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Agent 007-point

Graphic Design

Posted by Creative Review, 12 September 2012, 10:12    Permalink    Comments (13)

Everyone needs good design, right? Even the CIA, it seems. And not a bad starting salary either.

The Central Intelligence Agency website is currently advertising a vacancy for a Graphic Designer - Print (spotted via QBN). It's full-time with a starting salary of up to a whopping $97,333. A minimum of a BA in graphic design or fine arts "with a strong emphasis on graphic design" is required as is in-depth knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite.

There are a few stipulations not found on your typical design job ad though. Applicants, for example, will be expected to take a polygraph test ("have you ever knowingly used Comic Sans in a design job?") and there will be an "extensive background investigation".

Also "To be considered suitable for Agency employment, applicants must generally not have used illegal drugs within the last twelve months. The issue of illegal drug use prior to twelve months ago is carefully evaluated during the medical and security processing." Right.

And if you do decide to apply, the CIA has some words of warning: "Friends, family, individuals, or organizations may be interested to learn that you are an applicant for or an employee of the CIA. Their interest, however, may not be benign or in your best interest. You cannot control whom they would tell. We therefore ask you to exercise discretion and good judgment in disclosing your interest in a position with the Agency."

The post was last updated back in March but the vacancy still appears to be open.

 

 

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13 Comments

"Would you mind comping a couple of missile bases in to this reconaissance photo? It's just a mock up for an internal project."
Misha
2012-09-12 10:35:33

I love when a a position requires a creative to take a drug test. Really? No wonder it it's been 6 months and they still haven't filled the position. Still, would love to create a brochure for those interested in becoming the next Bond.
Tristan
2012-09-12 10:35:44

'A friend of a friend of a friend' apparently worked for Mi5 as a graphic designer. His job was to produce fake company names and logos for things like surveillance vans.

They never showed that in Spooks.
Mark
2012-09-12 11:05:37

all salaries that require security clearances are usually about twice their open-market equivalent. that is because (a) the testing to get said clearance is rigorous and massively intrusive and (b) you cannot expect to produce any work that will be visible to the outside, which obviously means you will not have pieces for your portfolio.
chris
2012-09-12 13:05:16

How much of what you do there would be able to go in your portfolio? Without violating some official secrets act, I mean.
Ed
2012-09-12 13:14:19

There's also currently a role available for an artworker at SIS, aka MI6... the perfect opportunity for some double-agent design action!

https://www.sis.gov.uk/careers/roles/artworker.html
James
2012-09-12 13:14:41

I remember seeing this years a go. I hope it's not the same position.
Rob
2012-09-12 14:12:24

ago*
Rob
2012-09-12 14:14:12

HAHA Hilarious... too bad i'm taken already.
sam mearns
2012-09-13 11:11:40

Perhaps the job's already gone, but they're still advertising it to back up the successful applicant's cover story if their friends or family suspect something, in case their interest not be benign!
Neil
2012-09-13 12:49:03

I was forced into early retirement in 2009. I would take a rectal exam if it meant getting a good job. As far as portfolio, my last employer took all the awards anyway and never mentioned my name. I specialized in publication cover design, logo design and special projects which covered everything except publication layout. I hate layout. The only award I got with my name on it was the Magellan First Place Platinum award for a map of the Mayan Culture in Mexico. It was called The Mayan Trail and pointed out routes and trails that enabled a traveler to see as many or as few of the temples as possible. My competition was Travelosity and Disney Travel and I waxed them! The client insisted my name be placed on the map and it tee'ed off my employer. Can you believe it? They wanted the company name on it instead of the designers.
I am also aware of how intrusive these background checks can be. One of my friends wanted to work for the company that built rocket engines for the Space Shuttle and I was interviewed for over an hour. The interviewer was a pretty scary suit and would not laugh no matter how hard I tried. It was like getting the guard at Buckingham Palace to smile.
I wouldn't care to be a field guy, but graphic design? Let me at it!
Thomas Hanson
2012-09-14 18:44:50

Oh. . .did I tell you? I am able to forge documents if that is of interest to anyone reading this. Matching the type writer or computer printer to a plum. Just as an amateur hobbiest of course.
T.
Thomas Hanson
2012-09-14 18:55:49

One of the best Police/ goverment websites I have seen is for Milwaukeei police department!
It's a seriously stunning site!
http://www.creative-phlare.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Picture-1.jpg
Robin
2012-09-18 12:04:29

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