Mission Compliance Officer

United States·Chantillymid

Legal & ComplianceCompliance Specialist

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Overview

WE ARE THE NROFor sixty years, the NRO has developed, acquired, launched and operated the satellites that are the foundation for America's advantage and strength in space.

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Legal & ComplianceCompliance Specialist

WE ARE THE NRO
For 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 The NRO

You must be a U.S. Citizen
You must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance
You will be subject to pre-employment and periodic drug testing
You will be subject to pre-employment and periodic polygraph examinations

Where You Will Work
The Office of Policy & Strategy (OP&S) Mission Compliance Group (MCG) implements and maintains the Mission Compliance Program (MCP). The MCG ensures NRO mission compliance through program awareness; development, promulgation and maintenance of compliance standards and training; and through monitoring and performing assessments of NRO mission-related activities. Additionally, the MCG reviews NRO activities to enable the NRO to perform its statutory functions while ensuring U.S. individuals’ constitutional rights are not violated. To meet its requirements, the MCG collaborates with other IC and DoD compliance organizations, as well as with mission partners in order to ensure appropriate non-NRO requirements are appropriately addressed.

This Mission Compliance Officer, as part of the MCG, is responsible for supporting the MCP and its strategic direction on behalf of the Director and Deputy Director, OP&S and DNRO. This position will support the development and integration of mission-related compliance strategies, Particularly focused on NRO AI and emergent systems developed by the Ground Enterprise Directorate, ensuring proper accessing, handling and storing of mission data during the conduct of NRO mission and mission-related activities, among many other functions.

The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes for consideration against current and future opportunities for Non-Supervisor, Mission Compliance Officer, GGS-13, occupational series 1501. More information on the occupational series can be viewed on the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) website.

Your resume may be considered for other positions which your skills and experience may be a good match.
This is a full-time position that is open from 2026-10-13 to 2026-10-27. Resumes must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST on 2026-10-27.

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 per IAW DoW 1400.25 Volume 2006.
The NRO is only accepting external applicants for this job announcement. Current NRO Cadre employees should apply internally.
This position MAY qualify for the appointment of a reemployed federal annuitant IAW DoWI 1400.25 Volume 300.

What You Will Be Doing
As the Mission Compliance Officer, you will be responsible for the following duties:

Serves as a Mission Compliance subject matter expert on behalf of the MCG Chief in GED
Integrates and reviews compliance-related documentation and activities that articulate how the NRO is to perform its statutory functions relative to ensuring U.S. individuals’ constitutional rights are not violated.
Administers guidance to local “Mission Compliance Monitors” (MCM) from various NRO Directorates and Offices (Ds&Os) and provides the MCMs with a single pathway to the MCG.
Coordinates and has responsibility for alignment with IC and DoD Compliance functions, as well as mission partners to ensure the appropriate non-NRO requirements are appropriately addressed.
In coordination with the MCG Chief, develops and maintains NRO compliance standards and tailored training for the NRO workforce.
In coordination with the MCG’s Monitoring & Assessments (M&A) lead, provides NRO senior leadership with a comprehensive picture of NRO's mission compliance posture and advises site leadership on local compliance posture.
Executes continuous monitoring of internal control measures for the handling and use of mission data paramount for identifying and mitigating compliance issues and potential risks and opportunities; and using these results in corrective action plans, training programs, and policy changes.
Assesses and verifies the handling of mission data and performs risk surveys to identify areas requiring increased preventative or detective measures.
Conducts or guides post-event technical reviews of Intelligence Oversight reports in support of the NRO’s Intelligence Oversight Officer and General Counsel.
Coordinates efforts with NRO mission partners and Compliance Monitors, as appropriate, to assess the efficacy of compliance tools, procedures, and technical solutions.
Implements compliance solutions in areas of high compliance risk or other areas of specific interest.
Advances the mission compliance program through effective communications with NRO leadership and workforce and as appropriate, with mission partners.
Secures classified information in accordance with Executive Order 13526.

Performs other duties as assigned.

What You Will Need

Knowledge of multiple intelligence disciplines and associated analytic methodologies.
Skilled in conducting data compliance audits of AI and emergent systems, including analyzing training data provenance, validating data retention policies, documenting model lineage, and implementing privacy-enhancing technologies to mitigate risks.
Comprehensive ability to develop detailed plans, tasks, milestone dates and schedules to ensure proper sequencing of events and tracking of processes and costs throughout the life cycle of the program/project.
Comprehensive knowledge of and skill in applying analytical ability in order to resolve unique or novel problems, conditions, or issues; or significantly alter standard practices equipment, devices, processes, and known techniques; provide expert advice to senior colleagues and/or agency officials responsible for broad program operations.
Knowledge of DoD/Intelligence Community (IC), organizations, relevant policies, directives, missions and processes.
Excellent communication skills, including ability to communicate effectively with people at all levels of leadership and with people generally engaged in different functions, mission, and kinds of work. Ability to give effective oral presentations at levels appropriate to and tailored for different target audiences.
Must be effective in influencing and motivating through communication and thus must be skillful in approaching individuals or groups in order to obtain the desired effect.
Knowledge of relationships across various intelligence disciplines between the intelligence cycle (to include tasking, collection, processing, exploitation and dissemination) and applicability of related policies.
Knowledge of the substantive nature of agency programs and activities; agency missions, policies, and objectives; and the analytical and evaluative techniques for assessing program development.
Must be able to collaborate with technical experts (internal and external) to ensure appropriateness of compliance standards in this dynamic engineering organization.
Must be able to evaluate AI and other emergent systems against data protection rules including assessing data minimization practices, and automated decision-making transparency requirements to ensure compliance throughout the AI lifecycle.

Highly Desirable:

5+ years of experience directly supporting NRO, IC or DoD intelligence-related activities.
5+ years of experience and current knowledge across the spectrum of NRO mission programs and capabilities.
5+ years of experience with NRO SIGINT capabilities and systems
5+ years of experience working with executive orders, laws, IC and DoD policies and procedures related to intelligence oversight and compliance.
5+ years of progressively responsible experience in the full range of intelligence-related project/program management with emphasis in requirements generation, program planning and execution, test and evaluation, and operations, to include team and/or project leadership.
3+ years IC, DoD or NRO experience supporting policy and strategy functions, intelligence-related compliance, or equivalent.
2+ years of experience at working in a SIGINT lab.
Familiarity with developing and delivering education and training materials.
Data Science degree or work experience

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.

Other Information

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 24 months after accepting this position. Individual shall maintain, at a minimum 80 continuous Learning Points every 24 months via the services acquisition management system. DAWIA requirements may be located at the Defense Acquisition University website.
Geographic Mobility Agreement: MAY be subject to directed reassignment as required to address mission effectiveness, and/or career development.
Information Assurance (IA): Must achieve the appropriate IA certification within six months of assignment.
Emergency Essential: Certain positions MAY be deemed emergency essential and incumbents must be willing to meet all position requirements.

Location
CHANTILLY, VA
Telework is not available and you must be able to work at the specified location(s).

Salary
2026 salary range for the Washington, DC area: GG-13 $121,785- $158,322

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 advertised grade level(s) 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 DoW 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
DoW 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 DoW 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 Hiring@nro.mil.

Privacy Act Notice
Privacy Act Notice (PL 93-579): 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.