As an Intelligence Officer, you will be employed to decipher and analyse a wide variety of information that will help inform the decision making process that underpins Modern Air Operations.  This will include a variety of techniques that include planning, analysing, evaluating and fusing information in the context of the operation or activity you are supporting.   Ultimately the result of an Intelligence Officers’ assessment helps to ensure the safety and security of our people and the operations we are conducting at home and overseas.
 

In the broader Intelligence Officer role you will be involved in functions such as the production of all-source intelligence product planning support activities associated with Air Operations creation, the review and amendment of intelligence policy, management of the intelligence specialisation and trade development of specialist intelligence capabilities.

You will also be involved in the management and development of intelligence personnel, development and support of Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Electronic Warfare capability, mission planning, managing projects and security and the management of intelligence processes and outputs.

All Intelligence Officer will be deployed on operations, supporting the aircrew team and holding responsibility for co-ordinating and delivering critical intelligence support to the operation.

This will include application of analytical thinking; analysis, preparation, co-ordination and implementation of intelligence functions associated with the conduct of Air Operations.
 

Your role will see you having a high degree of computer literacy; utilising a variety of computer based systems and applications.  This will include both web based applications as well as digital data libraries, applications and tools.  Technology and learning are staple aspects of your job with constant challenges only another mission away.

You will frequently work in a secure environment with a close knit, highly motivated team who are very mission focused.  As an Air Force we are always ready to respond, with Intelligence support being a 24 hour job, you may deploy at short notice and operate in various locations throughout the world.  The prospect of shift work can add flexibility to your personal pursuits, but remains a reality of the job.
 

Job on Base

You will be employed on an Operational Squadron preparing, co-ordinating and presenting intelligence briefs, conducting debriefs and providing advice to Squadron members and commanders.  This will involve liaising with various stakeholders and ensuring effective intelligence support is implemented to support the mission.

You will manage the development, co-ordination and delivery of intelligence products to your assigned Squadron and supporting the various air-related activities relevant to New Zealand’s interests. You will analyse intelligence received from various sources and interpret the significance of this data to Air Force operations.
 

Job on Deployment

All Intelligence Officers will have the opportunity to deploy with squadrons on exercises or operations. You will spend time in other countries and experience a diversity of cultures and conditions as you support the activities of the Squadron you are deployed with.  Your duties on deployment will draw on your training and have you working alongside aircrew and other intelligence staff. 

At times you may be called upon to deploy on some of these operations at short notice and to work shifts.   Such is the varied and dynamic nature of the role that no day is ever the same as an Intelligence Officer.  You may be supporting an Economic Zone Patrol around New Zealand one day, and deployed overseas the next working a multi national exercise involving aircraft, ships and land forces.
 

Professional Environment

Intelligence Officers operate across the strategic, operational and tactical environments.  At all rank levels you will interact with members of other squadrons, especially aircrew trades and specialisations, as well as with members of the Army, Navy and wider Government Agencies.   Your role may see you working alone or as part of a small team focused on the task at hand.
 

Career Progression

You will initially be employed at 230 (Mission Support) Squadron in Auckland, home of the RNZAF Intelligence Trade and responsible for mission support to RNZAF Air Operations.  You will be assigned to one of the flying squadrons for at least four to six years.  During that time you will complete deployments and operations both in New Zealand and overseas.  You may also complete six to twelve month exchanges with other New Zealand Defence Force and allied units.   As you develop experience you will complete at least one posting to Wellington, possibly more.  Options for overseas posts are also feasible along with ongoing opportunities for deployment.  

As an Intelligence Officer your career will increasingly involve time at Defence Headquarters, Wellington supporting the operational and strategic decision making.  You will also develop both your leadership and management skills that are critical  elements to becoming the Intelligence Section Commander; responsible for all Intelligence Officers at 230 SQN.  As you develop a wider range of expertise; knowledge and skill you could be selected to become Flight Commander Mission Support Flight (MSF) running the entire Intelligence team supporting RNZAF Air Operations.

Careers in Defence intelligence policy, training, management are also available along with employment in both the Operational and Strategic Headquarters’ staff.

• You must be 19 years or older on date of enlistment.
• Meet the citizenship & security requirements to gain TSV security clearance for this trade.
• You must pass a full Psychological Assessment.

A university degree with preference of Politics, International Relations, Defence and Strategic Studies, Information Systems/Technology or Remote Sensing.

No colour perception irregularities.

You must be medically fit for service.

There is a 30 month return of service obligation on completion of the RAAF Intelligence Officer Training Course.

You will initially be employed at 230 Squadron in Auckland, with employment at other bases throughout your career. During this time you will also have opportunities to be employed in various Defence Joint Service environments and potentially overseas.