Mō te tūranga
About the role
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Specialisations
Intelligence, IT & Communications | Officers & Management
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Entry type
Officer entry
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Under training
$68,103
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Location
Auckland, Ohakea, and Wellington
RNZAF Intelligence is responsible for providing intelligence analysis and mission support to Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) and New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) commanders, capabilities, units, and missions.
Within the RNZAF, No. 230 (Mission Support) Squadron is responsible for providing integrated, timely, and accurate intelligence support to RNZAF Air Operations, and the force elements at Base Ohakea and Base Auckland. No. 230 Squadron is the home unit to RNZAF Intelligence Officers and Intelligence Specialists.
Intelligence Officers (INTELOs) are responsible for leading intelligence support to air operations, commanding and managing personnel, and leading teams of Intelligence Specialists.
Intelligence Officers’ core work is to support RNZAF operational force elements, where they need to be actively aware of the threats and opportunities during operations, to ensure safety and mission success. This role requires strong analytical, coordination, briefing and written communication skills to lead intelligence teams. Intelligence Officers need to be able to lead a diverse workforce and navigate complex problems with empathy, impartiality, and composure.
The NZDF’s commitment to international peace and security necessitates the deployment of aircraft and military personnel overseas. This can be in support of internationally led combat operations through to peacekeeping missions, and humanitarian aid and disaster relief activities. As an INTELO, you’ll play a vital role to support these operations either from New Zealand, or deployed overseas.
You will usually 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, and with intelligence support being a 24 hour job, you may deploy at short notice and operate in various locations throughout the world. This offers diverse, challenging and rewarding opportunities.
Requirements
Basics
- Must be 18 years old by the time you graduate from recruit course.
- Eligible to meet national security clearance criteria, as stipulated by the Government's Protective Security Requirements.
- Pass an Officer Selection Board.
Education
You must hold a Bachelor's Degree.
Scholarship Entry
The Air Force offer undergraduate scholarships for candidates who demonstrate the qualities required to become an Intelligence Officer.
The scholarships are:
- RNZAF Undergraduate Scheme: Study at an approved university institution of your choice while the Air Force covers your fees and a living allowance on a ‘year for a year’ return of service basis.
- Graduate Incentive Scheme: Study at the university of your choice, and on completion of your degree, you will be paid an increasing incentive over the next four years with the monetary value based on the number of full time study years successfully completed.
Fitness & Medical
Citizenship
There are strict citizenship and security requirements to gain the required TSV security clearance for this trade.
Find out if you’re eligible here.
Period of Service
Your training is some of the most thorough and advanced in the world. Once you have graduated as an Intelligence Officer, you’ll be contractually obliged to spend another two years in the Air Force.
We offer guidance on entry requirements in our eligibility section. Apply if you're uncertain, as we’ll work through the criteria with you to determine if you can proceed.
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Job on base
During a typical day, an Intelligence Officer would expect to lead a team of highly skilled Intelligence Specialists that provide intelligence and data support to enable force elements. This includes:
- Providing tactical pre-, during and post-flight intelligence.
- Leading intelligence teams that prepare, coordinate, and present intelligence products to a range of stakeholders on a day-to-day basis.
- Briefing RNZAF Base Executives on global trends, threats and implications for NZDF personnel and assets.
- Analysing and briefing the tactical threats to RNZAF assets and personnel in order to keep our operations and people safe.
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Job on deployment
Intelligence Officers will likely be deployed on exercises or operations supporting a platform, or as part of a wider air operations team. You could be called upon to spend time in other countries and experience a diversity of cultures and conditions as you support the activities of the unit you are deployed with. INTELOs are responsible for leading, co-ordinating and delivering critical intelligence support to these missions.
Your duties on deployment will draw on your training, and at times you may be called upon to deploy at short notice and to work long shifts. The role of an Intelligence Officer is varied and dynamic. You may be supporting a Search and Rescue Patrol from New Zealand one day, and the next deployed overseas working in a multi-national exercise involving aircraft, ships and land forces.
