Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens

As a Intelligence Research Specialist, GS-0132-7/9/11/12/13, your typical work assignments may include:

• Conducts all-source intelligence analysis to identify, assess, and produce operational leads and targeting assessments supporting screening and vetting missions.
• Manages and exploits data from classified and open sources using advanced analytic tools and databases to support targeting and identity intelligence missions.
• Plans and executes complex analytic projects, including link analysis, network analysis, and targeting of nefarious actors and networks.
• Prepares, develops, and presents briefings, written reports, and analytic products for senior officials, interagency partners, and operational stakeholders.
• Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to ensure analytic products meet operational and policy needs and maintains effective working relationships across the Intelligence Community and law enforcement partners.

All DHS-HQ announcements have a 5-business day open period due to the number of applications received. This announcement will be open for 5 business days OR until the first 100 applications have been received, whichever happens first.

View common definitions of terms found in this announcement: Common Definitions.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• You must successfully pass a background investigation.
• You must submit to a pre-employment drug test. This is a Testing Designated Position (TDP) and is subject to random testing.
• You may be required to serve a two-year trial period.
• Acceptance of an excepted service appointment from applicants in the competitive service will require a written statement of understanding when voluntarily leaving the competitive service.
• Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.
• You will be subject to a pre-employment polygraph examination and random polygraph examinations may be conducted after entry on duty.
• Must obtain and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance.
• You may be required to work in shifts on a rotational basis in support of 24-hour operations.
• You may be required to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays and/or overtime, and/or 24/7 shift schedules, and/or on-call and standby duty status
• Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft.

Qualifications

GS-07: You may qualify at this grade level by meeting one (1) of the following below:
Specialized Experience:
You qualify for the GS-05 grade level if you possess the specialized experience in Federal government, performing duties such as:

• Knowledge of the basic principles, concepts, and methodologies used in identity intelligence, screening and vetting, and/or targeting research, and knowledge of the basic workings and mutual interests of the intelligence community.
• Basic knowledge of principles, concepts, policies, procedures, regulations, and terminology to perform a variety of research assignments with emphasis on factfinding and analysis. Ability to learn the operation of DHS and IC data systems.
• Basic knowledge of DHS Headquarters and Component structure, missions, programs, and organizational relationships.
• Ability to effectively communicate information clearly, verbally and in writing.
• A writing sample may be required if you are selected for an interview.

OR
Substitution of Education for Experience
A bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement, which is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership:

1. Class standing - Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses.
2. Grade-point average (GPA.) - Applicants must have a grade-point average of:
   • 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or
   • 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.
3. Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society -- Applicants can be considered eligible based on membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies. Membership in a freshman honor society cannot be used to meet the requirements of this provision.

OR
One (1) full year of graduate level education at an accredited or pre-accredited college or university
OR
Combination of Education and Experience
A combination of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience as described above. This will be calculated using your resume and unofficial transcripts or a list of courses/course hours submitted with your application.

GS-09: You may qualify at this grade level by meeting one (1) of the following below:
Specialized Experience:
If you possess specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in Federal service, that demonstrates the following:

• Ability to perform a variety of identity intelligence, screening and vetting, and/or targeting research assignments with emphasis on fact-finding and analysis.
• Knowledge of analytical and evaluative techniques to the identification, consideration, and resolution of research issues or problems of a procedural or factual nature. The issues or problems dealt with are readily observable conditions covered by written guidelines or research/analysis of information of a factual nature.
• Ability to apply conventional methods to gather, analyze, and evaluate information concerning intelligence research processes; draw conclusions; and recommend appropriate action.
• Basic knowledge of DHS Headquarters and Component structure, missions, programs, and organizational relationships, plus familiarity with DHS data, data systems, and tools.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, to gain cooperation from others through tact, courtesy, and diplomacy.
• A writing sample may be required if you are selected for an interview.

OR
Substitution of Education for Experience
You may substitute your education for your experience if you possess one of the following:

• A master's or equivalent graduate degree.
• Two (2) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree
• LL.B. or J.D., if related.

OR
Combination of Education and Experience
A combination of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience as described above that, when combined, equal 100% of the total requirement. This will be calculated using your resume and unofficial transcripts or a list of courses/course hours submitted with your application.
NOTE: Only graduate education in excess of the first year may be used to qualify for the GS-09 level.

