
Polygraph Examiner
Job Description
Polygraph Examiners assess the credibility of individuals as part of the personnel security process, determine eligibility for access to classified information, and interpret physiological data.
Major Duties
As a Polygraph Examiner for CIA, you will assess the credibility of individuals in support of CIA's mission. Your career at CIA as a Polygraph Examiner begins with a four-year tour of duty primarily located in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. You must be a federally certified polygraph examiner or be willing and able to complete CIA's Polygraph Examiner Program which provides training and certification to meet this requirement. Upon successful completion of the federal Polygraph Examiner Program, you will receive Polygraph Premium Pay, a significant addition to your base salary. After your initial four-year tour, you may express interest for additional polygraph tours to hone your expertise or seek new skills through other opportunities in the Office of Security. Polygraph examiners typically conduct two polygraph sessions per day and must work an alternate work schedule comprised of one week of 9-hour days and a second week with three 9- hour days, an 8-hour day, and Friday of that week off. This is known as a 5/4-9 schedule and results in a three-day weekend every other week. This schedule can make for a fast paced, demanding, and, at times, unrelenting job, but the challenge is worth it. Domestic and foreign travel opportunities may be available after a proven record of performance.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications Interested candidates should be passionate about the ideals of our American republic, committed to upholding the rule of law and the U.S. Constitution, and committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government. Hiring decisions will not be based on race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. Excellent verbal and written communication skills Analytic skills Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to interact with a broad cross-section of society, sometimes under stressful conditions Ability to work both independently and in a team environment Confidence to have your work scrutinized and the grace to accept feedback High levels of trustworthiness, tenacity, professional and personal integrity, and loyalty to the United States Ability to meet the minimum requirements for joining CIA, including U.S. citizenship and a background investigation Desired Qualifications Professional experience or training/certification in interviewing, investigation or elicitation Ability to "think on your feet" and adapt in a fast-paced environment Current or previously qualified federal polygraph examiner certification Knowledge of counterintelligence arena Experience working with Security Executive Agent Directive 4 (SEAD 4).
Education
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution (applicants within one year of earning a four-year degree will be considered); there is no preferred major or program of study (degrees from foreign academic institutions are accepted, but you are responsible for obtaining and providing CIA with a credential evaluation from an accredited firm confirming that the foreign degree is the equivalent of a BA/BS and/or MA/MS degree conferred by a U.S. college or university). At least a 3.0 GPA on a 4-point scale is preferred
Promotion Potential
GS-15
How You Will Be Evaluated
For more information, please visit: https://www.cia.gov/careers/.
Benefits
Who Can Apply
- Current federal employees — competitive service
- Current federal employees — excepted service
- Open to the public
Required Documents
For further information, please visit: https://www.cia.gov/careers/.
How to Apply
This post is for viewing purposes only. To get started, please visit https://www.cia.gov/careers/, where you can read more about this position and express your interest in up to four jobs. Upon expressing your interest, you will be taken to MyLINK, which allows you to submit your resume and job rankings and provide basic information about yourself.
What to Expect Next
After you express interest for up to four positions on cia.gov/careers, a CIA recruiter may contact you for further discussion if your qualifications meet our needs. See the MyLINK FAQs on our website for more information.
About the Agency
We are the Nation's first line of defense, and we have a mission for you. Join us as we leverage the power of information to keep our Nation safe by collecting foreign intelligence, producing objective all-source analysis, conducting covert action at the president's direction, and safeguarding secrets that protect the United States. Our workforce is our strength. CIA is a place that values people with different backgrounds and perspectives. The goal being to create a community that fosters a sense of belonging in a way that enriches officers and empowers them to advance CIA's mission. Read more about life at CIA here: https://www.cia.gov/careers/working-at-cia/
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Job Details
- Category
- Business & Finance
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Location
- Washington, District of Columbia, UNITED STATES
- Posted
- Last updated
- May 12, 2026, 10:15 AM
- Compensation
- $70,506 - $131,826 per year
About Central Intelligence Agency
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is a civilian foreign intelligence service of the U.S. federal government, established by the National Security Act of 1947. It collects, analyzes, and disseminates foreign intelligence to support national security decision-making, conducts covert action under presidential direction, and provides counterintelligence to protect U.S. interests abroad.
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