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Open Source Targeter

Open Source Targeters conduct enhanced or specialized research and analysis, using publicly available information leveraging advanced tools, datasets and methodologies to advance CIA’s mission.
  • Full-Time
  • $72,965 - $128,956*
  • *Higher starting salary possible depending on experience level
  • Bachelor’s Degree
  • Foreign Language Bonus Eligible
Express Interest
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Agency-wide Requirements

All applicants must be:

  • U.S. citizens (dual U.S. citizens also eligible)
  • At least 18 years of age
  • Willing to move to the Washington, DC area
  • Able to complete security and medical evaluations
  • Registered for the Selective Service

About the Job

As an Open Source Targeter at CIA, you will focus on the discovery, and exploitation of publicly available information to drive successful human, technical, or blended operations that advance intelligence objectives and generate operational leads. You will apply specialized tradecraft, tools, and data to find, assess, curate, and disseminate key information of intelligence value through publicly available information channels, such as the internet, social media, commercial datasets, and other data collections.

Open Source Targeters are investigative, pragmatic, and operationally driven. You will serve frequently as an expert in technical or topical domains, geographic areas, and/or foreign language who work with other specialists to solve complex problems, collect key information, and produce foreign intelligence to disrupt threats and promote CIA’s mission priorities.

Open Source Targeters work to develop innovative digital solutions to solve complex challenges on elusive targets and communicate these solutions and findings to non-technical partners.

Opportunities may exist for travel, technical and specialized training, and broadening assignments in other CIA offices.

Who You’ll Work With

At the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), we recognize our Nation’s strength comes from the diversity of its people. People from a broad range of backgrounds and viewpoints work at CIA, and our diverse teams are the reason we can keep our country safe.

Read more about diversity and inclusion

What You’ll Get

Our benefits support every aspect of a working professional’s life, including health and wellness, time off, family, finances, and continuing education. Our programs include highly sought-after government health benefits, flexible schedules, sick leave, and childcare. In some cases, we also offer sign-on incentives and cover moving expenses if you relocate.

As a CIA employee, you’ll also get the satisfaction of knowing your work is part of something bigger than yourself. Our work is driven by one mission: to keep our Nation safe. Every day is an opportunity to enhance U.S. national security.

Learn more about working at CIA

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution, preferably in one of the following disciplines:
    • International Affairs/Relations
    • Political Science
    • National Security Studies
    • Library Science
    • STEM
    • Journalism
    • Terrorism Studies
  •  At least a 3.0 GPA on a 4-point scale is preferred, but exceptions are made for extenuating circumstances and/or at least 5 years’ professional experience working in the following areas:
    • Targeting Specialist/Analysis
    • Cryptologic Language Analysis
    • International Affairs/Relations
    • Political Science
    • Library Science
    • National Security Studies
    • STEM
    • Journalism
    • Terrorism Studies
  • Basic foreign language(s) proficiency Critical thinking and research skills
  • Strong verbal and written communications skills/polished writing and presentation skills, especially as it relates to briefing technical subjects to non-technical audiences
  • Ability to work within an ambiguous, evolving digital environment individually and as a member of a collaborative team
  • Inquisitive and investigative
  • Action-oriented and results-driven
  • Ability to communicate with technical and non-technical mission partners
  • Ability to navigate traditional media, the Internet, social media environments and other large datasets
  • Ability to meet the minimum requirements for joining CIA, including U.S. citizenship and a background investigation

Desired Qualifications

  • Previous Intelligence Community experience
  • Experience with programming and algorithmic techniques
  • Socio-Political Experience of specific geographical regions
  • Counter-proliferation, counter-terrorism, counter-narcotics, cyber-security/cyber-development background
  • Experience using methodologies or models to identify trends, patterns, relationships, and/or anomalies within large datasets