Summary

ODNI established the Office of Economic Security and Emerging Technologies (OESET) in response to increasing demand for improved intelligence on the application of disruptive technologies and related global supply chains. Improved IC posture in this area is critical to enabling the whole-of-government response that maintains United States' economic and technological competitive advantage and ensures U.S. access to goods and services central to its national security.

Duties

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Serve as the senior advisor and initiative lead for Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the Office of Economic Security and Emerging Technologies (OESET). To accomplish this, the incumbent shall:

Serve as OESET's technical SME for artificial intelligence, keeping abreast of technical developments in the AI industry and in government. Incumbent is responsible for awareness of the full scope of AI development and adoption around the world, including but not limited to technologies, enablers, and applications of AI; issues of global adoption and strategic competition, including supply chain and power requirements; and issues of societal importance such as risk and governance structures.

Focus on adversary development and adoption of AI, with special emphasis on informing all elements of the IC about AI technical developments and their economic implications, while supplementing the IC's extensive blue-side efforts to enhance use of AI to improve IC capabilities and performance. Work with allies and other international partners as assigned to ensure awareness of initiatives and development challenges within partner nations.

Develop and nurture an expert collaborative network of government and industry partners to enable the IC to understand technical developments and address AI concerns, focusing on challenges at the nexus of mission, policy, and technology from both adversary threat and opportunity perspectives.

Identify AI's impact on other developing technologies, supporting awareness of AI's importance to critical emerging technologies as necessary.

Serve as the mission manager for artificial intelligence. To accomplish this, incumbent shall:

Understand the AI mission gaps of other IC elements and facilitate development and delivery of solutions to those shortfalls, with emphasis on solutions that enable cross-agency success.

Enhance the IC's collection posture regarding AI developments and threats and enable exploitation of collection opportunities to increase US intelligence advantage.

Work with OESET and ODNI Policy staff to understand and enhance AI-related policies and priorities of the IC and USG, including especially counter and adversarial AI initiatives.

Partner with OESET's program directors for economic issues and other economic issues-focused elements in OESET to enable a superior awareness and understanding of issues at the confluence of AI technology and economics.

As requested by leadership, represent OESET to champion efforts to drive progress on critical national, economic, and military security challenges related to AI. Represent OESET in national level working groups, committees, and exercises, including at other governmental agencies, centers of excellence, academia, the private sector, and with international partners.

Support briefings to senior IC officials and other major stakeholders collaboration progress, issues and challenges.

In all matters and work efforts, demonstrate exemplary judgement, agility, and professionalism, including by balancing competing priorities; informing ODNI and Community efforts; implementing collaborative, transparent, and accountable methodologies and practices; and utilizing governance structures effectively to ensure decisions are made through the appropriate fora and accountability for results is clear.

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

This is an excepted service GS-15 position open to the public and all current federal employees at the GS-15 and one level below. Current federal employees at the GS-15 and one level below may apply to this position, and if selected will maintain pay set at their current grade and step. Current federal employees at grade levels GS-13 and below are not eligible for this position and their application will not be forwarded to the hiring manager. All current federal employees that apply for this position must submit their most recent SF-50, Notification of Personal Action (i.e., dated within the last 52 weeks from the closing date of this vacancy announcement) to verify their status of eligibility.

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.

Expert technical expertise in assigned areas of interest and a minimum of three to five years' experience in the private or public sector or academia.

Superior understanding of how technology is used within the IC and in the national security interest, as well as expert knowledge of IC organizations, their roles, responsibilities, advantages, and policy support mechanisms.

Superior ability to range across technical disciplines and national security missions to assess S&T Intelligence and emerging and disruptive technology developments from a broader multidisciplinary context and translate insights, tools, and tradecraft approaches across multiple mission domains.

Expert track record of championing path-breaking initiatives, solving tough problems in two or more IC mission areas, leading or managing a suite of projects to achieve common goals, and driving interagency progress.

Superior ability to focus targeting and collection on coordinated intelligence gaps, as well as superior analytical and critical thinking skills, including the ability to think strategically, act tactically consistent with strategic goals and objectives, adapt views and approaches as needed, develop and coordinate recommendations leading to lasting change, and evaluate outcomes against requirements, goals, and objectives.

Proven ability to work effectively both independently and in a team or collaborative environment, as well as superior interpersonal and leadership skills and the ability to lead interagency working groups, build coalitions, and consider alternatives.

Superior oral and written communication skills, including superior ability to draft and edit written reports of varying length and complexity, and to communicate effectively with audiences of varying seniority and expertise.

Desired Requirements:

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience as determined by mission specialty area.

Superior, acclaimed technical domain expertise in artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches.

Three or more years of demonstrated hands-on technical experience in artificial intelligence.

Substantial program management and contracting experience in the private or public sector.

Proven experience in coordinating planning, programming, and budgeting activities, including leading budget justification activities, planning resource strategies, and preparing resource analytic papers, background papers, talking points, and/or other products to support senior leadership in making informed programmatic decisions.

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

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.

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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.