Role

As a GEOINT Scientist with DIGO you will:

• develop algorithms, tools and customised methodologies and products to address a variety of geospatial intelligence problems
• develop subject matter expertise in geomatics, scripting, radar, lidar, spectral, infrared and other specialised imagery collection systems
• develop, analyse, evaluate and apply new and evolving remote sensing technologies – and advise management on their suitability and applicability
• provide technical guidance, oversight and subject matter expertise to GEOINT Analysts through technical analysis and documentation, mentoring and training.

You will work closely with various elements of the analytical and remote sensing community to utilise expertise and keep abreast of cutting-edge technologies. This includes interaction with the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) and other elements of the Defence and intelligence communities, as well as national research organisations, academia and industry.

Requirements

Skills

To become a GEOINT Scientist with DIGO you will be required to have:

• high-level technical or applied scientific research skills
• experience in a range of ‘hard’ science or mathematics disciplines
• creative drive and a passion for innovation.

Education

GEOINT Scientists are generally drawn from the following disciplines and backgrounds, however, the following list is not exhaustive:

• Graduate or Postgraduate qualifications in Science, including Computer Science, Engineering or Mathematical Science:
  • Actuarial Studies
  • Chemistry
  • Environmental Science
  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
  • Geology
  • Geomatics
  • Information Science
  • Physics
  • Programming
  • Remote Sensing
  • Statistics

Training

When you join DIGO as a graduate you will be required to undertake the DIGO Intelligence Development Program (DIDP). The DIDP runs for approximately 12 months and includes an initial period of comprehensive training, followed by two workplace rotations.

The initial period of comprehensive training is focused on imagery and geospatial intelligence skills development. You will undertake a wide variety of training during the program, including courses to enhance analytical, technical and communication skills. The most crucial is the 16-week DIGO Intelligence Analysis Course.

Following your initial training, you will then undertake two three-month workplace rotations. As a GEOINT Scientist, one of your rotations will be with DIGO’s Directorate of Advanced Capabilities, and the other will be with an analytical directorate. During the rotations, you will contribute to the Australian national security effort, examining issues of global and regional importance, while enhancing your scientific skills. Each rotation is carefully managed to offer GEOINT Scientists a solid underpinning knowledge of geospatial intelligence analysis coupled with specific advanced capabilities experience within DIGO – consolidating skills, knowledge and liaison networks.

At the completion of the DIDP you may be offered the choice to work within a section of DIGO’s Directorate of Advanced Capability or to take up a position within an analytical team. Throughout your career with DIGO, your technical skills and subject matter expertise will be further refined through ongoing learning and development opportunities.

Testimonials

“I was part of the 2011 DIGO Intelligence Development Program (DIDP) after studying combined Bachelor of Science and Arts degrees. I have enjoyed my previous experience working in the Defence environment and after considering a few of the different graduate programs offered, I chose DIGO. The rotations through different teams taught me many new skills and gave me a better understanding of what each section of DIGO does. These rotations also helped me find a permanent team at the end of the program that best fitted my skills and interests. I now work in a small specialist team of GEOINT Scientists. We support our Intelligence Analyst colleagues by providing advice and technical expertise on a range of advanced imagery products, sensors and geospatial services. The DIDP program taught me geospatial and imagery intelligence analysis skill that I use in combination with my scientific background to support analysts with their intelligence questions. Each day I am presented with new questions and challenges that make my work both interesting and rewarding.” – Georgina

“I joined the 2010 DIGO Intelligence Development Program (DIDP) after completing a Bachelor of Science degree. I saw the DIDP as a chance to utilise and build on my skills gained through my degree, while being part of a dynamic and flexible work environment. The 12-month training program provided me with a range of geospatial and imagery analysis skills as well as a sound knowledge of the Australian Intelligence Community and wider Defence. The training environment was very enjoyable and I found the professional development training packages to be particularly useful. Following the completion of the DIDP, I joined the Geomatics and Spatial Systems Team within the Directorate of Advanced Capabilities, and I currently work as a GEOINT Scientist. Our mission is to provide advanced analytical techniques to operational communities within DIGO and wider Defence. Every day I use the skills gained through the DIDP, as well as my own scientific background, to support analysts with their intelligence questions. I feel that the work I do here in DIGO directly contributes to the Australian Intelligence Community as well as the Australian Defence Forces, which for me is very rewarding.” – Jordan