both languages.

3. Knowledge of software programs used for performing PAI/CAI research, as well as OSINT methods, procedures, and technologies used to interpret the results or outputs of tools and programs.

4. Skill in creating collections requirements, conducting complex research using PAI/CAI systems and data sources, and producing finished assessments that answer customer requirements, leverage agency capabilities and new methods, approaches, or procedures, maintain control of classified and controlled unclassified materials, assimilate disparate data, render knowledgeable and accurate assessments and estimates, and make effective recommendations, even under conditions of urgency and pressure.

5. Ability to communicate and express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing, to work out solutions to problems or questions related to tasks, to write clear and concise intelligence products, and to deliver written and verbal presentations to a range of audiences for decision-making purposes.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT CONTINUED:

Position is designated special-sensitive and requires eligibility for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), other intelligence-related Special Sensitive information, or involvement in Top Secret Special Access Programs (SAP) to fully perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. A non-disclosure agreement must be signed.

Drug Testing: This position has been designated by the Air Force as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Demand Reduction Program. Employee must pass initial and periodic short notice drug testing. Illegal drug use by employees in sensitive positions presents a clear threat to the mission of the Air Force, national security, and public safety.

Selective Placement Factor: Language Proficiency. This is a Language Designated Position (LDP) and requires foreign language proficiency in the Chinese language to perform the intelligence-related duties assigned. Incumbent must achieve and maintain a passing score in Listening 2/Reading 2 (L2/R2) on the Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT). Verification of this language proficiency level will be accomplished. Failure to comply will subject the incumbent of this position to reassignment or disciplinary adverse actions, including demotion or removal.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
This position is a Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel Systems (DCIPS) position implemented under Section 504, Title V of Public Law 99-569, Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1987, as codified in Sec 1601, Chap 83 of Title 10 United States Code which sets forth Air Force policies and procedures for DCIPS. This position is in the Excepted Service.

DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans' Preference to preference eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement. If you are a veteran claiming veterans' preference, as defined by section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., you must submit documents verifying your eligibility with your application package.

For additional information on DCIPS, click here

Additional information

****This position may be eligible for DCIPS STEM TLMS****

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.

120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur.

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here.

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.

Selectees who physically reside permanently in the U.S., the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or Northern Mariana Islands, and the Possessions of the U.S., during the entire recruitment process (application, selection, and acceptance of a formal job offer) and selected for employment in the foreign area are eligible to receive certain foreign area benefits such as: Living Quarters Allowance (LQA) or government quarters, Post Allowance, Home Leave, etc. (subject to approval)

Selectees who physically reside outside the U.S., the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or Northern Mariana Islands, and the Possessions of the U.S., during any step of the recruitment process (application, selection, and acceptance of a formal job offer) will have foreign area benefits eligibility be determined on a case by case basis.

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.

Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

Your responses to the questionnaire may be compared to the documents you submit. The documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of "not qualified" or "insufficient information" and you will not receive further consideration for this job.

Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

National Air and Space Intelligence Center

The mission of the United States Air Force is: To fly, fight, and win ... Airpower anytime, anywhere. To achieve that mission, the Air Force has a vision of Global Vigilance, Global Reach and Global Power. That vision orbits around three core competencies: Developing Airmen, Technology-to-Warfighting and Integrating Operations. Core competencies and distinctive capabilities are based on a shared commitment to three core values -- integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do.

This position is a Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel Systems (DCIPS) position implemented under Section 504, Title V of Public Law 99-569, Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1987, as codified in Sec 1601, Chap 83 of Title 10 United States Code which sets forth Air Force policies and procedures for DCIPS. This position is in the Excepted Service.

DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans' Preference to preference eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement. If you are a veteran claiming veterans' preference, as defined by section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., you must submit documents verifying your eligibility with your application package.

For additional information on DCIPS, click here

Agency contact information

Total Force Service Center
Phone
1-800-525-0102
Email
DO.NOT.EMAIL@CALL.ONLY
Address
IC - Air Force NASIC
550 C Street W
JBSA Randolph AFB, TX 78150
US

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