Collection Management Officer

About the Job

As a Collection Management Officer at CIA, you will drive the collection of foreign intelligence and actively manage the two-way dialogue between U.S. intelligence consumers and the Directorate of Operations (DO). You will evaluate the foreign intelligence collected by the DO to ensure the DO is providing U.S. foreign policy and national security decision-makers with timely, accurate, clear, and concise reporting in a manner that safeguards sensitive intelligence sources and methods.

Collection Management Officers use a combination of formal training and independent learning to develop and maintain subject matter expertise on current and looming country- and region-specific issues and/or transnational issues such as counterterrorism, counter proliferation, and cyber. This subject matter expertise enables Collection Management Officers to understand intelligence needs and identify clandestine collection opportunities that meet the priority requirements of U.S. foreign intelligence consumers.

Opportunities exist for Collection Management Officers to serve in multi-year assignments overseas or they can spend most or all of their career serving in the Washington, DC area.

All DO officers are hired at an entry level and train as they are expected to work – as one team. DO officers begin their careers spending one to two years learning the foundations of clandestine operational tradecraft via classroom training, practical exercises, and on-the-job experience gained through a series of interim assignments. Following successful completion of the foundational training, each DO officer will transition into advanced training activity to prepare them to serve effectively in their respective career occupational specialty.

Our physical requirements for training are as follows:

• 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.

This position requires a 5-year Contract Term Agreement.

Who You’ll Work With

At the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), we recognize our Nation’s strength comes from the diversity of its people. People from a broad range of backgrounds and viewpoints work at CIA, and our diverse teams are the reason we can keep our country safe.

Read more about diversity and inclusion

What You’ll Get

Our benefits support every aspect of a working professional’s life, including health and wellness, time off, family, finances, and continuing education. Our programs include highly sought-after government health benefits, flexible schedules, sick leave, and childcare. In some cases, we also offer sign-on incentives and cover moving expenses if you relocate.

As a CIA employee, you’ll also get the satisfaction of knowing your work is part of something bigger than yourself. Our work is driven by one mission: to keep our Nation safe. Every day is an opportunity to enhance U.S. national security.

Learn more about working at CIA

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution (applicants within one year of earning a four-year degree will be considered); there is no preferred major or program of study (degrees from foreign academic institutions are accepted, but you are responsible for obtaining and providing CIA with a credential evaluation from an accredited firm confirming that the foreign degree is the equivalent of a BA/BS and/or MA/MS degree conferred by a U.S. college or university)
• At least a 3.0 GPA on a 4-point scale is preferred
• Personal integrity
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written)
• Action- and results-oriented
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and independently
• Flexibility, adaptability, and commitment to the mission of the CIA and the Directorate of Operations
• Ability to meet the minimum requirements for joining CIA, including U.S. citizenship and a background investigation

Desired Qualifications

• Present clandestine intelligence information clearly and accurately in writing and verbally
• Apply expertise in operational tradecraft, counterintelligence, and risk management to Directorate of Operations intelligence collection operations
• Deal effectively, comfortably, and confidently with people at all levels of responsibility, authority, and rank
• Multitask to manage time and priorities
• View challenge and uncertainty as opportunity
• Interest in seeking answers and maintaining expertise on the full spectrum of intelligence priorities within their area or assignment (i.e. possess a high-level intellectual curiosity)
• Ability to lead teams and work independently

What You’ll Need to Apply

The following items must be attached to your on-line application (PDF format preferred):

• Unofficial transcripts for all degrees
• Cover letter: please describe your knowledge, skills, abilities, and aspirations not evident from your resume, that make you a good candidate for the Directorate of Operations (1 page).

At the time of application, DO applicants select specific DO occupational specialties (i.e. Collection Management Officer, Staff Operations Officer, Operations Officer, Targeting Officer). Competitive applicants will continue to be asked to identify their DO occupational specialty preference(s) at various stages in the hiring process. It is not unusual for applicants to adjust their preference as they progress and learn more about the expectations and requirements of each occupational specialty.