The CIA offers exciting career opportunities and a dynamic environment. We're on the forefront of world-altering events — as they happen. So working here isn't just a job, it's a mindset and a lifestyle.

You'll find a supportive environment to help you grow and excel both professionally and personally. And a culture that expects you to do your personal best every day.

Explore our world and imagine yourself working for the nation, in the center of intelligence.

To learn more and to apply, visit www.cia.gov

What's it really like to work at the CIA? The dynamic and diverse nature of our work means something different for everyone. But we all share in the collegiate atmosphere of the George Bush Center for Intelligence. Enhanced services onsite meet your needs as a busy professional so you can focus on the work of the nation.

Information on the CIA's history and our operational organization are available at www.cia.gov
Location

The George Bush Center for Intelligence is located in suburban McLean, Virginia, on the west bank of the Potomac River. Just seven miles from downtown Washington, D.C., it is convenient to many Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. residential areas and major roadways. Bus transportation as well as carpools and vanpools are available from an even wider geographical area, including points in West Virginia, southern Virginia, and Maryland. The Washington area, in addition to being the policymaking and world affairs hub, is also a center of technology in the United States.

In addition to Headquarters, there are several modern and convenient off-campus sites throughout the Washington, DC, area.

Environment

The George Bush Center for Intelligence features a campus-like atmosphere, beautiful gardens and grounds, and well-designed work areas. Artwork and displays from around the world fill the halls. Employees enjoy many convenient services on-site, including:

Health Services

CIA's Office of Medical Services provides a wide range of progressive health programs including occupational health, immunizations and medical examinations for foreign travel, safety training, wellness classes, and vocational and retirement counseling. An Employee Assistance Program is also available to help with family, financial, marital, alcohol and drug concerns.

Physical Fitness

There are two fully equipped fitness facilities and a jogging track at Headquarters, attended by exercise physiologists who can evaluate fitness and prescribe exercise. Off-campus sites have unattended fitness centers and shower facilities.

Child Care Centers

CIA sponsors two top-quality developmental child care centers for dependents aged three months to five years. The centers provide comprehensive early childhood education that integrates learning and playing activities. Both centers are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, and one of the centers offers full-day kindergarten.

Employee Activity Association

The Employee Activity Association, Inc. (EAA) was established in 1964 as a non-profit, non-stock corporation. EAA is an umbrella organization that offers members a wide variety of in-house retail services and enjoyable leisure activities. Employees can shop for an extensive array of quality personal and gift merchandise; purchase entertainment tickets for theaters, movies (discounted), sporting events, and theme parks (discounted); and utilize convenient same-day film processing, dry cleaners and shoe repair service, as well as a unisex hair salon offering haircuts, shampoos, and manicures. Members can play in year-round intramural sports programs, compete in twice-annual golf and bowling tournaments, and participate in more than a dozen social, educational, cultural and recreational clubs, aerobic classes, and health and fitness groups. EAA provides philanthropic donations to the Family Advisory Board (FAB) scholarship fund and assists a variety of quality-of-life activities with limited monetary support.

Credit Union
The Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial institution with
six full-service branches to serve its members.  Credit Union
membership entitles employees and their families to excellent
service, competitive rates, and a full range of services including:

• Free checking, with no minimum balance, no monthly
  or per item fees, and interest paid on any balance


• Free ATM access to Credit Union ATMs plus access
  to over 20,000 surcharge-free ATMs in the nationwide Alliance
  One and CO-OP Networks


• Free online banking with bill payer to make
  transfers, pay bills, view cancelled checks,  verify account
  histories and more any time of day or night


• Free direct deposit of your paycheck and payroll
  deduction options


• Convenience services such as check cashing privileges,
  debit cards, 24/7 bank-by phone service, Credit Union Shared
  Branch Network of more than 1,500 branches nationwide, 
  safe deposit boxes, traveler’s cheques, and US Savings
  bonds


• Competitive rates on savings products and loans
  including new and used auto loans and leases, educational loans,
  and lines of credit 


• Mortgage and Equity Loans with competitive rates
  and fewer lender fees


• Four credit card options including low-rate
  Visa Classic and Visa Gold cards; plus a Travel Rewards Gold
  MasterCard


• Free Auto Locating Service and full-service
  auto resource centers in all branches

All Credit Union deposits are federally insured by the National Credit Union Association. Access to a comprehensive range of investment and insurance services is provided through a subsidiary service organization.

The CIA offers an academic environment with real world implications. Step onto the campus at the George Bush Center for Intelligence and you can feel the energy and intensity of our work, see the collaboration and coordination and meet the talented people whose passion is focused entirely on our mission to gather and supply intelligence.

