Summary

The Policy & Capabilities (PC) Directorate ensures the IC is best postured for the threats and challenges of an uncertain future, through strategy, policy, and capabilities development. PC is comprised of the Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO) and Policy Strategy and Accountability (PSA) Office.

Duties

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Within P&C, the Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO) leads DNI-directed, results-oriented campaigns in key contested areas, including Mission Artificial Intelligence (AI), Advanced Compute, and Space & Sensors. These campaigns run from 18-36 months and are focused on establishing multi-agency capabilities that will transform the intelligence community (IC). There are multiple openings available for this role, and we are accepting applications for all positions through this single vacancy announcement.

SCO also provides rigorous, collaborative, and stakeholder-informed analysis to optimize IC investments and capabilities, supporting IC mission and the DNI's priorities. The Cost Analyst supports this mission by conducting independent cost estimates and portfolio affordability analysis to facilitate strategic decision making on IC resources.

Specifically, this position will:

Plan, design, and lead the development of independent cost estimates of IC major system acquisitions and special interest acquisitions, to support budget builds, investment decisions, milestone decisions, and independent studies.

Apply the principles of operations research, engineering, statistics, and cost analysis to develop cost, schedule, and technical risk assessments of IC programs.

Develop and research statistical tools and estimating methodologies based on historical program costs, schedules, and technical and programmatic data.

Collaborate with IC stakeholders, agency cost groups, and industry partners to gather data, conduct research, and develop cost analysis products.

Develop and deliver background papers, talking points, and written reports and briefings to leadership that document, communicate, and defend cost analysis products; Brief senior leadership and other major stakeholders as necessary on strategic budget, resource, acquisition and investment planning issues.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen residing in the United States
• Appointment is subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance based on an SBI with eligibility for sensitive compartmented information (SCI)
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• A two-year trial period is required for all new permanent appointments to the ODNI.

Qualifications

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.

Academic background (e.g. Bachelors of Science) or demonstrated work experience in engineering, operations research, finance, mathematics, economics, statistics, or a related analytical field.

Demonstrated ability to develop life cycle cost estimates and analysis methods and tools, evaluate cost estimates, and conduct cost research.

Knowledge and experience in applying the principles, theories and methods of cost analysis, operations research, engineering, economic analysis and resource management to acquisition issues.

Expert knowledge of analytic tools and data development, organization and analysis for use in studies and analyses. Superior ability to analyze data and use quantitative financial analysis.

Knowledge of IC acquisition processes, including planning, programming and budgeting.

Superior interpersonal, technical, and analytical skills required to effectively manage sensitive issues and expert ability to plan, lead, and implement complex technical projects.

Superior oral and written communications skills, including ability to clearly convey complex information and ideas at all levels of management.

Superior ability to develop and apply a broad range of analytical tools and approaches to research, analyze, and present findings, conclusions, and recommendations on complex issues (systems analysis, statistical methods, operations research, etc.).

Superior ability to interact with customers and colleagues effectively when resolving problems; exercises sound

judgment and discretion.

Desired Requirements:

Expert knowledge of and experience in estimating the cost of IC systems, such as space, ground and tasking, processing, exploitation, and dissemination programs;

Strong knowledge of budget formulation, programming, budget execution, and financial management in the IC, a defense agency, or a military service;

Certifications/Licenses: Professional certification in cost estimating or related field;

Previous experience briefing senior IC leadership, OMB, and Congressional staffers.

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

The ODNI uses a rank-in-person system in which rank is attached to GS employees on the basis of individual qualifications, experience, and performance. Individuals whose current GS grade is equivalent to the grade of the advertised position will retain their current grade and step. Individuals who transfer to the ODNI from a non-GS pay scale will have base pay converted to the appropriate GS grade and step as determined by the Chief of Human Resource Management.

In some cases when a current federal civilian employee applies for an ODNI position that is a lower grade than his or her personal grade, the candidate's personal grade will be downgraded to the grade of the advertised ODNI position and pay will be set at the step that is closest to, and not less than, the employee's current annual base rate of pay, not to exceed the maximum step rate of the GS grade to which assigned.

RELOCATION EXPENSES

For new ODNI employees, reimbursement for relocation is discretionary based on availability of funds.

Benefits

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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.