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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 Bureau of Intelligence & Research, Office of Analysis for Terrorism, Narcotics & Crime (INR/TNC) & reviews classified information on global terrorism, narcotics & crime & leads fentanyl supply-chain & crime analysis in East & South Asia/Pacific to inform U.S. policy.

Overview

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Posted today · Apply by 06/12/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 12, 2026
Location
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—Yes, as per agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$143,913 - $187,093 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 14
Promotion potential
14
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Occasional Travel may be required.
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
S/INR-EXC-2026-0022
Control number
871985700

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 (INR) only.

Duties

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  • Serves as the senior intelligence research specialist providing all source analysis on enduring and emerging trends in the global fentanyl supply chain and narcotics and transnational organized crime in East Asia, the Pacific, and South Asia.
  • Provides intelligence support and analysis on major regional drug and crime threats, including key aspects of the fentanyl supply chain.
  • Builds and maintains relationships with INR, INL, other Department bureaus, IC partners, and U.S. government experts on narcotics and crime in East Asia, the Pacific, and South Asia.
  • Represents the Department in interagency meetings, advises Department policymakers, briefs key congressional stakeholders, and serves as a government-wide expert in intergovernmental and non-governmental fora.
  • Advises on and performs intelligence research bearing on U.S. relations with foreign governments and international organizations.
  • Informs national security deliberations, interagency coordination, and diplomatic counterdrug efforts.

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 working with the Department of State, the Intelligence Community, and other national security agencies, including in interagency intelligence processes.
  • Experience briefing and drafting analysis for senior policymakers on the global fentanyl supply chain and narcotics and transnational organized crime in East Asia, the Pacific, and South Asia.
  • Experience using intelligence methods to analyze multi-source information and produce policy‑relevant intelligence assessments.

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 global fentanyl supply chain and related narcotics and transnational organized crime in East Asia, the Pacific, and South Asia.
  • Skill in oral communication and briefing senior officials and Congress.
  • Ability to provide intelligence-based guidance during overseas engagements.
  • Knowledge of congressional roles and oversight of intelligence and foreign policy.
  • Skill in all‑source analysis on narcotics and crime.
  • Ability to represent/defend agency positions in intergovernmental and non-governmental fora.

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

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

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