Intelligence Research Specialist

US Department of State

Washington, DC

JOB DETAILS
SALARY
$143,913–$187,093 Per Year
SKILLS
Analysis Skills, Background Investigation, Contract Negotiation, Documentation, Economics, Federal Assistance, Federal Government, Fitness, Foreign Policy, Geography, Government, Government Organizations, Integrated Circuits (ICs), Intelligence Analysis, Intelligence Community, International Relations, Legal, Open Source, People Management, Political Science, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Process Management, Reimbursement, Security Clearance, Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), Set Goals, Strategic Planning, Top Secret Clearance, Trend Analysis, United States Citizen, Writing Skills
LOCATION
Washington, DC
POSTED
3 days ago

Summary

This position is in the Excepted Service under U.S.C. 50 § 3024(v) and appointments are made without regard to the requirements of the Competitive Service by laws, Executive order, or OPM regulations.

This position is located in the Bureau of Intelligence and Research, Office of Analysis for Terrorism, Narcotics, and Crime, (INR/TNC). The Office is responsible for the review/analysis of classified, unclassified, and open-source materials related to terrorism, narcotics, and crime, etc.

Learn more about this agency

Summary

This position is in the Excepted Service under U.S.C. 50 § 3024(v) and appointments are made without regard to the requirements of the Competitive Service by laws, Executive order, or OPM regulations.

This position is located in the Bureau of Intelligence and Research, Office of Analysis for Terrorism, Narcotics, and Crime, (INR/TNC). The Office is responsible for the review/analysis of classified, unclassified, and open-source materials related to terrorism, narcotics, and crime, etc.

Learn more about this agency

Overview

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Posted today · Apply by 07/08/26

Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 8, 2026

Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

Washington, DC

No matching locations found.

Work site options

Telework eligible Yes-As per agency policy Remote job No Relocation expenses reimbursed No Salary $143,913 - $187,093 per year Pay scale & grade

GS 14

Promotion potential 14

Learn more about pay scale and grade

Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.

Work schedule Full-time

Appointment type Permanent

Occupations and job series

  • 0132 Intelligence

Supervisory status No Federal service type This job is in the Excepted Service

Drug test Yes Security clearance Top Secret Position sensitivity and risk Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk

Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.

Background check type

  • Suitability/Fitness
  • National security

Announcement number S/INR-EXC-2026-0026 Control number 874890800

This job is open to

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Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of the hiring agency that posted the job announcement.

Clarification from the agency

U.S. Department of State employees within the Bureau of Intelligence and Research only

Duties

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  • Serves as the expert senior Intelligence Research Specialist responsible for providing all source intelligence analysis on enduring and emerging trends in terrorism and counterterrorism in South Asia
  • Leads intelligence support/analysis on terrorism threats emanating from the region informing key national security deliberations, supporting interagency coordination processes, and enhancing diplomatic counter terrorism threats
  • Develops and maintains relationships with counterparts in INR, policy clients in the Bureau of Counterterrorism and Department of State policy bureaus and offices, Intelligence Community counterparts, and experts in other U.S. government agencies
  • Represents the Department in interagency meetings, provides guidance to Department policymakers, briefs key stakeholders in the U.S. Congress, and serves as a government-wide expert
  • Advises on and performs intelligence research bearing on U.S. relations with foreign governments and international organizations.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required.
  • Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
  • Obtain/maintain eligibility to access Sensitive Compartmented Information

Qualifications

Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level in the Federal service which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position.

Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

  • Experience in providing oral briefings and written analysis for senior government policymakers on all relevant issues involving enduring and emerging trends in terrorism and counterterrorism in South Asia, including jihadist terrorism threats posed by ISIS and AQ within the region and globally.
  • Experience working with interagency processes, particularly but not exclusively within the IC and other national security agencies.
  • Experience with intelligence analysis methods and techniques to produce policy relevant assessments that involve the research and analysis of information derived from a variety of sources.

There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-14 position.

Education

Education requirements do not apply to this vacancy announcement.

Additional information

  • For reasonable accommodation at the U.S. Department of State, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations at OAA@state.gov.
  • If eligible, situational telework agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to other similar positions in other Bureaus/Offices in the Department for up to 240 days. Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions.

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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.

Benefits

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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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

For this announcement, all applicants will be assessed to determine if they meet the qualifications for this position, specifically the education, specialized experience, and knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) necessary to perform the work of the position. All applications that meet the required qualifications and determined to be best-qualified will be referred to the hiring official for further consideration and possible interview.

