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How Are Seniors Selected and Assigned?

SUMMARY

Seniors are either recruited internally or qualified outsiders are hired. Different types of seniors have different criteria. Heads of directorates nominate people to be seniors, and the NSA director makes the final decision.

DOCUMENT’S DATE

Oct 28, 2003

PUBLICLY AVAILABLE

Feb 05, 2018

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Page 1 from How Are Seniors Selected and Assigned?
DYNAMIC PAGE -- HIGHEST POSSIBLE CLASSIFICATION IS TOP SECRET // SI / TK // REL TO USA AUS CAN GBR NZL (U) How Are Seniors Selected and Assigned? FROM: SIGINT Communications Unknown Run Date: 10/28/2003 (U) This is the second in a three-part series. (U//FOUO) There are two ways a person can become a senior at NSA: 1. by elevation from within NSA through the periodic Executive/Technical Selection Board process; or 2. by selection for hire for an advertised position when the individual has standardized executive qualifications that warrant appointment as a DISES or DISL. (U//FOUO) Each executive category has its own selection criteria, as follows: (U) DISES Criteria (U//FOUO) To become a member of DISES, one must be competent to assume leadership responsibilities in a broad variety of work positions throughout the Executive Service. Candidates for DISES must have knowledge, experience, and potential in the following five OPM "Executive Core Qualifications": Leading Change Leading People Results Driven Business Acumen Building Coalitions/Communication (U//FOUO) Each of these OPM five criteria has several sub elements. See HERE for full details. (U) DISL Criteria (U//FOUO) The DISL criteria, by contrast, revolve around a candidate's accomplishments in a specialized field and/or expertise, professional stature, and the candidate's impact on Agency's operations. There are four DISL criteria: Technical/Professional Achievements Technical/Professional Development of Others Technical/Professional Leadership/Decision Making Continued Technical/Professional Development (U//FOUO) For more detail, click HERE . (U) Who Nominates and Selects People for DISES/DISL? (U//FOUO) Heads of directorates nominate individuals for potential elevation. The authority to appoint seniors is delegated to the Director NSA from the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF). At the Director's discretion, the Executive/Technical Selection Board is convened to review the nominations received from the directorates SERIES: (U) Senior Execs 1. Senior Executive What Does It Mean? 2. How Are Seniors Selected and Assigned? 3. Seniors' Pay and Benefits 4. Interview with a DISE
Page 2 from How Are Seniors Selected and Assigned?
- plus all eligible personnel who submitted a Promotion Review Package - and provides the D/DIR and the Director with counsel to make the selections. DIRNSA takes into account the board's recommendations and makes the final selection of individuals to be elevated to the senior ranks. (U) How Are Senior Assignments Made? (U//FOUO) Many positions are advertised via NSA/Executive Programs. The few that are not are forwarded to the Director, Executive Programs, with some rationale as to why the position cannot be advertised, a list of individuals who were reviewed for the position, and the reasons the person is being 'slated' as the best person for the position. The Director, Executive Programs will then consult with the D/DIR and the Director for a final decision. The Director or Deputy Director make all decisions on reassignments of DISES/DISL personnel. (U) Coming in part 3: Seniors' Pay and Benefits Issues. "(U//FOUO) SIDtoday articles may not be republished or reposted outside NSANet without the consent of S0121 (DL sid comms)." DYNAMIC PAGE -- HIGHEST POSSIBLE CLASSIFICATION IS TOP SECRET // SI / TK // REL TO USA AUS CAN GBR NZL DERIVED FROM: NSA/CSSM 1-52, DATED 08 JAN 2007 DECLASSIFY ON: 20320108