“Attention CIOs: Looking for an opportunity to serve your country in a post-9/11 world? For the incredible challenge of defining IT infrastructure that will support FBI investigations into terrorism, espionage and international crimes?”This is the ad the FBI ran in The Wall Street Journal. The $4 billion agency at the forefront of homeland defense is seeking a successor for Bob Dies, a career IBM executive who took the bureau’s top IT job in July 2000. Applications closed in April. It could take until later this summer to fill the post, the FBI says.The description posted on www.fbijobs.com makes it sound like Superman’s cape would be a good thing to bring to the interview. To qualify, the website suggests that you be a proven leader with financial management know-how. You should possess the political savvy to build coalitions. You must manage a $109 million IT upgrade and a $59 million IT security and information assurance project.And you’ll do all that for a salary between $125,972 and $138,200 a year. If that sounds low, that’s simply what public servants make at that level, according to the Federal Office of Personnel Management. CIOs at comparably sized companies such as MGM Mirage, the casino owner, and Hormel Foods, maker of Spam lunch meat, earn more than twice as much on average ($281,768), according to a recent CIO survey.The kind of top-flight talent sought by the FBI would earn five or six times the government salary in a private sector job, says Robert McHale, managing director at Korn/Ferry International. McHale, who helped the FBI’s recruiting effort, says low pay didn’t stop applicants. “Here’s an opportunity for them to give something back and to create their own legacy. So compensation has not been a major issue,” McHale says.And, of course, they might get a badge. Related content BrandPost What’s next for network operations Broadcom: 2023 Tech Trends That Transform IT By Serge Lucio, Vice President and General Manager, Agile Operations Division Mar 20, 2023 8 mins IT Leadership Networking BrandPost Digital transformation obstacles: Stubborn challenges, what to do about them Value Stream Management is an increasingly essential approach to strategic transformation initiatives. To help teams more fully capitalize on the opportunities it presents, Broadcom is holding its third annual VSM Summit. By Marla Schimke, Head of Product and Growth Marketing, Broadcom's Enterprise Software Division Mar 20, 2023 3 mins Devops Software Development Feature CEO directives: Top 5 initiatives for IT leaders As organizations change course with economic gyrations, collaboration between IT and business becomes priority No. 1 for CEOs. By Stacy Collett Mar 20, 2023 7 mins IT Leadership Feature Topgolf Callaway tees up digital transformation for global expansion As Topgolf Callaway Brands transitions from focusing on manufacturing golf equipment to integrating its apparel and technology acquisitions, digital transformation is helping drive its future. By Thor Olavsrud Mar 20, 2023 6 mins Digital Transformation Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe