What are the responsibilities and job description for the Counterintelligence Special Agent (CISA) position at Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA)?
Summary
The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) is seeking a highly qualified Counterintelligence Special Agent (CISA). As a CISA, you will provide critical counterintelligence (CI) functional services and dedicated support to the cleared Defense Industrial Base. This key position offers an exceptional career path for professionals possessing specific expertise in CI collection methods, CI analysis, and an in-depth knowledge of complex Foreign Intelligence Entity tradecraft.
Duties
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As a Counterintelligence Special Agent (CISA) you will be responsible for the following duties:
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Conditions of employment
The experience described in your resume will be evaluated and screened from the Office of Personnel Management's (OPMs) basic qualifications requirements. See: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0100/intelligence-series-0132/ i.e. for professional positions or positions with a basic education requirement: http://main.opm.gov/policy-dataoversight/ classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0100/foreign-affairs series- 0130/; i.e. for positions with no IOR: http://main.opm.gov/policy-dataoversight/ classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0300/management and -program-analysis-series-0343/) for OPM qualification standards, competencies and specialized experience needed to perform the duties of the position as described in the MAJOR DUTIES and QUALIFICATIONS sections of this announcement by 08/10/2026
Applicant must have directly applicable experience that demonstrates the possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies necessary for immediate success in the position. Qualifying experience may have been acquired in any public or private sector job, but will clearly demonstrate past experience in the application of the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to successfully perform the duties of the position.
You must have specialized experience sufficient to demonstrate that you have acquired all the competencies necessary to perform at a level equivalent in difficulty, responsibility, and complexity to the next lower grade GG-12 in the Federal service and are prepared to take on greater responsibility.
Generally, this would include one year or more of such specialized experience.
Specialized Experience For This Position Includes
The incumbent will be required to sign a continued service agreement agreeing to stay with the agency for 12 months upon completion of the DCAC training.
Education
Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.
Additional information
VETERANS PREFERENCE/CURRENT OR FORMER FEDERAL
In accordance with DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, veterans preference is not required to be applied when considering candidates with prior Federal competitive or excepted service who have completed a probationary or trial period and have not been separated for cause. Therefore, veterans preference will not be applied to applicants with current federal service, or former federal civilian service meeting the above criteria.
Re-employed Annuitant: This position does not meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/1400.25-V300.pdf
Applicants selected from this announcement may be required to serve a two-year trial period.
If selected, Federal employees currently serving in the competitive service must acknowledge that they will voluntarily leave the competitive service by accepting an offer of employment for a DCIPS excepted service positions.
If selected, non-DCIPS candidates must acknowledge in writing that the position they have been selected for is in the excepted service and covered by DCIPS.
All Defense Intelligence positions under the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) are in the excepted service by specific statue, 10 U.S.C. 1601. This position is in the excepted service and does not confer competitive status.
For more information on the DCIPS occupational structure click here.
For more information about career advancement in DCIPS click here.
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.
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.
The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) is seeking a highly qualified Counterintelligence Special Agent (CISA). As a CISA, you will provide critical counterintelligence (CI) functional services and dedicated support to the cleared Defense Industrial Base. This key position offers an exceptional career path for professionals possessing specific expertise in CI collection methods, CI analysis, and an in-depth knowledge of complex Foreign Intelligence Entity tradecraft.
Duties
Help
As a Counterintelligence Special Agent (CISA) you will be responsible for the following duties:
- Counterintelligence Expertise & Support: Serve as a Subject Matter Expert, delivering comprehensive counterintelligence (CI) functional services, diligent oversight, and proactive support to organizations within the cleared Defense Industrial Base (DIB). This includes serving as a key CI resource and point of contact for cleared industry partners.
- Proactive CI Collection & Analysis: Conduct focused CI collection efforts directed against foreign intelligence entities actively targeting cleared industry assets. Collect, meticulously evaluate, conduct field-level analysis of, and disseminate suspicious activities, emerging threat information, and other actionable intelligence to relevant stakeholders. Ensure timely and accurate reporting.
- Risk Identification & Countermeasure Development: Identify areas within cleared DIB entities that present increased risk of exploitation by FIEs seeking to illegally obtain classified or sensitive information and technologies. Develop and recommend tailored, appropriate countermeasures designed to effectively mitigate these risks and deter FIE activities.
