CDAO - Policy Directorate - Data Policy Analyst

Job Title: Data Policy Analyst

Pay Scale: $142,488-$185,234

Open Date: 21 November 2025

Close Date: 25 November 2025

About the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office

The Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) is a Principal Staff Assistant (PSA) responsible for the acceleration of the adoption of data, analytics, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to generate decision advantage across the Department of Defense (DoD). The CDAO is established to enable the Military Departments and Services, Joint Staff, Combatant Commands (CCMDs), Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), and other DoD Components, to swiftly introduce new capabilities and effectively experiment with new operational concepts in support of DoD's warfighting missions.

The Policy Directorate within the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) leads enterprise-wide initiatives to accelerate the Department of Defense's (DoD) adoption and governance of data, analytics, digital capabilities, and AI-driven decision advantage. The Directorate develops policy, conducts high-impact program assessments, and provides strategic oversight to strengthen the Department's use of Common Enterprise Data and enhance performance, cost management, and mission effectiveness across DoD components.

This position serves as a senior expert responsible for evaluating enterprise programs, shaping department-wide policy, and advising senior leaders on complex, sensitive, and high-priority issues critical to DoD operations and modernization.

This position is a DoD Cyber Excepted Service (CES) personnel system position in the Excepted Service under 10 U.S.C. 1599f and does not convey eligibility to be converted to the Competitive Service. This position is a GG and is only open to federal civilians currently employed within the CDAO. This position sits in the Washington, DC area. Interested candidates must submit a two-page resume. The role will close for applications on November 25th, 2025 at 11:59:59pm.

• Expert knowledge and experience in Cost Management and Performance Management research programs, including developing, managing, and applying methodologies that enhance CDAO and DoD-wide oversight of business operations through the use of Common Enterprise Data.
• Expert experience engaging with senior Departmental principals and staffs, including the Office of the General Counsel (OGC), Military Departments, Joint Staff, Defense Agencies, and DoD Field Activities. Demonstrated ability to conduct complex, high-visibility program assessments requiring extensive research, cross-functional coordination, and detailed fact-finding to develop actionable solutions.
• including developing, managing, and applying methodologies that enhance CDAO and DoD-wide oversight of business operations through the use of Common Enterprise Data.
• Expert experience engaging with senior Departmental principals and staffs, including the Office of the General Counsel (OGC), Military Departments, Joint Staff, Defense Agencies, and DoD Field Activities. Demonstrated ability to conduct complex, high-visibility program assessments requiring extensive research, cross-functional coordination, and detailed fact-finding to develop actionable solutions.

• Evaluates existing internal processes, administrative systems, policies, and regulatory frameworks to develop findings and recommendations that enhance efficiency and support mission-oriented program objectives.
• Applies advanced quantitative analytical methods to evaluate program data, identify systemic issues, and develop evidence-based solutions.
• Identifies and validates data requirements for effective program evaluation; monitors enterprise trends by analyzing statistical and operational data.
• Designs statistically valid survey instruments, applies modern data analysis and visualization techniques, and develops alternative tools for program evaluation and cost-benefit analysis.
• Leads the development of methodologies that accelerate the CDAO's and DoD's use of enterprise data to support improved decision-making, process optimization, and performance outcomes.
• Engages directly with senior leaders across the Department—including Military Departments, Joint Staff, Defense Agencies, OGC, and Field Activities—to support high-priority, complex program assessments directed by the CDAO.
• Conducts comprehensive research and fact-finding to diagnose issues, develop solutions, and recommend program improvements on highly sensitive and often controversial topics of Department-wide significance.
• Develops plans and frameworks to ensure CDAO leadership receives the materials, analysis, and strategic support required for informed decision-making.
• Develops and delivers executive-level briefings, reports, and position papers on program status, analytical findings, and policy implications.
• Justifies and defends proposals and resource requests to influence guidance, support, and senior-level decisions.
• Negotiates to gain acceptance of analytical conclusions and recommendations involving significant revisions to existing programs or policies.
• Conducts research and provides authoritative recommendations regarding program direction, regulatory considerations, and operational impacts.

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Candidate is encouraged to provide e-portfolio, project samples, Github, etc. to their submission package.
• Males born after must be registered or exempt from Selective Service
• This position is subject to provisions of the WHS/OSD Priority Placement Program (please see details below)
• Applicants for employment are covered by federal laws and Presidential Executive Orders designed to safeguard federal employees and job applicants from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit-based factors
• A three-year trial period may be required if not previously completed a trial or probationary period in the excepted or competitive service
• Must be determined suitable for federal employment.
• Required to participate in the direct deposit program.
• This position is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing.
• We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 90 days of the closing date.
• Recruitment, relocation, or retention incentives may be authorized based on the availability of funds.
• This position is being recruited under 10 USC 1599f into the Cyber Excepted Service and does NOT convey eligibility to be converted to the Competitive Service.
• For more information on the Cyber Excepted Service Personnel System, click here
• This position requires a Top Secret/ Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) security clearance.
• Because this position is in the Cyber Excepted Service, Veterans' Preference will be applied to preference-eligible candidates, as defined by Section 2108 of the Title 5 U.S.C. in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction
• If you are a veteran claiming veteran's preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., you must submit documents verifying your eligibility with your application package.
• This position may require work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays and/or mandatory overtime.
• This position may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station via military or commercial aircraft.

Priority Placement Program Details

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: Military Spouse Preference applicants, must be selected and placed at the highest grade level for which they have applied and been determined best qualified up to and including the full performance level. You must include a completed copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Spouse Preference.

Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians PPP Eligible: MR and NG technicians PPP applicants must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Reserve and National Guard Technician preference.

Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians Receiving Disability Retirement PPP Eligible: MR and NG technicians receiving disability retirement PPP applicants must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability preference.

Retained Grade PPP Eligible: Retained Grade PPP applicants, must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Retained Grade preference.

The CDAO will accelerate DoD adoption of data, analytics, and artificial intelligence from the boardroom to the battlefield to enable decision advantage.

The CDAO envisions a modern and agile Department of Defense that fully delivers on the National Defense Strategy through a robust digital hierarchy of needs that enables Department leaders and warfighters to make proactive, timely, and impactful decisions in the boardroom and on the battlefield.