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Open Source Collection Specialist

Open Source Collection Specialists enable the systematic collection, processing, and dissemination of publicly available data for a region or topic to meet intelligence requirements.
  • Full time
  • Starting salary: $69,287 - $145,617
  • Bachelor’s degree
  • Foreign language bonus eligible
  • Opportunities for travel are possible
Express Interest

Agency-wide Requirements

All applicants must be:

  • U.S. citizens (dual U.S. citizens also eligible)
  • At least 18 years of age
  • Willing to move to the Washington, DC area
  • Able to complete security and medical evaluations
  • Registered for the Selective Service

About the Job

As an Open Source Collection Specialist (OSCS), you will enable the systematic collection, processing, and dissemination of publicly available data for a region or topic according to intelligence requirements. The information is known as Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) and includes traditional mass media, social media, commercial, government, and academic datasets, specialized publications, studies, conference proceedings, geospatial information, and more. In some cases, OSCSs act as collectors themselves. Some OSCSs work in traditional library environments, but most work in geographic- or subject area-based components.

Open Source Collection Specialists use technical tools and methodologies to evaluate OSINT collection operations and develop strategies and plans to improve their unit’s performance and effectiveness. You will:

  • Drive integrated information gathering on a strategic topic, regional, or cross-regional need
  • Research, assess, and acquire publicly available information in response to intelligence gaps
  • Identify relevant sources for data collection
  • Analyze OSINT data collections to catalog and manage in a way which enhances discoverability and retrievability for appropriate dissemination
  • Define and implement OSINT data standards and processes to support data exchange, exploitation, modeling, management, and production
  • Manage collection requirements and provide recommendations to management on prioritization of personnel or financial resources.
  • Help develop, acquire, evaluate and/or implement collection and data management tools and methodologies
  • Help develop metadata schema or other information discoverability processes

Opportunities exist for travel, technical and specialized training, and broadening assignments in other CIA offices.

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 in one of the following:
    • Information/Data/Knowledge Management
    • Library/Information Science
    • Computer/Data Science
    • Management Information Systems
    • Area Studies
    • Foreign Language/Linguistics (or a related field)
    • Geography/GIS
    • International Studies
    • Media Studies
    • Political Studies
  • At least a 3.0 GPA on a 4-point scale is preferred, but exceptions are made for extenuating circumstances
  • Critical thinking and research skills
  • Strong verbal and written communications skills/polished writing and presentation skills, especially as it relates to briefing technical subjects to non-technical audiences
  • Ability to work within an ambiguous, evolving digital environment individually and as a member of a collaborative team
  • Ability to meet the minimum requirements for joining CIA, including U.S. citizenship and a background investigation

Desired Qualifications

  • At least two (2) years’ experience (including academic studies) in at least one of the following:
    • Information/Data/Knowledge Management
    • Information science/librarianship management of financial or personnel resources
    • Management of language program
    • Participation in the development and/or implementation of Human Language Technologies or other collection technologies
    • Management of complex projects
    • Design or management of contracts
    • Basic foreign language proficiency