Your resume limited to two pages serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant work experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to this job opportunity. Resumes longer than two pages will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered further.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following KSAs and other characteristics that are relevant to the duties of this position and must be fully supported by information in your resume:

  • Knowledge of the theories and principles of political science, international relations, economics, history, geography, or other related disciplines applied in conducting intelligence analysis related to U.S. foreign policy programs.
  • Knowledge of the U.S. Intelligence Community including mission, members, and policies.
  • Ability to provide advice, guidance, and consultation to senior officials with regard to the interpretation and application of intelligence analyses.
  • Ability to establish liaison at all levels throughout the foreign policy and Intelligence Communities to exchange information and establish strategic goals vital to both spheres of operation.
  • Skill in oral and written communication to prepare and defend analyses, provide guidance, solicit information, defend proposals, and negotiate agreements.

Veterans: Although consideration of Veterans' Preference is not required under 50 U.S.C. § 30240(v) to the extent it would be under the competitive service; the Department of State considers veterans' preference as a positive factor in the hiring process.

You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Benefits

Help

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 documents

Required Documents

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  • Include a performance appraisal as proof of federal employment.
  • Your resume should include relevant work experience, applicable education and your contact information. For current or previous federal employees, include the pay plan, series and grade.
  • Your SF-50 shows a federal position you've held, grade level and duty location. Your SF-50 can support position changes, conversions or separation for employment eligibility.

All required documents listed below, that are applicable to you, must be submitted to our automated system by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.

1.Resume limited to two pages showing relevant work/volunteer experience, education and training. Include the start and end dates (from month/year to month/year) and the number of hours per week worked/volunteered. Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must support your answers to the completed online assessment questions. Resumes longer than two pages will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered further.

  1. Most recent SF-50s (Notification of Personnel Actions). The SF-50s must show: effective date, position title, series, grade, salary, tenure, position occupied, full promotion potential, and name of agency. Multiple SF-50s may be needed to show all required information (e.g., promotion, within-grade increase, and separation SF-50s). Award SF-50s often do not show the required information.

  2. Performance appraisal, strongly encouraged for current or former Federal employees. Submit a copy of your most recent (i.e., usually within the last 18 months) final (i.e., not a mid-year review) official (i.e., signed by the rating official and in original format) annual performance appraisal for the hiring manager's consideration. If a performance appraisal is not available, you may provide a statement and/or a statement from your supervisor explaining the reason one is not available and your servicing HR Office contact information (name, email address, phone number).

Note: You may be requested to provide an appraisal to the hiring official if one was not provided with your application. To receive a promotion, the employee's most recent performance rating must be "fully successful" or an equivalent level or higher. Employees who are tentatively selected to receive a promotion will be required to provide performance documentation within two business days of request. Servicing HR Offices may be contacted to verify performance ratings.

How to Apply

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Prepare your application in USAJOBS

To start your application, click Apply and we'll walk you through the process to attach a resume and any required documents.

During the application process you can review, edit, delete, and update your information. We'll automatically save your progress as you go, so you won't lose any changes. You have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement to complete the application process.

STEP 1: Select the "Apply" button and follow the instructions to register or sign into USAJOBS.

STEP 2: Submit your resume. Please see the Required Documents section for specific information that should be outlined in your resume.

STEP 3: Complete the online assessment questions.

STEP 4: Submit all required documentation applicable to you, as listed in the Required Documents section.

To learn how to view the status of your submitted supporting documentation and application, visit the Application Instructions section of our agency's Civil Service selection process site.

Technical assistance with your on-line application is available through the Help Desk at fedhirehelp@applygovernment.com or by calling (866) 656-6830 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. ET

Alternate Application Procedures

If applying online poses an extreme hardship, you may request alternate application procedures to submit your application package. Contact the Human Resources office listed on the announcement between the business hours of 8:15 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET at least 2 working days prior to the closing date of this announcement. The application package for alternate application procedures must be submitted and received in the Human Resources office no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on the closing date of this announcement. Paper applications and information sent by mail will not be accepted.

Agency contact information

Tony Rice

Phone 000-000-0000 Fax 000-000-0000 Email RiceTL@state.gov Address U.S. Department of State

Not accepting applications by Mail

Charleston, South Carolina 29405

United States

Next steps

After all application packages are received, we will review applications and evaluate applicants' qualifications. Then, in approximately two weeks after this announcement closes, we will refer candidates, as described in the "How You Will Be Evaluated" section, to the hiring manager for selection consideration. Your application status will be updated up to four times during the following hiring phases:

  • After applications are received.
  • After applications are assessed to determine qualifications.
  • After candidates are referred to the hiring manager.
  • After a selection is made.

