National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)

IT Services & Operations Specialist

Continuous Announcement - Chantilly, VA - Full Time

We Are The NRO

For over sixty years, the NRO has developed, acquired, launched and operated the satellites that are the foundation for America's advantage and strength in space. Using a diversified architecture of spacecraft, NRO collects and delivers the best space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance content on the planet.

Learn more at nro.gov.

 

Basic Eligibility For A Position With NRO

  • U.S. Citizenship is required
  • You must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance
  • You will be subject to preemployment and periodic drug testing
  • You will be subject to preemployment and periodic polygraph examinations

 

Where You Will Work

Do you enjoy designing, implementing, and operating complex network services and systems? Are you passionate about developing secure information systems that support intelligence operations? Does designing information technology architectures to complement innovative overhead reconnaissance systems interest you? If so, the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) is looking for you!

The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes via a continuous announcement for consideration against current and future opportunities for full performance level (GG-11-13) IT Services & Operations Specialists, occupational series 2210.

For more information on the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) occupational series, click here.

This position focuses on the following DoD 8140 Work Roles:

  • Network Operations Specialist (441)
  • Information Systems Security Developer (631)
  • Enterprise Architect (651)
  • Research & Development Specialist (661)

This is a fulltime position. Your resume may be considered for other positions which your skills and experience may be a good match.

 

 Who May Apply

  • This position is open to the public.
  • Federal government employees MUST currently be at the grade level or higher as indicated in this announcement. This is NOT a promotion opportunity for current Federal government employees. If selected for the position, Federal government employees will transition laterally at their current grade level and step.
  • Federal applicants who exceed the advertised grade may voluntarily request acceptance at the lower grade IAW DoD 1400.25 Volume 2006.
  • The NRO is only accepting external applicants for this job announcement. Current NRO Cadre employees should apply internally.
  • This position does not qualify for the appointment of a Reemployed Federal Annuitant IAW DoDI 1400.25 Volume 300.

 

What You Will Be Doing

IT Services & Operations Specialists should have experience in applying IT principles, concepts, methods, and standards to accomplish assignments such as:

  • Planning, implementing, and operating network services/systems, including hardware and virtual environments
  • Designing, developing, testing, and evaluating information system security throughout the systems development lifecycle
  • Developing and maintaining business, systems, and information processes to support enterprise mission needs
  • Developing IT rules and requirements that describe baseline and target architectures
  • Conducting software and systems engineering research to develop new capabilities with fully integrated cybersecurity
  • Evaluating potential vulnerabilities in cyberspace systems through comprehensive technology research
  • Applying new developments to previously unsolvable problems in systems engineering and operations
  • Making decisions or recommendations that significantly influence important agency IT architecture and operations policies

 

What You Need

  • Highly desired: Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Information Systems, or Computer Science from an ABET accredited or CAE designated institution
  • Minimum of 3 years of specialized experience in network operations, systems development, enterprise architecture, or research and development
  • Experience with the interrelationships of multiple IT specialties
  • Understanding of an organization's IT architecture
  • Knowledge of new IT developments and applications
  • Strong knowledge of IT security concepts, standards, and methods
  • Experience with project management principles, methods, and practices

Specialized experience is defined as experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Qualifying experience may have been acquired in any public or private sector job, but will clearly demonstrate past experience in the application of the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully perform and is typically in or directly related to the duties of the position as described above. Experience must be reflected in your resume.

Applicants submitting a resume that exceeds the two-page limit per OPM Memorandum, “Merit Hiring Plan,” dated May 29, 2025, https://www.opm.gov/chcoc/latest-memos/merit-hiring-plan.pdf will not be eligible for consideration. For more information regarding resume writing, see “Guidance for Applicants on 2-Page Resume” and visit the Resume Help Center.

 

DoD 8140 Work Role Alignment

This position aligns with the following DoD 8140 Work Roles:

  • (441) Network Operations Specialist
  •  (631) Information Systems Security Developer
  •  (651) Enterprise Architect
  •  (661) Research & Development Specialist

 

DoD 8140 Qualification Requirements

Candidates must meet one of the following qualification options for their assigned work role:

Network Operations Specialist (441)

  • Education: BS degree in Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Information Systems, or Computer Science from an ABET accredited or CAE designated institution; OR
  • Training: Intermediate-level F07DZZ1 or M03KBSG or M10KBSB or M22KBS4 or A2600034 or J2010816 or A2600061 or A2600100 or DISAUS1375; OR
  • Certification: CEH or CFR or Cloud+ or GICSP or SSCP or Security+ or GSEC

