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Counterdrug Jobs (NOW HIRING)

POSITION SUMMARY This position is responsible for developing operational requirements and coordinating between staff resulting in actionable tasks to be implemented into the Counterdrug mission.

POSITION SUMMARY This position is responsible for developing operational requirements and coordinating between staff resulting in actionable tasks to be implemented into the Counterdrug mission.

$96K - $121K/yr

POSITION SUMMARY We need a senior law-enforcement, counterdrug, or intelligence-linkage advisor who can build practical intelligence and investigative linkages as needed. This role is focused on ...

Intelligence Analyst

Wando, SC ยท On-site

$62 - $141/hr

Bachelor's degree and 10+ years of experience in intelligence, including counterterrorism, infrastructure, cybersecurity, counterdrug, travel, and science, or completion of formal Military or DoD ...

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Counterdrug information

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$34K

$107.7K

$179.5K

How much do counterdrug jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for counterdrug in the United States is $107,680.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $75,500.00 and $135,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a counterdrug?

A Counterdrug job involves supporting law enforcement and military efforts to combat drug trafficking and substance abuse. Professionals in this field work in intelligence gathering, surveillance, operations, and community outreach to reduce illegal drug activity. These positions may be found in agencies like the National Guard Counterdrug Program, DEA, or other federal and state law enforcement units. Responsibilities can range from analyzing drug trends to assisting in interdiction efforts. Many roles require security clearances, law enforcement experience, or military service.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of someone working in a counterdrug role?

Counterdrug professionals frequently gather and analyze intelligence, coordinate with various law enforcement and military agencies, and participate in field operations to disrupt illegal drug activities. Your day may involve monitoring communication channels, writing detailed reports, maintaining evidence, and attending briefings or strategy sessions. Collaboration with multi-agency task forces is common, so teamwork and clear communication are essential. While work environments vary, you can expect a mix of office-based analysis and occasional on-site operations. This dynamic structure helps ensure a comprehensive approach to combating drug trafficking and related crimes.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the counterdrug position, and why are they important?

To thrive in the counterdrug field, you need a strong background in law enforcement or military operations, analytical thinking, and knowledge of drug interdiction strategies, often supported by specialized training or relevant certifications. Familiarity with intelligence databases, surveillance equipment, and case management software is common and sometimes required. Excellent teamwork, discretion, and communication skills are crucial for effective collaboration and handling sensitive information. These capabilities are essential for successfully disrupting illegal drug activities while ensuring operational safety and integrity.

More about Counterdrug jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Counterdrug jobs?

The most popular types of Counterdrug jobs are:

What states have the most Counterdrug jobs?

States with the most job openings for Counterdrug jobs include:

Infographic showing various Counterdrug job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, and 10% Part Time. Highlights an 80% In-person, and 20% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,680 per year, or $51.8 per hour.

COUNTERDRUG POLICY POSTURE AND STRATEGY OFFICER

Joint Activities

Doral, FL โ€ข On-site, Remote

$113K - $147K/yr

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago


Job description

Summary
About the Position: The incumbent will serve as a Counterdrug Policy, Posture, and Strategy Officer for USSOUTHCOM in the Strategy, Policy, and Plans Directorate - Strategy and Strategic Planning Division in Miami, FL.
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Duties
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  • Serve as a senior Counterdrug (CD) policy, posture, and strategist and member of a joint force team at U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM)a unified command.
  • Author and staff written products and other actions for the directorate regarding matters concerning counterdrug policies, posture, strategies, and various global threats within USSOUTHCOM, to include USSOUTHCOM's Theater Posture Plan.
  • Review, interpret, and apply national security directives and policy documents from the Executive Branch, Department of War (DOW), Department of State (DOS), and Department of Justice (DOJ).
  • Create strategic concepts and advancing alternatives to address regional challenges concerning counterdrug issues.
  • Form cross command teams and lead planning efforts to develop new policies, posture, and strategies to address various regional threats and ensure incorporation into the broader USSOUTHCOM Strategy and Campaign Plan.
  • Analyze Command priorities and requirements to ensure USSOUTHCOM posture, initiatives, and current programs are best postured to counter illicit threats in the near, mid- and long-term.
  • Defend and promote the Command's strategic threat priorities at high-level meetings to formulate and implement national security strategies.

Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • This is a mandatory drug testing position.
  • Incumbent must maintain the appropriate security clearance required for the position.
  • This position is designated Tier 5, Special Sensitive, High Risk and the incumbent is required to obtain and maintain a Top Secret Security Clearance Level with Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access as a condition of employment.
  • Position requires travel up to 15% of the time to CONUS and OCONUS locations.

Qualifications
Who May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities.
  • 30 Percent or More Disabled Veterans
  • Current Department of Army Civilian Employees
  • Current Department of Defense (DOD) Civilian Employee (non-Army)
  • Domestic Defense Industrial Base/Major Range and Test Facilities Base Civilian Personnel Workforce
  • Executive Order (E.O.) 12721
  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
  • Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act
  • Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473
  • Non-Appropriated Fund Instrumentality (NAFI)
  • Non-Department of Defense (DoD) Transfer
  • Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Interchange Agreement Eligible
  • People with Disabilities, Schedule A
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible
  • Reinstatement
  • Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998

In order to qualify, you must meet the experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.
Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes 1). Analyze campaign plans and strategies to reduce threats concerning counterdrugs; 2). Review national security directives to ensure compliance with organizational processes; and 3). Provide support to multi-national information sharing initiatives to foster integration and cooperation with various government agencies.
Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-12).
Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience aloneno substitution of education for experience is permitted.
Education
Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience aloneno substitution of education for experience is permitted.
Additional information
  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
  • Direct deposit of pay is required.
  • Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
  • If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
  • This is a Security & Intelligence Career Field position.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction/ for more information.
  • Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest.
  • Recruitment/Relocation/Retention Incentive may be authorized.
  • Advance-in-Hire may be authorized.
  • This position is statutorily excluded from bargaining unit eligibility.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://appsupport.usastaffing.gov/hc/en-us/sections/28980686389652-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.