Paramilitary Operations Officer

Summary

Paramilitary Operations Officers lead and manage Covert Action programs and collect foreign intelligence vital to national security policymakers.

This job is open to
The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Federal employees - Competitive service

Current federal employees whose agencies follow the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's hiring rules and pay scales.

Federal employees - Excepted service

Current federal employees whose agencies have their own hiring rules, pay scales and evaluation criteria.

Duties

• Successful candidates for this position may be eligible for a one-time hiring bonus of up to 25% of their base pay

As a Paramilitary Operations Officer (PMOO) for the CIA, you will join a select cadre that is motivated by camaraderie and selfless service. PMOOs lead and manage Covert Action programs, at the direction of President of the United States, and collect Foreign Intelligence vital to national security policymakers. As an action and results oriented professional, you will take on demanding responsibility, accept significant personal risk, and maintain accountability for results. PMOOs serve as a distinct occupation in the Directorate of Operations (DO), using their military experience to conduct air, ground and maritime paramilitary operations, covert action as well as intelligence collection in austere and dangerous environments. You are expected to be leaders and program managers, running paramilitary and intelligence operations in the field.

All DO officers are hired at an entry level and train as they are expected to work - as one team. DO officers begin their careers spending one to two years learning the foundations of clandestine operational tradecraft via classroom training, practical exercise, and on-the-job experience. As equal parts Paramilitary and Operations Officers, PMOOs must successfully complete foundational training as a DO Operations Officer.

Additionally, you are required to successfully complete specialized paramilitary training and demonstrate a high level of physical readiness in order to prepare for service in hazardous and austere environments overseas.

PMOOs spend the majority of their careers serving out numerous short-term deployments or multi-year assignments in a variety of overseas locations.

As part of the program, some DO officers will be expected to:

• Operate a motor vehicle without second-party assistance in daytime and nighttime conditions;
• Traverse uneven terrain, to include climbing and descending staircases, over fixed minimum distances and in varying weather conditions;
• Work non-traditional or erratic schedules;
• Make reasoned decisions under time constraints.

This position requires a 5-year Contract Term Agreement.

Requirements
Conditions of employment

• You must be physically in the United States or one of its territories when you submit your resume via MyLINK.
• You must be registered for the Selective Service, if applicable.
• You must be a U.S. citizen and at least 18 years of age (dual-national US citizens are eligible).
• You must be willing to move to the Washington, DC area.
• You must successfully complete a thorough medical and psychological exam, a polygraph interview, and a comprehensive background investigation.
• For further information, please visit:

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Interested candidates should be passionate about the ideals of our American republic, committed to upholding the rule of law and the U.S. Constitution, and committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government. Hiring decisions will not be based on race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

• Served on active duty with the US Armed Forces in either of the following Military Occupations/Career Fields:
• Special Operations or Combat Arms

• Aviation or Aviation related specialties

• Successful completion of specialized paramilitary training and demonstrates a high level of physical readiness

• Willingness to serve in hazardous and austere environments overseas
• Personal integrity and the ability to operate with minimal supervision
• Strong interpersonal and communications skills (verbal and written)
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team as well as work independently
• Flexibility, adaptability, and commitment to the mission of the CIA and the Directorate of Operations
• Ability to meet the minimum requirements for joining CIA, including U.S. citizenship and a background investigation

Desired Qualifications

Competitive Paramilitary Operations Officer applicants have:

• Minimum of 8 years of active-duty experience
• Served in multiple leadership positions generating a proven record of responsibility and critical decision-making in stressful situations
• Experience serving in combat and conducting combat operations; multiple tours, particularly in leadership positions, are highly desired
• Currently on active duty or within three years following departure from active duty
• Applicants on Reserve or National Guard status, more than three years from active duty, are more competitive if they have completed overseas deployments in that timeframe

Qualifications also considered:

• Non-combat overseas deployments with real world impact
• Foreign language, foreign travel, and area knowledge
• Experience in advanced combat skills
• Experience conducting military/combat diving and underwater operations

Education

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution (applicants within one year of earning a four year degree will be considered); there is no preferred major or program of study (degrees from foreign academic institutions are accepted, but you are responsible for obtaining and providing CIA with a credential evaluation from an accredited firm confirming that the foreign degree is the equivalent of a BA/BS and/or MA/MS degree conferred by a U.S. college or university)
• At least a 3.0 GPA on a 4-point scale is preferred

Additional information

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.

Benefits

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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

For more information, please visit:

Required Documents

For further information, please visit:

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

This post is for viewing purposes only. To get started, please visit , where you can read more about this position and express your interest in up to four jobs. Upon expressing your interest, you will be taken to MyLINK, which allows you to submit your resume and job rankings and provide basic information about yourself.

Agency contact information

Central Intelligence Agency

Website

Next steps

After you express interest for up to four positions on , a CIA recruiter may contact you for further discussion if your qualifications meet our needs. See the MyLINK FAQs on our website for more information.

Overview

Accepting applications

Open & closing dates

10/01/2025 to 09/30/2026

Salary

$79,567 to - $131,826 per year

Pay scale & grade

GS

Location

Many vacancies in the following location:

Washington, DC

Remote job

No

Telework eligible

No

Travel Required

76% or greater - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Relocation expenses reimbursed

Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.

Appointment type

Permanent

Work schedule

Full-time

Service

Excepted

Promotion potential

None

Job family (Series)

• 0132 Intelligence

Supervisory status

No

Security clearance

Sensitive Compartmented Information

Drug test

Yes

Position sensitivity and risk

Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk

Trust determination process

• National security

Financial disclosure

Yes

Bargaining unit status

No

Announcement number

/CSHD

Control number

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