About CIA

Organization

Our Agency is made up of five broad disciplines, known as directorates, which join forces under the umbrella of Mission Centers. Each team brings a unique set of capabilities that, when combined, support our vital mission.

Directorate of Analysis

The Directorate of Analysis provides timely, accurate, and objective intelligence analysis. Analysts inform U.S. officials, like the president and his or her senior advisers, on key foreign issues. Officers who work within the Directorate of Analysis are excellent puzzle-solvers who take information, often with missing pieces, and make sense of it. Then, they deliver written reports and brief policymakers to help them make informed decisions.

Careers

A career in the Directorate of Analysis means anticipating and quickly assessing evolving international developments. In addition to oral briefings, these officers create highly-sensitive products like the CIA World Intelligence Review and contribute to the President’s Daily Brief.

There is no “one-size-fits-all” career path at the Directorate of Analysis. Analysts go through specialized training and many develop expertise in a region or topic. They might also spend time working in our 24/7 Operations Center. More senior officers may take on corporate assignments or teach other analysts. Many are recognized across the U.S. government as experts in their specialty.

These are just examples of the wide range of possibilities at the Directorate of Analysis.

We Are the Directorate of Analysis

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Directorate of Operations

The Directorate of Operations handles the collection of intelligence acquired by human sources (human intelligence or HUMINT). When necessary, and under unique circumstances, they conduct covert action as directed by the president.

Careers

The Directorate of Operations offers a range of job opportunities for qualified candidates interested in spending a significant part of their professional careers and personal lives living and working overseas, and also for those who prefer to be based in the Washington, DC area. Case officers in the Directorate of Operations may serve tours of duty abroad to collect foreign intelligence. These brave officers work to discover secrets vital to protecting U.S. national security.

Due to the nature of their work, officers in the Directorate of Operations often live and work undercover. This means being discreet and selective about who they talk to when it comes to their career. Since covert assignments demand certain skills, all officers in the Directorate of Operations go through specialized training when they join the Agency.

The Collection Management Officer, Case Officer, Paramilitary Officer, Specialized Skills Officer, Staff Operations Officer, and Targeting Officer tracks require successful completion of intensive Directorate of Operations foundational training that runs for extended periods. As part of the program, some trainees are expected to:

  • Operate a motor vehicle without second-party assistance in daytime and nighttime conditions;
  • Traverse uneven terrain, to include climbing and descending staircases, over fixed minimum distances and in varying weather conditions;
  • Work non-traditional or erratic schedules;
  • Make reasoned decisions under time constraints.

Some training occurs outside the Washington Metropolitan Area. Additional details on Directorate of Operations training requirements are provided in the advanced stages of the hiring process.

We are the Directorate of Operations

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Directorate of Science and Technology

The Directorate of Science and Technology applies innovative, scientific, engineering, and technical solutions in support of our foreign intelligence mission. They use their specialized expertise to confront intelligence problems with effective targeting, bold technology, and superb tradecraft.

Careers

Our technical intelligence officers are part of a worldwide team of experts in science and emerging technologies. Their expertise helps the Agency adapt, lead, and stay ahead of the curve in support of our mission to protect the United States from foreign threats. These officers are often tasked with developing one-of-a-kind, limited production items to meet national security requirements. They also analyze data, train partners, provide long-term strategic assessments, and more.

Officers in the Directorate of Science and Technology work closely with their counterparts in the Directorate of Operations, providing them with the technical support and innovative solutions they need to achieve success in their intelligence collection missions. For example, some officers support clandestine operations through surveillance or by setting up secure communications. Others may support satellite reconnaissance systems or develop other advanced technologies. Regardless of the task, what these officers do on a day-to-day basis provides our country with a significant intelligence advantage.

We are the Directorate of Science and Technology

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Directorate of Digital Innovation

The Directorate of Digital Innovation, the Agency’s newest directorate, accelerates innovation across the CIA. The directorate makes sure teams have the tools and techniques they need to operate in a modern, connected world and still be clandestine. From cybersecurity to IT infrastructure, these officers keep CIA at the forefront of the digital landscape.

Careers

The Directorate of Digital Innovation serves as the engine of creativity, integration, and rigor needed in the digital age. Digital innovation officers arm the Agency with forward-thinking tools and techniques to compete in the cyber arena. They also work with other directorates to identify opportunities for innovation. Depending on their skill sets, officers can take part in anything from software development to open-source collection.

The Directorate of Digital Innovation also has a strong team of data scientists and engineers to support analysis in the world of big data. With such a wide range of needs across CIA, officers must stay agile and adaptive throughout their careers.

We are the Directorate of Digital Innovation

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Directorate of Support

The Directorate of Support is the backbone of CIA’s mission. They are responsible for key support functions, including security, supply chains, facilities, financial and medical services, business systems, human resources, and logistics.

For tasks and assignments all over the world, they are first in, last out.

Careers

Our support officers play a vital role in enabling CIA’s mission. Serving side-by-side with colleagues across directorates, their job is to make sure all mission elements have everything they need for success. They get key functions up and running at the start of a mission, and get everyone and everything out safely at the end. A career in the Directorate of Support means serving in one of 30+ different career paths.

We are the Skilled Professionals of CIA

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Mission Centers

Mission Centers work closely with all Agency elements to meet national security challenges. Mission Centers bring together a full range of operational, analytic, support, technical, and digital capabilities.

Officers from each directorate work together as one to address present and future threats. Today, there are almost a dozen Mission Centers focusing on regional and high-priority issues.

Executive Offices

The Director of the CIA maintains a diverse executive staff to oversee key Agency functions. These offices include, but are not limited to:

  • Human Resources, which builds and shapes CIA’s workforce around our Nation’s intelligence needs
  • Congressional Affairs, which serves as liaison between CIA and Congress while ensuring Congress is fully informed of intelligence activities
  • General Counsel, which is responsible for the sound and efficient management of all CIA legal affairs, including providing legal advice and guidance
  • Military Affairs, which coordinates, plans, executes, and sustains activities that support CIA and Department of Defense interactions worldwide

The Agency also has several offices that focus on public affairs, talent, internal oversight, and more.

Office of Equal Employment Opportunity

The Office of Equal Employment Opportunity serves as an Enterprise Function responsible for enforcing Federal Laws and Regulations that prohibit discrimination and harassment in the workplace.

Office of Privacy and Civil Liberties

The Office of Privacy and Civil Liberties helps to ensure that privacy and civil liberties are integrated into the day-to-day conduct of the Agency’s intelligence mission.

Office of Inspector General

The Office of Inspector General performs audits, inspections, and investigations of Agency activities and programs.

Office of Public Affairs

The Office of Public Affairs leads all media, public relations, and communications matters, including press and entertainment inquiries. OPA also manages this website and all of CIA’s official social media accounts.

Prepublication Classification Review Board

Interested in publishing your work? If you’re a current or former CIA employee or contractor, you’ll need to submit your publication to the Prepublication Classification Review Board (formerly called the Publication Review Board). The Prepublication Classification Review Board reviews all publications prior to public release to protect classified information and U.S. national security.

Learn About the Review Process