Staff Director for the Chief Operating Officer ODNI Job in McLean, VA

Vacancy No. 26-12898163-DNI/COO Department Office of the Director of National Intelligence
Salary $151,661.00 to $209,700.00 Grade 00 to 00
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 3/9/2026 Close Date 3/24/2026
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
McLean, VA


Summary

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) Chief Operating Officer (COO) administers the Director of National Intelligence (DNI's) vision and direction to the ODNI enterprise. This includes synchronizing policy, plans, procedures, and cross-functional issues. The COO oversees all ODNI business operations, including such areas as human resources, internal policies, finance and budget, information technology, security, facilities, and information management.

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

Open to current and former Federal employees with competitive or excepted status; and all U.S. Citizens. Former members of the Peace Corps may be considered for ODNI employment only if five full years have elapsed since separation from the Peace Corps.

Duties

Lead, manage, and direct a professional level staff, evaluate performance, collaborate on goal setting, and provide feedback and guidance regarding personal and professional development opportunities.

Provide day-to-day management and direction of component staff and business operations; execute budget, personnel, and policy decisions to support the components' activities.
Initiate and manage programmatic and budget requirements that underwrite the daily operations.

Provide guidance and direction to Staff Directors and Chiefs of Staff across the ODNI enterprise as well as to component-level Chiefs of Staff and Front Office staffs on a variety of component-wide programs and ODNI initiatives.

Develop and oversee the implementation of management guidance to Component Directors and Front Office staffs; coordinate internal, external management, and policy initiatives to ensure alignment with key corporate priorities.

Develop and evaluate project proposals and annual action plans to determine the impact on current resources and to support resource forecasting and reviews.

Lead a professional staff, assess performance, oversee corporate goal setting, and provide feedback on personal and professional development.

Maintain effective and productive working relationships across the entire ODNI organization and within the IC elements to address issues that span multiple mission or program areas.

Manage corporate communications ensuring workforce awareness of IC, ODNI, and organizational programs, initiatives, requirements, and other opportunities.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

  • You must be registered for the Selective Service, if applicable
  • You must be a U.S. citizen and at least 18 years of age.
  • You must be willing to move to the Washington Metropolitan Area (WMA).
  • You must successfully complete a medical and psychological exam, a polygraph interview, and a comprehensive background investigation.
PROBATIONARY & TRIAL PERIODS

Employees newly appointed to the Senior National Intelligence Service (SNIS) are subject to a twelve (12)-month probationary period to assess their ability to perform assigned duties and responsibilities at a level of excellence expected of a senior executive. For permanent employees newly hired into the ODNI, the probationary period will run concurrently with the first twelve (12) months of a new employee's two (2)-year trial period.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs)

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and the Intelligence Community Senior Officer Core Qualification (ICSOCQ) in your resume. Please see qualification section.

FREE RESPONSE ESSAY QUESTIONS

All applicants must answer the following four short, free response essay questions. Responses cannot exceed 200 words per question. Submitting your responses to the following questions, you certify that you are using your own words and did not use a consultant or AI.
  1. How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? Provide a concrete example from professional, academic, or personal experience.
  2. In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? Provide specific examples where you improved processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes.
  3. How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? Identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that are significant to you and explain how you would help implement them if hired.
  4. How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Provide one or two specific examples and explain how those qualities would enable you to serve effectively in this position.

Qualifications

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs)

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and the Intelligence Community Senior Officer Core Qualification (ICSOCQ) listed below in your resume. RESUMES MUST NOT EXCEED TWO (2) PAGES. Resumes over the two (2)-page limit will not be reviewed and will be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, educations, and accomplishments applicable to the qualifications. If your resume does not demonstrate evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position. For more information regarding ECQs, please visit the Executive Core Qualifications page on the OPM website.

ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and Principles of the American Founding
This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.

ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency
This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.

ECQ 3: Merit and Competence
This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.

ECQ 4: Leading People
This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable.

ECQ 5: Achieving Results
This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.

