As home to the White House, some of our nation’s most treasured and valued monuments, countless foreign embassies, world-class universities, and many federal agencies, it is well known that the CIA also has a strong presence here.
Further, the headquarters of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) are in Langley, Virginia, but there are a number of buildings scattered throughout our nation’s capital, as well.
Washington D.C. epitomizes the power and the freedom of our nation, both literally and symbolically. It has therefore been a target for international terror attacks, such as during the September 11 terror attacks and the 2010 metro bomb plot.
Requirements for CIA Special Agent Careers in Washington D.C.
Minimum Requirements:
In addition to possessing the above skills, the CIA only accepts candidates for CIA agent jobs in Washington D.C. who:
- Are citizens of the United States
- Possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and with a minimum GPA of 3.0
- Possess at least three years of experience in criminal investigations with a superior achievement record
Candidates must also be able to pass a complete and thorough security clearance and background investigation, as well as a medical and psychological evaluation. All candidates are subject to a polygraph examination to ensure the information they provide the agency is accurate and complete.
Training Requirements:
As a condition of employment, all candidates for CIA agent jobs in Washington D.C. must successfully complete the Criminal Investigation Training Program through the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
Clandestine Services Career Specialties in Washington D.C.
Individuals who want to learn how to become a CIA special agent in Washington D.C. will likely work in one of the agency’s clandestine service positions. CIA agent jobs in the CIA’s clandestine program include:
- Staff operations officer
- Specialized skills officer – Targeting
- Paramilitary operations officer
- Operations officer
- Language officer
- Collection management officer
Operations officers can expect to spend a significant portion of their career abroad, while collection management officers can expect to spend about 30 to 40 percent of their careers abroad. Staff operations officers and specialized skills officers (targeting) are based in Washington D.C., although they may travel overseas at times, as well. Language officers are based primarily in Washington D.C.
CIA agents are incredibly diverse in terms of their background, personality and expertise, although all have a strong record of both academic and professional achievement excel in:
- Communicating (both written and verbal)
- Problem-solving
- Interpersonal relationships
The CIA also often seeks individuals who have overseas experience and are fluent in a language.
CIA Operations Leading to Convictions in Washington, DC
Protecting our nation’s capital requires a multi-layered approach. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is responsible for gathering intelligence on foreign spies and disrupting terrorist activity. This activity is rampant, according to recent headlines:
In February 2014, for example, a former U.S. solider was sentenced to 30 years for attempting to spy for Russia. The U.S. Justice Department reported that, between September and October 2012, Robert Hoffman, a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Navy, turned over classified information, via a USB memory card, to undercover federal agents he believed were Russian.
In the same month, a former U.S. government contractor pled guilty to leaking what was considered “highly classified intelligence” regarding North Korea’s nuclear program. The individual, who was assigned to the State Department, was accused of leaking U.S. military capabilities and preparedness to North Korea.