CIA

Open Source Officer (Foreign Media Analyst)

Work Schedule: Full Time
Salary: $44,465 � $86,801
Location: Washington, DC metropolitan area

Open Source Officers (OSOs) are the Intelligence Community's foreign media experts. They use foreign language and area knowledge to review and assess foreign open media sources, including Internet sites, newspapers, press agencies, television, radio and specialized publications, collecting intelligence from these media to deliver high-impact products to the US foreign affairs community. OSOs develop and apply in-depth knowledge of a broad range of foreign media to identify trends and patterns, and to write analytical products. They may also translate text, audio and video information and select materials from the media for translation by independent contract translators. OSOs research and analyze the media environment in a particular country or region and prepare media analyses that inform customers of subtle relationships and trends in the media.
The candidates we seek are creative, with a keen interest in foreign affairs, strong writing and analytical skills, a well-developed facility for reading and translating one or more of a broad range of foreign languages, and working knowledge of the Internet. Many OSOs have lived in their region of interest and/or have formally studied the politics and history of a particular country or region.
Positions are in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area, with limited opportunities for overseas travel and assignments. In addition to salary and benefits, these Officers are eligible to earn annual language "bonus" pay based on in-house language proficiency testing. OSOs may also have the opportunity to take courses in additional languages and area studies as well as other relevant training.
As a part of the screening process, selected applicants will be sent a language proficiency test and asked to provide an analytic writing sample. The following languages, or language combinations, with relevant area knowledge are sought: Arabic; Bulgarian; Central Asian and Russian; Chinese; Czech; Dari/Pashtu; Farsi/Persian; French and Arabic; French or Portuguese and African Studies; Greek; Hebrew and Arabic; Hindi; Hungarian and Romanian; Indonesian; Korean; Polish; Russian and Ukrainian; Serbo-Croatian; Turkish; and Urdu.
Minimum requirements include a bachelor's in area studies, international relations, political science, economics, journalism, sociology, anthropology, counterproliferation or other liberal arts discipline. Advanced level foreign language reading and comprehension skills, excellent English language skills, strong critical thinking/analytic skills, and well-developed Internet searching skills are also needed.
All applicants must successfully complete a thorough medical and psychological exam, a polygraph interview and an extensive background investigation. U.S. citizenship is required.
To be considered suitable for Agency employment, applicants must generally not have used illegal drugs within the last twelve months. The issue of illegal drug use prior to twelve months ago is carefully evaluated during the medical and security processing.
Important Notice: Friends, family, individuals, or organizations may be interested to learn that you are an applicant for or an employee of the CIA. Their interest, however, may not be benign or in your best interest. You cannot control whom they would tell. We therefore ask you to exercise discretion and good judgment in disclosing your interest in a position with the Agency. You will receive further guidance on this topic as you proceed through your CIA employment processing.

Additional Requirments / Information

A History of Premier Intelligence

In 1947, President Harry S. Truman signed the National Security Act, creating the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) with a mission to advise the President on intelligence matters related to national security. Today, as the premier agency responsible for providing global intelligence on the ever-changing political, social, economic, technological and military environment, the CIA accomplishes its mission through research, development, and deployment of high-leverage intelligence-gathering technology. The agency also works closely with other organizations within the Intelligence Community to ensure that government policymakers and warfighters receive the best intelligence possible.

Our Careers Are of Utmost Importance to America

CIA career opportunities are unique and diverse - from Clandestine Service Officers serving on the front line of human intelligence to individuals skilled in science, engineering, technology, analysis, foreign languages and administration. Each one has a paramount goal: to protect the national security of the United States, which means that no matter what position you hold, you can truly make a difference for the nation working in the U.S. or around the world.

Analysts: Monitor and assess foreign political developments, leadership, economic issues, military threats and science and technology.



Clandestine Service: This career presents a unique way of life that challenges the deepest resources of an individual’s intelligence, self-reliance and responsibility.




Language Institute: Native speakers utilize the latest instructional technology in teaching 16 different foreign languages. Employees who attain tested levels of language expertise through full-time training, part-time classes or self-study are eligible for monetary incentives.




Science and Technology: Our mission requires us not only to apply existing science and technology, but to develop and implement breakthrough technologies that may never see the commercial marketplace.




Support Services: A wide variety of highly talented professionals serving at home and abroad enable us to meet our mission with skills in ranging from finance to logistics, linguistics to architecture, law to cartography.

A Workforce as Diverse as the Nation We Serve

Meeting our mission of protecting our national security interests requires a workforce as diverse as America itself - the most diverse nation on earth. Our professionals offer their own individual perspective, nationality, race, ethnicity, gender, age, language, culture, sexual orientation, education, values, beliefs, abilities, and disabilities. These assorted attributes create differing demographic, functional, and intellectual views that are vital to our innovation, agility, collection, and analysis. By combining smart, focused people from a myriad of occupations and cultures, and who have various abilities and experiences, we produce a dynamic workforce with unlimited potential.

Students, learn more about the Student Internship Opportunities at the National Clandestine Service.

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