Paramilitary Operations Officer
Other Agencies and Independent Organizations – Central Intelligence Agency
Summary
Paramilitary Operations Officers lead and manage Covert Action programs and collect foreign intelligence vital to national security policymakers.
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.
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
How You Will Be Evaluated
For more information, please visit: https://www.cia.gov/careers/.
Required Documents
For further information, please visit: https://www.cia.gov/careers/.
About this role
The Paramilitary Operations Officer position with the Other Agencies and Independent Organizations is based in Washington, District of Columbia. Paramilitary Operations Officers lead and manage Covert Action programs and collect foreign intelligence vital to national security policymakers. The role pays $80,363 to $133,142 per year.
Day to day, the work involves 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. The full list of duties, conditions, and required documents appears in the official announcement linked on this page.
Who should apply
Review the announcement's Qualifications section closely, since it defines exactly what the intelligence field experience this Paramilitary Operations Officer position requires. Match your federal resume directly to the announcement's wording so a reviewer can confirm each requirement in writing. For this Paramilitary Operations Officer position with the Other Agencies and Independent Organizations in Washington, District of Columbia, confirm you meet each requirement before applying.
How competitive it is
The posted pay of $80,363 to $133,142 per year places this in a competitive but attainable range for qualified applicants. Based in Washington, District of Columbia, it competes within that local market, which can mean lighter competition than major metropolitan postings. The announcement closes on September 30, 2026, and federal postings can close early once enough applications arrive, so applying promptly is wise.
This overview is general guidance from Job Army to help you understand the role. Always read the official announcement for exact duties, qualifications, and requirements before applying.