About This Position
This position is part of the Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence, Department of Energy. As a Intelligence Research Specialist, you will provide technical and policy support and analysis on energy security issues, with an emphasis on fossil and renewable energy.
Qualifications
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service. To qualify for the GS-11 solely on SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE, experience must be equivalent to the GS-9 level in the Federal Service as meeting ALL of the following: Conducting research and evaluating data from a variety of sources to assess international energy markets, foreign energy infrastructure, production, or policies (such as fossil fuels, nuclear power, or renewable energy). Drafting finished analytical reports, assessments, or briefings that synthesize complex technical or geopolitical data and clearly communicate findings to decision-makers or leadership.
Identifying information gaps and formulating collection requirements or research inquiries to obtain missing data from partner organizations, field collectors, or external sources. For the GS-12, one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) in the Federal Service as meeting ALL of the following: Analyzing global energy sectors: Researching and analyzing international energy issues-such as fossil fuels, nuclear energy, renewable power, or critical energy infrastructure-including global supply, demand, market trends, or foreign government policies, to evaluate their impact on security and geopolitical stability. Producing finished analytical reports and estimates: Authoring finished, all-source research reports, analytical assessments, or policy-support documents using structured analytic methods to synthesize complex data, identify information gaps, and draw evidence-based conclusions for decision-makers.
Delivering briefings and coordinating with external stakeholders: Preparing and delivering technical or intelligence briefings to senior leaders or clients, and participating in multi-organizational working groups, committees, or collaborative projects to share findings and align priorities. For the GS-13, one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12) in the Federal Service as meeting ALL of the following: Conducting Complex Energy Market and Geopolitical Analysis: Researching, analyzing, and forecasting foreign energy developments-such as fossil fuels, nuclear power, electricity, or renewable energy technologies-by evaluating international market trends, supply chains, geopolitical factors, or foreign government policies. Authoring In-Depth Analytical or Intelligence Reports: Writing, editing, and publishing comprehensive, finished analytical assessments or intelligence reports based on complex, incomplete, or conflicting data to support strategic decision-making and executive leadership.
Collaborating and Sharing Technical Findings with Stakeholders: Leading collaborative research efforts or coordinating across organizational, interagency, or industry working groups to deliver analytical findings, resolve information gaps, or present findings to senior leaders and stakeholders. To qualify based solely on EDUCATION at the GS-11 grade level, an applicant must possess one of the following: Ph.D.
OR
equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in the following fields that would provide the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. For this position, this is defined as a degree in Intelligence Studies, International Relations, Political Science, Cybersecurity, Data Science or similarly related major OR L.L.M., if related OR Combination of Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements for the grade levels specified in the table, and may be computed by first determining the applicant's total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determining the applicant's education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level.
Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at grades GS-9 and GS-11. (When crediting education that requires specific course work, prorate the number of hours of related courses required as a proportion of the total education to be used.) "Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills; and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.
You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Limit your resume to no more than two (2) pages. If more than two pages are submitted, only the first two pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility and qualifications.
Your full resume will be made available to the hiring manager if you are referred.
You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Major Duties
This is an Excepted Service position. This appointment will not confer Competitive Service career-conditional or career tenure status. This means that if you are selected, you would have to compete with other applicants in open competition to meet requirements for another Federal position, unless you meet the requirements for reinstatement.
Applicants who voluntarily convert from the competitive service, Senior Executive Service, or other pay systems to a non-time limited appointment under this excepted service authority are not afforded "fallback rights" to the pay system previously assigned prior to conversion. As a GS-13, Intelligence Research Specialist, you will: Conduct International Energy Intelligence Analysis: Analyzes foreign energy security issues-including fossil fuels, nuclear power, and renewable energy-by evaluating market trends, technology, geopolitics, and international policies. Author Finished Intelligence Reports: Researches, writes, and publishes high-profile finished intelligence products and assessments adhering to rigorous analytic tradecraft standards.
Brief Senior Leadership: Delivers deep-dive briefings and strategic intelligence assessments to executive-level departmental leaders, policymakers, and interagency officials. Coordinate Interagency and Laboratory Projects: Serves as an organizational liaison to collaborate with Intelligence Community partners, other federal agencies, and National Laboratories on joint energy intelligence initiatives and national estimates. Manage Intelligence Collection Requirements: Identifies critical intelligence gaps, formulates collection requirements, and coordinates with clandestine and overt collection agencies while maintaining strict classified security standards. .Lead production of intelligence reports on various energy security issues and publish high-profile reports as the primary author.
Education
If substituting education for specialized experience you must submit proof of your qualifying education. Failure to provide college transcripts may result in a rating of 'Ineligible'. Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement, as demonstrated in your application and your responses to all assessments required for this position. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application or cheating on the assessment may result in removal from consideration. Responses to assessments must be prepared solely by the applicant.
