Actively Hiring: IT Specialist (Data Management) (STEM) at the Defense Intelligence Agency

In an age dominated by digital transformation, the safeguarding and efficient management of critical intelligence data is a paramount pillar of national security. The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) is currently offering an extraordinary career opportunity for a skilled and motivated professional to step into the role of IT Specialist (Data Management) (STEM). Located in the vibrant, coastal hub of Tampa, Florida, this full-time, permanent position falls under the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) General Grade GG-14 pay band, offering an exceptional salary range of $148,275 to $192,764 per year.

This role is tailored for senior IT professionals with a strong background in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) who want to leverage their expertise to drive modern data strategies. If you are looking to advance your career while contributing to missions of global significance, this guide provides everything you need to know about this elite opportunity.

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About the Agency: The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)

The Defense Intelligence Agency is a critical component of the United States Department of Defense (DoD) and a cornerstone of the national Intelligence Community (IC). The DIA provides military intelligence on foreign militaries and operational environments to warfighters, defense policymakers, and force planners.

At the heart of the DIA's success is a commitment to four core organizational values:

• Teamwork: Bridging geographic and administrative divides to achieve mission success.
• Integrity: Maintaining the absolute highest legal and ethical principles in all operations.
• Excellence: Fostering unmatched technical expertise and defense intelligence capabilities.
• Service: Placing country and duty ahead of self.

Working for the DIA means joining a diverse, mission-focused network of professionals who deploy advanced analytical methodologies and cutting-edge technologies to protect the nation.

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Job Responsibilities

As an IT Specialist (Data Management) within the STEM pipeline, you will operate at a senior level, taking ownership of data systems that directly support defense intelligence activities. Key duties and responsibilities include:

• Database Design and Deployment: Independently design, construct, integrate, and maintain moderately complex databases for internal and external enterprise users.
• Strategic IT Vision: Monitor evolving IT trends across the public and private sectors to formulate forward-looking solutions that meet both present and future mission goals.
• System Lifecycle Management: Oversee the planning, development, implementation, operationalization, and maintenance of information systems while operating within strict resource boundaries.
• Intelligence Community Integration: Develop long-range strategic recommendations based on a deep understanding of how various components of the Intelligence Community interoperate.
• Service-Delivery Optimization: Formulate robust service-delivery strategies to streamline data querying, analytical processing, and the presentation of actionable insights.

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Requirements and Qualifications

To be eligible for this GG-14 level role, candidates must meet specific academic and professional benchmarks. Qualification is determined through a combination of educational achievements and direct IT work experience.

1. Educational Requirements

All applicants must have academic credentials from accredited institutions. The applicant's transcript must show at least 24 semester hours in one (or a combination) of the following fields:

• Computer Science
• Information Systems Management
• Engineering
• Information Science
• Mathematics
• Operations Research
• Statistics
• Technology Management

2. General Experience and Competencies

In addition to educational criteria, candidates must possess professional IT experience (paid or unpaid) that highlights the following four foundational competencies:

• Attention to Detail: Meticulous performance of duties and dedication to maintaining highly accurate, secure system architectures.
• Customer Service: Actively working alongside database users and stakeholders to assess technological needs, offer assistance, and resolve technical challenges.
• Oral Communication: The ability to explain complex technological and data concepts to non-technical stakeholders clearly and persuasively.
• Problem Solving: Rapidly identifying technical roadblocks, evaluating alternative courses of action, and proposing sound architectural solutions.

3. Additional Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship: Applicants must hold citizenship status at the time of applying.
• Security Clearance: Candidates must pass a comprehensive background investigation to obtain and maintain a Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearance.
• Drug Testing: Passing an initial drug screening and participating in random ongoing testing is mandatory.
• Additional Agreements: Appointees must sign a civilian mobility agreement and a standard classified information non-disclosure agreement.

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Salary Overview and Grade Structure

This position is classified under the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS), utilizing the General Grade (GG) pay scale. The compensation structure for this Tampa-based GG-14 position is highly competitive.

