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Director, Office of Congressional & Public Affairs
Job Location:
Job Location:
Chantilly, VA - USA
Monthly Salary:
$ 186207 - 209600
Monthly Salary:
Posted:
9 July 2026 (30+ days ago)
Posted:
Application Deadline:
25 October 2026
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Vacancies:
Job Summary
WE ARE THE NRO
For over sixty years the NRO has developed acquired launched and operated the satellites that are the foundation for Americas advantage and strength in space. Using a diversified architecture of spacecraft NRO collects and delivers the best space-based intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance content on the planet.
Learn more .
Basic Eligibility for a Position with the NRO
Where You Will Work
This position is located in the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) Chantilly VA. The NRO is the federal agency chartered to meet United States Governments intelligence needs through delivering space-borne Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. As a Department of War (DoW) agency and an element of the Intelligence Community (IC) the NRO is staffed by DoW and IC agency personnel and is funded through the National Intelligence Program (NIP) and the Military Intelligence Program (MIP) consistent with priorities and processes established by the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) and the Under Secretary of War for Intelligence and Security (USW(I&S)). The NRO executes the research and development acquisition launch and operation of overhead ISR systems necessary to meet the needs of the DoW IC and other national decision makers.
The Business Plans and Operations (BPO) Directorate serves as an advisor to the Director NRO his staff and the Directorates and Offices of the NRO in all financial and resource management matters. BPO builds and maintains the resource foundation for developing acquiring and operating system that enable the NRO to provide innovate overhead intelligence for national security. BPO also creates implements and manages sound financial policies integrated financial systems disciplined Congressional liaison and effective communications counsel. Additionally the Directorate manages all NRO acquisition processes and documentation and ensures NRO acquisition planning remains in compliance with DoW and Office of the Director National Intelligence (ODNI) policy objectives. Finally BPO provides cohesive resource analysis for NRO leadership IC decision makers and external oversight partners; planning and program support to the NRO acquisition functions; and historical insight and analytical framework to NRO leaders.
The Director Office of Congressional & Public Affairs (D/OCPA) is a Defense Intelligence Senior Level (DISL) tier 1 position within BPO. D/OCPA is responsible for overseeing and executing all matters pertaining to Legislative Branch oversight of NRO programs and activities all matters related to NROs interactions with the public and media to include social media and public speaking engagements and distinguished visitors to NRO headquarters. OCPA develops communication strategies to help disseminate key messages to NRO stakeholders (internal and external to the NRO) and disseminates timely information to target audiences to facilitate understanding of the NROs mission goals and strategies and ensures uniformity of experience for leadership hosted events and guests.
The positions responsibilities focus on executive leadership management and oversight responsibilities for NRO Congressional Public Affairs and Protocol staff at the NRO. The incumbent is responsible for three primary functions on behalf of the Director BPO (D/BPO):
Your resume may be considered for other positions which your skills and experience may be a good match.
This is a full-time position that is open from 07-JUL-2026 through 24-JUL-2026. Applicant packages must be submitted by 11:59 PM ET on the closing date.
Who May Apply
What You Will Be Doing
The D/OCPA executes all aspects of the offices duties outlined below beginning with the NROs overall Congressional and Public Affairs strategies and is responsible for overseeing protocol functions supporting DNRO and NRO senior leaders. Within OCPA the director has responsibility for ensuring that the office is operating at high levels of performance and that mission operations are streamlined and effective as well as overseeing personnel-related decision-making. The office promotes the mission of the NRO by:
All applicants for this senior officer position must submit written capability statement (narrative format) of accomplishments that would satisfy the IC Senior Office Core Qualification and the technical qualifications.
IC Senior Officer Core Qualification (IC SOCQ)
Technical Qualifications
Other Significant Facts and Requirements
Excepted Service: This position is an Excepted Service Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) position under authorities of the U.S. Code Title 10 Section 1601 and 1607 dated 20 July 1999.
DCIPS Trial Period: Newly appointed NRO Cadre senior officers must meet a two-year DCIPS trial period if not previously satisfied. Runs concurrent with other probationary or trial periods.
DISL Probationary Period: Newly appointed DISL employees (including DISES moving into a DISL position) must complete a one-year DISL Probationary Period if not previously satisfied.
Citizenship: U.S. citizenship required to qualify for this position.
Drug-Free Workplace: Position is a Testing Designated Position. Incumbent subject to pre-employment and random drug testing.
Security Clearance: Position is designated special-sensitive and incumbent must obtain and retain a TOP SECRET security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information. Employee remains subject to initial and periodic Counterintelligence Polygraphs and the terms of their signed NDA.
Financial Disclosure: The incumbent is required to submit an initial OGE 278e (Financial Disclosure) within 30 days of appointment and annually thereafter in accordance with the Joint Ethics Regulation.
Education Requirement: Advanced degree preferred in related field.
Duty Hours: The incumbent is required to be available for other than normal duty hours to include weekends to support exercises and crisis planning.
