Assistant Director Security Directorate

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.

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.

Must be a current permanent ODNI employee OR must be a current permanent Federal employee with supervisory approval to apply to the Joint Duty Assignment (JDA). JDA applicants must be currently at the grade level specified in the advertisement. No temporary promotion opportunities will be granted for this position. The program does not apply to members of the Military service or contractors. Joint Duty applicants may be considered for this position as a reimbursable detailee, if endorsed by the employing agency. Joint Duty applicants must have a current TS/SCI clearance with polygraph or have the ability to obtain one. The ODNI does not conduct polygraphs or provide security clearances for detailees. EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS All applicants will be assessed for executive competency against the five mandatory Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs). If your two-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs you will not receive further consideration for the position. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review current information regarding ECQs. For information regarding ECQs, please visit the Executive Core Qualifications page on the OPM website. FREE RESPONSE ESSAY QUESTIONS All applicants must answer the following four short, free response essay questions. The responses cannot exceed 200 words per question. By submitting your responses to the following 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]). 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.