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Program Director Artificial Intelligence


Job Location:

Bethesda, MD - USA

Yearly Salary: USD 169279 - 169279
Posted: 6 October 2026 (15 hours ago)
Application Deadline: 3 January 2027
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Summary

ODNI established the Office of Economic Security and Emerging Technologies (OESET) in response to increasing demand for improved intelligence on the application of disruptive technologies and related global supply chains. Improved IC posture in this area is critical to enabling the whole-of-government response that maintains United States economic and technological competitive advantage and ensures U.S. access to goods and services central to its national security.


Duties

- Serve as the senior advisor and initiative lead for Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the Office of Economic Security and Emerging Technologies (OESET); represent OESET to ODNI and IC leadership and the policy community.

- Integrate the IC in collaboration with other ODNI offices on recommendations for achieving National Intelligence Strategy National Security Strategy and senior policymaker goals and objectives with regards to AI-related priorities.

- Support the policymaking process through attendance at National Security Council meetings and by overseeing integrated support to the DNI in advance of Deputy Committee and Principal Committee Meetings. Monitor and action follow-on IC tasking to support these processes.

- Support briefings to senior IC officials and other major stakeholders collaboration progress issues and challenges.

- Partner with the ICs analytic and collection communities to establish coordinated integrated analytic and collection priorities in accordance with the National Intelligence Priorities Framework (NIPF) and DNI guidance.

- Ensure seamless integration with OESETs other teams on technology driven economic competition and technology application issues as well as OESETs Investment Security Group and Economic Advantage Group to ensure integration and strategic alignment across all of OESETs mission areas.

- Develop and guide outreach to non-Title-50 agencies and the private sector in full collaboration with key ODNI elements and the IC driving synergies and alignment on AI-related issues. Manage the IC relationship with the Departments of Commerce Treasury State and other cross-governmental offices on economic security and technology-driven economic competition issues as it relates to AI.

- Lead and oversee the formulation development production and evaluation of a broad range of policies processes and guidance on AI.

- Focus on adversary development and adoption of AI with special emphasis on informing all elements of the IC about AIs economic implications while supplementing the ICs extensive blue-side efforts to enhance use of AI to improve IC capabilities and performance. Work with allies and other international partners as assigned to ensure awareness of initiatives and development challenges within partner nations.

- Enhance the ICs collection posture regarding AI developments and threats and enable exploitation of collection opportunities to increase US intelligence advantage.

- Promote a One IC culture that values diversity across organizational boundaries to accomplish a common mission. Lead manage and drive the ODNI core values of Commitment Courage and Collaboration and lead through example to ensure the efficient use of personnel and funding resources while maintaining ODNI commitment to diversity and opportunity.


Requirements
Conditions of employment

    Must be a current permanent ODNI employee OR must be a current permanent Federal employee with supervisory approval to apply to the Joint Duty Assignment (JDA). JDA applicants must be currently at the grade level specified in the advertisement. No temporary promotion opportunities will be granted for this position. The program does not apply to members of the Military service or contractors.

    Joint Duty applicants may be considered for this position as a reimbursable detailee if endorsed by the employing agency. Joint Duty applicants must have a current TS/SCI clearance with polygraph or have the ability to obtain one. The ODNI does not conduct polygraphs or provide security clearances for detailees.

    FREE RESPONSE ESSAY QUESTIONS

    All applicants must answer the following four short free response essay questions. The responses cannot exceed 200 words per question. By submitting your responses to the following questions you certify that you are using your own words and did not use a consultant or AI (such as a large language model LLM).

    1. How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government Provide a concrete example from professional academic or personal experience.
    2. In this role how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness Provide specific examples where you improved processes reduced costs or improved outcomes.
    3. In this role you will be expected to professionally and efficiently implement executive direction. Provide an example where you implemented leadership direction on a strategy or policy decision that differed from your own recommendation.
    4. How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional academic or personal achievements Provide one or two specific examples and explain how those qualities would enable you to serve effectively in this position.
    Qualifications

    - Expert knowledge of IC organizations; IC mission posture structures capabilities processes and policy development.

    - Superior capability and experience to effectively communicate organizational vision and align employee and program performance to the mission including prior experience in the ODNI or an IC element.

    - Expert knowledge of IC structures organizations directions capabilities processes and procedures and ability to anticipate issues relevant to economic security and competition collaborations analysis collection and/or operations.

    - Superior analytical critical thinking and communication skills including the ability to think strategically and identify needs and requirements and communicate effectively verbally and in writing to all levels of management.

    - Superior interpersonal and organizational skills including the ability to conceptualize and lead complex often ambiguous projects with little supervision and seamlessly manage multiple competing priorities as an office norm.

    - Superior demonstrated ability to work well with others on difficult and occasionally contentious issues as well as manage senior personnel tasking and results.

    - Familiarity with the ICs economic data and tools.

    DESIRED SKILLS

    - Prior experience with multiple intelligence source disciplines working in a cross-domain environment.

    - Experience representing the IC in engagements with the White House departments and agencies.

    - Experience with economic security and/or technology-driven competition mission areas to include AI semi-conductors or other emerging technologies.

    - Understanding of ODNIs mission and authorities.

    - Expert knowledge of IC resource processes prioritization processes and mission management principles.

    - Bachelors degree or equivalent experience as determined by mission specialty area.

    Education

    Bachelors degree.

    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

    A current Federal Government employee selected for this position will be assigned to the position at their current grade and salary.

    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 Officer by classified email at by unclassified email at by telephone at or by FAX at . Your request for reasonable accommodation will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION TO THE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS 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:

    Director