Information Systems Security Developer (631)

  • Education: BS degree in Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Information Systems, or Computer Science from an ABET accredited or CAE designated institution; OR
  • Training: Intermediate-level WSS 011 or WSS 012; OR
  • Certification: CSC, GCLD, CASP+, CCSP, Cloud+, or GSEC

Enterprise Architect (651)

  • Education: BS degree in Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Information Systems, or Computer Science from an ABET accredited or CAE designated institution; OR
  • Certification: FITSPD, GDSA, CASP+, CCSP, Cloud+, CSSLP, or GSEC

Research & Development Specialist (661)

  •  Education: BS degree in Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Information Systems, or Computer Science from an ABET accredited or CAE designated institution; OR
  •  Certification: Security+

 

 Other Information

  • Cyberspace Workforce and Qualification Management Program: In accordance with DoDM8140.03, employees are required to achieve and maintain the appropriate foundational and residential qualification requirements within their associated work role qualification matrix. Foundational qualification requirements must be met within 9 months of assignment. Resident qualification requirements must be met within 12 months of assignment.
  • Professional Development: In accordance with DoDM8140.03, employees are required to complete 20 hours of continuous professional development or education annually to maintain qualification in their cyber work role.
  • Financial Management Certification: May be required to obtain the appropriate Financial Management certification level for the position within two years of assignment.
  • Overtime Statement: May be required to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.
  • Travel Statement: May be required to travel in military or commercial aircraft to perform temporary duty assignments.
  • Financial Disclosure: May be required to file an OGE Form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, upon appointment and will be required to file annually.
  • Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) coded positions: If selected for a DAWIA coded position, the incumbent must meet appropriate certification requirements IAW the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) no later than 36 – 60 months after accepting this position. DAWIA requirements may be located at the Defense Acquisition University website.
  • DAWIA Functional Area/Tier Required:
    •  GG-11–12: Engineering and Technical Management/Foundational
    •  GG-13: Engineering and Technical Management/Practitioner
  • Geographic Mobility Agreement: May be subject to directed reassignment as required to address mission effectiveness, and/or career development.
  • Emergency Essential: Certain positions are deemed emergency essential and incumbents must be willing to meet all position requirements.

 

Location

Washington D.C. area

 

Salary

This position meets the qualifications for Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) Targeted Local Market Supplement (TLMS) STEM pay for NRO Cadre employees and candidates as authorized by the office of the Under Secretary of War for Intelligence and Security's (OUSW(I&S)). Cadre employees and candidates are eligible to receive STEM pay if they are currently serving in a STEM designated position.

2026 STEM Salary Ranges:

  • GG-11: $105,262 - $136,848
  • GG-12: $117,753 - $153,082
  • GG-13: $132,751 - $172,578

For more information on STEM pay, visit https://dcips.defense.gov/Human-Resources/Compensation/

This position is a full performance level DCIPS position. The NRO is accepting applications from U.S. Citizens and current Federal Government employees for this position. To qualify for the position, Federal government employees MUST currently be at the GG-11-13 grade level and may ONLY apply for a lateral reassignment at their current grade level and step. Federal applicants who exceed the advertised grade may voluntarily request acceptance at the lower grade per IAW DoDI 1400.25 Volume 2006.

 

Hiring Incentives

The NRO may offer hiring incentives and other entitlements at management's discretion.

 

Trial Period

All new DCIPS employees will be required to serve a 2-year trial period.

 

Veterans' Preference

DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans' Preference to preference eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Vol 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement. If you are a veteran claiming veterans' preference, as defined by section 2108 of Title 5 USC, you must submit documents verifying your eligibility upon request.

 

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) for federal employees & job applicants

 

Reasonable Accommodation Policy

Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process should follow the instructions in the job opportunity announcement. For any part of the remaining hiring process, applicants should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

A reasonable accommodation is any change to a job, the work environment, or the way things are usually done that enables an individual with a disability to apply for a job, perform job duties or receive equal access to job benefits.

Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodations when:

  • An applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to apply for a job.
  • An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential job duties or to gain access to the workplace.
  • An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to receive equal access to benefits, such as details, training, and office-sponsored events.

You can request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application or hiring process or while on the job. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please send your request to [email protected].

 

Privacy Act Notice

Privacy Act Notice (PL 93579): We use this information to determine qualifications for employment. This is authorized under Title 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361.

Read more about the Privacy Act of 1974

 

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