Sensitive Activities Operations Coordinator

The Ascendancy Group; Coronado (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ascendancy Group, based in California, is seeking an experienced Sensitive Activities Operations Coordinator responsible for mission planning and ensuring counterintelligence effectiveness. The ideal candidate will drive operational excellence, supporting various sensitive activities and providing expert guidance on tradecraft and CI vulnerabilities.

Applicants must have a background in the Intelligence Community, with strong communication skills and at least five years of relevant experience. A Top Secret clearance is mandatory. This role demands a proactive approach to problem-solving in fast-paced operational environments.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in joint DoD, interagency operations, or sensitive activities.
• Prior U.S. Government Counterintelligence or Law Enforcement experience.
• Strong knowledge of technical surveillance and high-threat operational environments.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert guidance on operational tradecraft design and execution.
• Conduct comprehensive Counterintelligence Vulnerability Assessments.
• Deliver mission planning and CI advisory support.

Skills

Operational tradecraft expertise

Counterintelligence analysis

Strong written and verbal communication

Ability to operate independently

Experience in dynamic environments

Job description

The Ascendancy Group’s Mission

To be the unequaled provider of special operations forces (SOF) and Intelligence Community focused technical, service, and training-based solutions.

Overview

The Ascendancy Group is seeking an experienced intelligence and tradecraft professional to serve as a Sensitive Activities Operations Coordinator. This role supports mission planning, operational execution, and the identification and mitigation of counterintelligence vulnerabilities across a spectrum of sensitive activities, requiring highly motivated self‑starters who can excel both independently and within small teams. Candidates must demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills, the ability to perform in dynamic, fast‑paced environments, and experience managing multiple critical tasks under condensed timelines. The ideal candidate will bring a background from one or more of the following communities: the Intelligence Community, DoW Special Mission Units, or Federal Law Enforcement, and possess at least five years of experience in one or more specialization areas such as intelligence, counterintelligence, surveillance, tradecraft, covert communications, or clandestine logistics. Experience conducting specialized training, exercise support, site surveys, mission planning, or red‑cell activities is beneficial, along with a proven ability to develop innovative techniques and modernize programs in support of evolving mission demands.

Security Requirement

• Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility

Roles and Responsibilities

• Provide expert guidance on operational tradecraft design and execution in support of sensitive activities.
• Advise operational teams on Title 50 and Title 10 authorities and their application to mission planning and execution.
• Conduct comprehensive Counterintelligence Vulnerability Assessments (CIVAs) and provide actionable mitigation strategies.
• Identify risks, threats, and indicators relevant to sensitive activities and contribute to CI‑driven operational decision making.
• Deliver mission planning and CI advisory support to operational personnel and leadership.
• Provide subject matter expertise on ubiquitous technical surveillance, counter‑surveillance, and operations in denied or contested environments.
• Contribute insights for operating in hard‑target and near‑peer environments, including tradecraft‑specific communication requirements and special communications considerations.
• Assist with the preparation, execution, and post‑mission assessment of sensitive activities.
• Develop and deliver CI guidance, training, awareness, and best‑practice recommendations.
• Coordinate with internal and external mission partners to ensure integrated intelligence and CI support.
• Work independently on complex, time‑sensitive problem sets with minimal oversight while maintaining high standards of operational judgment and professionalism.
• Support the development and evolution of CI‑ and tradecraft‑related capabilities, frameworks, and methodologies that anticipate emerging threats and modernize organizational practices.

Position Requirements

• Minimum 5 years of experience in joint DoW, interagency operations, or sensitive activities.
• Prior U.S. Government Counterintelligence or Law Enforcement experience (DoD or IC).
• Demonstrated experience conducting CI investigations, collections, operations, or vulnerability assessments.
• Strong knowledge of ubiquitous technical surveillance and tradecraft considerations for denied‑area or high‑threat operational environments.
• Proven experience providing CI support to operational units or sensitive activity programs.
• Ability to operate independently in fast‑paced, ambiguous, and highly sensitive mission settings.
• Strong understanding of CI principles, threat awareness, and operational security.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous support to SOF, specialized units, or sensitive activities programs.
• Experience integrating CI considerations into mission planning and execution cycles.
• Familiarity with interagency coordination, joint environments, and partner‑force operations.
• Advanced CI or Law Enforcement certifications.
• Minimum 5 years of CI leadership experience with proven ability to lead small or large teams.
• Completion of advanced CI, counterespionage, or tradecraft training through accredited U.S. intelligence community programs.