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

Vacancy No. 26-12898164-DNI/COO Department Office of the Director of National Intelligence
Salary $151,661.00 to $209,700.00 Grade 00 to 00
Perm/Temp Temporary FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 3/9/2026 Close Date 3/24/2026
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
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

Federal employees - Competitive service

Current federal employees whose agencies follow the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's hiring rules and pay scales.

Federal employees - Excepted service

Current federal employees whose agencies have their own hiring rules, pay scales and evaluation criteria.

Internal to an agency

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

Clarification from the agency

Internal to an Agency = Open to current permanent ODNI employees Federal Employees = This detail opportunity is for current competitive and excepted service employees only. If you are not a current federal civilian employee you will not be eligible for this position. ODNI Joint Duty Assignments do not apply to members of the Military service or contractors. Applicants from federal agencies may be considered for this position as a reimbursable detailee, if endorsed by the employing agency.

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

Must be a current permanent ODNI employee OR must be a current permanent Federal employee with supervisory approval to apply to the Joint Duty Assignment (JDA). JDA applicants must be currently at the grade level specified in the advertisement. No temporary promotion opportunities will be granted for this position. The program does not apply to members of the Military service or contractors.

Joint Duty applicants may be considered for this position as a reimbursable detailee, if endorsed by the employing agency. Joint Duty applicants must have a current TS/SCI clearance with polygraph or have the ability to obtain one. The ODNI does not conduct polygraphs or provide security clearances for detailees.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS

All applicants will be assessed for executive competency against the five mandatory Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs). If your two-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs you will not receive further consideration for the position. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review current information regarding ECQs. For information regarding ECQs, please visit the Executive Core Qualifications page on the OPM website.

FREE RESPONSE ESSAY QUESTIONS

All applicants must answer the following four short, free response essay questions. The responses cannot exceed 200 words per question. By submitting your responses to the following 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]).

  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.

All applicants will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. 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.

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.

SALARY DETERMINATION

A current Federal Government employee, selected for this position, will be assigned to the position at their current grade and salary.

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 classified email at dni_reasonable_accommodation_wma@cia.ic.gov, by unclassified 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.

You must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement. 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.


Required Documents

A complete application package must include:

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 professional narrative as a supplement to the resume to elaborate on their qualifications and previous work performed.

d. POSITION NUMBER: Reference the announcement number in the subject line on each document submitted.

e. CURRENT SF-50: Federal Government employees must provide your 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.

f. WRITTEN ENDORSEMENT: Applicants from federal agencies must provide written endorsement from the employing agency concurring with the detail.

Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been 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. This post is for viewing purposes only.

Internal ODNI Cadre Candidates must submit an application through the classified JobsDNI website.

For current employees who do not currently have access to internal systems {due to extenuating circumstances, applications should be sent to either DNI-COO-HRM-Vacancies-Mailbox@cia.ic.gov (classified email system) or vacancies@odni.gov (unclassified email system)

Joint Duty Candidates from within the IC must submit an application through the classified IC Joint Duty Program website.

ONLY applicants from federal agencies outside the IC should send their complete application package to either DNI-COO-HRM-Vacancies-Mailbox@cia.ic.gov (classified email system) or vacancies@odni.gov (unclassified email system). Applicants experiencing technical issues may submit their application via email to either email system. All attachments should be in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.

Applications submitted through the classified email system should NOT contain classified information above the TS//SI/TK//NOFORN level.

APPLICATION PACKAGES MUST CONTAIN ALL ITEMS LISTED ABOVE. AN INCOMPLETE APPLICATION PACKAGE WILL BE INELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION.

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

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

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.

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 60 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.