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INTELLIGENCE RESEARCH SPECIALIST

Department of Justice
Drug Enforcement Administration

Summary

These positions are located in the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Positions will be filled in multiple geographic locations nationwide. Selectees may be required to relocate as a condition of employment. Selectee placement will be based on requirements and/or needs of the agency to effectively meet goals and objectives and will not be decided until the end of the applicant process.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted today · Apply by 07/10/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 10, 2026
This job will close when we have received 500 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Location
MANY vacancies in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Salary
$76,463 - $118,204 per year

Salary reflects base pay only; locality pay will be added once a duty location is determined/finalized.

Pay scale & grade
GS 12 - 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
Top Secret
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/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
F-NC-26-12987929-NAH-EXC
Control number
874745300

Duties

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As a INTELLIGENCE RESEARCH SPECIALIST, your typical work assignments may include: The incumbent is a newly hired Intelligence Research Specialist who assists Senior Intelligence Research Specialists and Special Agents by performing preliminary research, analysis, and evaluation of raw intelligence data for segments of large projects and studies.As an Intelligence Research Specialist, work assignments may include, but not limited to:

  • Receives and analyzes highly specialized, sensitive information from multiple sources.
  • Collects and evaluates information and provides recommendations and observations as to the vulnerable points within an organization.
  • Monitors projects, plans, organizes, and performs research and analysis of complex issues, and provides guidance/directions to lower-graded employees.
  • Plans, implements, and maintains databases to store and process technical information.
  • Collects, reviews, interprets, evaluates, and integrates large volumes of complex information from multiple sources pertaining to extensive, interrelated topic areas.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required.
  • Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation. Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
  • Incumbent is subject to random drug testing.
  • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit: http://www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/.
  • Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see http://www.sss.gov/).
  • Selectee will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period (OR 1-year OR 2-year trial period, as appropriate) during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
  • All applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
  • Newly hired Intelligence Research Specialists must successfully complete the 11 week Basic Intelligence Research Specialist (BIRS) Training Course at the DEA Training Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
  • Must sign a mobility agreement that confirms your understanding and agreement to accept relocation to any location depending on the needs of the DEA.
  • This position requires that the incumbent must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license.
  • Polygraph may be required. 0132 Applicants who have previously completed and passed a polygraph examination with their current or former agency, may seek reciprocity with the DEA during the hiring process.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all of the required qualification requirements described below by the closing of this announcement. Experience gained after the closing date of this announcement will not be used to determine the grade level or pay offered. If you are qualifying based on education or if there are mandatory education requirements listed below, you MUST submit a copy of your college transcript with your application.

For more information on eligibility requirements see: DEA Employment Eligibility

Applicants applying for the GS-12 and GS-13 must meet one of the following requirements:

GS-12: Must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 Federal grade level performing the following duties: receiving and analyzing highly specialized, sensitive intelligence information from multiple sources; planning, organizing and performing research and analysis of complex issues; collecting and evaluating intelligence information and providing recommendations and observations as to the vulnerable points within an organization; analyzing intelligence reports and data to develop recommendations; and developing, applying and disseminating information regarding "targeted profile".

GS-13: Must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 Federal grade level performing the following duties: collecting, reviewing, interpreting, evaluating, and integrating large volumes of intelligence data from multiple sources pertaining to extensive, interrelated geographical or functional fields; planning, implementing and maintaining databases to store and process technical or operational intelligence; planning, coordinating and/or conducting the collection and analysis of strategic and tactical intelligence; conducting special research studies and providing comprehensive assessments of broad, complex, or highly sensitive issues; and developing methods of evaluating the validity, accuracy, and reliability of a broad array and high volume of information.

In addition to the above, applicants MUST also meet one of the following requirements:

1. Highly technical state-of-the-art skills associated with computer engineering, systems engineering, and computer science in order to perform and manage highly sensitive and technical special projects. These technical skills can include experience in Geospatial Visualization and Geographic Information Systems; Data Aggregation and Analysis; and Digital and Social Media Exploitation);
OR
2. A Foreign language aptitude with proof of certification from an independent outside source with at least a satisfactory professional proficiency level or higher in the areas of reading, writing and comprehension.

Additional information on the position qualification requirements are located in the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Qualifications Standards Handbook.

