How to hire an operational intelligence analyst

How to hire an operational intelligence analyst, step by step

Here's a step-by-step operational intelligence analyst hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an operational intelligence analyst job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new operational intelligence analyst
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring an operational intelligence analyst, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   An operational intelligence analyst's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, operational intelligence analysts from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of operational intelligence analysts.

   Type of Operational Intelligence Analyst	Description	Hourly rate
   Operational Intelligence Analyst	Police officers protect lives and property. Detectives and criminal investigators, who are sometimes called agents or special agents, gather facts and collect evidence of possible crimes.	$23-51
   Analyst	Analysts are employees or individual contributors with a vast experience in a particular field that help the organization address challenges. They help the organization improve processes, policies, and other operations protocol by studying the current processes in place and determining the effectiveness of those processes... Show more	$25-47
   Imagery Analyst	An imagery analyst is responsible for interpreting information by analyzing photographs and images to provide solutions for industrial and community issues. Imagery analysts must have excellent technical skills and the knowledge of computer navigation to utilize various software tools and applications to generate clear results and analysis... Show more	$20-41

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • TS/SCI
   • IC
   • Combat
   • Intelligence Analysis
   • Situational Awareness
   • DOD
   • Intelligence Operations
   • Intelligence Reports
   • Intelligence Support
   • Threat Analysis
   • AOR
   • ISR
   • Intelligence Data
   • All-Source Intelligence Products

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Prepare and manage multiple self assessment checklists to evaluate overall effectiveness and ensure compliance with USAF directives.
   • Contribute to databases, draft reports, and make presentations to senior NSA officials and other members of the ELINT community.
   • Develop lesson plans and PowerPoint presentations for public speaking events in schools.
   • Charge with detecting and processing threats to the DoD network to prevent loss of sensitive data.
   • Perform quality control on ELINT data receive and provide feedback to both shift analysts and staff personnel.
   • Design and implement several projects using VHDL, ModelSim, Matlab, Labview on Xilinx and Altera products.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your operational intelligence analyst job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. An operational intelligence analyst can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, operational intelligence analysts' average salary in north carolina is 51% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level operational intelligence analysts 54% less than senior-level operational intelligence analysts.
   • Certifications. An operational intelligence analyst with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in an operational intelligence analyst's salary.

   Average operational intelligence analyst salary

   $73,081yearly

   $35.14 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level operational intelligence analyst salary

   $49,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 20, 2026

4. Writing an operational intelligence analyst job description

   An operational intelligence analyst job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of an operational intelligence analyst job description:

   Operational intelligence analyst job description example

   At Peraton, we're partnering with our Armed Forces to provide information, mentoring and employment opportunities for Veterans that are transitioning into the Private Sector after selflessly serving our Nation. The Department of Defense has implemented the Skillbridge Intern program to provide Veterans with opportunities to gain "civilian experience" before they actually end their military career. Veterans bring a wealth of experience, discipline and energy, and Peraton understands the significant value of hiring Veterans.
   
   The Skillbridge Intern will develop an understanding of how firms operating in the Cyberspace Operations Environment, conceive and develop solutions and technologies to solve client problems.
   
   Specifically, each Intelligence Support to Information Operations Analyst candidate will develop their acumen in the areas of experienced Intelligence Analyst to support Information Operations functions and activities into all facets of Combatant Command (CCMD) level planning, and to ensure the command group and staff consider Operations in the Information Environment (IE) factors.
   
   The candidate will successfully identify, gather, and assess all-source information in order to determine the disposition, location, and all-encompassing information supporting operations in the IE.
   
   Will integrate analytical tools and methodologies that enhance Intel Analysis that directly support contingency plans and operations plans and ensure that information related capabilities are considered in the deliberate and crisis action planning processes and that deep insights in the IE are uncovered.
   
   The candidate is expected to provide expert mission analysis, analytic problem solving, and assessment skills.
   Basic Qualifications: BS 2-4 Years, MS 0-2 or HS 5-10 Ability to write/create analytical products for a Joint Staff Experience participating in working groups and brief senior leaders Planning, synchronization, coordination and assessment of IO related topics in support of assigned operations Experience Integrating with the relevant intelligence staff and develop inputs to collection processes that support activities in the information environment Active TS/SCI or TS/SCI w/ Polygraph Peraton drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world’s leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted and highly differentiated national security solutions and technologies that keep people safe and secure. Peraton serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies across the intelligence, space, cyber, defense, civilian, health, and state and local markets. Every day, our employees do the can’t be done, solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. An Equal Opportunity Employer including Disability/Veteran. Colorado Salary Minimum: $54,200
   Colorado Salary Maximum: $131,500
   
   The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position, and is just one component of Peraton's total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, short- and long-term incentives, and program-specific awards. In addition, Peraton provides a variety of benefits to employees.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find operational intelligence analysts for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your operational intelligence analyst job on Zippia to find and recruit operational intelligence analyst candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting operational intelligence analysts requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new operational intelligence analyst

   Once you've decided on a perfect operational intelligence analyst candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new operational intelligence analyst first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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