CIA Registered Nurse Job in Washington, DC: Full 2026 Guide

⏰ 12 min read

Job Overview

Nurses who want to step outside a traditional hospital setting may want to take a look at this opening. The Central Intelligence Agency is accepting applications for a Registered Nurse to serve in an occupational health role based in the Washington, DC area.

This position is built for experienced nurses who enjoy variety in their day-to-day work, from responding to medical emergencies to preparing colleagues for overseas travel. It is not a remote or telework role, so it is best suited to nurses who are already in or willing to relocate to the Washington, DC metro area.

The ideal candidate is a licensed Registered Nurse with several years of hands-on clinical experience who is comfortable working independently and wants a stable, long-term federal career.

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About the Employer

The Central Intelligence Agency, commonly known as the CIA, is a federal agency responsible for gathering, analyzing, and providing national security intelligence to U.S. policymakers. Like any large organization, the CIA also depends on internal support teams, including occupational health staff, to keep its workforce healthy and mission-ready.

According to the agency, its occupational health nurses play an important role in supporting employees, including those who travel overseas for work. The agency has not publicly detailed additional company background beyond what is shared on its official careers site, so readers are encouraged to visit cia.gov/careers directly for a fuller picture of the agency’s mission and culture.

Position Summary

Here is a quick snapshot of the basics for this opening, straight from the official announcement:

This is a permanent position, not a temporary or seasonal opportunity, and the agency indicates there are multiple vacancies available for this role.

Key Responsibilities

As a Registered Nurse in this role, you would work in occupational health rather than a typical bedside nursing environment. Much of the job involves identifying and assessing occupational and non-occupational illnesses and injuries among employees.

You may administer a full range of immunizations and provide medical information to employees traveling overseas, which is a distinctive part of supporting a global workforce. When emergencies happen, you would be expected to respond, provide independent emergency medical assessments and interventions, and keep emergency supplies and equipment ready to go.

The role also includes a public health education component. You may help implement health education programs, support OSHA-mandated programs, administer hearing and spirometry testing, and counsel employees on disease prevention and health promotion. According to the employer, nurses in this role are expected to maintain required certifications and continue developing their skills through ongoing professional development, and the agency states that medical and non-medical training will be provided.

Required Qualifications

The employer has outlined the core qualifications it expects candidates to bring to this role. Here is what each one means in practical terms, along with a scannable summary table below.

• Active R.N. licensure in good standing: You must be registered as a Registered Nurse in one or more states, which confirms your legal ability to practice nursing.
• Five or more years of nursing experience: The agency wants candidates with a solid clinical background, specifically in critical care, case management, emergency nursing, public health nursing, or occupational health nursing.
• Ability to meet CIA’s minimum hiring requirements: This includes U.S. citizenship and successfully completing a background investigation.

Preferred Qualifications

Beyond the minimum requirements, the employer lists several desired qualifications that could strengthen an application. These include a working knowledge of nursing principles, ethics, and case management techniques, along with basic knowledge of applicable federal regulations and laws.

The agency also values specific technical skills, such as performing audiometry, spirometry, or ergonomic worksite evaluations, and being comfortable using standard screening and diagnostic instruments in a primary care or occupational health setting. Strong writing and briefing skills, along with basic computer skills, are also mentioned as desired. Holding certifications such as Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, or the Trauma Nurse Core Course could also help a candidate stand out.

Required Skills

Looking at the qualifications together, a few core skills stand out as especially important for this position. Clinical judgment and the ability to work independently matter, since you may be responding to emergencies or making assessments without direct supervision nearby.

Communication skills are also valuable, both for counseling employees on health topics and for writing reports or briefings. Familiarity with occupational health tools, such as hearing and spirometry testing equipment, will also help you succeed in the day-to-day responsibilities of the role.

Salary and Compensation

According to the official posting, this position pays between $103,478 and $112,662 per year. The pay scale and grade for this role is listed as GS 10 through GS 12, with a promotion potential of GS 15.

For readers unfamiliar with the federal pay system, the “GS” scale is the General Schedule used to set pay for most federal civilian employees, and your specific starting grade typically depends on your education and experience level. The agency has not broken this figure down into hourly or weekly amounts, so the annual range below is the only compensation detail that has been officially shared.

Eligibility Requirements

Before applying, it is important to confirm that you meet the basic eligibility conditions the CIA has set for this role. These conditions come directly from the official job announcement.

Employee Benefits

The employer states that a career with the U.S. government comes with a comprehensive benefits package, and that eligible employees and their families can access a range of benefits designed to support a rewarding federal career. The posting also specifically notes that employees in this role will receive excellent benefits and a variety of medical and non-medical training.