ISCOCQ: Leading the Intelligence Enterprise
This core qualification involves the ability to integrate resources, information, interests, and activities effectively in support of the Intelligence Community's mission and to lead and leverage cross-organizational collaborative networks to achieve significant mission results. Inherent to this senior officer qualification is a deep understanding of the intelligence enterprise and a shared commitment to the IC's core values.

Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM-approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you do not need to respond to the ECQs. Instead, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualification Review Board (QRB)) or your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.

Mandatory Requirements:
Excellent organizational, managerial, and leadership skills including an ability to manage the professional development of staff employees.

Expert knowledge of both the IC and ODNI budgetary requirements, personnel regulations, and resource allocations policies and procedures.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including ability to exert influence with senior leadership and communicate effectively at all staff levels, both internal and external to the organization.

Familiarity with the full range of civilian personnel policies as used by the ODNI and federal government.

Knowledge of ODNI internal policies especially as they pertain to personnel management, disciplinary activities, and the Assignment Board.

Proven critical thinking skills and the ability to prepare finished assessments and other written products with an emphasis on strategic planning, clear organization, and concise and logical presentation.

Superior ability to manage Contracting Officer Technical Representatives (COTRs) to direct resources and to meet requirements.

Superior ability to manage, lead, and develop standard operating procedures and operational guidance to obtain DNI and COO goals and objectives.

Superior ability to manage, lead and develop dynamic and long-term planning efforts in the current and anticipated planning structure.

Displayed ability to make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment.

Desired Requirements:
Prior experience in a SNIS or equivalent senior leadership position (e.g. senior leadership in an IC agency or ODNI component).

Flexible work location, including willingness for local travel between ODNI buildings, may be required.

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Additional information

JOB INTERVIEW TRAVEL: Candidates from outside the Washington Metropolitan Area (WMA) may be selected for a telephone, teleconference, or in-person interview.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

The ODNI provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Reasonable Accommodations Officer by email at DNI_DRA@dni.gov, by telephone at (703)275-3900 or by FAX at (703)275-1217. Your request for reasonable accommodation will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION TO THE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS EMAIL ADDRESS. THIS EMAIL IS FOR REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS ONLY.

The ODNI is an equal opportunity employer and abides by applicable employment laws and regulations.

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.

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.

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you are among the best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. After reviewing your resume and supporting documentation, a determination will be made. You must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement.

Required Documents

A complete application package must include the following:

a. RESUME: Resumes must be no longer than two (2) pages in length. Resumes longer than two (2) pages will be removed from consideration. To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, your resume must show that you possess the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and the Intelligence Community Senior Officer Core Qualification (ICSOCQ) listed in the Qualifications section. Your resume should include examples of experience, educations, and accomplishments applicable to the qualifications. If your resume does not demonstrate evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.

b. ESSAY QUESTION RESPONSES: The responses cannot exceed 200 words per question (please see questions in the Requirements section above). By submitting your responses to these questions, you certify that you are using your own words and did not use a consultant or AI (such as a large language model [LLM]).

c. COVER LETTER: Applicants must submit a cover letter as a supplement to the resume to elaborate on their qualifications and previous work performed.

d. CURRENT SF-50: Federal Government employees must provide their official most recent SF-50 (i.e., dated within the last 52 weeks from the closing date of this vacancy announcement). SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action" is used to verify to verify current federal status, position, title, grade, and organization of record. If your SF-50(s) does not provide the information needed to make a final determination for qualification, you will be found ineligible for the position.

e. POSITION NUMBER: Reference the position number on each document submitted.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

We encourage you to read the entire announcement prior to submitting your application.

In order to be considered, you must apply via USAJOBS. The ODNI will not accept emailed applications. Your application must be received by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. Applications received after the closing date will NOT be eligible for consideration. All attachments should be in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.

Do not include the following types of information in your profile or resume:

  • Classified or government sensitive information
  • Social Security Number (SSN)
  • Photos of yourself
  • Personal information such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.
  • Encrypted and digitally signed documents

Agency contact information

Vacancy Team ODNI
Email
Vacancies@odni.gov
Address
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Director Of National Intelligence
Washington, DC 20511
US

Next steps

The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. We expect to make a selection within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. Due to the large number of applications received, applicants will be contacted ONLY if they have been selected for an interview.