Cooperative Education Program

Description

* Applications and resumes for the Cooperative Education Program are now being accepted. Deadline to apply is December 15th.


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 and Electrical or Computer Engineering. 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.

Students in the Engineering field 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.

Computer Science majors explore the 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.

As a participant in NSA's Co-op Program, you will earn a competitive salary and enjoy full benefits, to include travel reimbursement, tuition assistance, and more. You will operate under a rotational program, alternating semesters of full-time work with full-time study from entry into the program until graduation. 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/Electrical Engineering in a four-year program with a preferred GPA of 3.0. For Engineering, the college or university must be ABET accredited. You can submit an application to the Co-op Program early in your sophomore year with work tours beginning after completion of your sophomore year.

Requirements 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 sophomore.
 
     - Preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher.
 
     - You must be majoring in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer
       Science. 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 $30,018- $41,210 annually. The salaries aforementioned include a locality based comparability payment.

Full-time salaries for those who return after 52 weeks of work experience at the Agency range from approximately $66,943 - $69,673 for Electrical/Computer Engineers and $62,909 - $65,639 for Computer Scientists.

How To Apply - External To submit a resume, click any "Apply Online" link.  Under "Basic Job Search," in the Keywords field, please type "Cooperative Education Program" and click on "Search."  Select Cooperative Education Program and click "Apply Now." Follow directions as prompted.

A resume must be attached to your application in order to be eligible for employment with the Cooperative Education Program. 

Unofficial transcripts will be accepted for application purposes to verify GPA.  Official transcripts will be required prior to an official employment offer.  Submit your official transcripts to:

National Security Agency
Office of Recruitment and Staffing
9800 Savage Road, Suite 6779
Ft. George Meade, MD 20755-6779
Attn: Cooperative Education Program, MB3


***NOTE: To submit your unofficial transcript, use the My Career Tools link on the Careers Home page after you have submitted your application.

All positions in the National Security Agency are in the excepted service. In October 2009, NSA will transition to a pay-for-performance system utilizing a pay-band compensation structure under the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS).

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.