Submission Package
All applicants for this senior officer position must submit:
Current IC officer applicants including banded or graded personnel current DISL or DISES and other IC Component senior officers are also required to submit:
Location
Chantilly Virginia
Salary
2026 DISL salary range: $186207 - $209600
Hiring Incentives
The NRO may offer hiring incentives and other entitlements at managements discretion.
Trial Period
All newDCIPS employeeswill be required to serve a 2-year trial period if not previously satisfied.
Veterans Preference
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 Vol 2005 DCIPS Employment and Placement. If you are a veteran claiming veterans preference as defined by section 2108 of Title 5 USC you must submit documents verifying your eligibility upon request.
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race color religion sex (including pregnancy and gender identity) national origin political affiliation sexual orientation marital status disability genetic information age membership in an employee organization retaliation parental status military service or other non-merit factor.
Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process should follow the instructions in the job opportunity announcement. For any part of the remaining hiring process applicants should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
A reasonable accommodation is any change to a job the work environment or the way things are usually done that enables an individual with a disability to apply for a job perform job duties or receive equal access to job benefits.
Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodations when:
Privacy Act Notice
Privacy Act Notice (PL 93-579): We use this information to determine qualifications for employment. This is authorized under Title 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361.
Read more aboutthe Privacy Act of 1974
For over sixty years the NRO has developed acquired launched and operated the satellites that are the foundation for Americas advantage and strength in space. Using a diversified architecture of spacecraft NRO collects and delivers the best space-based intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance content on the planet.
Learn more .
Basic Eligibility for a Position with the NRO
- You must be a U.S. Citizen
- You must be 18 years of age or older.
- You must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance
- You will be subject to pre-employment and periodic drug testing
- You will be subject to pre-employment and periodic polygraph examinations
Where You Will Work
This position is located in the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) Chantilly VA. The NRO is the federal agency chartered to meet United States Governments intelligence needs through delivering space-borne Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. As a Department of War (DoW) agency and an element of the Intelligence Community (IC) the NRO is staffed by DoW and IC agency personnel and is funded through the National Intelligence Program (NIP) and the Military Intelligence Program (MIP) consistent with priorities and processes established by the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) and the Under Secretary of War for Intelligence and Security (USW(I&S)). The NRO executes the research and development acquisition launch and operation of overhead ISR systems necessary to meet the needs of the DoW IC and other national decision makers.
The Business Plans and Operations (BPO) Directorate serves as an advisor to the Director NRO his staff and the Directorates and Offices of the NRO in all financial and resource management matters. BPO builds and maintains the resource foundation for developing acquiring and operating system that enable the NRO to provide innovate overhead intelligence for national security. BPO also creates implements and manages sound financial policies integrated financial systems disciplined Congressional liaison and effective communications counsel. Additionally the Directorate manages all NRO acquisition processes and documentation and ensures NRO acquisition planning remains in compliance with DoW and Office of the Director National Intelligence (ODNI) policy objectives. Finally BPO provides cohesive resource analysis for NRO leadership IC decision makers and external oversight partners; planning and program support to the NRO acquisition functions; and historical insight and analytical framework to NRO leaders.
The Director Office of Congressional & Public Affairs (D/OCPA) is a Defense Intelligence Senior Level (DISL) tier 1 position within BPO. D/OCPA is responsible for overseeing and executing all matters pertaining to Legislative Branch oversight of NRO programs and activities all matters related to NROs interactions with the public and media to include social media and public speaking engagements and distinguished visitors to NRO headquarters. OCPA develops communication strategies to help disseminate key messages to NRO stakeholders (internal and external to the NRO) and disseminates timely information to target audiences to facilitate understanding of the NROs mission goals and strategies and ensures uniformity of experience for leadership hosted events and guests.
The positions responsibilities focus on executive leadership management and oversight responsibilities for NRO Congressional Public Affairs and Protocol staff at the NRO. The incumbent is responsible for three primary functions on behalf of the Director BPO (D/BPO):
- Develop and sustain NRO relationships across the Legislative Branch and promote NRO programs with Congress;
- Represent and communicate the NROs public persona; and
Your resume may be considered for other positions which your skills and experience may be a good match.
This is a full-time position that is open from 07-JUL-2026 through 24-JUL-2026. Applicant packages must be submitted by 11:59 PM ET on the closing date.
Who May Apply
- This position is open to current Federal civilian employees who are senior officers GG/GS-15 and applicants from the Private Sector.
- The NRO is only accepting external applicants through this job announcement.
