7 Not-So-Secret CIA Jobs Open Right Now — and Pay is Awesome
In college, rumors circulated that a guy I knew was entering the CIA upon graduation.
A mutual friend said he’d been called into a McDonald’s for an interview with a man from the government to “verify” our friend.
It was all very mysterious. We could never confirm nor deny this rumor.
But, really, the CIA isn’t always that secretive. In fact, it posts job listings online just like any other company.
7 Open CIA Jobs That Aren’t Secret Agent Positions
Right now, the CIA has tons of job openings.
When I think CIA, I immediately think of spies — but of course, there’s more to the agency than that.
Just check these jobs out.
1. Customer Service Representative
Ah, our beloved customer service positions. Unfortunately, this one isn’t work-from-home, but it is for the CIA, which is pretty cool, too.
Like other customer service jobs, you need to be a strong communicator with at least a high school diploma.
Pay is pretty impressive: $43,684 to $53,435 a year — but I’m still curious to know what constitutes a CIA customer.
2. Foreign Language Instructor
So. Many. Foreign. Languages.
Arabic. Chinese/Mandarin. Dari/Pashto. French. German. Hindi. Indonesian. Italian. Japanese. Korean. Persian (Farsi). Portuguese. Russian. Spanish. Thai. Turkish. Urdu.
Know any of these? The CIA needs some teachers to train employees so they can live and work abroad.
Pay runs from $62,767 to $84,044, but the job description also mentions an annual bonus that ranges based on the language(s) you know and your proficiency.
3. Physician Assistant/Nurse Practitioner
This position requires frequent worldwide travel and could include permanent relocation every two or three years.
“The first overseas assignment will include extensive travel (six to seven months per year consisting of 45-60 day deployments) often to austere locations…” the job description states.
How austere, CIA?
Pay ranges from $98,289 to $108,117.
4. Food Services Quality Assurance Manager
Not gonna lie: This job sounds pretty intimidating.
The CIA food services quality assurance manager is responsible for overseeing the food services program, including food safety, catering and executive-level dining.
Pay for playing with your food? (Not really. Don’t do that.) $73,270 to $92,145 a year.
5. Paralegal
Paralegals handle case management, legal research, Bluebook citations (which sound scary) and more.
Further details aren’t really provided, but pay ranges from $53,435 to $80,073.
6. Sign Language Interpreter
This part-time position requires 24-32 hours of work each week, as well as possible domestic and international travel.
As an interpreter, you need to be flexible and able to work in a variety of environments, from interoffice correspondence to working with customers.
Pay is also nice: $77,490 to $119,794.
7. High School Students
Yup, you can join the CIA as a high school student — well, as an intern.
Not much information on your responsibilities is provided except that applications are accepted April 1 to Sept. 23 each year. You also have to be at least 18 and have plans to enroll in a college program.
Pay isn’t listed.
Interested? Each job listing has an important notice at the bottom that reads:
Friends, family, individuals, or organizations may be interested to learn that you are an applicant for or an employee of the CIA. Their interest, however, may not be benign or in your best interest. You cannot control whom they would tell. We therefore ask you to exercise discretion and good judgment in disclosing your interest in a position with the Agency.
Basically, don’t tell anyone you’re applying.
Find these open positions and more on CIA.gov.
And if you’re not into the CIA, find more job openings on our Facebook jobs page.
Your Turn: Are you applying for a position with the CIA? (Just kidding. That was a test.)
Carson Kohler (@CarsonKohler) is a junior writer at The Penny Hoarder. After recently completing graduate school, she focuses on saving money — and surviving the move back in with her parents.
