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Entry Level Homeland Security Jobs in Reston, VA

Come join our fast-growing company as an entry-level technician in Chantilly, Virginia. You'll be ... Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the ...

Moving/ Packers

Manassas, VA · On-site

$18 - $22/hr

Come join our fast-growing company as an entry-level technician in Chantilly, Virginia. You'll be ... Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the ...

Moving Technician

Manassas, VA · On-site

$18 - $22/hr

Come join our fast-growing company as an entry-level technician in Chantilly, Virginia. You'll be ... Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the ...

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Entry Level Homeland Security information

What types of teams and agencies do entry-level Homeland Security professionals typically collaborate with?

As an entry-level Homeland Security professional, you will often work alongside various teams within your agency, such as emergency management, intelligence analysis, and cybersecurity. Collaboration with local law enforcement, fire departments, and public health organizations is also frequent, especially during emergency response or preparedness exercises. This teamwork helps ensure a coordinated approach to national security challenges and offers valuable networking and learning opportunities for new professionals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Homeland Security professional, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Homeland Security professional, you need a background in criminal justice or a related field, strong analytical skills, and often a security clearance. Familiarity with security protocols, surveillance systems, and incident reporting software is typically expected. Excellent attention to detail, teamwork, and effective communication are important soft skills for this role. These skills and qualities ensure the ability to assess threats, respond quickly, and maintain public safety in a high-stakes environment.

What Are Entry-Level Homeland Security Jobs?

The Department of Homeland Security has jobs with responsibilities that protect the country from perceived internal and external threats to the state. Some jobs require travel, some depend on teamwork, while others work independently. Your exact duties vary depending on the position but can involve immigration, national security, investigating civilian groups, or protecting state property. Some common entry-level jobs include border patrol agent, federal air marshal, ICE agent, TSA screener, CIA analyst, and more.

What is the difference between Entry Level Homeland Security vs Entry Level Emergency Management?

AspectEntry Level Homeland SecurityEntry Level Emergency Management
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles may require security clearancesHigh school diploma or equivalent; certifications like FEMA IS-100 or IS-200 beneficial
Work EnvironmentGovernment agencies, security facilities, border patrol, portsDisaster response agencies, government offices, community planning
Employer & Industry UsageFederal, state, and local government agencies focused on security and safetyEmergency management agencies, public safety organizations, government sectors

Entry Level Homeland Security and Entry Level Emergency Management share similar credentials and work environments, often within government agencies. While Homeland Security focuses on security and protection measures, Emergency Management emphasizes disaster preparedness and response. Both roles serve public safety and require related certifications, making them closely connected career paths.

What are entry level Homeland Security jobs?

Entry level Homeland Security jobs are positions within the Department of Homeland Security or related agencies that are designed for individuals with little to no prior experience in the field. These roles often include positions such as Transportation Security Officer (TSO), Customs and Border Protection Officer, or administrative support roles. Responsibilities can range from screening passengers and cargo at airports, assisting with border security, to providing office support for security operations. Most entry level positions require a high school diploma or equivalent, U.S. citizenship, and the ability to pass background checks and security clearances. These jobs offer opportunities for training, career advancement, and a chance to contribute to national safety.
What are the most commonly searched types of Homeland Security jobs in Reston, VA? The most popular types of Homeland Security jobs in Reston, VA are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Homeland Security jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Homeland Security jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Entry Level Homeland Security jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Entry Level Homeland Security job openings:
Infographic showing various Entry Level Homeland Security job openings in Reston, VA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution.
Intelligence Operations Specialist (Watchlist Analyst)

Intelligence Operations Specialist (Watchlist Analyst)

US Department of Homeland Security

Bethesda, MD • On-site

$70K/yr

Other

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


U.S. Department Of Homeland Security rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 86 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

