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The Work of a Nation. The Center of Intelligence

Career Opportunities

Publications Officer

Work Schedule: Full Time
Salary: $46,745 – $97,333
Location: Washington, DC metropolitan area


Publications Officers make a key contribution to the national security and intelligence products that inform senior policymakers and support analysis and collection. They perform a variety of tasks related to producing and publishing these products, including editing, creating, and processing text and graphic products for hardcopy and electronic publication and dissemination, internally as well as to senior government officials in policy, Intelligence Community, and law enforcement organizations and foreign governments.

Publications officers are professional Directorate of Intelligence officers and are required to attend the Career Analyst Program (CAP) training course of instruction within the first two years of being employed by the Agency. The CAP course of instruction teaches the fundamentals of analytic work, which include critical-thinking skills, written and verbal communications, and leadership using instruction and exercises based on case studies.

Candidates for this position may be required to do shift work to include nights, weekends, and holidays. Employees working nights, Sundays, and holidays earn premium pay for those hours worked.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. With substantive guidance, plans and manages assigned publications projects. Works with the customer to define the project scope and requirements and to clarify customer expectations. Follows a production schedule set by the supervisor; coordinates with all parties involved (e.g., authors, graphic designers, cartographers, and printers); and adjusts project schedules on the basis of changing mission and customer requirements.

2. With substantive guidance, produces, delivers, and archives publications products.


Minimum requirements include a bachelor's degree in journalism, English, mass communications, or a related field; a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4-point scale; and successful completion of a test in editing. Successful candidates also will have: strong editorial and grammar skills as well as knowledge of publishing principles and basics of publication design; knowledge of production methodology for publishing products in hardcopy or electronic formats; familiarity with Web content management; ability to use creative problem solving and analytical thinking skills to develop effective solutions for publishing problems; ability to research, analyze, and integrate substantive data related to subject matter into an appropriately designed product; the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced team environment; and flexibility in dealing with rapidly changing priorities.

All applicants must successfully complete a thorough medical and psychological exam, a polygraph interview and an extensive background investigation. US 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.

To Apply:

Make a note of the position(s) that interest you, as you can apply for up to four positions in one application. DO NOT submit multiple applications; this will only slow the review of your application, and delay processing. Please read the Application Instructions carefully before you begin the online application process.

Application Instructions

An equal opportunity employer and a drug-free work force.


Posted: Feb 01, 2008 01:55 PM
Last Updated: Mar 08, 2012 02:02 PM
Last Reviewed: Aug 19, 2010 01:15 PM