Cooperative Education Program - Hawaii

National Security Agency; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

COLA benefit (8.64% Hawaii)

Job summary

National Security Agency’s Cooperative Education (Co-op) Program on Oahu, HI offers students exciting, impactful, professional work opportunities (with pay and benefits!) to grow their knowledge of the Intelligence Community and federal government while advancing NSA's missions: foreign signals intelligence and cybersecurity for critical infrastructure.

Open to students majoring in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Cyber Security (technical track) or Chinese

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Must be pursuing one of the following majors: Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Cyber Security (technical track) or Chinese Language focused major.
• Must be a second semester college freshman or a college sophomore.
• Preferred cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher for all college work completed.
• Must be eligible to be granted a TS/SCI security clearance after successfully completing a background investigation, a Full-scope Polygraph and a Psychological Evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Work on real life projects using NSA labs, equipment, and advanced technologies.
• Rotational program between work tours and academic study; discuss schedule with school to maintain full-time status.
• Gain understanding of NSA missions: foreign signals intelligence and cybersecurity guidance.

Education

Computer Science

Computer Engineering

Electrical Engineering

Cyber Security (technical track)

Chinese Language focused major

Job description

Responsibilities

NSA's Cooperative Education (Co-op) Program at Oahu, HI offers students exciting, impactful and professional work opportunities (with pay and benefits!) to grow their knowledge of the Intelligence Community and federal government while advancing NSA's two primary missions: 1) Collecting, analyzing, and producing foreign signals intelligence; and 2) Providing cybersecurity solutions and guidance to protect critical national infrastructure. This Co-op opportunity is open to students who are majoring in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Cyber Security (technical track) or pursuing a Chinese language focused major. 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. The full listing of each Co-op description and details can be found by visiting: Intelligencecareers.gov/nsa/students-and-internships. (If unable to open this link, please copy and paste into your browser).

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Must be pursuing one of the following majors: Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Cyber Security (technical track) or Chinese Language focused major
• Must be a second semester college freshman or a college sophomore
• Preferred cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher for all college work completed
• Must be eligible to be granted a TS/SCI security clearance after successfully completing a background investigation, a Full-scope Polygraph and a Psychological Evaluation

***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.

Travel and transportation to/from work is not provided.

Job Summary

NSA's Cooperative Education (Co-op) Program offers students exciting, impactful professional work opportunities (with pay and benefits!) to grow their knowledge of the Intelligence Community and federal government while advancing NSA's two primary missions: 1) Collecting, analyzing, and producing foreign signals intelligence; and 2) Providing cybersecurity solutions and guidance to protect critical national infrastructure.

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Must be pursuing one of the following majors: Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Cyber Security (technical track) or Chinese Language focused major
• Must be a second semester college sophomore or a college sophomore
• Preferred cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher for all college work completed
• Must be eligible to be granted a TS/SCI security clearance after successfully completing a background investigation, a Full-scope Polygraph and a Psychological Evaluation

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule

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 can be found at OPM.gov) 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. Students will receive annual leave, sick leave and paid federal holidays.

SPECIAL INCENTIVES/BENEFITS: Hawaii enjoys several tangible and intangible quality of life benefits. All assignees currently receive a Cost of Living Allowance (COLA), taxed by the State of Hawaii and exempt from Federal taxation. For calendar year 2026 this percentage is 8.64% and is subject to change an annual basis.

DCIPS Disclaimer

• VETERANS AND TRANSITIONING SERVICE MEMBERS** Thank you for your service! The National Security Agency (NSA) is part of the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). All positions at NSA are in the Excepted Service under Title 10, United States Codes (U.S.C.), Section 1601 appointment authority. Veterans' Preference In accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, "DoD Civilian Personnel Management System: Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System Employment and Placement," NSA applies veterans' preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5, U.S.C., to eligible candidates. If you are claiming veterans' preference, you are required to provide acceptable documentation of your preference eligibility upon application. Acceptable documentation includes: - DD-214: "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions (Copy 4); OR - Certification of Service: A written document on letterhead from the appropriate branch of the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is signed. The certification should include the military service dates, including the expected discharge or release date; AND - Standard Form 15 (SF-15) Application for 10-point Veteran Preference (http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf15.pdf). If you are claiming a service-connected disability of 30 percent or more, the documentation you provide must specifically demonstrate this level of disability; AND - VA Letter of Disability (for 10pt and Sole Survivorship rating) You may obtain a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs reflecting your level of disability for preference eligibility by visiting a VA Regional Office, contacting a VA call center, or online (https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/). **Failure to provide sufficient documentation of veterans' preference eligibility may preclude NSA from identifying you as a preference eligible candidate during the hiring selection process.