Intelligence Research Specialist

About the role

This position is part of the Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence, Department of Energy.

As a Intelligence Research Specialist, you will lead all-source cyber threat analysis for DOE and U.S. energy missions; represents DOE-IN in interagency/technical forums to align threat priorities; delivers written assessments and executive briefings for decision-makers; and identifies critical intelligence gaps to guide collection requirements.

What you will do

• The Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence office works identify and mitigate threats to U.S. National Security and the DOE Enterprise and informs national security decision-making.
• The DOE-IN advises policy makers on threats to and opportunities for U.S. National Security in nuclear, energy, cyber and a number of science and technology (S&T) fields.
• This is an Excepted Service position.
• This appointment will not confer Competitive Service career-conditional or career tenure status.
• This means that if you are selected, you would have to compete with other applicants in open competition to meet requirements for another Federal position, unless you meet the requirements for reinstatement.
• Applicants who voluntarily convert from the competitive service, Senior Executive Service, or other pay systems to a non-time limited appointment under this excepted service authority are not afforded "fallback rights" to the pay system previously assigned prior to conversion.
• We are truly honored that DOE has been named America's #1 Best Employer for Veterans in 2023 by Forbes-not only among Government agencies, but among employers across the U.S. We are so proud of this ranking which reflects our commitment to the employment of veterans.
• As so many veterans at DOE renew their service to our Nation, we are deeply committed to their success and advancement.
• Veterans shape the future of energy As an Intelligence Research Specialist, you will: Plans, directs, and conducts complex, all-source cyber threat intelligence research and analytical assessments regarding foreign threat actors, advanced persistent threat (APT) campaigns, and tactics targeting Department of Energy (DOE) systems, national laboratories, and critical energy infrastructure.
• Evaluates incomplete, ambiguous, or conflicting technical information using structured analytic methods and competitive hypothesis testing to assess adversary capabilities, establish confidence levels, and uphold Intelligence Community analytic standards.
• Serves as an authoritative technical representative in interagency working groups, task forces, and partner forums to align intelligence priorities, resolve analytic discrepancies, and communicate DOE-IN perspectives.
• Collaborates with DOE national laboratories, the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), and external energy-sector partners to evaluate complex cyber-physical threats and validate evidence.
• Identifies critical cyber intelligence gaps, recommends targeted collection requirements across collection disciplines, and collaborates with collection managers to focus coverage on priority national energy security threats.

Education

There are no specific education requirements or substitution of education for experience for this position.

How you will be evaluated

Your application and resume should demonstrate that you possess the following specialized experience.

Do not provide a separate narrative written statement.

Rather, you must describe in your resume how your past work experience demonstrates that you possess the competencies identified below. Use specific examples of employment or experience contained in your resume and describe how this experience has prepared you to successfully perform the duties of this position.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date (11/09/2026) of this announcement.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click***

Documents you must provide

• duties performed; full name and address of the each employer; start and end dates (month/day/year); work schedule (part-time, full-time, number of hours if intermittent); salary; and any completed education and training (program title, subject area, number of hours completed, and completion date).
• Cover Letter, optional, expressing additional information not covered in your resume.
• Transcripts, if specific educational requirements are indicated in this job announcement.
• Unofficial transcripts or any report listing institution, course title, credits earned (semester or quarter hour) and final grade is acceptable.
• It is your responsibility to provide adequate proof that you meet the educational requirements.
• Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable, DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; current active duty members- certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within 120 days; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA letter.
• For more information visit the USAJOBS Help Center & OPM CHCOC website for VOW information.
• CTAP/ICTAP Eligible Applicants: To receive selection priority, you must submit the following documentation with your application: Proof of Eligibility: A copy of your agency-issued Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice, a copy of your separation SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) noting transition/displaced status, or other official agency documentation confirming your eligible status.
• Proof of Performance Rating: A copy of your most recent performance appraisal/rating of record, which must include: Your final rating (must be at least "Fully Successful" or equivalent); and The rating scale/guide (explaining what each level/numeric score means), unless the rating scale is clearly defined on the appraisal document itself.
• Note: While a formal performance appraisal is highly recommended and requested to expedite your evaluation, if your agency-issued RIF separation notice or other official separation documentation explicitly states that your performance was at least "Fully Successful" (or equivalent) and notes your rating of record, it may be accepted in lieu of a formal performance appraisal.
• Failure to provide any documentation proving a rating of at least "Fully Successful" or equivalent will result in the loss of your priority consideration.
• For more information see the OPM Guide to Career Transition.
• Military Spouse, if applicable, Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders authorizing you to accompany the Military member to the new duty permanent station; OR verification of the member's 100% disability (VA Letter); and/or verification of the member's death while on active duty (DD-1300 and Death Certificate) AND verification of the marriage to the service member (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage).
• For more information visit the USAJOBS Help Center.
• Incomplete application package.
• It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.
• Do not provide photos or list a Social Security Number or date of birth on any attachment.
• You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement, as demonstrated in your application and your responses to all assessments required for this position.
• Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application or cheating on the assessment may result in removal from consideration.
• Responses to assessments must be prepared solely by the applicant.
• The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini, CoPilot) to draft, edit, or generate responses is strictly prohibited and may result in removal from consideration.

What to expect next

Once you submit your online application, you will receive a confirmation notification by email that your submission was successful. After the closing of the announcement, we will review applications. If you are among the most qualified candidates and your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly for a possible interview.

We will notify you of the status of your Application Package at the time candidates are referred for consideration, and when the selection process is complete.

If you are interested in being added to our Schedule A or 30% or more Disabled Veterans repository, please submit your information by using the below links. *** - Schedule A Repository 2027 for Department of Energy (HQ Offices only) *** - 30 Percent Disabled Veteran Repository 2027 for Department of Energy (HQ Offices only)

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE. For general information on government-wide Telework polices visit: *** Hiring incentives may be authorized in accordance with agency policy and if funding is available. Equal employment opportunity policy.

Employees or applicants may request Reasonable Accommodation (RA) for assistance, when applying or competing for a job or performing a job due to their medical condition or to exercise their religious beliefs. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or selection process, please contact the Staffing Specialist listed on this vacancy announcement.

Reasonable Accommodation Policy: *** Veterans Information: *** Selective Service Registration: *** The Fair Chance Act prohibits specific inquiries concerning an applicant's criminal or credit background unless the hiring agency has made a conditional offer of employment to the applicant.

An applicant may submit a complaint to the agency within 30 calendar days of the date of alleged noncompliance by completing the Fair Chance Act Intake Form and submitting it to the Administrative Investigations Program at ***.

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.