Pay System	Grade Level	Minimum Annual Salary	Maximum Annual Salary	Promotion Potential
DCIPS (GG)	GG-14	$148,275	$192,764	GG-14

Note: The GG compensation framework operates similarly to the standard Office of Personnel Management (OPM) General Schedule (GS) system regarding steps and grade progressions.

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Highly Desired Skills

Applicants who possess the following optional credentials will be highly competitive during the selection process:

1. Agile Framework Mastery: Deep familiarity with Agile development methodologies and extensive, hands-on experience utilizing JIRA to track and manage development workflows.
2. Coding and Data Science Proficiencies: Pragmatic knowledge of database-oriented programming languages and quantitative data science modeling.
3. Compliance and Cyber Security Acumen: A thorough understanding of federal cyber security protocols and data compliance structures.

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Benefits

Employees of the DIA enjoy a premium suite of benefits designed to foster physical, financial, and professional well-being. These include:

• Health and Wellness: Multiple comprehensive Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) plans, dental and vision coverage, and flexible spending accounts.
• Retirement Security: Coverage under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), which features a defined-benefit pension.
• Thrift Savings Plan (TSP): A retirement savings plan featuring up to 5% automatic and matching contributions from the federal government.
• Work-Life Balance: Generous annual and sick leave accumulation alongside federal holiday observances.
• Career Advancement: Access to specialized government intelligence institutes, tuition assistance, and specialized technological certification programs.

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

Because DIA positions exist within the Excepted Service, applications are processed directly through the agency's proprietary hiring platform rather than the standard USAJobs platform. Follow these steps to ensure a successful submission:

1. Go to the official DIA website at dia.mil.
2. Click on Careers and then select Vacancies.
3. If this is your first time using the portal, click New User to establish your profile.
4. Locate the listing for the "IT Specialist (Data Management) (STEM)" position. Take note of the title and the corresponding 6-digit Job Opening ID.
5. Click the Apply button at the bottom of the vacancy announcement.
6. Complete the detailed fields in the application, saving your work frequently to prevent session timeouts.
7. Upload your resume, ensuring it details how you meet the specialized experience and core competencies.
8. Upload your academic transcripts showing the required 24 STEM semester hours.
9. Verify all information and click Submit before the closing deadline on September 14, 2026.

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Expert Application Tips

• Showcase Academic Alignment: Ensure your transcript clearly reflects the 24 semester hours in eligible STEM coursework. If your classes have non-traditional titles, explain their technical relevance within your resume.
• Adopt the STAR Method: When detailing database achievements on your resume, explain the Situation, Task, Action, and Result to prove you possess the four core competencies.
• Incorporate Desired Keywords: If you have experience with JIRA, Agile, or specific programming languages, highlight these explicitly to ensure your profile stands out.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can non-US citizens apply for this role?

No. Due to the high-security nature of the work and the requirement for a TS/SCI clearance, only United States citizens are eligible to apply.

Q2: What are the exact dates of the application window?

The position opens on August 31, 2026, and will close at 11:59 PM Eastern Time on September 14, 2026.

Q3: Is relocation assistance provided?

No. According to the current posting details, relocation reimbursement is not authorized for this position.

Q4: What is the trial period for this role?

New hires must successfully complete a two-year Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) trial period.

Q5: Is telework or remote work an option?

This position is listed as non-remote and is not telework-eligible, given the high-security environment and hands-on requirements of managing classified data infrastructures.

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For senior IT specialists, database administrators, and data scientists, the IT Specialist (Data Management) (STEM) position at the DIA represents an outstanding career milestone. Combining a highly competitive salary structure ($148,275 to $192,764) with the chance to safeguard vital national security assets in Tampa, Florida, this opportunity is ideal for dedicated patriots with technical expertise. Prepare your materials, align your resume with the required competencies, and submit your application on the DIA portal before September 14, 2026.