93rd of 288 rated public sector bodies


Job description

This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Intelligence and Analysis, Homeland Identity Intelligence Center.
This position is engaged in work that involves developing, integrating and maintaining thorough, accurate, and current information about individuals known or suspected to be engaged in transnational organized crime or terrorism activity for the purpose of identifying and screening threat actors.
Non-BU: This is a non-bargaining unit position.Qualifications:GS-09: You may qualify at this grade level by meeting one (1) of the following below:
Specialized Experience:
  • If you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal government, performing duties such as:
  • Knowledge of basic principles, concepts, and methodology used in Intelligence and watchlisting operations.
  • Knowledge of the DHS I&A Homeland Security intelligence mission and the role of both raw and finished intelligence reporting.
  • Basic introductory-level of understanding of the watchlisting subject-matter to include familiarity with the processes and procedures involved, sources of intelligence, awareness of various watchlisting-related databases and introductory understanding of US immigration rules and regulations; and a basic appreciation for the various types of visas.
  • Skill in applying basic principles, concepts, and practices of the occupation sufficient to perform moderately difficult entry-level watchlisting assignments.
  • Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
  • Skill in applying basic principles, concepts, and practices of counterintelligence research sufficient to perform moderately difficult assignments.
  • Ability to gather and analyze basic facts and draw conclusions. Basic skill in organizing and presenting data in a variety of formats for briefings to superiors using spreadsheets, tables, charts, and other presentation skills.
  • Ability to analyze problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions.
  • Ability to plan and organize work and consult effectively with co-workers.
OR
Substitution of Education for Experience
You may substitute your education for your experience if you possess one of the following:
  • A master's or equivalent graduate degree.
  • Two (2) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree
  • LL.B. or J.D., if related.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience
A combination of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience as described above that, when combined, equal 100% of the total requirement. This will be calculated using your resume and unofficial transcripts or a list of courses/course hours submitted with your application.
NOTE: Only graduate education in excess of the first year may be used to qualify for the GS-09 level.
GS-11:
You may qualify at this grade level by meeting one (1) of the following below:
Specialized Experience:
If you possess specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in Federal service that demonstrates the following:
  • Knowledge of intelligence gathering and dissemination techniques necessary to participate in assessments of complex intelligence issues.
  • Knowledge of the DHS I&A Homeland Security intelligence mission and the role of both raw and finished intelligence reporting.
  • Knowledge of established DHS and IC databases and other sources of intelligence information related to watchlisting activities.
  • Knowledge of a wide range of analytical and evaluative techniques used in determining/validating personal identity and relationships.
  • Working level knowledge and ability to apply the rules and regulations pertaining to watchlisting as outlined in the Intelligence Community's Watchlisting Guidance.
  • Ability to communicate moderately complex ideas both in writing and verbally in order to formulate and present findings, conduct briefings, support projects, develop status reports, and foster understanding and acceptance of watchlisting findings and recommendations.
OR
Substitution of Education for Experience
You may substitute your education for your experience if you possess one of the following:
  • A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree
  • Three (3) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree
  • LL.M., if related
OR
Combination of Education and Experience
A combination of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience as described above that, when combined, equal 100% of the total requirement. This will be calculated using your resume and unofficial transcripts or a list of courses/course hours submitted with your application.
NOTE: Only graduate education in excess of the first two years may be used to qualify for the GS-11 level.
You qualify for theGS-12 grade level if you possess the specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal government that demonstrates the following:
  • Specialized knowledge in assigned subject-matter field and the ability to apply facts and estimates derived from numerous sources to a variety of problems having different technical aspects.
  • Advanced knowledge of intelligence gathering and dissemination techniques necessary to participate in assessments of complex intelligence issues.
  • Advanced knowledge of DHS I&A homeland security intelligence mission and the role of both raw and finished intelligence reporting in the relationship between DHS, State/Local governments, and the Intelligence Community.
  • Extensive knowledge of DHS Headquarters and Component structure, missions, programs, and organizational relationships.
  • Knowledge of established databases and other sources of intelligence information.
  • Skill in making formal presentations and representing I&A positions on intelligence issues and methods.
  • Ability to communicate moderately complex ideas both written and verbally in order to formulate and present findings, briefings, project papers, status reports, and correspondence to foster understanding and acceptance of findings and recommendations. Incumbent must possess strong customer service and interpersonal skills in order to maintain effective working relationships with both internal and external customers.
You qualify for theGS-13 grade level if you possess the specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal government that demonstrates the following:
  • Expert knowledge of intelligence gathering and dissemination techniques necessary to lead committees or teams and represent I&A in assessments of highly complex intelligence issues. This knowledge is used to conduct intelligence research and analysis using automated systems, national level databases, hard copy studies, and open-source information.
  • Advanced knowledge of intelligence gathering and dissemination techniques necessary to lead assessments of complex intelligence issues. This knowledge is also used to oversee the monitoring of world-wide all-source intelligence, collection and operation
  • information, and to provide Department of Homeland Security and homeland security partners with timely indications and warnings of relevant events.
  • Expert knowledge of DHS I&A homeland security intelligence mission and the role of both raw and finished intelligence reporting in the relationship between DHS, State/Local governments and the Intelligence Community.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of the operation of the entire intelligence program of the organization to provide advisory/consultant services or monitor projects in interrelated geographical of functional fields.
  • Skill in making formal presentations and representing I&A's position on intelligence issues at high level interagency and inter-governmental forums.
  • Ability to communicate complex ideas both written and verbally to formulate and present findings, briefings, project papers, status reports, and correspondence to foster understanding and acceptance of findings and recommendations. Incumbent must possess strong customer service and interpersonal skills to maintain effective working relationships with both internal and external customers.
Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience may not be used for this grade level.
All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
Education:Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications; applicant's resumes and supporting documentation should only reflect education received from schools accredited by such institutions. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following Website: https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home.
If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency (a U.S. private organization's interpretation that such education has been deemed at least equivalent to conventional U.S. education programs) with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For more information regarding evaluation of foreign education for federal employment, please visit the U.S. Department of Education webpage on the Recognition of Foreign Qualifications.
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). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.Employment Type: OTHER

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About U.S. Department of Homeland Security

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The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is a federal agency operating within the government services industry in Washington, DC, US. Established in 2003, the DHS is directly responsible for public security, roughly comparable to the interior or home ministries of other countries. Its main responsibilities include protecting the United States from and responding to terrorist attacks, man-made accidents, and natural disasters. Through its more than 20 component agencies including Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, it ensures the safety of the US through numerous programs and initiatives. The DHS upholds a core value system with the mission of safeguarding the American people, our homeland, and values. Notably, the DHS plays a critical role in the spectral range of activities to prepare, prevent, and respond to possible threats to the US.

Industry

Public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Washington, DC, US

Year founded

2003