Duties
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: "Be the eyes that never blink. As an OPIR Operations Analyst, you'll command real-time infrared surveillance operations protecting national security 24/7. You'll lead a government operations crew managing strategic warning systems, serve as release authority for critical threat messaging, and synchronize collection across the most advanced overhead sensors in the world. This isn't just monitoring?you're the decision-maker orchestrating space-based intelligence collection, troubleshooting complex systems in real-time, and briefing senior leaders on capabilities that keep our nation ahead of emerging threats. If you're ready to lead from the front lines of space-based intelligence operations at Buckley Space Force Base, this is your mission."
"Lead the crew. Command the mission. Protect the nation?in real time."
24x7 shift work position as OPIR Infrared Operations Manager at NGA's Denver facility, managing real-time Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) collection operations. Requires 24-month commitment due to 4-5 month training period. Nights, weekends, and holidays required.
Key Responsibilities:
Real-time Collection Management - Synchronize OPIR tasking with Joint OPIR Center, set collection schedules, and determine sensor allocation based on customer requirements and evolving situations
Release Authority - Serve as assigned release authority for strategic/theater warning messaging via USSPACECOM Strategic Instructions; execute collection, exploitation, and reporting for certain sensors
Team Leadership - Lead government operations crew supporting 20+ contract personnel, ensuring proper collection guidance and system configurations meet customer requirements
Technical Troubleshooting - Resolve OPIR ground/space system anomalies and faults; coordinate with engineers and mission controllers for issue resolution
Customer Engagement - Provide front-facing community support with exceptional communication skills; brief working and senior-level visitors on OPIR systems, sensors, and capabilities
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- US Citizenship is required.
- Designated or Random Drug Testing required.
- Security Investigation
SPECIAL INFO:
As a condition of employment at NGA, persons being considered for employment must meet NGA fitness for employment standards.
- U.S. Citizenship
- Security Clearance - Top Secret /Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI)
- Polygraph & Drug Test
- Direct Deposit
- Trial Period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. We may consider: performance conduct; needs and interests of the agency; and whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government and the efficiency of the Federal service
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
You must be able to obtain and retain a Top Secret security clearance with access to SCI. In addition, you are subject to a Counterintelligence Polygraph examination in order to maintain access to Top Secret information. All employees are subject to a periodic examination on a random basis in order to determine continued eligibility. Refusal to take the examination may result in denial of access to Top Secret information, SAP, or unescorted access to SCIFs.
Employees with SCI access and who are under NGA cognizance are required to submit a Security Financial Disclosure Report, SF-714, on an annual basis in order to determine continued eligibility. Failure to comply may negatively impact continued access to Top Secret information, Information Systems, SAP, or unescorted access to SCIFs.
NGA utilizes all processes and procedures of the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). Non-executive NGA employees are assigned to five distinct pay bands based on the type and scope of work performed. The employee's base salary is established within their assigned pay band based on their unique qualifications. A performance pay process is conducted each year to determine a potential base pay salary increase and/or bonus. An employee's annual performance evaluation is a key factor in the performance pay process.
This position is a DCIPS position in the Excepted Service under 10 U.S.C. 1601. DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans' Preference to preference eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement. If you are an external applicant claiming veterans' preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., you must self-identify your eligibility.
Qualifications
MANDATORY QUALIFICATION CRITERIA: For this particular job, applicants must meet all competencies reflected under the Mandatory Qualification Criteria to include education (if required). Online resumes must demonstrate qualification by providing specific examples and associated results, in response to the announcement's mandatory criteria specified in this vacancy announcement:
Demonstrated ability to develop and present briefings to meet the needs of various audiences.
Experience working and building relationships with others internal and external to an organization.
Demonstrated ability to learn, apply, and train new concepts or techniques to others.
Demonstrated experience with research and analysis preferably dealing in computer science and data analysis, including use of critical thinking skills.
Knowledge of and familiarity with Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) processes and/or data.
EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: A. Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Business, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, International Studies, Mathematics, Operations Research, Political Science, Science, Statistics, Technology, Remote Sensing, Image Science, or a related field. -OR- B. Combination of Education and Experience: A minimum of 24 semester (36 quarter) hours of coursework in any area listed in Option A, plus experience in a GEOINT-related field that demonstrates the ability to successfully perform the duties associated with this work. As a rule, every 30 semester (45 quarter) hours of coursework is equivalent to one year of experience. Candidates should show that their combination of education and experience totals 4 years. -OR- C. Experience: A minimum of 4 years of experience in a GEOINT-related field that demonstrates the ability to successfully perform the duties associated with this work.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT: Distinguish principal colors and shades/hues of principal colors; Near visual acuity of 20/40 or better with or without corrective lenses
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATION CRITERIA: In addition to the mandatory qualifications, experience in the following is desired:
Experience working as part of a cohesive team with demonstrated high quality results or output.
Demonstrated personal flexibility and adaptability for shifts/changes in crisis situations.
Geospatial-based credentials (academic degrees, certifications, and certificates) are desired.
Experience applying intelligence sources to solve problems and issues.
Additional information
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.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Applicants are not required to submit a cover letter for employment consideration with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. However, a cover letter is recommended. Applicants will have the option to attach a cover letter in the Qualifications - Attachments step of the online application.
APPLICANT EVALUATION PROCESS:
1) All applicants will be evaluated using the Mandatory Qualification Criteria,
2) Qualified applicants will then be evaluated by an expert or panel of experts using a combination of qualification criteria to determine the best-qualified candidates,
3) Best-qualified applicants may then be further evaluated through an interview process.
Military retiree applicants, if selected, may be impacted by the 180-day appointment restrictions of DODI 1402.01. HD personnel will provide additional information if applicable.
Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the Assignment Description, Additional Information Provided By the Selecting Official, and the Qualification Requirements; and then construct their resumes to highlight their most relevant and significant experience and education for this job opportunity. This description should include examples that detail the level and complexity of the performed work. Applicants are encouraged to provide any education or degree information referenced in the announcement that is relevant. If education is listed as a mandatory requirement, only degrees obtained from an institution accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the Secretary, US Department of Education will be accepted. You must use the NGA resume builder and limit your resume to 2 pages.
In accordance with section 9902(h) of title 5, United States Code, annuitants reemployed in the Department of Defense shall receive full annuity and salary upon appointment. They shall not be eligible for retirement contributions, participation in the Thrift Savings Plan, or a supplemental or re-determined annuity for the reemployment period. Discontinued service retirement annuitants (i.e., retired under section 8336(d)(1) or 8414(b)(1)(A) of title 5, United States Code) appointed to the Department of Defense may elect to be subject to retirement provisions of the new appointment as appropriate. (See DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 300). Reemployed annuitants must meet additional selection criteria as outlined in the DODI 1400.25, v300.
All candidates will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, disability, or sexual orientation.
NGA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Applications will only be accepted online. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify us at recruitment@nga.mil. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.