OSINT Specialist (Open-Source Intelligence Volunteer)

OSINT Specialist (Open-Source
Intelligence Volunteer)
Reports To: Designated Case Support Manager (under Executive Director of Operations &
Partnerships)
Commitment: Flexible/As-needed case consultation and research
Location: Remote
Status: Volunteer (Uncompensated)
Mission & Role Summary
The OSINT Specialist Volunteer provides specialized, deep-dive investigative support to
Compass IGG & Advocacy’s core mission. This role is activated when Investigative Genetic
Genealogy (IGG) and traditional research have exhausted their leads on a DNA match’s identity.
The OSINT Specialist uses advanced open-source intelligence methodologies to bridge
genealogical gaps and make critical identifications that are essential to generating a final
candidate for agency partners.
Key Areas of Responsibility
Critical Investigative Support
● Case Assignment Flow: Accept and execute assignments for targeted OSINT research
as designated by the Case Support Manager (CSM). Assignments will be routed through
the CSM upon request from Research Strategists who determine the need for a
specialized OSINT intervention to progress case research.
● Targeted Research: Execute targeted, deep-dive Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT)
research to verify, supplement, and make identifications for elusive DNA matches that
have reached a research roadblock
● Data Synthesis: Systematically collect, organize, analyze, and interpret publicly available
information (PAI) from diverse sources, including public records, specialized databases,
and digital footprints, to uncover actionable intelligence.
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● Collaborate with IGG: Work directly with IGG Research Teams, providing clear, concise,
and actionable intelligence reports that assist the team in locating living individuals or
confirming identities of recent ancestors.
● Digital Footprint Analysis: Apply advanced techniques (e.g., reverse searching and
Boolean searching) to translate raw public data into verifiable facts for the genealogical
narrative.
Ethical & Security Compliance
● Secure Practice: Conduct all research using established security protocols (e.g., secure
virtual environments or “sock puppet” accounts) to protect the organization’s operational
security and maintain anonymity.
● Legal and Ethical Adherence: Strictly adhere to the organization’s Code of Ethics and all
legal standards regarding the collection and use of publicly available information,
focusing solely on data that directly supports the UHR case resolution.
Requirements & Vetting
● Technical Proficiency: Demonstrated experience and proficiency in applying advanced
OSINT techniques and tools for investigative purposes.
● Security Mandate: Must have access to a reliable, private internet connection and a
personal computer that is password protected and not shared with others.
● Vetting: The offer to serve as an OSINT Specialist Volunteer is strictly dependent upon
the candidate successfully passing a background check.
● Confidentiality: Must adhere to strict confidentiality agreements regarding sensitive
case information.
Qualifications & Desired Attributes
● Proven background or substantial practical experience in Open-Source Intelligence
(OSINT), skip-tracing, cyber-sleuthing, or investigative journalism.
● Highly developed analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, with a keen eye
for detail and pattern recognition.
● Strong commitment to ethical data collection and adherence to operational security
(OPSEC) best practices.
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● Excellent written communication skills for compiling complex information into clear,
documented intelligence reports.
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