Cooperative Education Program

COOPERATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM * Applications and resumes for the Cooperative Education Program are now being accepted online. Deadline to apply is 31 October 2023. Cooperative Education students gain valuable experience while playing a meaningful role in the development of our nation's secure communications or in the production of foreign intelligence. Programs are available for students majoring in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering or Cyber Security (technical track). Right from the start, you will be involved in real life projects and will have full use of NSA labs, equipment, and advanced technologies. These areas will offer you increasing challenges and satisfying learning experiences, since our mission demands that we work on the cutting edge of technology. Computer Science majors explore high-tech opportunities such as object-oriented methodology, multimedia, data warehousing/data mining, design/analysis development of software and systems, client/server development, networking, and Internet technology. Students in the Computer or Electrical Engineering fields will be involved in the design, development, testing, and evaluation of electronic communications systems. These multi-disciplinary assignments will reach to such rapidly advancing areas as optics, lasers, acoustics, and microprocessors. Cyber professionals in the Intelligence Community work as part of a team on the front lines of defense against our cyber adversaries. The Intelligence Community needs cyber professionals with technical expertise and a driving desire to remain at the forefront of their field. As a participant in NSA's Co-op Program, you will earn a competitive salary and enjoy many benefits. You will operate under a rotational program, alternating semesters of full-time work at NSAW (Baltimore/Washington area) with full-time study from entry into the program until graduation. New Co-Ops will begin work in either January or August only. We require a minimum of 52 weeks of Co-op work experience prior to graduation. During your tour, you will work a regular 40-hour week. Each work tour is designed to reveal the specific areas you may want to focus on as a career. Qualifications include a major in Computer Science or Computer Engineering or Electrical Engineering or Cyber Security (technical track) in a four-year program. Community college students majoring in one of the above listed majors with the intent to pursue a four-year program are also eligible to apply. A 3.0 GPA is preferred. For Engineering, the college or university must be ABET accredited. ***PLEASE NOTE: As this program requires students to rotate between semesters of work and study, applicants are encouraged to discuss the possibility of participating in this type of program with their school (Academic Advisor, Co-Op Advisor, Registrar and/or Financial Aid Office, etc.) to determine the effect it may have on their full time student status during scheduled work tours as well as any effects it may have on scholarships and financial aid.

Job Summary

Cooperative Education students gain valuable experience while playing a meaningful role in the development of our nation's secure communications or in the production of foreign intelligence. Programs are available for students majoring in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering or Cyber Security (technical track). Right from the start, you will be involved in real life projects and will have full use of NSA labs, equipment, and advanced technologies. These areas will offer you increasing challenges and satisfying learning experiences, since our mission demands that we work on the cutting edge of technology.

Qualifications

Only applicants that meet the following qualifications will be considered: - You must be a U.S. citizen. - You must be eligible to be granted a security clearance. - You must be a second semester college freshman or a college sophomore. - Preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher. - You must be majoring in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Cyber Security (technical track). EARLY ACCEPTANCE INCENTIVE: Applications are accepted 1 September - 31 October, however, selections for this program are made on a rolling basis and applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as practical to allow sufficient time for review and security clearance processing.

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule

SALARY RANGE Salaries are determined by the percentage of credits completed toward a degree. Each 20% block of credits completed with at least a 3.0 GPA will allow you to be promoted to the next grade. Grades range from GGD-03/05 to GGD-07/01, which equates to $38,687- $53,105 annually. Due to the rotational nature of the Co-op program, students are paid proportionate to the number of weeks worked in a year and are authorized Leave without Pay during scheduled school rotations. The salaries aforementioned include a locality based comparability payment.

How to apply

To apply for this position, please click the 'Apply' button located at the top right of this posting. After completing the application for the first time, or reviewing previously entered information, and clicking the 'Submit' button, you will receive a confirmation email. Please ensure your spam filters are configured to accept emails from noreply@intelligencecareers.gov. Please note that you may be asked a series of questions depending on the position you apply for. Your responses will be used as part of the screening process of your application and will assist in determining your eligibility for the position. Be sure to elaborate on experiences in your resume. Failure to provide the required information or providing inaccurate information will result in your application not being considered for this position. Only those applicants who meet the qualifications for the position will be contacted to begin employment processing. ***PLEASE NOTE: A resume must be built with your application in order to be eligible for employment with the Cooperative Education Program. Please include all college level education in your build-a-resume. To be considered, your application package is not considered complete until the following items have been emailed to coophiring@uwe.nsa.gov in addition to your online application. - Unofficial transcript - PDF copy of your current resume If your Registrar is capable of directly sending electronic transcripts, please have them sent directly to you and then email the transcripts to CoopHiring@uwe.nsa.gov as an attachment. Please do not send HTML transcripts accessible via a website or text versions thereof. EARLY ACCEPTANCE INCENTIVE: Applications are accepted 1 February - 31 March, however, selections for this program are made on a rolling basis and applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as practical to allow sufficient time for review and security clearance processing This position is a Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) position in the Excepted Service under 10 U.S.C. 1601. DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans' Preference to eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement. If you are a veteran claiming veterans' preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., you may be asked to submit documents verifying your eligibility. ***PLEASE NOTE: U.S. Citizenship is required for all applicants. Reasonable accommodations provided to applicants with disabilities during the application and hiring process where appropriate. NSA is an equal opportunity employer and abides by applicable employment laws and regulations. All applicants and employees are subject to random drug testing in accordance with Executive Order 12564. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a security background investigation and polygraph * Incomplete applications are not considered.

DCIPS Disclaimer

The National Security Agency (NSA) is part of the DoD Intelligence Community Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). All positions in the NSA are in the Excepted Services under 10 United States Codes (USC) 1601 appointment authority.