What You Will Be Doing
The D/OCPA executes all aspects of the offices duties outlined below beginning with the NROs overall Congressional and Public Affairs strategies and is responsible for overseeing protocol functions supporting DNRO and NRO senior leaders. Within OCPA the director has responsibility for ensuring that the office is operating at high levels of performance and that mission operations are streamlined and effective as well as overseeing personnel-related decision-making. The office promotes the mission of the NRO by:
- Expertly advising the DNRO PDDNRO DDNRO and the NRO leadership team on Congressional issues and engagement
- Ensuring that Congress is fully and currently informed of significant intelligence activities and programs
- Organizing notifications on time-sensitive subjects
- Tracking legislation that could affect the NRO
- Responding to Congressional correspondence and directed actions
- Educating NRO personnel about their obligations for keeping the Congress fully and currently informed of significant intelligence activities
- Leading managing and overseeing all public communications for the DNRO; and rapidly and accurately responding to public and media queries
- Leading managing and overseeing relationships with appropriate media organizations and serve as a credible and authoritative source on National Reconnaissance and related issues
- Serve as chief spokesperson on behalf of the DNRO
- Direct the NRO in external and internal communications matters
- Communicate the DNROs messages to the NRO workforce
- Communicate the DNROs messages to the public
- Work with the IC and DoW Offices of Legislative Affairs and Public Affairs on Congressional and public communications matters respectively
- Ensure uniformity of leadership hosted events
- Manage the distinguished visitor parking program for headquarters
- Track and control the use of representational funds in support of leadership engagements
- Responsible for overseeing protocol functions supporting DNRO and NRO senior leaders.
All applicants for this senior officer position must submit written capability statement (narrative format) of accomplishments that would satisfy the IC Senior Office Core Qualification and the technical qualifications.
IC Senior Officer Core Qualification (IC SOCQ)
- Leading the Intelligence Enterprise is the core qualification that involves the ability to integrate resources information interests and activities effectively in support of the ICs 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 ICs core values.
Technical Qualifications
- Expert knowledge and demonstrated ability to develop and execute:
- A legislative strategy for Members of Congress and Legislative Branch staff and
- A public affairs strategy to include public speaking engagements media and social media that advance organizational objectives.
- Expert knowledge and demonstrated ability to lead teams and translate strategic objectives into a comprehensive executable program.
Other Significant Facts and Requirements
Excepted Service: This position is an Excepted Service Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) position under authorities of the U.S. Code Title 10 Section 1601 and 1607 dated 20 July 1999.
DCIPS Trial Period: Newly appointed NRO Cadre senior officers must meet a two-year DCIPS trial period if not previously satisfied. Runs concurrent with other probationary or trial periods.
DISL Probationary Period: Newly appointed DISL employees (including DISES moving into a DISL position) must complete a one-year DISL Probationary Period if not previously satisfied.
Citizenship: U.S. citizenship required to qualify for this position.
Drug-Free Workplace: Position is a Testing Designated Position. Incumbent subject to pre-employment and random drug testing.
Security Clearance: Position is designated special-sensitive and incumbent must obtain and retain a TOP SECRET security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information. Employee remains subject to initial and periodic Counterintelligence Polygraphs and the terms of their signed NDA.
Financial Disclosure: The incumbent is required to submit an initial OGE 278e (Financial Disclosure) within 30 days of appointment and annually thereafter in accordance with the Joint Ethics Regulation.
Education Requirement: Advanced degree preferred in related field.
Duty Hours: The incumbent is required to be available for other than normal duty hours to include weekends to support exercises and crisis planning.
Submission Package
All applicants for this senior officer position must submit:
- Resume. A two-page resume is addition you may choose to also submit a more detailed resume that exceeds two-pages.
- Capability Statement:a narrative statement specifically addressing your ability to perform the duties and meet the qualifications for this position as described in the announcement above.
Current IC officer applicants including banded or graded personnel current DISL or DISES and other IC Component senior officers are also required to submit:
- SF-50 proving current Federal civilian status
- Last two performance appraisals.
Location
Chantilly Virginia
Salary
2026 DISL salary range: $186207 - $209600
Hiring Incentives
The NRO may offer hiring incentives and other entitlements at managements discretion.
Trial Period
All newDCIPS employeeswill be required to serve a 2-year trial period if not previously satisfied.
Veterans Preference
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 Vol 2005 DCIPS Employment and Placement. If you are a veteran claiming veterans preference as defined by section 2108 of Title 5 USC you must submit documents verifying your eligibility upon request.
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race color religion sex (including pregnancy and gender identity) national origin political affiliation sexual orientation marital status disability genetic information age membership in an employee organization retaliation parental status military service or other non-merit factor.
- Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) for federal employees & job applicants
Reasonable Accommodation Policy
Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process should follow the instructions in the job opportunity announcement. For any part of the remaining hiring process applicants should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
A reasonable accommodation is any change to a job the work environment or the way things are usually done that enables an individual with a disability to apply for a job perform job duties or receive equal access to job benefits.
Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodations when:
- An applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to apply for a job.
- An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential job duties or to gain access to the workplace.
- An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to receive equal access to benefits such as details training and office-sponsored events.
Privacy Act Notice
Privacy Act Notice (PL 93-579): We use this information to determine qualifications for employment. This is authorized under Title 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361.
Read more aboutthe Privacy Act of 1974
Required Experience:
Senior Exec
About Company
The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) helps the US practice the first rule of warfare: Know thine enemy. Called the "nation's eyes and ears in space," the Department of Defense agency designs, builds, and operates US reconnaissance satellites for the Central Intelligence Agency and ... View more
