Intelligence Research Specialist

This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Intelligence, National Border Security Intelligence Center Directorate, Great Lakes Regional Intelligence Center located in Selfridge, MI.

About the role

In this position, you will serve as an Intelligence Research Specialist (IRS) and Subject Matter Expert (SME) all-source analyst. You will apply expert intelligence knowledge, skills, and abilities to provide insights that warn of potential threats and assessments on possible outcomes regarding national security.

Pay

This position starts at a salary of $82,372.00 (GS-11, Step 1) to $128,350.00 (GS-12, Step 10) with promotion potential to $152,625 (GS-13 Step 10).

Visit the locality pay tables by geographic area to view pay rates. If your geographic area is not listed, select the "Rest of United States" pay table. Some positions may qualify for a special pay rate depending on series, grade level, and location.

Responsibilities

• Execute intelligence processes across all phases of the CBP intelligence cycle: planning and direction, collection, processing and exploitation, analysis and production, and dissemination.
• Integrate data and information from all relevant sources to analyze situations or conditions affecting organization operations.
• Assess and validate intelligence on measures of relevance, timeliness, and objectivity, and prepare professional intelligence reports for briefing and dissemination across the organization.
• Provide analytic direction and project monitoring services in interrelated geographical and functional areas; gather, evaluate, analyze, and abstract data from multiple or specific sources; produce analyses, reports, and briefings; and formulate appropriate actions regarding problem areas, technical or administrative procedures.
• Research, evaluate, integrate, and analyze all-source data in the preparation of clear, concise, in-depth intelligence analytical products focusing on threats and all relevant information related to CBP operations.
• Provide effective, relevant, and timely intelligence support to operations at strategic, operational, or tactical levels, creating impactful threat disruption outcomes.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service.
• Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years (additional details below).
• All pre-employment processes will be conducted in English.
• You may be required to pass a background investigation.
• CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures.
• As an employee of CBP, your conduct will be subject to ethics rules applicable to all Executive Branch employees, including conflict-of-interest statutes.
• DHS uses E-Verify to confirm work eligibility for all newly hired employees.
• This position is not covered under a bargaining unit.
• Selectees are required to attend and successfully complete Intelligence Specialist Core and Specialized paid training. Failure to complete training may result in demotion or separation.

Qualifications

GS-11:

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:
  • Serving as an intermediate intelligence analyst in their Area of Responsibility (AOR), contributing to short- and long-term planning through in-depth research and analysis regarding threats to border security.
  • Supporting the creation and maintenance of the applicable Common Intelligence Picture (CIP) to provide leadership and operator situational awareness, reduce uncertainty, and safeguard the workforce.
  • Identifying intelligence gaps and assisting with the development of associated Essential Elements of Information required to satisfy and close the intelligence gaps.
  • Serving in liaison, joint duty, and other rotational assignments to facilitate sharing and transfer of information and best practices.
• Education substitution: A Ph.D., equivalent doctoral degree, or three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree (or LL.M.) may substitute for experience at the GS-11 grade level. Such education must be from an accredited college or university. If using credit hours, 54 semester or 81 quarter hours are required.
• Combining education and experience: Convert each to a percentage and add the percentages. The total must equal at least 100% to qualify.

GS-12:

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:
  • Executing intelligence processes across all phases of the intelligence cycle: planning and direction, collection, processing and exploitation, analysis and production, and dissemination.
  • Using established intelligence techniques to analyze data from a variety of sources to develop targets, trends, patterns, profiles, estimates, and studies in support of operational and mission success.
  • Researching, evaluating, integrating, and analyzing all-source data in the preparation of clear, concise, in-depth intelligence analytical products focusing on threats and relevant information related to operations.
  • Providing effective, relevant, and timely intelligence support to operations at strategic, operational, or tactical levels, creating impactful threat disruption outcomes.

Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet these requirements, or you will be found ineligible.

Experience includes paid and unpaid work, such as volunteer work through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, community, student, social).

Additional Information

• Current federal employees must meet Time in Grade requirements (52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent) by 08/07/2026.
• Political appointees must disclose their status and may require OPM authorization for employment offers.
• Background investigation: Applicants will be asked about felony convictions, illegal drug use (including marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and non-prescribed controlled substances. More details on the pre-employment process.
• Residency requirement: Non-CBP applicants must have physically resided in the U.S. or its protectorates for at least three of the last five years. Exceptions may apply for U.S. government employees, dependents, study abroad programs, or contractors supporting the U.S. government.
• All new federal employees must serve a one-year probationary period.
• Reasonable Accommodation (RA) requests for online assessments are available for applicants with disabilities covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Requests must be made prior to starting assessments and are adjudicated on a case-by-case basis. Procedures for requesting RA.