- Intelligence Product Development & Dissemination: Prepare high-quality intelligence reports, concise briefings, and comprehensive executive summaries to support ongoing investigations, CI operations, and strategic decision-making. Ensure the timely and accurate dissemination of intelligence products to relevant recipients, including law enforcement partners, the Intelligence Community, and leadership.
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Conditions of employment
- Must be a US citizen
- Selective Service Requirement: Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. For more information http://www.sss.gov
- Resume and supporting documents received by 11:59PM EST will be considered
- This is a Drug Testing designated position
- Position is a (DCIPS) position in the Excepted Service under U.S.C. 1601
- Work Schedule: Full Time
- Overtime: Occasionally
- Tour of Duty: Flexible
- PCS (Permanent Change of Station): Not Authorized
- Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
- Financial Disclosure: Not Required
- Telework Eligibility: Supervisors may approve situational telework on a case-by-case, temporary basis for limited situations.
- If selected, the incumbent must obtain and maintain appropriate security clearance as indicated in job announcement.
The experience described in your resume will be evaluated and screened from the Office of Personnel Management's (OPMs) basic qualifications requirements. See: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0100/intelligence-series-0132/ i.e. for professional positions or positions with a basic education requirement: http://main.opm.gov/policy-dataoversight/ classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0100/foreign-affairs series- 0130/; i.e. for positions with no IOR: http://main.opm.gov/policy-dataoversight/ classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0300/management and -program-analysis-series-0343/) for OPM qualification standards, competencies and specialized experience needed to perform the duties of the position as described in the MAJOR DUTIES and QUALIFICATIONS sections of this announcement by 08/10/2026
Applicant must have directly applicable experience that demonstrates the possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies necessary for immediate success in the position. Qualifying experience may have been acquired in any public or private sector job, but will clearly demonstrate past experience in the application of the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to successfully perform the duties of the position.
You must have specialized experience sufficient to demonstrate that you have acquired all the competencies necessary to perform at a level equivalent in difficulty, responsibility, and complexity to the next lower grade GG-12 in the Federal service and are prepared to take on greater responsibility.
Generally, this would include one year or more of such specialized experience.
Specialized Experience For This Position Includes
- Conducting counterintelligence (CI) investigations and operations, including CI collections and reporting
- Developing and maintaining highly collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders
- Interpreting investigative and operational thresholds of USG Law Enforcement (LE) and Intelligence Community (IC) agencies
- Communicating complex ideas and threats orally and in writing to senior officials that influences stakeholders to take action.
- Collection Operations - Develops and demonstrates operational knowledge of capabilities and accesses of the collection disciplines, strengths and weaknesses of specific technical sensors/platforms, and human sources in area of responsibility. Executes collection using appropriate collection strategies and within the priorities established through the collection management process.
- Collection Resources Management - Receives and analyzes customer requirements, determines resource availability and capability, prioritizes and develops collection strategies, identifies task collection resources, evaluates performance and/or reporting, and updates collection planning.
- Collection Systems Capabilities - Gains and applies knowledge of capabilities, limitations, and accesses of the intelligence source disciplines, strengths and weaknesses of specific technical sensors/platforms, and human sources in area of responsibility. Knowledge of IC collection management processes, systems, and tools. Demonstrates knowledge of collection strategies, targeting, assessment and methodology, feedback, and source validation/vetting processes.
- Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
The incumbent will be required to sign a continued service agreement agreeing to stay with the agency for 12 months upon completion of the DCAC training.
Education
Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.
Additional information
VETERANS PREFERENCE/CURRENT OR FORMER FEDERAL
In accordance with DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, veterans preference is not required to be applied when considering candidates with prior Federal competitive or excepted service who have completed a probationary or trial period and have not been separated for cause. Therefore, veterans preference will not be applied to applicants with current federal service, or former federal civilian service meeting the above criteria.
Re-employed Annuitant: This position does not meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/1400.25-V300.pdf
Applicants selected from this announcement may be required to serve a two-year trial period.
If selected, Federal employees currently serving in the competitive service must acknowledge that they will voluntarily leave the competitive service by accepting an offer of employment for a DCIPS excepted service positions.
If selected, non-DCIPS candidates must acknowledge in writing that the position they have been selected for is in the excepted service and covered by DCIPS.
All Defense Intelligence positions under the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) are in the excepted service by specific statue, 10 U.S.C. 1601. This position is in the excepted service and does not confer competitive status.
For more information on the DCIPS occupational structure click here.
For more information about career advancement in DCIPS click here.
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.
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.