What does an Intelligence Officer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read

An Intelligence Officer is a person employed by an organization to collect, compile, and/or analyze information that is of use to an organization. They participate in local, national, and international operations, in various climates and conditions.

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Intelligence officer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real intelligence officer resumes:

  • Manage two RFP processes - for technological and communications consultants.
  • Manage logistics within precinct, create monthly business plans, and develop sales tracking and development system for store.
  • Prepare all-source intelligence products to support the combat commander by establishing and maintaining systematic, cross-reference intelligence records and files.
  • Prepare and deliver classified oral briefings for the J2.
  • Install bank authorize antivirus and updates from servers in network.
  • Test and resolve GPS and compress driver with ROS and python.
  • Patrol area on foot or automobile to detect and prevent unauthorize activities.
  • Draft military and nonmilitary correspondence (PowerPoint) and written lesson plans.
  • Conduct arm stationary, foot and/or vehicle patrol (interior and/or exterior).
  • Prepare responses for and coordinate planned responses for RFIs internal and external to J2.
  • Leverage internal SME's to helpresolve issues, optimize partner investment, ensure objectives are met.
  • Provide leadership and strategic planning; supervise the execution of global logistics operations, readiness, and training.
  • Support a team of professional engineers in the information assurance section for USARCENT and tactical biometrics systems engineering group.
  • Advise maneuver element commanders on the placement, and tactical employment of assign HUMINT, SIGNT, and CI assets.
  • Coordinate several collection platforms including SIGINT, OSINT and overt collection operations with CI/HUMINT operations to fulfill the all-source fusion process.

Intelligence officer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 8% of Intelligence Officers are proficient in Personnel Security, SCI, and Collection Management. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Empathy, and Good judgment.

We break down the percentage of Intelligence Officers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Personnel Security, 8%

    Directed support services in threat doctrine, physical security, information systems security, and personnel security for a 650-person organization.

  • SCI, 8%

    Supervised and administered the SCI security program to include SCI security oversight.

  • Collection Management, 6%

    Perform collection management/surveillance/reconnaissance and provide advice.

  • Law Enforcement, 5%

    Collaborated with US and coalition intelligence, law enforcement, and Federal Agents to develop and disseminate vulnerability threat assessments.

  • Security Clearance, 5%

    Supervised and managed authentication and resolution of security clearance investigations of 83 Soldiers and classified information of a Battalion echelon unit.

  • Intelligence Community, 4%

    Executed all Senior Intelligence Officer (SIO) requirements including frequent coordination with other DoD agencies and national intelligence community agencies.

Most intelligence officers use their skills in "personnel security," "sci," and "collection management" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential intelligence officer responsibilities here:

Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for an intelligence officer to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "police and detectives must be able to speak with people and to express details in writing about an incident." Additionally, an intelligence officer resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "managed training and readiness of a 15 member communications platoon. "

Empathy. Another essential skill to perform intelligence officer duties is empathy. Intelligence officers responsibilities require that "police officers need to understand the perspectives of a variety of people in their jurisdiction and be willing to help the public." Intelligence officers also use empathy in their role according to a real resume snippet: "developed an in-depth understanding of my intelligence products and services. "

Good judgment. intelligence officers are also known for good judgment, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to intelligence officer responsibilities, because "police and detectives must be able to determine the best way to solve an array of problems." An intelligence officer resume example shows how good judgment is used in the workplace: "provided key judgments to senior j2 / j2x staff, strategic decision makers and army warfighters. "

Leadership skills. A big part of what intelligence officers do relies on "leadership skills." You can see how essential it is to intelligence officer responsibilities because "police officers must be comfortable with being a highly visible member of their community, as the public looks to them for help in emergencies." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical intelligence officer tasks: "prepared written overviews of operations for cia leadership and congress. "

Physical strength. Another crucial skill for an intelligence officer to carry out their responsibilities is "physical strength." A big part of what intelligence officers relies on this skill, since "police officers must be strong enough to physically apprehend suspects and to assist people in precarious situations." How this skill relates to intelligence officer duties can be seen in an example from an intelligence officer resume snippet: "developed the physical security and crime prevention program with written policy handbooks which were adopted as the standard for subordinate organizations. "

See the full list of intelligence officer skills

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Compare different intelligence officers

Intelligence officer vs. 12b combat engineer

Combat engineers are vital outfits in a military unit. They construct and repair critical structures needed for military advances and defenses and destroy areas denying enemy control. The combat engineers also prepare road networks for the fast transportation of units. Also, engineers construct roads, temporary bridges, airfields, and temporary bivouac and forward command posts. Engineers are also responsible for increasing the defense of an area and is vital during a defensive stance. Combat engineers function amid extreme danger and are among the specialized units in the army.

If we compare the average intelligence officer annual salary with that of a 12b combat engineer, we find that 12b combat engineers typically earn a $38,093 lower salary than intelligence officers make annually.Even though intelligence officers and 12b combat engineers are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require us army, medal, and ammunition in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between intelligence officers and 12b combat engineer. For instance, intelligence officer responsibilities require skills such as "personnel security," "sci," "collection management," and "law enforcement." Whereas a 12b combat engineer is skilled in "mos," "ait," "demolition," and "cad." This is part of what separates the two careers.

On average, 12b combat engineers reach lower levels of education than intelligence officers. 12b combat engineers are 11.9% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 1.4% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Intelligence officer vs. Officer in charge, aviation unit or detachment

A combat engineer is responsible for developing and installing defense systems on a military base to protect the camp during combat situations and battles. Combat engineers carefully evaluate the premises for conducting operations with the highest accuracy, especially on locating explosive devices and other hazardous materials. They also assist with training, implementing defensive positions for survival operations. A combat engineer must have excellent knowledge of the engineering and mechanical industry, utilizing hand tools and equipment to perform heavy duties with maximum efficiency.

Officer in charge, aviation unit or detachment positions earn lower pay than intelligence officer roles. They earn a $36,648 lower salary than intelligence officers per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Intelligence officers and officers in charge, aviation unit or detachment both require similar skills like "law enforcement," "combat," and "dod" to carry out their responsibilities.

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, intelligence officer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "personnel security," "sci," "collection management," and "security clearance." Meanwhile, an officer in charge, aviation unit or detachment has duties that require skills in areas such as "logistics support," "officer-in-charge," "aviation command," and "construction projects." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

In general, officers in charge, aviation unit or detachment achieve similar levels of education than intelligence officers. They're 0.6% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 1.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Intelligence officer vs. Mission commander

On average, mission commanders earn lower salaries than intelligence officers, with a $35,230 difference per year.By looking over several intelligence officers and mission commanders resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "combat," "dod," and "situational awareness." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from intelligence officer resumes include skills like "personnel security," "sci," "collection management," and "law enforcement," whereas a mission commander is more likely to list skills in "logistics," "uas," "mc," and "intelligence surveillance. "

Most mission commanders achieve a similar degree level compared to intelligence officers. For example, they're 4.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Intelligence officer vs. Combat engineer

Combat engineers tend to earn a lower pay than intelligence officers by an average of $38,552 per year.While their salaries may vary, intelligence officers and combat engineers both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "platoon," "us army," and "afghan. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "personnel security," "sci," "collection management," and "law enforcement" are skills that commonly show up on intelligence officer resumes. On the other hand, combat engineers use skills like demolition, vehicle maintenance, weapon systems, and construction projects on their resumes.combat engineers reach lower levels of education compared to intelligence officers, in general. The difference is that they're 10.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of intelligence officer

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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