Become an Imagery Analyst: Career Opportunities at the NGA

In the rapidly evolving world of national security, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) stands at the forefront of defense and intelligence. We are seeking dedicated and analytical professionals for our Imagery Analyst (Full-Motion Video) positions. This is a unique opportunity to play a vital role in protecting national interests while working with the most sophisticated geospatial intelligence tools available today.

Job Responsibilities

As an Imagery Analyst, your primary mission is to provide actionable intelligence through the exploitation of full-motion video (FMV). Your day-to-day duties will include:

Exploitation: Analyzing video data to identify and describe activities or objects.
Reporting: Creating clear, concise, and accurate products including text reports, graphics, and data models.
Collaboration: Working closely with mission partners to ensure intelligence needs are met.
Strategy: Building and maintaining tasking strategies for imagery systems.

Requirements

To succeed in this role, you must meet the following criteria:

Citizenship: U.S. Citizenship is strictly required.
Clearance: Ability to obtain and hold a Top Secret/SCI clearance.
Education: A Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (Engineering, Geography, History, etc.) or an equivalent combination of education and four years of relevant experience.
Skills: Experience with FMV programs, knowledge of national imagery systems, and strong multitasking capabilities.

Requirements Comparison Table

Category	Requirement	Preferred
Education	Bachelor's Degree	Advanced Degrees
Experience	4+ Years	6+ Years / Intel Comm
Clearance	Top Secret/SCI	Active SCI
Shift Work	Available for 24/7	Experienced in 24/7

Salary Overview

The salary range for this position is $85,447 to $158,322 per year, commensurate with your unique experience and qualifications as established by the DCIPS pay band system.

Benefits

Employees of the NGA receive access to:

Robust federal retirement and health programs.
Professional development and tradecraft training.
Opportunities to work with elite Intelligence Community analysts.
Performance-based salary increases and bonuses.

Application Tips

Format: Use the official NGA resume builder. Do not exceed the 2-page limit.
Clarity: Use specific examples that detail the complexity of your past work.
Clarity: Be honest about your experience with FMV and specialized tasking strategies.
Review: Double-check your contact information before submitting.

If you are ready to apply your technical skills to a mission that truly matters, we encourage you to apply. This role offers the chance to grow your career within one of the most respected intelligence organizations in the world.

Why This Imagery Analyst (Fmv) (Term) (Open Continuous) Job Matters

Launch a mission-critical career as an Imagery Analyst with the NGA. Help shape national security by exploiting full-motion video to provide actionable intelligence for military and policy leaders.

Imagery Analyst (Fmv) (Term) (Open Continuous) Job Overview

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) is seeking proactive, detail-oriented Imagery Analysts to support 24/7 intelligence operations. This term position offers the unique opportunity to utilize cutting-edge surveillance technology to analyze full-motion video (FMV), supporting global mission partners. You will perform critical exploitation, generate high-level intelligence reports, and work within a dynamic, high-stakes environment in McLean, Virginia.

Requirements for Imagery Analyst (Fmv) (Term) (Open Continuous)

U.S. Citizenship is mandatory.
Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI).
Must be able to pass a Counterintelligence Polygraph and a drug screening.
Possess a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Geography, Remote Sensing, International Affairs, Engineering, History, Political Science) or a qualifying combination of education and experience.
Minimum of 4 years of experience analyzing/interpreting imagery or equivalent intelligence work.
Proven ability to perform 24/7 rotational shift work.
Physical capability to distinguish colors/shades, maintain near visual acuity of 20/20, possess stereopsis, and demonstrate hand steadiness.

Preferred Qualifications for Imagery Analyst (Fmv) (Term) (Open Continuous)

Experience capturing image analysis as discoverable data sets.
Prior experience working within the federal government, specifically with military branches, Combat Commands, or the broader Intelligence Community.
Expertise in performing comparative analysis across single sensors to identify changes or patterns.
Demonstrated success operating in a 24/7 mission-critical environment.
Strong background in direct customer engagement, including policy-makers or law enforcement.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Competitive federal salary with performance-based pay potential.
✓Access to complex, advanced persistent surveillance technologies.
✓Networking opportunities with leaders across the Intelligence Community.
✓Potential for non-competitive conversion to a permanent appointment for high-performing term employees.
✓Comprehensive federal health and retirement benefits package.

💡 How to Apply Imagery Analyst (Fmv) (Term) (Open Continuous) Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Imagery Analyst (Fmv) (Term) (Open Continuous) Job

Review the full vacancy announcement on the NGA Careers Portal.
Use the NGA resume builder to create a resume limited to exactly 2 pages.
Highlight specific examples of FMV analysis and technical skills in your resume.
Submit your application electronically through the official NGA Careers Portal before the closing date.
Monitor your application status via the NGA online portal dashboard.

💡 General Tips

Your resume must be exactly 2 pages; use the mandatory NGA resume builder.
Focus on concrete results rather than just listing duties.
Ensure your resume reflects the specific mandatory criteria, such as experience with tasking and exploitation.
A cover letter is not mandatory but is highly recommended to showcase your relevant experience.
Double-check your eligibility for security requirements, as failure to pass will result in disqualification.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a permanent position?

No, this is a term appointment for an initial period of two years, with the possibility of extension up to five years. High-performing individuals may be eligible for conversion to a permanent appointment.

What is the work schedule?

This role requires working in a 24/7 environment, necessitating a rotational shift work schedule to ensure around-the-clock mission support.

Do I need a security clearance to apply?

You must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI clearance as a condition of employment.

Job from National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency

The NGA is a vital member of the United States Intelligence Community. Our mission is to provide world-class geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) that offers a decisive advantage to warfighters, policymakers, and intelligence officers. We operate 24/7, across the globe, to monitor and interpret activities that impact our national security.