Federal Position Descriptions
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Director of National Counterterrorism Center

Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Office of the Director of National Intelligence
Responsibility
Management Scope

The director of the National Counterterrorism Center oversees a deputy director, a deputy director for strategic operational planning and a deputy director for terrorist identities.4

Primary Responsibilities

• Serves as the principal adviser to the director of national intelligence on intelligence operations relating to counterterrorism
• Provides strategic operational plans for the civilian and military counterterrorism efforts and for the effective integration of counterterrorism intelligence and operations across agency boundaries
• Advises the director of national intelligence on the extent to which the counterterrorism program recommendations and budget proposals of the departments, agencies and elements of the U.S. government conform to the priorities established by the president
• Disseminates terrorism information including current terrorism threat analysis to the president, vice president, secretaries of state, defense and homeland security, attorney general, director of the Central Intelligence Agency, and other officials of the executive branch as appropriate and to the appropriate committees of Congress
• Supports the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security and other appropriate agencies in fulfillment of their responsibilities to disseminate terrorism information to state and local government officials
• Coordinates dissemination of terrorism information to foreign governments as approved by the director of national intelligence
• Develops a strategy for combining terrorist travel intelligence operations and law enforcement planning and operations into a cohesive effort to intercept terrorists, find terrorist travel facilitators and constrain terrorist mobility
• Has primary responsibility within the agency for conducting net assessments of terrorist threats
• Assists the director of national intelligence in establishing requirements for the intelligence community for the collection of terrorism information
• Monitors the implementation of strategic operational plans, and obtains information from each element of the intelligence community and from other departments, agencies or elements of the government relevant to monitor the progress of implementing such plans5

Strategic Goals and Priorities
[Depends on the policy priorities of the administration.]
Requirements

• May not simultaneously serve in any other capacity in the executive branch
• May not direct the execution of counterterrorism operations6
• Extensive career in national security and the combatting of terrorism
• Experience dealing with high-profile stakeholders
• Experience leading through unexpected crisis situations (preferred)
• Familiarity with the legislative and federal budgeting process (preferred)

Competencies

• Proven track record of collaboration and excellent coordination skills in order to coordinate terrorism intelligence with other government entities
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong leadership skills
• High degree of discretion; ability to work under high pressure and handle extremely sensitive matters

Past Appointments
  • Nicholas J. Rasmussen (2014 to 2017): Deputy Director, National Counterterrorism Center; Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Counterterrorism, National Security Council; Director for Regional Affairs, Office of Combating Terrorism, National Security Council7
  • Matthew G. Olsen (2011 to 2014): General Counsel, National Security Agency; Executive Director, Guantanamo Detainee Review Task Force; Associate Deputy Attorney General; Deputy Assistant Attorney General, National Security Division8
  • Michael E. Leiter (2008 to 2011): Acting Director, National Counterterrorism Center; Principal Deputy Director, National Counterterrorism Center, Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Director of National Intelligence; Deputy General Counsel and Assistant Director, Commission on the Intelligence Capabilities of the United States Regarding Weapons of Mass Destruction; Assistant U.S. Attorney, Criminal Division, Virginia – Eastern District, Department of Justice9
AGENCY

Office of the Director of National Intelligence

Mission: The National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) is a center of gravity and leading voice that unifies counterterrorism intelligence for the homeland and abroad, with a record of sustained excellence across all mission areas.1

COMPENSATION

Level II $179,700 (5 U.S.C. § 5313)3

REPORTS TO

Director of National Intelligence

SENATE COMMITTEE

Intelligence

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Footnote
  1. https://www.dni.gov/index.php/nctc-who-we-are
  2. https://www.dni.gov/index.php/nctc-home
  3. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (Public Law 115-31, May 5, 2017), contains a provision that continues the freeze on the payable pay rates for certain senior political officials at 2013 levels during calendar year 2017.
  4. https://lo.bvdep.com/OrgChart.asp?curp=1&LDIBookId=19&LDISectionId=201&LDIOrgId=160300
  5. https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/50/3056
  6. https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/50/3056
  7. https://www.dni.gov/index.php/nctc-who-we-are/director-nctc
  8. Leadership Directories:https://lo.bvdep.com/PeopleDocument.asp?PersonId=-1&LDIPeopleId=123458&Save=1
  9. Leadership Directories:https://lo.bvdep.com/PeopleDocument.asp?PersonId=-1&LDIPeopleId=101765&Save=1
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