What are the responsibilities and job description for the COUNTERINTELLIGENCE SPECIAL AGENT (CISA) position at Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA)?
Summary
The Counterintelligence (CI)Field Division, Office of CI, CI Component, DCSA is seeking a qualified CI professional to serve as a Counterintelligence Specialist within the Mid-Atlantic Region. In this role you will serve as a SME responsible for providing CI functional services, oversight, and support to the cleared Defense Industrial Base (DIB) and other DCSA mission areas such as Industrial Security, Cyber Security, and Background Investigations
Duties
Help
As a COUNTERINTELLIGENCE SPECIAL AGENT (CISA) you will be responsible for the following duties:
Requirements
Help
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/#url=Group-Standards 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 10/07/2026.
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 I have acquired all the competencies necessary to perform at a level equivalent in difficulty, responsibility, and complexity to the next lower grade (GS/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
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.
This position is subject to an initial drug screening, and random testing thereafter. A negative drug test result must be received by HR within 30 calendar days after the EOD (i.e., start date). The selectee's inability successfully pass; or refusal to conduct the test may result in: 1) the tentative or FJO being withdrawn during the recruitment process; or 2) subsequently being removed from Federal service for failure to meet a condition of employment. You may be required to sign a "Drug Test Statement of Understanding" if you are selected for this position.
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 Counterintelligence (CI)Field Division, Office of CI, CI Component, DCSA is seeking a qualified CI professional to serve as a Counterintelligence Specialist within the Mid-Atlantic Region. In this role you will serve as a SME responsible for providing CI functional services, oversight, and support to the cleared Defense Industrial Base (DIB) and other DCSA mission areas such as Industrial Security, Cyber Security, and Background Investigations
Duties
Help
As a COUNTERINTELLIGENCE SPECIAL AGENT (CISA) you will be responsible for the following duties:
- Provides CI subject matter expertise for seamless and impactful integration across all mission areas within the Mid-Atlantic Region.
- Serves as a subject matter expert responsible for providing CI Functional Services, oversight, and support to the cleared Defense Industrial Base; for conducting CI collection directed against Foreign Intelligence Entity (FIE) targeting cleared industry; for conducting briefings pertaining to CI awareness and reporting and the foreign intelligence threat to personnel; and represents DCSA CI in daily internal and external meetings to identify and resolve threats to cleared industry.
- Produces Intelligence Information Reports meeting National and DoD CI collection requirements.
- Develops and incorporates understanding of the investigative and operational information thresholds required by counterpart USG LE and IC agencies to support initiation of investigations and operations.
- Recommends appropriate CI countermeasures necessary to counter FIE collection efforts.
- Establishes and maintains highly collaborative relationships with the DoD components, USG LE and IC counterparts, and with cleared contractors.
Requirements
Help
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: This position is telework eligible, but is not a full time telework position. The incumbent will be required to report to the office on a routine basis.
- If selected, the incumbent must obtain and maintain appropriate security clearance as indicated in job announcement.
- Must complete the DoD CI Agent Course (DCAC) offered by the Joint CI Training Academy (JCITA) and be certified to carry CI Special Agent credentials within 18 months of onboarding in accordance with DoD 5240.02 and DoD 5240.06.
- This time period may be extended due to class availability. Failure to obtain DCAC certification may result in mandatory reassignment to a position that does not require credentials.
- May require Temporary Duty Travel (TDY).
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/#url=Group-Standards 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 10/07/2026.
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 I have acquired all the competencies necessary to perform at a level equivalent in difficulty, responsibility, and complexity to the next lower grade (GS/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) inquiries, investigations and/or operations, and collection operations/activities;
- Producing Intelligence Information Reports meeting National and Departmental CI collection requirements, or relevant reports in support of national security;
- Supporting initiation of investigations and operations by counterpart USG Law Enforcement and Intelligence Community agencies by understanding their investigative and operational information thresholds;
- Conducting briefs pertaining to CI awareness, reporting, and the foreign intelligence threat to personnel; and
- Recommending appropriate CI countermeasures necessary to counter Foreign Intelligence Entity (FIE) collection efforts.
- Influencing/Negotiating: Persuades others to accept recommendations, cooperate, or change their behavior; works with others towards an agreement; negotiates to find mutually acceptable solutions.
- Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations.
- Oral Communication: Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
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.
This position is subject to an initial drug screening, and random testing thereafter. A negative drug test result must be received by HR within 30 calendar days after the EOD (i.e., start date). The selectee's inability successfully pass; or refusal to conduct the test may result in: 1) the tentative or FJO being withdrawn during the recruitment process; or 2) subsequently being removed from Federal service for failure to meet a condition of employment. You may be required to sign a "Drug Test Statement of Understanding" if you are selected for this position.
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.