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini, CoPilot) to draft, edit, or generate responses is strictly prohibited and may result in removal from consideration. The Department of Energy, Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence uses an application tracking system to evaluate the responses you provide in the applicant assessment questionnaire to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications necessary for this position. Then, the HR Office and/or Subject Matter Expert (SME) will conduct a quality review of your application and supporting documentation to determine if your qualifications meet the criteria for referral to the selecting official.
This position is in the excepted service and is being filled in accordance with 50 U.S.C. 3024(v). All candidates that meet all of the minimum requirements of this position as stated in the qualifications section of this vacancy announcement will be referred to the selecting official. Shared Certificates: The Department of Energy shares lists of applicants among its internal Departmental Elements and organizations.
You may be referred for consideration to other DOE Hiring Managers throughout the Department for more than one position based on this application. By applying to this announcement, you understand your application materials may be shared with multiple Hiring Mangers throughout DOE. If additional positions are filled from this announcement conditions of employment may differ.
You will be notified if you are referred for additional positions.
You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date (10/26/2026) of this announcement. To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, clickhttps://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13090494.
Additional Information
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE. For general information on government-wide Telework polices visit: www.telework.gov Hiring incentives may be authorized in accordance with agency policy and if funding is available. Equal employment opportunity policy.
Reasonable Accommodation Policy: https://www.energy.gov/hc/department-energy-reasonable-accommodation-program Veterans Information: https://www.energy.gov/careers/veterans-military-spouses Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/ The Fair Chance Act prohibits specific inquiries concerning an applicant's criminal or credit background unless the hiring agency has made a conditional offer of employment to the applicant. An applicant may submit a complaint to the agency within 30 calendar days of the date of alleged noncompliance by completing the Fair Chance Act Intake Form and submitting it to the Administrative Investigations Program at [email protected]. Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
How to Apply
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the announcement closing date to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: Read all instructions before you begin.
Click "Apply Online." Complete the application and attach all required documents. Submit by 11:59 PM ET on the 10/26/2026. Resume Tips: Max 2 pages and 5MB file size. PDF is recommended to preserve formatting; we also accept GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, TXT, ODT, or Word (DOC/DOCX).
No PDF portfolios. Use clear fonts like Lato, Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, Open Sans, Source Sans Pro, Roboto, or Noto Sans. Set 0.5-inch margins. Use 14-point font for titles, 10-point for main text.
Managing Your Application: Update: Edit your application in USAJOBS before the closing date. Status: Log into USAJOBS to view your application status. Learn more here: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
Support: USAJOBS Help: Visit https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/ for login.gov or USAJOBS assistance. Application Issues: If you have difficulty applying online, contact the Agency Contact listed in this announcement during business hours. Take screenshots of any system errors.
To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To verify the status of your application, during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account; applications will appear on the Welcome screen.
The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each application status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you MUST provide a complete application package which includes: Your two (2) page RESUME showing all relevant work experience (paid and unpaid) including: duties performed; full name and address of the each employer; start and end dates (month/day/year); work schedule (part-time, full-time, number of hours if intermittent); salary; and any completed education and training (program title, subject area, number of hours completed, and completion date). Cover Letter, optional, expressing additional information not covered in your resume. Transcripts, if specific educational requirements are indicated in this job announcement.
Unofficial transcripts or any report listing institution, course title, credits earned (semester or quarter hour) and final grade is acceptable. It is your responsibility to provide adequate proof that you meet the educational requirements. Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable, DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; current active duty members- certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within 120 days; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA letter.
For more information visit the USAJOBS Help Center & OPM CHCOC website for VOW information. CTAP/ICTAP Eligible Applicants: To receive selection priority, you must submit the following documentation with your application: Proof of Eligibility: A copy of your agency-issued Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice, a copy of your separation SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) noting transition/displaced status, or other official agency documentation confirming your eligible status. Proof of Performance Rating: A copy of your most recent performance appraisal/rating of record, which must include: Your final rating (must be at least "Fully Successful" or equivalent); and The rating scale/guide (explaining what each level/numeric score means), unless the rating scale is clearly defined on the appraisal document itself.
Note: While a formal performance appraisal is highly recommended and requested to expedite your evaluation, if your agency-issued RIF separation notice or other official separation documentation explicitly states that your performance was at least "Fully Successful" (or equivalent) and notes your rating of record, it may be accepted in lieu of a formal performance appraisal. Failure to provide any documentation proving a rating of at least "Fully Successful" or equivalent will result in the loss of your priority consideration. For more information see the OPM Guide to Career Transition.
Military Spouse, if applicable, Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders authorizing you to accompany the Military member to the new duty permanent station; OR verification of the member's 100% disability (VA Letter); and/or verification of the member's death while on active duty (DD-1300 and Death Certificate) AND verification of the marriage to the service member (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage). For more information visit the USAJOBS Help Center. Incomplete application package.
It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted. Do not provide photos or list a Social Security Number or date of birth on any attachment.
You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement, as demonstrated in your application and your responses to all assessments required for this position. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application or cheating on the assessment may result in removal from consideration. Responses to assessments must be prepared solely by the applicant.
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini, CoPilot) to draft, edit, or generate responses is strictly prohibited and may result in removal from consideration.