GS-11: You may qualify at this grade level by meeting one (1) of the following below:
Specialized Experience:
If you possess specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in Federal service that demonstrates the following:

• Extensive knowledge of counterintelligence analysis and production techniques, procedures, and regulatory guidance plus a thorough understanding of how regulatory or enforcement programs are administered to select and apply appropriate knowledge to support the conduct of counterintelligence activities.
• Knowledge of counterintelligence research and analysis techniques and procedures and skill in using automated systems, national level databases, hard copy studies, open-source information, and specialized technical tools to conduct directed searches, link analysis, and/or temporal and spatial analysis of patterns of activity.
• Knowledge of foreign organizations, perceived activities, and capabilities of foreign intelligence entities that pose a threat to DHS equities.
• Extensive knowledge of DHS Headquarters and Component structure, missions, programs, and organizational relationships plus a thorough knowledge of quantitative and qualitative methods and techniques to develop staffing standards covering complex program functions of the DHS Counterintelligence Program.
• The ability to communicate moderately complex ideas both written and verbally in order to formulate and present findings, briefings, project papers, status reports, and correspondence to foster understanding and acceptance of findings and recommendations. Incumbent must possess strong customer service and interpersonal skills in order to maintain effective working relationships with both internal and external customers.
• A writing sample may be required if you are selected for an interview.

OR
Substitution of Education for Experience
You may substitute your education for your experience if you possess one of the following:

• A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree
• Three (3) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree
• LL.M., if related

OR
Combination of Education and Experience
A combination of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience as described above that, when combined, equal 100% of the total requirement. This will be calculated using your resume and unofficial transcripts or a list of courses/course hours submitted with your application.
NOTE: Only graduate education in excess of the first two years may be used to qualify for the GS-11 level.

PLEASE SEE THE EDUCATION SECTION FOR THE GS-12 AND GS-13 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE.

How you will be evaluated

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

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your experience, education and training will be rated using a job questionnaire that is based on the following competencies or knowledge, skills and abilities needed to perform this job: Customer Service, Planning and Evaluating, Technical Credibility, and Writing

If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be placed in one of the following categories:

Best-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate high proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all Selective Placement Factors (SPF), and appropriate Quality Ranking Factors (QRF) as determined by the job analysis.

Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrates acceptable proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all SPF's and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis.

Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate basic proficiency in most of the critical competencies, including all SPFs and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis.

If you are amongst the best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. To preview the job questionnaire and application, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12960826

Interviews are required for this position. Failure to complete the interview may result in removal from further consideration.

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have overstated your qualifications and/or experience, you may be removed from consideration or your score may be lowered.

Consideration may be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards as an indicator of quality of prior experience.

1. Your resume NOTE: Limit your resume to no more than two pages. The USAJOBS database will not allow an applicant to submit an application that includes a resume over two pages. For what to include in the resume, click on the link: USAJOBS Help Center
2. Your responses to the job questionnaire. https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12960826
3. Are you qualifying based on education? Submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable) from an accredited institution. Once selected and prior to appointment, applicants must provide an official college transcript. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. For example, specific courses accepted for college-level credit by an accredited U.S. college or university, or foreign education evaluated by an organization recognized for accreditation by the Department of Education as education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. college or university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications for more information.
4. Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:
   • Position title,
   • Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee),
   • Agency, and
   • Beginning and ending dates of appointment.
5. Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP)? Submit the following:
   • A copy of your agency notice,
   • A copy of your most recent performance rating, and
   • A copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level, and duty location.
6. Are you an IC CAE Scholar? Information on the IC CAE program can be found at https://www.dni.gov/index.php/iccae To verify you are a IC CAE Scholar, you must submit a copy of your transcript that shows you are current student at an active or legacy IC CAE institution, or an individual who has graduated from such an institution, who has successfully completed at least one course in IC CAE study areas, such as Intelligence, National Security, Critical Technologies, STEM, languages, or other areas of study as determined by the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to meet Intelligence Community needs.
7. You may be asked to provide a copy of your recent performance appraisal and/or incentive awards.

Next steps