Intelligence Analysts

Overview
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Education

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Job Training

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Examples

Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, chemists, art directors, and cost estimators.

Gather, analyze, or evaluate information from a variety of sources, such as law enforcement databases, surveillance, intelligence networks or geographic information systems. Use intelligence data to anticipate and prevent organized crime activities, such as terrorism.

Salary Salary

Salary at 10th Percentile: $46K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $59K
Median Salary: $86K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $111K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $146K

Demand
Career Demand by State Career Demand by State Legend
Core Tasks

Prepare comprehensive written reports, presentations, maps, or charts, based on research, collection, and analysis of intelligence data.

Gather, analyze, correlate, or evaluate information from a variety of resources, such as law enforcement databases.

Analyze intelligence data to identify patterns and trends in criminal activity.

Validate known intelligence with data from other sources.

Conduct presentations of analytic findings.

Gather intelligence information by field observation, confidential information sources, or public records.

Study activities relating to narcotics, money laundering, gangs, auto theft rings, terrorism, or other national security threats.

Establish criminal profiles to aid in connecting criminal organizations with their members.

Predict future gang, organized crime, or terrorist activity, using analyses of intelligence data.

Link or chart suspects to criminal organizations or events to determine activities and interrelationships.

Evaluate records of communications, such as telephone calls, to plot activity and determine the size and location of criminal groups and members.

Collaborate with representatives from other government and intelligence organizations to share information or coordinate intelligence activities.

Design, use, or maintain databases and software applications, such as geographic information systems (GIS) mapping and artificial intelligence tools.

Study the assets of criminal suspects to determine the flow of money from or to targeted groups.

Interview, interrogate, or interact with witnesses or crime suspects to collect human intelligence.

Develop defense plans or tactics, using intelligence and other information.

Gather and evaluate information, using tools such as aerial photographs, radar equipment, or sensitive radio equipment.

Operate cameras, radios, or other surveillance equipment to intercept communications or document activities.

Study communication code languages or foreign languages to translate intelligence.

Prepare plans to intercept foreign communications transmissions.

Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Analytical or scientific software
SAS
Backup or archival software
Veritas NetBackup
Business intelligence and data analysis software
Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition
Charting software
Timeline software
Data base management system software
Relational database management software
Data base user interface and query software
Structured query language SQL
Data mining software
Text mining software
Electronic mail software
Email software
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
SAP
Enterprise system management software
Splunk Enterprise
Graphics or photo imaging software
Photo enhancement software
Information retrieval or search software
LexisNexis
Internet browser software
Web browser software
Map creation software
ESRI ArcGIS software
Network monitoring software
Wireshark
Object or component oriented development software
R
Office suite software
Microsoft Office
Operating system software
Linux
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Project management software
Microsoft SharePoint
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Transaction security and virus protection software
Symantec
Web page creation and editing software
LinkedIn
Web platform development software
Hypertext markup language HTML
Word processing software
Microsoft Word
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Audio and visual presentation and composing equipment
Multimedia presentation projectors
Communications Devices and Accessories
Smart phones
Computer Equipment and Accessories
Desktop computers
Office machines and their supplies and accessories
Color copiers
Photographic or filming or video equipment
Digital still cameras
Top 10 Knowledge Required
English Language
96%
Importance

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Law and Government
90%
Importance

Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

Public Safety and Security
89%
Importance

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Computers and Electronics
78%
Importance

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Customer and Personal Service
70%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Clerical
67%
Importance

Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Education and Training
66%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Geography
66%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.

Administration and Management
65%
Importance

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Mathematics
65%
Importance

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Top 10 Skills
Active Listening
83%
Importance

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Reading Comprehension
83%
Importance

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Critical Thinking
80%
Importance

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Speaking
80%
Importance

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Writing
80%
Importance

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Active Learning
70%
Importance

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Complex Problem Solving
70%
Importance

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Judgment and Decision Making
65%
Importance

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Coordination
63%
Importance

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Monitoring
63%
Importance

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Top 10 Abilities
Written Comprehension
85%
Importance

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Inductive Reasoning
83%
Importance

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Problem Sensitivity
83%
Importance

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Written Expression
83%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Deductive Reasoning
80%
Importance

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Information Ordering
80%
Importance

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

Oral Comprehension
80%
Importance

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Oral Expression
80%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Speech Clarity
80%
Importance

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Speech Recognition
80%
Importance

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

Top 10 Work Activities
Getting Information
100%
Importance

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Interacting With Computers
98%
Importance

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Analyzing Data or Information
97%
Importance

Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Processing Information
96%
Importance

Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
94%
Importance

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
92%
Importance

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
91%
Importance

Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
89%
Importance

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
88%
Importance

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
87%
Importance

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Detailed Work Activities

Prepare investigation or incident reports.

Examine records or other types of data to investigate criminal activities.

Use databases to locate investigation details or other information.

Present research results to others.

Investigate illegal or suspicious activities.

Observe individuals' activities to gather information or compile evidence.

Record information about suspects or criminals.

Collaborate with law enforcement or security agencies to share information.

Interview people to gather information about criminal activities.

Determine operational procedures.

Operate surveillance equipment to detect suspicious or illegal activities.

Maintain professional knowledge or certifications.

Develop technical methods or processes.

Plan work procedures.

Work Context
Electronic Mail

How often do you use electronic mail in this job?

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?

Face-to-Face Discussions

How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Spend Time Sitting

How much does this job require sitting?

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

Contact With Others

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

Work With Work Group or Team

How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?

Importance of Repeating Same Tasks

How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job?

Frequency of Decision Making

How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?

Education
Majors   based on the broader career Detectives and Criminal Investigators
Major
Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy
Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Security Science and Technology
Interests
Investigative
91%
Importance

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Conventional
67%
Importance

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Enterprising
67%
Importance

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Realistic
43%
Importance

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Artistic
34%
Importance

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Social
34%
Importance

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Top 10 Work Styles
Analytical Thinking
98%
Importance

Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.

Attention to Detail
98%
Importance

Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Integrity
98%
Importance

Job requires being honest and ethical.

Initiative
95%
Importance

Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Dependability
94%
Importance

Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Adaptability/Flexibility
91%
Importance

Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

Persistence
91%
Importance

Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

Stress Tolerance
90%
Importance

Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

Cooperation
86%
Importance

Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Achievement/Effort
85%
Importance

Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Work Values
Achievement
86%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Working Conditions
74%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Recognition
72%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

Independence
62%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Support
58%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

Relationships
53%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.