Senior Counterintelligence Specialist

Cherokee Federal; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Paid time off

Health insurance

Life insurance

Disability

FSA/HSA

Professional development

Identity protection

Job summary

Cherokee Federal is seeking a Counterintelligence Specialist – Senior in Washington, DC, to lead complex CI studies and develop training programs. The role requires an active TS/SCI clearance with polygraph readiness and U.S. citizenship.

The position offers a competitive starting range and comprehensive benefits, including professional development, with on-site work in Washington, DC. You will engage across DoD and federal partners to advance national security objectives.

Qualifications

• Active TS/Sensitive Compartmental Information (SCI) clearance with the ability to obtain a Counterintelligence Polygraph.
• Must be a US Citizen.
• Ability to in-depth analyze all-source CI studies and produce concise reports.
• Strong written and verbal communication with solid grammar.

Responsibilities

• Develop, produce, and present CI programs of instruction on collection operations and related processes.
• Synthesize all-source CI reporting on critical technologies, programs, information, and supply chains.
• Coordinate with cleared industry and government stakeholders to share threat information and mitigate risks.
• Analyze trends, threats, and targets to support mission requirements across DoD and IC.
• Collaborate with other intelligence community members to drive collection and resolve analytic disputes.
• Develop concise, insightful products for defense intelligence and briefing materials.

Skills

TS/SCI clearance

US Citizenship

Counterintelligence

Analytic research

Education

Master’s degree (preferred)

Job description

A government contract requires that this position be restricted to U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents. You must provide documentation that you are a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident to qualify.

***This position requires an active TS/Sensitive Compartmental Information (SCI) clearance with the ability to obtain a Counterintelligence Polygraph.***

Starting Salary Range for Counterintelligence Specialist – Senior: $120,000 – $155,000

Benefits That Set Us Apart

When considering your next opportunity, compensation is only part of the picture. We offer a benefits package designed to invest in your future and support your life outside of work.

Highlights include:

• Up to a 6% 401(k) company match to help you build long-term financial security
• Paid time off as part of our comprehensive benefits package, so you have the flexibility to rest, recharge, and enjoy what matters most
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus prescription drug coverage
• Basic life and AD&D insurance, with supplemental life options
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage
• Paid holidays
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) options
• Professional development, training, and certification support
• Voluntary benefits including accident, critical illness, and identity theft protection

Because taking care of our employees isn’t just a promise, it’s part of who we are.

Benefits are subject to change and eligibility requirements apply.

In compliance with Washington D.C.’s Wage Transparency Act, the estimated annual salary range for this position is $120,000 – $155,000. Actual compensation is based on qualifications and experience.

• Applies understanding of foreign intelligence capabilities / activities U.S. and foreign partner CI capabilities and Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) for in-depth analytic research and production of all-source CI studies and contributes to developing CI strategies.
• Conducts, develops, produces, and presents programs of instruction in specified collection operations TTPs, and related or supporting processes, relevant to the various human intelligence and technical intelligence operations under DoD authorities.
• Facilitate USG responses to adversary action and insider threats by sharing threat indicators and enabling responsive measures from other agencies and services.
• Research, synthesize, exploit, evaluate, and analyze all-source reporting on FIE targeting USG critical technologies, programs, information, and supply chains.
• Develop, support, and/or contribute to various CI Partnership with Cleared Industry (CIPCI) efforts upon request or should analysis reveal emerging trends in FIE targeting, issues of strategic significance, and/or actionable information against FIE threats.
• Provide advice related to the collection and triage of reports received from cleared industry.
• Coordinate, collaborate, and/or engage with customers and stakeholders to share threat information and/or develop and operationalize an enterprise security risk management methodology across Government and industry stakeholders.
• Participate in analytical exchanges with other intelligence entities.

Counterintelligence Specialist – Senior Basic Qualifications:

• Graduate of in-residence Fundamentals of Intelligence Analysis course or Military Service equivalent.
• Structures analytic questions based on trends in reporting and a range of analytic perspectives from other analysts, organizations, and intelligence disciplines.
• Demonstrates ability to guide teams in researching multifaceted or critical problems.
• Working knowledge of the concepts involved in the specific functions outlined in the specified labor category description.
• Knowledgeable of and demonstrates ability to apply IC and DoD classification guidelines and procedures.
• Able to use logic and systematic approaches to gather, evaluate, and synthesize multiple sources of information.
• Demonstrates ability to work semi-independently with oversight and direction.
• Use logic when evaluating and synthesizing multiple sources of information.
• Demonstrates ability interpreting analysis to include, but is not limited to, its meaning, importance, and implications.
• Defend analytic judgements with sound, logical conclusions and adapt analytic judgments when presented with new information, evolving conditions, or unexpected developments.
• Ability to produce timely, logical, and concise analytic reports, documents, assessments, studies, and briefing materials in formats including Microsoft Office tools (e.g.
• Able to communicate complex issues clearly in a concise and organized manner both verbally and non-verbally with strong grammar skills.
• Demonstrates ability to develop structured research including, but not limited to, obtaining, evaluating, organizing, and maintaining information within security and data protocols.
• Ability to recognize nuances and resolve contradictions and inconsistencies in information.
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of the Counterintelligence Specialist’s activities required to meet mission requirements.
• Ability to communicate understanding from information that may be incomplete, indirect, highly complex, seemingly unrelated, and / or technically advanced.
• Demonstrates ability to collaborate and work with other IC members on information sharing, driving collection, and addressing analytic disputes and conflict resolution.
• Ability to develop concise, insightful, and comprehensive products for defense intelligence.
• Must be a US Citizen.
• This position requires an active Top Secret/SCI clearance with a Counterintelligence polygraph. Candidates holding an active Top Secret/SCI clearance without the polygraph may be selected; the ability to obtain the required Counterintelligence polygraph is a condition of the position and will be completed as part of the hiring process.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer; may occasionally require standing or moving about the office for extended periods.
• Must pass pre-employment qualifications of Cherokee Federal.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Desired to have a minimum of 12 years of experience related to the CI Specialist role with at least a portion of the experience within the last 2 years.
• Master’s degree is preferred.

Work is performed primarily in a climate-controlled environment.

Company Information:

Behind every government mission stands skilled, mission-driven talent: people whose expertise and dedication turn complex challenges into successful outcomes. Cherokee Strategic Edge, part of Cherokee Federal, the federal contracting division of Cherokee Nation Businesses, is that team. We modernize aging systems, deliver care where it’s needed most, and keep missions supplied, staffed, and moving across defense, intelligence, and civilian agencies. For more than 60 federal clients, we take on the work others won’t, and deliver where it counts. If that’s the kind of work you’re looking for, you’ve found your team. Learn more at cherokee-federal.com.

Cherokee Federal is a military friendly employer. Veterans and active military transitioning to civilian status are encouraged to apply.

Legal Disclaimer: Cherokee Federal is an equal opportunity employer. Please visit cherokee-federal.com/careers for information regarding our Aff... [redacted]

Many of our job openings require access to government buildings or military installations.

Compliance Notices

Cherokee Federal is a federal contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA). As required by VEVRAA, we take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified protected veterans. Protected veterans are encouraged to self-identify during the application process.

Cherokee Federal takes affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. Qualified individuals with disabilities are encouraged to self-identify during the application process.

Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals with disabilities or those with sincerely held religious beliefs. To request an accommodation in the application or interview process, please contact Human Resources at [e-mail].

Job Info

• Job Identification 43733
• Job Category Security, Surveillance and Enforcement
• Posting Date 09/17/2026, 09:15 PM
• Job Schedule Full time
• Locations Washington, DC, United States (On-site)