The Agency promotes an environment where employees are valued for their individual contributions toward our mission. Personal goals, interests and strengths play largely in how careers take shape. Many of our employees have been here for years and plan to stay. They see this as a place where new opportunities are always available for challenging, rewarding work.

Propelling our people forward in their work are core values. These same values have been embraced since our formation. Yet they continue to serve us well and define not only who we are, but also how we work for the nation.

Integrity
We are each responsible for maintaining the highest ethical standards in our work and life. We believe in honoring our promises and treating everyone with respect.

Teamwork
We recognize that our strength lies in our people. We are each gifted, yet together, the sum is greater than the whole.

Total Participation
We depend on the personal commitment and effort of every individual on our team. We expect everyone will do their best work, every day.

Innovation
Empowered by the need to get the job done, we value innovation, even risk taking.

Adaptation
Our mission hasn't changed, yet the world we live in has. Success depends on being able to make adjustments and meet our current needs.

Accountability
We must take responsibility for our actions and decisions. This is part of integrity as a group and as individuals.

Continuous Improvement
Our mission demands that we always strive for more, in all that we do.

The Agency is its own community, in part because of our academic inclinations, but also because of the work we do and the nature of our mission. Within our walls, there's an entire world dedicated solely to our employees. There's a food court, fitness facilities, formal gardens and walking paths, a company store, recreational and activity clubs, as well as artwork and displays from around the world. There's a museum, a library, and, of course, our many offices and facilities. This community is also a family, employing people from nearly all fields of study, united in their work and their service to the country.

You can be a part of our most valuable resource. By combining smart, focused people from all types of backgrounds, we create a dynamic workforce with unlimited potential. Our diversity inspires us to expand our minds and our goals, to look deeper and understand more. By recognizing the strengths of every individual, and creating an inclusive environment, we are getting the best work from our people and meeting the intelligence challenges of today — and tomorrow.

Diversity Provides an Edge

From recruitment to education, and job development to workplace policies, diversity is helping us serve the country better. As American society continues to change demographically, we are poised to reflect those changes.

Diversity Provides Support

Our diversity is most apparent in the number of employee affinity groups. These groups provide perspective, professional support and camaraderie for their members. Many of the groups also offer mentoring to actively nurture the career paths and personal goals of their members.

Membership in any group is open to all employees.

Agency Network for Gay and Lesbian Employees (ANGLE)
The Agency Network for Gay and Lesbian Employees is an outreach of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and trans-gendered employees providing internal networking support and education to the overall Agency regarding issues relating to sexual orientation and the workplace. Efforts are geared toward fostering the principles of diversity and creating opportunities for information sharing and open discussions at all levels of the Agency.

Asian Pacific American Organization (APAO)
The Asian Pacific American Organization believes that all persons — regardless of race, religion, or gender — deserve an equal opportunity to serve, prosper, and advance within the Central Intelligence Agency according to their own merits. To further this aim, the organization assists in recruiting, mentoring, counseling, and monitoring the advancement of Asian American officers to ensure that equity is occurring. The organization also supports programs that make others more aware of the unique perspectives and skills that Asian American officers can bring to the workplace.

Black Executive Board (BEB)
Members of the Black Executive Board promote activities that ensure a workplace that encompasses the diversity of all cultures and ethnic backgrounds. The Black Executive Board advances this multicultural environment by providing guidance to Black employees and senior management on all matters affecting recruiting, hiring, retention, networking, assignments, promotions, and career development opportunities.

Blacks in Government (BIG) UMOJA Chapter
BIG is a national response to the need for African Americans in public service to organize around issues of mutual concern and to use their collective strength to confront workplace and community problems. BIG's goals essentially are to promote equity in all aspects of American life, excellence in public service, and opportunity for all Americans.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Advisory Committee (DHHAC)
The mission of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Advisory Committee is to advise the Director of Central Intelligence and the Office of Diversity Plans and Programs on matters concerning equal opportunity for people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. The group promotes deaf and hard-of-hearing awareness activities and programs, educates the Agency on the abilities of deaf and hard of hearing individuals, and increases awareness of their culture. The group also serves as an Agency-wide resource for anyone seeking information, assistance, or referral about hearing loss.

DI Women's Council (DIWC)
The Directorate of Intelligence (DI) Women's Council was established in August 1993 by the DI members of the Agency's Federal Women's Advisory Council to address issues of specific concern to women in the Directorate of Intelligence. The purpose of the Council is to improve communications across the directorate and to facilitate a productive and equitable work environment for all employees, regardless of gender.

