Assistant Director Security Directorate

Other Agencies and Independent Organizations

Bethesda, Maryland Other $151,661 – $209,700 Closes Jun 25, 2026

Summary

Lead proactive counterintelligence and security activities across the United States government, integrating the instruments of national power to detect, report, deter, disrupt, investigate, exploit, and defeat foreign intelligence threats.

Duties

  • The Security Directorate (SD) is embedded with the National Counterintelligence & Security Center (NCSC).
  • NCSC/SD protects the nation’s security interests by providing comprehensive security solutions and developing and implementing policies, guidance, and standards for personnel security, IC-wide and SCI security-relevant issues, and security clearance reform.
  • SD also engages with government and industry partners to protect national security equities against foreign intelligence and security threats and advance the U.S. Government’s risk management environment to safeguard against adversarial and insider threats.
  • NCSC/SD directly supports the DNI’s responsibilities as the Security Executive Agency (SecEA) across the Executive Branch and serves as the DNI’s designee for oversight of national security programs across the Intelligence Community (IC).
  • The Assistant Director (AD) of the SD will serve as the outward facing leader who represents the DNI, as the SecEA, and simultaneously represents the DNI’s role as a co-chair of the National Insider Threat Task Force (NITTF) and the National OPSEC Program.
  • The AD/SD works closely with NCSC leadership and the DNI to lead the directorate’s mission and staff.
  • The AD/SD will: Lead Security Clearance Reform efforts, known as Trusted Workforce 2.0, to ensure the USG is best postured to recruit and retain a trusted 21st century workforce.
  • Represent the Security Executive Agent on behalf of the DNI.
  • Provide expert guidance and represent the equities of the DNI in interactions with the IC, Federal Partners, the Department of Defense, Congress, the Government Accountability office, and cleared industry on personnel security, physical and technical security, insider threat (InTh), and OPSEC matters.
  • Lead the IC in protecting national security equities against counterintelligence and security threats to diplomatic missions abroad and other U.S. government facilities worldwide; and oversee the provision of technical, analytical, and policy guidance to government, public, and private sector partners.
  • In accordance with ICD 701, the AD/SD has oversight responsibilities of the management of the DNI’s IC unauthorized disclosure program, executes and leads the National Security Presidential Memorandum -28 National OPSEC program.
  • Establish, guide, and oversee ODNI and IC working groups, boards, and committees, as needed, to support accomplishment of corporate and strategic goals.
  • Deliver the necessary security policies, standards, and technical solutions to the USG to enhance their security posture.
  • Evaluate USG-wide progress in meeting personnel security-related performance goals.
  • The AD/SD also ensure that the performance of the DNI’s essential functions are consistent with DNI requirements and mission objectives; establish and coordinate policies and standards accordingly.
  • Engage with the media, private citizen interest groups and other elements of the public as required.
  • Perform, along with the DAD/SD, personnel management and supervisory responsibilities with a focus on building a high-performance workforce; promote team building and a collaborative work environment; ensure goals and performance objectives are understood; assess performance and provide timely feedback, recognition, and remediation.
  • Serve as part of the NCSC senior leadership team, advancing CI and security excellence across the USG.

Requirements

  • CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT You must be registered for the Selective Service, if applicable.
  • You must be a U.S. citizen and at least 18 years of age.
  • You must be willing to move to the Washington Metropolitan Area (WMA).
  • You must successfully complete a medical and psychological exam, a polygraph interview, and a comprehensive background investigation.
  • PROBATIONARY & TRIAL PERIODS Employees newly appointed to the Senior National Intelligence Service (SNIS) are subject to a twelve (12)-month probationary period to assess their ability to perform assigned duties and responsibilities at a level of excellence expected of a senior executive.
  • For permanent employees newly hired into the ODNI, the probationary period will run concurrently with the first twelve (12) months of a new employee’s two (2)-year trial period.
  • EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs) To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and the Intelligence Community Senior Officer Core Qualification (ICSOCQ) in your resume.
  • Please see qualification section.
  • FREE RESPONSE ESSAY QUESTIONS All applicants must answer the following four short, free response essay questions.
  • Responses cannot exceed 200 words per question.
  • Submitting your responses to the following questions, you certify that you are using your own words and did not use a consultant or AI.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Education

Bachelor’s degree

How You Will Be Evaluated

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you are among the best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. After reviewing your resume and supporting documentation, a determination will be made.

You must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement.

Required Documents

A complete application package must include the following:

  • a.
  • RESUME: Resumes must be no longer than two (2) pages in length.
  • Resumes longer than two (2) pages will be removed from consideration.
  • To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, your resume must show that you possess the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and the Intelligence Community Senior Officer Core Qualification (ICSOCQ) listed in the Qualifications section.
  • Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualifications.
  • If your resume does not demonstrate evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position. b.
  • ESSAY QUESTION RESPONSES: The responses cannot exceed 200 words per question (please see questions in the Requirements section above).
  • By submitting your responses to these 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]). c.
  • COVER LETTER: Applicants must submit a cover letter as a supplement to the resume to elaborate on their qualifications and previous work performed. d.
  • CURRENT SF-50: Federal Government employees must provide their official most recent SF-50 (i.e., dated within the last 52 weeks from the closing date of this vacancy announcement).
  • SF-50, “Notification of Personnel Action” is used to verify to verify current federal status, position, title, grade, and organization of record.
  • If your SF-50(s) does not provide the information needed to make a final determination for qualification, you will be found ineligible for the position. e.
  • POSITION NUMBER: Reference the position number on each document submitted.
← Back to all Jobs