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Intelligence Officer

Āpiha Matataua

Intelligence officers collect and analyse information on people, places and events that may be a threat to businesses or national and international security.

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Secondary education

A tertiary entrance qualification is required to enter further training for most intelligence officers. Useful subjects include maths, digital technologies, English, geography, history and classical studies, languages and science.

NCEA Level 2 is required to train as an intelligence operator or intelligence specialist in the NZ Defence Force. Intelligence specialists need 12 credits in NCEA Level 2 science.

Study fields

Study levels

  • Up to NCEA Level 3
  • Diploma
  • Bachelor's degree

Useful experience

Useful experience for intelligence officers includes:

  • research and analysing data experience
  • information technology experience
  • work for NZ Defence Force or NZ Police
  • language studies.

What you will do

Intelligence officers may do some or all of the following:

  • collect, analyse, decode and assess information that may be a threat to business, national and international security
  • analyse data and make predictions
  • assess data to find criminal behaviour or solve crimes
  • analyse images and create maps
  • assess people for employment and entrance to New Zealand
  • co-operate with agencies nationally and internationally to gather information about potential threats
  • manage investigations into specific threats
  • monitor people and events
  • provide reports to government and provide advice on how to manage threats
  • protect information and intelligence.

Skills and knowledge

Intelligence officers need to have:

  • knowledge of national and international politics
  • knowledge of research methods
  • knowledge of relevant legislation
  • strong analytical skills, with the ability to see patterns in information
  • good relationship building skills
  • skill in observation and problem solving
  • good time management.
Pay

Intelligence officers usually earn

$71K-$86K

per year

Senior intelligence officers can earn

$83K-$170K

per year

Job opportunities
Good
Chances of getting a job as an intelligence officer are good due to increasing demand for their services.
Length of training
1-3
years of training usually required.

Industry

Public Order and Safety

Intelligence officers collect and analyse information on people, places and events that may be a threat to businesses or national and international security.

Similar jobs in this industry

Entry requirements

To become an intelligence officer you usually need to have a tertiary qualification and:

  • be a New Zealand citizen
  • hold a current, full New Zealand driver licence
  • have a clean police record
  • pass a full psychological assessment
  • gain high-level security clearance.

Training for intelligence officer roles is usually done on the job.

Specific entry requirements for New Zealand Defence Force

Intelligence officers in the NZ Defence Force have additional specific entry requirements depending on their role.

  • Intelligence operators in the NZ Army must be at least 18 years of age and have NCEA Level 2.
  • Intelligence officers in the NZ Air Force must be at least 19 years of age and have a Bachelor's degree.
  • Intelligence specialists in the NZ Air Force must be at least 17 years and 8 months of age and have NCEA Level 2 with 12 credits in science.

Intelligence officers do basic training and specialist training at NZ Defence Force bases.

Specific entry requirements for New Zealand Police

Intelligence analysts in the NZ Police also need to:

  • have a tertiary qualification or equivalent life experience
  • pass problem-solving tests
  • provide a sample of analytical written work.

NZ Police prefer applicants to hold the New Zealand Diploma in Intelligence Analysis or equivalent. Applicants without this qualification can complete it on the job as a trainee intelligence officer.

Chances of getting a job

Job vacancies increasing for intelligence officers

Demand for intelligence officers is good and continuing to grow due to the need to protect cyber security and trade, and strengthen international relations.

According to the Census, 537 intelligence officers worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Demand best for intelligence officers with IT expertise

Demand for intelligence officers with expertise in information technology (IT) is continuing to grow due to advances in technology generating more cyber security threats.

Regular intakes in NZ Defence Force and NZ Police

The NZ Defence Force and NZ Police each hold one or more intakes a year for intelligence officers.

Applicants can register on the NZ Defence Force and NZ Police websites for these intakes.

Five key employers of intelligence officers

The five key employers of intelligence officers are:

  • New Zealand Defence Force 
  • New Zealand Police
  • Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB)
  • New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS)
  • Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Intelligence officers may also work for other government departments and private organisations, such as banks.

Find out more about training

Constabulary Recruitment
0800 639 2677 - www.newcops.co.nz
New Zealand Defence Force
0800 136 723 - www.defencecareers.mil.nz

Progression and specialisations

Intelligence officers may move into management roles or military officer ranks.

Intelligence officers may specialise in:

  • communications 
  • cryptanalysis (decoding)
  • cryptomathematics (decoding numbers)
  • liaison (building and managing relationships)
  • planning
  • vetting (approval of people for events, visits and employment)
  • screening (checking people or information)
  • surveillance (monitoring people, events or information).

NZ Defence Force specialisations

Intelligence officers in the NZ Defence Force can specialise in a number of roles, including:

Electronic Warfare Specialist
Electronic warfare specialists are responsible for any aircraft protection systems and equipment fitted to aircraft belonging to the NZ Air Force.
Geospatial Specialist
Geospatial specialists produce maps and charts to support the functions of the NZ Air Force.
Image Analyst
Image analysts use and analyse the output of video, radar, infrared and other imagery to support the functions of the NZ Air Force.
Intelligence Operator
Intelligence operators decode and analyse information and make predictions to support the functions of the NZ Army.

Working conditions

Intelligence officers:

  • usually work regular business hours, but may sometimes work long or irregular hours 
  • may train at Defence Force bases in New Zealand and overseas
  • may have to work in hazardous situations on deployment
  • may spend long periods away from home on overseas assignments.

Physical Requirements

Intelligence officers need to have good hearing and eyesight (with or without corrective lenses) and have normal colour vision.

Useful personal qualities

Intelligence officers need to be:

  • persuasive and analytical
  • mature, with good judgement and initiative
  • flexible and resilient
  • calm in stressful situations
  • careful and accurate, with an eye for detail
  • good at communicating with a wide range of people
  • good problem solvers
  • patient and discreet.

Industry

Public Order and Safety

Intelligence officers collect and analyse information on people, places and events that may be a threat to businesses or national and international security.

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