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Intelligence Research Analyst


Job Location:

McLean, MD - USA

Yearly Salary: USD 121785 - 121785
Posted: 6 October 2026 (4 days ago)
Application Deadline: 3 January 2027
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Summary

The National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) leads the nations effort to protect the United States from terrorism by integrating analyzing and sharing information to drive whole-of-government action and achieve our national CT objectives.


Duties

The National Counterterrorism Centers Counterterrorism Executive (NCTC/CTX) is looking for a motivated intelligence analyst seeking a challenging and rewarding assignment with a high-performing team covering terrorist threats and counterterrorism capabilities globally focused on terrorist hostage and detainee issues. This unit is charged with discerning assessing and communicating the significance and implications of terrorism-related developments to inform policy and support operations. The division is seeking an analyst able to operate at the full performance level and willing to commit to a dynamic fulfilling set of important responsibilities that will require a positive attitude formal instruction and close partnership with other talented analysts. CTX has an expansive mission that requires a rigorous approach to analysis and collaboration across the IC. Aspiring candidates will be at the forefront of NCTCs efforts to identify unique analytic insights while continuing to provide the highest quality strategic analysis on CT Topics.

Qualified candidates will have the opportunity to:

Plan research develop and communicate in-depth analyses of complex and significant national regional and/or global issues for senior policymakers and key components in the Intelligence Community (IC) law enforcement and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI).

Plan promote and lead the production of a broad range of finished intelligence products in support of United States (US) foreign policy and national security interests.

Provide leadership and expert guidance to the planning analysis and application of a full-range of methodological tools and approaches to gain a comprehensive understanding of complex analytical issues and incorporate insights and findings into well-crafted in-depth intelligence products.

Plan prepare and present written and oral briefings to senior internal and external customers on significant intelligence issues; explain complex concepts to non-expert customers and tailor the product to correspond to customer needs.

Develop and implement strategies and mitigation initiatives to address gaps and shortfalls in collection and analytic capabilities across the USG.

Lead plan direct and coordinate the preparation of tactical multidisciplinary and strategic analysis that supports key US national security and foreign policy objectives and helps shape IC analysis and priorities.

Apply a full range of methodological tools and approaches to gain a comprehensive understanding of complex and significant analytic issues and incorporate insights and findings into well-crafted sophisticated intelligence products.

Develop and implement strategies for gathering intelligence or historical information in support of US interests and policy objectives; cultivate and identify key internal and external sources of relevant information that meet customer and self-derived needs.

Develop and continually expand personal knowledge in area of expertise.


Requirements
Conditions of employment
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen residing in the United States
  • Appointment is subject to a suitability or fitness determination as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance based on an SBI with eligibility for sensitive compartmented information (SCI)
  • Male applicants born after December 31 1959 must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • A two-year trial period is required for all new permanent appointments to the ODNI.
Qualifications

Ability to effectively plan research develop and write high-quality complex analyses studies projects assignments and briefings on key US foreign policy and national security objectives focused on a specific region or transnational issue for IC consumers and policymakers at the highest levels of government.

Ability to apply expert knowledge of ODNI IC organizations and relevant customer organizations or operations in order to effectively translate their requirements and provide appropriate output or responses to meet customer needs.

Thorough knowledge of IC policy and procedures and demonstrated knowledge of analytic tradecraft and superior ability to communicate intelligence information and judgments to generalists as well as specialists.

Ability to produce analytic finished intelligence related to the subject matter issue either as lead analyst or manager of analysts and broad knowledge of the role of intelligence analysis within the IC.

Ability to lead and promote the development and use of a broad range of methodological tools and approaches to research analyze and present data (modeling link analysis or software).

Flexibility and ability to remain open-minded and change opinions on the basis of new information and requirements; ability to support group decisions and solicit opinions from coworkers.

Analytic and critical thinking skills including superior ability to think strategically.

Ability to execute senior-level guidance in a fast-paced environment and superior ability to translate strategic goals into specific objectives with appropriate metrics and methods to track progress towards meeting those goals.

Interpersonal organizational and problem-solving skills in working with individuals at the highest levels of the IC and government in justifying defending negotiating and resolving significant and controversial issues.

Ability to work effectively both independently and in a team or collaborative environment and mentor junior colleagues

Creative problem-solving skills and initiative in carrying out mission responsibilities.

To be considered qualified applicants must possess five or more years of experience at a national agency federal department law enforcement organization or combatant command or completing relevant non-governmental or private sector work.

Education

Do NOT submit transcripts.

Additional information

JOB INTERVIEW TRAVEL

Candidates from outside the Washington Metropolitan Area (WMA) may be selected for a telephone teleconference or in-person interview.

SALARY DETERMINATION

The ODNI uses a rank-in-person system in which rank is attached to GS employees on the basis of individual qualifications experience and performance. Individuals whose current GS grade is equivalent to the grade of the advertised position will retain their current grade and step. Individuals who transfer to the ODNI from a non-GS pay scale will have base pay converted to the appropriate GS grade and step as determined by the Chief of Human Resource Management.

Current federal employees whose current GS grade is lower than the grade of the advertised ODNI position will have pay set at his or her current grade and step.

In some cases when a current federal civilian employee applies for an ODNI position that is a lower grade than his or her personal grade the candidates personal grade will be downgraded to the grade of the advertised ODNI position and pay will be set at the step that is closest to and not less than the employees current annual base rate of pay not to exceed the maximum step rate of the GS grade to which assigned.

RELOCATION EXPENSES

For new ODNI employees reimbursement for relocation is discretionary based on availability of funds.

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 by telephone at or by FAX at . 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.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.


Required Experience:

IC