Conditions of Employment:

Intelligence Research Specialists are subject to reassignment to any location in the United States depending on the needs of the DEA. All applicants must be available for relocation throughout their career with DEA and will be required to sign a Mobility Agreement to this effect when accepting an offer of employment. The Mobility Agreement confirms your understanding and agreement to accept reassignment to any location depending on the needs of the DEA and the Intelligence Program. This mandatory agreement remains in effect throughout your DEA career as an Intelligence Research Specialist. The opportunity to transfer to other assignments as advertised will be available to you.

Newly hired Intelligence Research Specialists must successfully complete a 11-week Basic Intelligence Research Specialist (BIRS) Training Course at the DEA Training Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

Successful completion of an initial background investigation to include a polygraph and successful completion of periodic reinvestigations throughout your DEA career as well as adherence to the DEA Standards of Conduct.

Education

Education requirements do not apply to this vacancy announcement.

Additional information

Training Requirement: As a term of employment, individuals selected for this position are required to successfully complete the Basic Intelligence Research Specialist Training Program. This is a 11-week training held at the DEA Training Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

Mobility Requirement: This position is subject to reassignment to any domestic DEA facility, depending on the needs of the DEA. Individuals selected for this position are required to sign a mobility agreement as a condition of employment.

Employment Drug Policy: All DEA applicants are required to disclose their current and past drug usage and activity. The DEA recognizes some otherwise qualified applicants may have used illegal drugs or abused legal drugs or substances in their past. These circumstances will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing the Intel Assessments, you will be prompted to request a reasonable accommodation after logging into to your invitation link, prior to beginning Phase 1 and Phase 3 testing. Upon your request, the DEA Applicants Reasonable Accommodations Team will contact you and request any applicable medical documentation. Once the request has been fully adjudicated you will be notified via email to proceed with testing.Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the Intel Assessments must be received before the JOA closes to be considered for this job opening. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. After notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the Intel Assessments. If the email invitation is sent prior to the close of the JOA to which you applied, you must complete all the assessments within 72 hours of the closing of the JOA. If the email invitation is sent after the close of the JOA to which you applied, you must complete all of the assessments within 72 hours of the time the email is sent.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

  • your performance and conduct;
  • the needs and interests of the agency;
  • whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
  • whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to similar positions in any Division/Office listed in this announcement.

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.

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered. No documentation will be accepted via email. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents) and assessment questionnaire.

There are three evaluation phases used to determine the applicants who are Best Qualified for the position:

Phase 1: Proctored Testing The best qualified candidates will receive an email invitation to schedule an appointment to complete Phase 1 of the recruitment process. Phase 1 requires candidates to complete the Logic-based Reasoning Assessment and the Writing Assessment at a proctored testing center.

Phase 2: Minimum Qualifications and Conditions of Employment
The best qualified candidates from Phase 1 will have their resume and supporting documents reviewed to determine whether they meet the minimum qualifications of this position. Subject-matter-experts (SMEs) will review your resume to determine your qualifications for this position based on the required specialized experience. Your resume should demonstrate how you meet all aspects of the specialized experience statement. SMEs will not review additional information beyond your resume. The evaluation team may exclude a candidate from consideration if the candidate's self-ratings are higher than supported by the application materials.

Phase 3: Virtual Structured Interview
Candidates will be contacted to schedule an appointment to participate in a structured interview. Individuals will be evaluated on the following competencies: Teamwork, Self-Management, Reasoning, Oral Communication, Attention to Detail and Flexibility. Candidates must complete and pass the oral assessment to receive consideration.

Agency and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP and ICTAP) candidates must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for selection priority. Candidates are considered well qualified if their knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) exceed the minimum qualifications described in the announcement.

Drug Enforcement Administration

TOUGH WORK. VITAL MISSION. Challenge yourself! You have the power to help combat drug trafficking. Be a part of DEA! It's tough work, but a vital mission. Whatever your background or expertise, your work at DEA will be tremendously rewarding because it will have a daily impact on national security and the quality of life of all Americans.

The DEA is our country's leading organization in charge of enforcing the controlled substance laws of the United States. The DEA provides employees with an exciting career whether supporting missions at home or abroad. Our employees make a difference by working together as a team to keep Americans safe from dangerous drugs and those who traffic them.

Please visit www.dea.gov to learn more about who we are and career opportunities that our organization offers.

Agency contact information

HRAF Recruitment Unit
Email
HRAF.Recruit@dea.gov
Address
Drug Enforcement Administration
Do Not Send Postal Mail
Springfield, VA 21310
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Drug Enforcement Administration, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://www.dea.gov/careers/intelligence-research-specialist

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