Group Chief

Overview

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence is hiring a Group Chief to lead a team of experienced targeting analysts, supervisors, and managers. This role is responsible for fostering a constructive team environment that supports the delivery of timely and meaningful products for mission partners.

Key Responsibilities

You will oversee personnel, guide performance management, and help shape both individual and team development. The position calls for strong leadership in building a high-performing organization, encouraging collaboration, clarifying goals and expectations, and offering regular coaching, recognition, and corrective support where needed.

In addition, you will help execute plans that strengthen the analytic, tradecraft, and management capabilities of both employees and supervisors, while also supporting broader organizational and administration priorities. The role includes leading complex programs and projects with uncertain requirements, multiple workstreams, dependencies, risks, and interfaces, while keeping timelines, budgets, deliverables, and outcomes on track.

You will also provide oversight in identifying and defining stakeholder needs, supporting investment planning, and developing business cases across multiple Intelligence Community organizations. The position includes evaluating first-line supervisors, mentoring team chiefs, and contributing to long-range planning efforts.

Conditions of Employment

Applicants must either be current permanent ODNI employees or current permanent federal employees with supervisory approval to apply for the Joint Duty Assignment (JDA). JDA applicants must already hold the grade level listed for the posting. No temporary promotion will be offered for this role, and the program does not extend to military personnel or contractors.

For Joint Duty applicants, consideration may be possible as a reimbursable detailee if the employing agency endorses the candidate. These applicants must have an active TS/SCI clearance with polygraph, or the ability to obtain one. ODNI does not provide clearances or polygraphs for detailees.

Applicants must also respond to four short essay questions, each capped at 200 words. The responses must be written in the applicant's own words without assistance from a consultant or AI tool. The questions ask about commitment to the Constitution and founding principles of the United States, ways to improve government efficiency and effectiveness, support for Executive Orders and policy priorities, and how a strong work ethic has contributed to the applicant's achievements.

Required Qualifications

Candidates need deep knowledge of the Intelligence Community, the National Counterterrorism Center, law enforcement, and related entities, including their missions and relationships. The role also requires demonstrated leadership in guiding large teams, including first- and second-line supervisors, and in developing staff to support continuity and mission success.

Applicants should be able to direct multiple managers overseeing regional or functional areas in analytic and management operations, and to plan and coordinate work in line with organizational directives and strategic goals. Strong communication, analytic, and critical thinking skills are essential, along with the ability to explain complex, multidisciplinary ideas clearly to audiences ranging up to senior leadership.

Other important requirements include strong interpersonal ability, resilience under pressure, coalition building, and the capacity to drive consensus among stakeholders in support of a unified inter-agency counterterrorism targeting approach. Candidates must also be highly skilled in diagnosing complex program and resource issues and recommending workable solutions. A bachelor's degree in a related field, or equivalent relevant job experience, is required.

Desired Qualifications

Preference will be given to candidates with strong experience in law enforcement, investigative work, and homeland security operations. It is also helpful to have experience, or a strong ability to learn, in leading teams that produce well-written intelligence or law enforcement products, including reviewing final written and oral work for clarity, organization, accuracy, and sound reasoning while giving actionable feedback to supervisors and analysts.

Additional Information

Interview format for candidates outside the Washington Metropolitan Area may be by phone, teleconference, or in person.

If selected, a current federal employee will be placed at their existing grade and salary.

ODNI provides reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants with disabilities. Requests can be made through the listed classified email, unclassified email, telephone number, or fax. Applications should not be sent to the accommodations email addresses, which are reserved only for accommodation requests.

ODNI is an equal opportunity employer and follows applicable employment laws and regulations.

Applicants should be dedicated to improving federal government efficiency, supportive of American republican ideals, and committed to the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Federal employees receive a comprehensive benefits package, though the exact benefits depend on position type and employment arrangement. Candidates should contact the hiring agency for details about specific benefits.

Free Response Essay Questions

• Explain how your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States has motivated you to seek a federal role, and include a concrete example from your professional, academic, or personal life.
• Describe how you would use your skills and experience in this position to improve government efficiency and effectiveness, including examples of process improvements, cost reductions, or better outcomes you have achieved.
• Explain how you would support the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role, naming one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives and describing how you would help implement them if selected.
• Describe how a strong work ethic has shaped your academic, professional, or personal accomplishments, and explain how those qualities would help you serve effectively in this role.