Hispanic Advisory Council (HAC)
The Hispanic Advisory Council provides objective input on issues relating to the Hispanic Community to the Director of Central Intelligence and the Office of Diversity Plans and Programs. The Council makes recommendations relative to recruitment policies/practices, hiring and employee development, and proposes possible solutions. The group also promotes Hispanic activities, initiatives, and programs.

Native American Council (NAC)
The Native American Council is an outreach support group, and an advocate of American Indians and Alaskan Natives who seek to value and maintain their connections to Native traditions and customs while at the CIA. The Native American Council is a champion of diversity in the workplace. Members of the Council strive to enhance awareness and appreciation of all cultures.

Near East Affinity Group (NEAG)
The NEAG will offer strategies designed to improve retention and encourage the recruitment of officers with a Near Eastern background in the Central Intelligence Agency by supporting a diverse workplace, promoting cultural awareness, and providing a venue for the exchange of ideas needed to ensure individual career development as well as mission success.

The Network
The Network is dedicated to developing strategies to identify and utilize career opportunities and challenges, is open to all employees, and focuses particularly though not exclusively on issues of interest to early- to mid-career professionals of the Central Intelligence Agency. The Network is committed to sponsoring professional development and social activities to provide the Agency's future leaders and the core of tomorrow's workforce the opportunity to exchange ideas and build the professional and personal relationships necessary for career and mission success and personal satisfaction.

Trailblazers, disAbility Advisory Panel
The Trailblazers, disAbility Advisory Panel was established in August 1999 in response to a growing need to offer Agency-wide representation for people with disabilities and people who share the concerns of people with disabilities. The group advises the Director of Central Intelligence and the Office of Diversity Plans and Programs on matters concerning equal opportunity for people with disabilities and promotes awareness activities, educational opportunities, and training programs that celebrate the achievements of people with disabilities.

United Greeks
United Greeks is an umbrella organization that allows members of fraternities and sororities to use their extensive network to aid in both diversity and overall recruitment and retention; to spawn mentoring; and to enhance networking opportunities. United Greeks, as a chartered affinity group, is open to all employees and contractors.

We at CIA equate diversity of workforce with diversity of thought. Nothing is more important to the intelligence profession than cultivating different perspectives on the foreign threats and challenges facing our nation. By hiring men and women with a broad range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds, language expertise, and educational experiences, we effectively minimize the likelihood of groupthink. For us, diversity is a mission-critical objective.

As a global intelligence agency, we enjoy a natural advantage: America is a diverse nation. By drawing fully from its diversity, we have officers that come to the table with different backgrounds and viewpoints. That enables our Agency to be more successful at giving our policymakers the best possible picture of the world.

I strongly believe CIA cannot reach its full potential unless we reach out to find the most highly qualified officers from every corner of America and every part of our society. We must take full advantage of the extraordinary talent our nation has to offer.

Michael V. Hayden
General, USAF
Director

Every career at the CIA is a rewarding one. In addition to serving your country with the certainty that your work makes a difference, the CIA offers a comprehensive benefits package to reflect the dedication and contributions of our employees.

Please visit our Benefits page for details.

SUSAN — Program Manager
A few years after moving to Washington, I applied to and was hired into a training program that led to open-source foreign language procurement and dissemination. That job evolved into Project Management. Now I provide guidance to four visible and uniquely different programs working with teams of contractors and staffers. I help with tactical and strategic plans for each team, identifying opportunities and resources in their missions, while removing or resolving obstacles. I have a personal desire to help aspiring Program Managers since I received a lot of help and support along the way. I consider this a "special" organization. There is a passion for the mission and indescribable talent here.

CINDY — IT Engineer
Having worked for CIA for almost 15 years, I started my career as a cryptographer in the Office of Communications. After spending a year in the Women's Executive Leadership Program, I became a project manager, and then Branch Chief. Now I manage a division of approximately 130 staff and contractors, and serve on panels - evaluating and providing direct feedback to our engineers. The Agency employees are truly the best and brightest. Potential applicants should have high energy, ambition, a positive attitude and a strong desire to serve their country.

AHMAD — Ops Officer
When I joined almost 20 years ago, I was one of a small number of Arab-Americans in the Agency. I was one of an even smaller number of Operations Officers. At that time, I joined because I was looking for adventure and excitement. What I found were opportunities I could have never imagined - opportunities to have a voice, opportunities to contribute, opportunities to succeed, opportunities to have significant impact, and opportunities to have relevance. In other words, I found opportunities to make a real difference. My cultural and language skills contributed to my ability to take advantage of these opportunities. The work was demanding and challenging. Nonetheless, if I had the chance, I would do it all over again.