For the selected candidates who receive a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability review and/or security background investigation that generally takes an average of at least two to six months.

Fair and transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

Criminal history inquiries Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy

Financial suitability New employee probationary period

Privacy Act Reasonable accommodation policy

Selective Service Signature and false statements

Social security number request

Required Documents

Help

  • Include a performance appraisal as proof of federal employment.
  • Your resume should include relevant work experience, applicable education and your contact information. For current or previous federal employees, include the pay plan, series and grade.
  • Your SF-50 shows a federal position you've held, grade level and duty location. Your SF-50 can support position changes, conversions or separation for employment eligibility.

All required documents listed below, that are applicable to you, must be submitted to our automated system by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.

1.Resume limited to two pages showing relevant work/volunteer experience, education and training. Include the start and end dates (from month/year to month/year) and the number of hours per week worked/volunteered. Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must support your answers to the completed online assessment questions. Resumes longer than two pages will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered further.

  1. Most recent SF-50s (Notification of Personnel Actions). The SF-50s must show: effective date, position title, series, grade, salary, tenure, position occupied, full promotion potential, and name of agency. Multiple SF-50s may be needed to show all required information (e.g., promotion, within-grade increase, and separation SF-50s). Award SF-50s often do not show the required information.

  2. Performance appraisal, strongly encouraged for current or former Federal employees. Submit a copy of your most recent (i.e., usually within the last 18 months) final (i.e., not a mid-year review) official (i.e., signed by the rating official and in original format) annual performance appraisal for the hiring manager's consideration. If a performance appraisal is not available, you may provide a statement and/or a statement from your supervisor explaining the reason one is not available and your servicing HR Office contact information (name, email address, phone number).

Note: You may be requested to provide an appraisal to the hiring official if one was not provided with your application. To receive a promotion, the employee's most recent performance rating must be "fully successful" or an equivalent level or higher. Employees who are tentatively selected to receive a promotion will be required to provide performance documentation within two business days of request. Servicing HR Offices may be contacted to verify performance ratings.

How to Apply

Help

Prepare your application in USAJOBS

To start your application, click Apply and we'll walk you through the process to attach a resume and any required documents.

During the application process you can review, edit, delete, and update your information. We'll automatically save your progress as you go, so you won't lose any changes. You have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement to complete the application process.

STEP 1: Select the "Apply" button and follow the instructions to register or sign into USAJOBS.

STEP 2: Submit your resume. Please see the Required Documents section for specific information that should be outlined in your resume.

STEP 3: Complete the online assessment questions.

STEP 4: Submit all required documentation applicable to you, as listed in the Required Documents section.

To learn how to view the status of your submitted supporting documentation and application, visit the Application Instructions section of our agency's Civil Service selection process site.

Technical assistance with your on-line application is available through the Help Desk at fedhirehelp@applygovernment.com or by calling (866) 656-6830 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. ET

Alternate Application Procedures

If applying online poses an extreme hardship, you may request alternate application procedures to submit your application package. Contact the Human Resources office listed on the announcement between the business hours of 8:15 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET at least 2 working days prior to the closing date of this announcement. The application package for alternate application procedures must be submitted and received in the Human Resources office no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on the closing date of this announcement. Paper applications and information sent by mail will not be accepted.

Expand Hide how to apply

Agency contact information

Tony Rice

Phone 000-000-0000 Fax 000-000-0000 Email RiceTL@state.gov Address U.S. Department of State

Not accepting applications by Mail

Charleston, South Carolina 29405

United States

Next steps

After all application packages are received, we will review applications and evaluate applicants' qualifications. Then, in approximately two weeks after this announcement closes, we will refer candidates, as described in the "How You Will Be Evaluated" section, to the hiring manager for selection consideration. Your application status will be updated up to four times during the following hiring phases:

  • After applications are received.
  • After applications are assessed to determine qualifications.
  • After candidates are referred to the hiring manager.
  • After a selection is made.

For the selected candidates who receive a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability review and/or security background investigation that generally takes an average of at least two to six months.

Expand Hide next steps

Fair and transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

Criminal history inquiries Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy

Financial suitability New employee probationary period

Privacy Act Reasonable accommodation policy

Selective Service Signature and false statements

Social security number request

About the Company

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US Department of State