The agency has not published a fully itemized list of benefits within this announcement. Benefit eligibility depends on the type of position you hold and whether it is full-time, part-time, or intermittent. Since this specific role is listed as full-time and permanent, it would generally be expected to carry standard federal employee benefit eligibility, though the agency directs interested applicants to review official federal benefits information for specific details.

Work Schedule

This is a full-time position. Unlike some other CIA roles, this posting specifically states that travel is not required for this position. The role is not eligible for telework and is not classified as a remote job, so employees would be expected to work on-site.

Work Location

The position is based in Washington, DC, with the agency noting there are multiple vacancies at this location. The employer also states that relocation expenses may be reimbursed in accordance with agency policy, which suggests that candidates coming from outside the DC area could potentially receive some financial support if selected. As a condition of employment, applicants must be willing to move to the Washington, DC area.

Hiring Process

The CIA’s hiring process for this type of role generally involves several steps, based on the official conditions of employment listed in the announcement. After you express interest in the position, a recruiter may reach out if your background appears to be a good match.

From there, candidates who move forward can expect the process to include a thorough medical and psychological examination, a polygraph interview, and a comprehensive background investigation, since this role requires a Sensitive Compartmented Information security clearance. A financial disclosure is also required as part of the process, and applicants should expect a drug test as well.

Because the CIA’s hiring procedures involve national security screening, the process can take longer than a typical private-sector hiring timeline. The agency recommends visiting its official careers site for the most current details on what to expect at each stage.

How to Apply

Applying for this role works a little differently than a standard job application, since this specific announcement is for viewing purposes only. Here is how the official process works, according to the employer:

Step 1
Visit the official CIA careers website.

Step 2
Review the Registered Nurse position and confirm it matches your background and interests.

Step 3
Express your interest in up to four jobs through the careers site.

Step 4
You will be directed to MyLINK, the agency’s application platform.

Step 5
Submit your resume through MyLINK.

Step 6
Provide your job rankings and basic information about yourself as requested.

Step 7
Wait to hear from a CIA recruiter, who may contact you if your qualifications match the agency’s current needs.

Keep in mind that, per the posting, you must be physically located in the United States or one of its territories at the time you submit your resume through MyLINK.

Helpful Tips Before Applying

Before you start your application, it can help to prepare a few things in advance. Review your resume closely and make sure it clearly highlights your clinical experience in critical care, case management, emergency nursing, public health, or occupational health.

Double-check that your R.N. license is active and in good standing, and confirm you meet the education requirement, including a bachelor’s degree in nursing or a health-related field. If you hold certifications like BLS, ACLS, or TNCC, make sure they are current and clearly listed on your resume.

Since this role involves a background investigation, polygraph interview, and financial disclosure, it is worth thinking ahead about your readiness for that level of screening. Being honest and thorough throughout the process matters, since the agency notes that failing to provide required information can affect your eligibility rating.

Finally, take time to research the CIA’s mission and this occupational health nursing role specifically so you can speak confidently about why this career path interests you if you are contacted by a recruiter.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is this a remote or telework position?
No. The official posting states this role is not remote and is not eligible for telework.

2. Where is this job located?
The position is based in Washington, DC, and there are multiple vacancies listed at this location.

3. What is the salary range for this role?
The official salary range is $103,478 to $112,662 per year, based on the GS 10 through GS 12 pay scale.

4. How much nursing experience do I need?
You need five or more years of nursing experience in critical care, case management, emergency nursing, public health nursing, or occupational health nursing.

5. Is U.S. citizenship required?
Yes. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, nationals, or those who owe allegiance to the U.S., and must be at least 18 years old.

6. Will I need to relocate?
Yes, applicants must be willing to move to the Washington, DC area, though relocation expenses may be reimbursed according to agency policy.

7. Is travel required for this position?
No. The official posting specifically states that travel is not required for this role.

8. What certifications are helpful for this role?
The employer lists Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, and the Trauma Nurse Core Course as desired certifications.

9. How do I actually submit my application?
You cannot apply directly through this announcement. You must visit the official CIA careers site, express interest in the role, and complete your submission through the MyLINK platform.

10. What benefits come with this job?
The employer states that federal employment includes a comprehensive benefits package and that this role includes medical and non-medical training, though a fully itemized benefits list has not been publicly provided.

Final Thoughts

This Registered Nurse opening may appeal to experienced nurses who want to move beyond a traditional clinical setting and take on a broader occupational health role. It could be a good match for nurses with a strong background in critical care, emergency response, or public health who are comfortable relocating to the Washington, DC area and are prepared for a detailed federal screening process.

Before applying, take time to review your qualifications against the requirements above and make sure you are ready for the steps involved, including the background investigation. Since hiring details and requirements can be updated, readers should always verify the latest information directly through the CIA’s official careers website before applying.

Official Application Information