DOUG — Network Engineer
After graduation, I came to work for the network service branch, and have been in engineering and configuration management and re-orgs for three-and-a-half years now. A typical week involves troubleshooting tier-3 networks, while handling the coordination and design of new solutions and proactive changes to the existing network. I also delegate work and provide mentoring and peer review to younger engineers and co-ops. Occasionally, I travel to field sites for pilot installations and core infrastructure changes. Working for the government provides extensive resource support, and the CIA gives me the opportunity to go anywhere in the world.

STEVE — Deployment Manager
During college, I was looking to co-op while obtaining my electrical engineering degree. I interviewed with the CIA and enjoyed three co-op tours, so I decided to come on board full time. Since then, I have held many engineering positions, from hands-on work to leadership of major efforts. I've traveled the world while learning what our mission is all about. In my present position, as a deployment manager for the initiative to modernize the Agency's network, my main focus is to provide program oversight of each phase of deployment. I am involved in planning meetings, communicating daily with customers and providing updates to senior management. CIA is partly responsible for the freedoms others have in the US. Applicants should be proud to be a part of it.

BILL — Information Officer
Due to the technical nature of my job, substantial training was required when I came on board. I couldn't believe I was learning the things I was learning and getting paid to do it! I've been here for 10 years and am currently a senior operations officer for Information Systems Infrastructure. I break down complex problems and present alternative solutions, allowing senior CIA and Agency managers to make decisions. I will say that you make sacrifices to be part of this Agency — personal privacy, and openness with friends and neighbors, for example. But each day my work proves two things that I believed when I started — that this Agency performs a critical role in the defense of our country and that career success ultimately lies in your own hands.

ABEL — HR Officer
My career path has been a continuous learning experience. I have been able to move into positions, which have made me grow professionally and personally. After several years of traveling overseas, I returned to the States and became an Instructor. Career-enhancing programs have enabled me to move into Staff positions where I developed new skills. I now work in an office that assists Officers in the selection of their future assignments through career counseling and consultations with their Supervisor and Home Office. Having a sense of direction is critical — not only for your personal life, but also in making a contribution in a professional atmosphere.

JAMES — Electrical Engineer
The Office of Technical Services is about as close to the "Q Section" in the James Bond movies as possible in real life. My initiation into the cloak-and-dagger aspect of the Agency's mission came on my first day of work when someone from a foreign embassy tried to tail me to my workplace. Since then, I have worked for the Agency for 17 years, traveling overseas, on average, about three times a year for one-to-four weeks. A typical assignment involves being under cover with a multi-disciplinary technical team — often, with only a few days' notice. My job is to take apart equipment, figure out how it works and change it, and put it back together so that it does what we want it to do without the enemy realizing we have done it. Typical projects involve electronic design and fabrication, software design, and antenna fabrication and measurement — and require a creative, flexible thinker. The only constant in real-world operations is that everything is always changing. What worked yesterday may not work tomorrow.

LISA — Electronics Engineer
Twenty years ago, I started my career at the CIA as a co-op engineering student. I worked several tours, and then came on as a full-time staff employee. As an Electronic Engineer, I see new challenges every day. The lab I work in is a quick-reaction environment, our projects last only a few days or maybe weeks. On one challenging project, the timeline was just 32 hours and then I grabbed my tool kit, got on an airplane and traveled halfway around the world to install it. We have talented people who are well rounded and motivated top performers. You have to be flexible. You have to confront the (nearly) impossible on a daily basis.

ANH — Staff Operations Officer
I joined the Agency in February 1999. Why the Agency? After being overseas and living in Soviet/socialist countries I truly had an appreciation of what the Agency was doing in keeping the United States a free and safe place to live. I told myself that I could contribute to help the agency continue their world mission. I continue to believe in what we do to secure the safety of our nation. I will continue to work for this agency until I retire.

The CIA is, by definition, a place for leaders. We look for independent thinkers, adventurous spirits and passionate professionals to work at the center of intelligence. By emphasizing career development on personal strengths and talents, we encourage leadership in all our employees.

We encourage you to return to this site again soon to read more about our leadership programs and personal accounts from the many outstanding men and women dedicated to protecting America's freedom.

Military service is a good introduction to the important role of intelligence in national decision-making. Many of the CIA's positions require security clearances, specific training and unique life experiences — the same kinds of professional development found in the military. Your patriotism, personal integrity and service to the country don't have to end when your active status does. You can find new direction at the CIA.

Explore the vital role the CIA plays in sharing intelligence with branches of the military through the Office of Military Affairs. Consider a career at the CIA and continue to assist your branch of the military.