Career progression and training
01Basic Training
Basic Training
RNZAF Officer Commissioning Course (ROC)
Once selected to become a Commissioned Officer, all Intelligence Officers must complete the RNZAF Officer Commissioning Course (ROCC). During the 18 week course based at RNZAF Base Woodbourne, students will develop the knowledge and skills required to become a Commissioned Officer. For INTELOs, the skills learnt on ROCC are vital for future responsibilities, such as working with force elements and managing teams of Intelligence Specialists. Although these skills are not trade specific, they teach the necessary military and leadership skills required for all RNZAF Commissioned Officers.
02Job Training
Job Training
After completion of the ROCC, INTELOs will complete the 22 week Air Intelligence Officer Course at RNZAF Base Woodbourne. This initial employment training covers a wide range of skills including security, analytical techniques, support to tactical air operations and support to joint operations. This course culminates in an exercise focussed on supporting air operations in complex warfare environments. On completion of this course, INTELOs will typically be posted to No. 230 Squadron, and will apply their training by providing tactical intelligence support to an RNZAF operational force element, or working in the Air and Space Intelligence Fusion cell.
03Ongoing Training
Ongoing Training
There are continual learning opportunities throughout an INTELO’s career that include both professional and general military courses in New Zealand and overseas.
As an INTELO’s career progresses, they will be able to continue training in command, leadership, and management. These opportunities will occur on courses run by Ground Training at RNZAF Base Woodbourne, and by the Command and Staff College at Trentham Military Camp.
04Specialist Training
Specialist Training
All RNZAF Intelligence Officers must complete the Air Intelligence Officers Course to qualify.
Thereafter, Intelligence Officers have opportunities to improve tradecraft and continue learning which include both professional and military courses, exercises and operations, at home and abroad.
05Career Progression
Career Progression
Following training, Intelligence Officers post to No. 230 Squadron, at either RNZAF Base Ohakea or Auckland to complete tactical level skill consolidation. In tactical positions, INTELOs are responsible for a team that provides mission information, data, and intelligence to aircraft deploying internationally or domestically, and to other units in the RNZAF or wider NZDF. Some INTELOs may be posted to Wellington-based intelligence roles after training, and subsequently complete their tactical consolidation during the following posting. Junior INTELOs consolidate their knowledge and gain further experience under the guidance and mentoring of senior INTELOs before progressing on to operational level mission support.
Once an INTELO has sufficient experience, the opportunity to deploy on exercises and/or operations may occur. As INTELOs progress, they will expand their skillsets and post to operational level intelligence support and planning roles in Headquarters Joint Forces New Zealand (Wellington), or in strategic level intelligence roles in Headquarters New Zealand Defence Force (Wellington). RNZAF INTELOs can expect to post through a variety of positions across different NZDF locations throughout New Zealand, these postings occur roughly every two to three years.
Senior Intelligence Officers will see further opportunities available in RNZAF and NZDF Command positions, where their knowledge and experience supports operational and strategic intelligence planning, policy, and leadership. Senior Intelligence Officers will spend an increasing amount of their career at operational and strategic headquarters in Wellington, supporting operational and strategic decision making.
Benefits & allowances
Earn a competitive salary while training or learning your trade, along with additional allowances for time spent in the field, at sea, overseas, or deployed on operations.
In addition to salary and allowances, other benefits of joining the New Zealand Defence Force include:
- Access to your Service marae or tūrangawaewae
- Sponsored tertiary study programmes at all levels
- Free access to gyms and swimming pools on camp and bases
- Opportunities to travel
- Free and subsidised medical and dental care
- Subsidised food and accommodation on camps and bases
- Free and subsidised insurance cover
- Help to buy a home and save for retirement
Salary & benefits
Careers in the Air Force are well-rewarded, as well as being diverse and exciting. As you become more experienced and move up through the ranks, gaining additional skills and qualifications, you will see your salary rise accordingly.
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Under training
$68,103
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Future potential earnings
$140,000
Am I fit enough?
If you want to be part of the NZ Defence Force you need to be medically and physically fit for military duties worldwide.
Medical & Fitness
The application process
Your step-by-step guide on what to expect at various stages of the application process, specifically for military roles.
Application process
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