About the Directorate of Science and Technology

Q: What is the mission of the Directorate of Science and Technology (DS&T)?

A: The mission of the DS&T is to attack national intelligence problems with bold clandestine technical operations and tradecraft.  The DS&T creates, adapts, develops, and operates technical collection systems and applies enabling technologies to the collection, processing, and analysis of information.

Q. How does the DS&T fit into the Agency?

A: The DS&T is one of four major components whose employees carry out the CIA's mission.  The DS&T brings technical power and expertise to clandestine collection and analysis on the most pressing intelligence problems.  While other parts of the Agency take the lead in analysis, operations, and administration, the DS&T provides the advanced technical means to enable the intelligence process.

Q: Who leads the DS&T?

A: The CIA's Director for Science and Technology leads the directorate.  The DS&T is the technical adviser to the Director/Central Intelligence Agency and provides oversight for DS&T activities.

Q: What personal qualifications do I need to apply for employment in the DS&T?

A: The DS&T needs a broad range of technical skills to support its activities, including information technology, engineering, and physical sciences.  Most entry-level positions require a bachelor's degree; however, the DS&T also hires candidates with advanced degrees or work experience to fill our full-performance and expert-level positions.  You must be at least 18 years old and a US citizen to qualify for employment.  You must also successfully complete a medical examination, polygraph interview, and an extensive background investigation.

Q: What challenging and exciting employment opportunities do you offer within the DS&T?

A: Both immediate and ongoing recruitment requirements are available on CIA's Careers page.

Q: How do I apply for a position with the DS&T?

A: Refer to our list of positions on CIA's Careers page.  You can apply online directly from that Web page.

Q: Do you have internship positions for students?

A: The DS&T participates in a variety of Agency student programs.  The DS&T seeks students with a minimum GPA of 3.0, who are pursuing studies in such majors as information technology, engineering, and physical sciences.  The Undergraduate Scholar Program offers opportunities for qualified high school seniors with financial need to benefit from summer employment and tuition assistance in return for a commitment to the Agency for a term of employment following graduation.  The CIA Internship Program provides paid work experience that complements academic studies.  Students are expected to spend a minimum of two summers or two semesters (or one of each) on the job before graduation.  The Graduate Studies Program provides paid summer internships for students who are preparing to enter their first or second year of full-time graduate study.

Q: Can I continue my education at the Agency?

A: The DS&T strongly encourages its employees to continue their education.  Depending upon your educational goals, the Agency may provide tuition assistance, a modified work schedule, and other support.  In addition, the DS&T provides a variety of learning opportunities at the workplace.

Q: Can I change career fields?

A:  Yes. As your qualifications and interests expand through job experience and continued education, the DS&T offers many opportunities to change career fields.  Although we value the in-depth and specialized focus that many of our employees offer, we equally recognize the value of those who seek a broad variety of job experiences over the course of their careers.

Q: Will I receive special training for my job?

A: You will receive general training about the Agency's mission, policies, and administrative processes, as well as any specialized training your job requires.  Employees are sponsored for job-related, training courses and conferences.

Q: What special restrictions are required for a job with the DS&T?

A: The Agency requires every employee to successfully complete a medical exam and to undergo screening for a security clearance, including an extensive background investigation and a polygraph examination.

Q: Prior to working for/applying to the Agency, I was working for a contractor.  Does this employment pose a conflict-of-interest?

A: Prior employment with a contractor (or another government agency, for that matter) generally is not a conflict-of-interest. Your hiring representative can answer any specific questions you may have.

Q: Can I disclose that I work for the Agency?

A. Disclosure is permitted with some caveats.  Some positions require that your association with the Agency not be disclosed.  Your hiring representative will discuss this information with you.

Q: Can I "moonlight" and continue to work at the Agency?

A: The Agency requires that additional employment is reported by you and approved by the Agency. Generally, supplemental employment is not a problem if it does not violate Agency policy.

Q: Will I be allowed to register patents for inventions and publish professional papers, if the case arises?

A:  Yes. There are, of course, both security and proprietary restrictions which might apply and which are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.  The DS&T encourages professional affiliation and allows its employees the broadest professional growth and recognition possible.

Q: Are there vacation travel restrictions for employees of the Agency?

A: The Agency generally does not discourage an employee from vacationing in the location of his or her choice.  There are certain areas of the world, however, that are restricted to Agency employees for safety concerns.  Agency employees are required to report all personal foreign travel plans well in advance of their departure.

Q: Does the DS&T have a dress code?

A: There is no dress code. The DS&T follows the Agency policy of business casual. Employees are expected to dress appropriately for their job requirements.

Q:  What are the standard work hours?

A: Although many DS&T employees work five, eight-hour days, there are many other work schedules available. Flextime is permitted in many offices.  Work schedules are defined by the requirements of the office and of each job.

Q: If I have special needs, can the Agency accommodate them?

A: The CIA is committed to equal employment opportunity and supports the policy of reasonable accommodation for employment of individuals with disabilities. We hire qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities that do not impair the performance of their duties.  These employees are treated with the support and professional respect afforded to all within the CIA family.

Q: What employee services are available?

A: The Agency provides a wide variety of support services to assist its employees ranging from money management to medical services to family counseling and more.

Q: Will I be restricted to a government-selected list of insurance plans?

A: Not necessarily. The Agency has resources to help you select from a variety of health and life insurance plans that will meet your needs. Employees can make changes to their plans during Open Season as needs change. Employees can choose from a variety of health insurance plans, which are part of the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. Through the Federal Employees Group Life Insurance Program, the CIA offers group term life insurance at reasonable rates through payroll deduction.  Income replacement, group accident insurance, and long-term care plans also are available.

Q: What is the government's retirement system?

A: Available on the CIA Careers Benefits page.

Q: What salaries does the DS&T offer?

A: Salary levels are dependent upon the job category. Employees normally are paid every two weeks. In addition to basic pay, in certain circumstances, employees can receive overtime compensation, holiday pay, night differential, Sunday premium pay, bonuses, and allowances.

Q: What kind of paid time off is offered?

A: Annual leave (vacation time) is earned on the basis of years of federal service (both civilian and military). Full-time employees accrue annual leave as follows: with less than three years of service, 13 days, with three - 15 years, 20 days, and with 15 or more years, 26 days. Full-time employees accrue four hours of sick leave per pay period, or 13 work days per year. Unlimited hours of sick leave can be accumulated and carried over to succeeding years. Sick leave is used for personal illness, and, under the Family Friendly Leave Act, for care of sick family members, adoption, and medical appointments within specified limits.  Full-time employees accrue 15 days (1.25 days/month) of home leave for each year of overseas service.

Q: What happens if I am relocating from another geographical area?

A: The CIA will reimburse new appointees certain costs for personal and dependent travel expenses and shipment of household goods not to exceed 18,000 pounds.

Q: Will I be located at the Headquarters building?

A: The DS&T has work sites within the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, the continental United States, and abroad. Your particular assignment will dictate your precise work location. When applying for employment, the hiring representative will discuss these options with you.

Q: Will travel be required on my job?

A: Travel varies by assignments. Occasional travel called Temporary Duty (TDY) is required at times, as well as rotational assignments. The travel may be within the continental United States or abroad. Certainly, employees may apply for assignments that require frequent travel, if desired. When applying for employment, the hiring representative will discuss these options with you.