NEWS

Looking for a Career Change? We've Got You Covered

February 3, 2012

While they claim they aren't unique, DIA Clandestine Service case officers do possess certain qualities that make them suitable for the clandestine tradecraft. They are discreet professionals who spot, assess and recruit assets for U.S. intelligence.

In a time of budget reduction, the intelligence community is seeking to expand the DIA Clandestine Service case officer cadre. DIA looks to recruit only the very best and the brightest to its ranks.

What is the DIA Clandestine Service looking for? Well, they're not looking for "Hollywood." If you want to be the next James Bond, this job isn't for you. The case officer lifestyle requires great sacrifice with significant challenges — and there are no public accolades.

Case officers establish contact with targets and maintain relationships with sources. They have the ability to employ cover and navigate ambiguity while consistently maintaining personal integrity. These professionals possess the skills to appropriately and effectively apply methods of manipulation and deceit. Case officers are focused on the acquisition of pertinent, timely, and accurate intelligence.

Integrity and intelligence are necessary qualities for candidates. Applicants should have good interpersonal skills and be able to write clearly. Case officers are able to perform as team members and leaders as they're often asked to navigate both roles.

Foreign language proficiency is also very important in this line of work. Previous residence abroad is invaluable and provides a person who is able to hit the ground running. The DIA Clandestine Service is looking for people who speak the language and know the streets, culture and history. While it can be taught, there's no substitute for coming in with native understanding.

A target could be anyone and case officers have to make that person feel comfortable. It takes time to develop rapport with these assets and allow them to see that that the person they're working with is capable of protecting them. They risk their lives to work with our case officers. You have to be able to show empathy and compassion. Your relationship will require you to develop, train and task assets for the purpose of collecting intelligence information, all while making them feel safe.

Case officers are often on the street alone with no protection detail. When things go wrong, they have to rely on training and instinct. "When challenges arise, you will either push through or break down. It's not an easy job, but it's rewarding," a current case officer cadre member said.

"You have to remember that you're doing this for your flag, for your country," one case officer stated. Those who are selected for this career path will go through the qualification course to conduct clandestine operations on behalf of DIA. Upon successful completion, DIA case officers are deployable worldwide and are expected to move throughout the clandestine platforms every three years.

While not everyone who applies is selected, there are currently limited positions to fill based on qualifications. Positions may be offered based on the results of suitability screening.

The DIA Clandestine Service Career Management Division, in conjunction with the DIA Clandestine Service Mission Managers, ensure that the right person is in the right place at the right time. If you think this job is for you, apply today.

Interested candidates should apply through https://diajobs.dia.mil and search for announcement numbers:

• C12-EM-032522-01-CR: Intelligence Officer (HUMINT Collection), GG-07-12
• C12-EM -032526-02-CR: Intelligence Officer (HUMINT Collection), GG-13
• C12-EM-032514-01-CR: Intelligence Officer (HUMINT Collection), GG-14

If you speak the language and understand the culture, you could be anybody, anywhere, in the DIA Clandestine Service.

DIA is the nation’s premier all-source military intelligence organization.

It provides the nation’s most authoritative assessments of foreign military intentions and capabilities. The agency’s four core competencies -- human intelligence, all-source analysis, counterintelligence and technical intelligence -- enable military operations while also informing policy-makers at the defense and national levels.

DIA’s mission is unique and no other agency matches its military expertise across such a broad range of intelligence disciplines.