High School Work Study Program

National Security Agency; United States; On-site; USD 18,000 - 23,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid leave

Permanent employment potential

Job summary

The National Security Agency's High School Work Study (HSWS) Program offers a paid part‑time internship for high school juniors enrolled in Technical Computer or Chinese Language courses. Work up to 20 hours per week with a security clearance, paid leave, and potential for permanent employment after completion.

Positions are located in Utah (Hill AFB, Draper, UDC) with a 4-hour daily schedule, Monday–Friday.

Qualifications

• Must be 16 years of age by 31 December 2026.
• Must be eligible to be granted a Security Clearance.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Unweighted GPA of 2.5 or higher is preferred.
• Must be a High School Junior.
• Must have reliable transportation.
• For the Chinese language role, complete or be enrolled in two Chinese language courses prior to junior year (preferred).
• Chinese — advanced courses: use language skills daily.
• Computer Aide — two technical computer courses by end of junior year.

Responsibilities

• Operate data processing equipment, often the most sophisticated gear.
• Part‑time internship during senior year (4 hours/day, 20 hours/week).
• Eligible for permanent employment upon successful completion.

Skills

Security Clearance eligibility

US Citizenship

GPA 2.5+

High School Junior

Reli able transportation

Language coursework (Chinese)

Data processing tech

Job description

High School Work Study Program - Utah

Hill AFB, UT || Draper, Utah, UT || Utah Data Center (UDC), UT
Pay Plan: GG , Grade: 01/1 to 01/10
Open: 2026-09-01, Close: 2026-09-30

Job Posting: 1261900

Responsibilities

HIGH SCHOOL WORK STUDY PROGRAMThe National Security Agency's (NSA) High School Work Study (HSWS) Program application is open only to high school juniors who are enrolled in Technical Computer or Chinese Language courses, and who plan to participate in a school-sponsored Work Experience Program during their senior year.

Job Summary

The High School Work Study (HSWS) Program is currently a highly competitive program designed for high school students who plan to participate in a paid part‑time internship during their senior year. Students have the opportunity to gain work experience in computer and Chinese language. The program provides hands‑on work experience from September‑August for 4 hours per day/20 hours per week Monday‑Friday with a security clearance, part‑time salary, paid leave, and the opportunity for permanent employment upon successful completion of the program.

Qualifications

• Must be 16 years of age by 31 December 2026
• Must be eligible to be granted a Security Clearance
• Must be a U.S Citizen
• Unweighted GPA of 2.5 or higher is preferred
• Must be a High School Junior
• Must have reliable transportation
• For the Chinese language role, must complete or be enrolled in a minimum of two Chinese language courses prior to the completion of the junior year (preferred Language courses are Intermediate Chinese or above).
• Chinese — Students who are currently enrolled in advanced Chinese courses (Chinese 5 or higher) will be required to use their Chinese language skills to perform daily duties. Students need to be excelling in their Chinese reading, writing and listening skills.
• Computer Aide — Operate our data processing equipment, often the most sophisticated equipment on the market. These positions are geared towards those students who are in STEM‑focused courses or have completed a minimum of two technical computer courses (such as Computer Science, Visual Basic, Java, Web Page Design, Intro to Engineering and Programming C++, etc.) by the end of their junior year of high school. This will be verified on the transcript at the end of the junior year.

Students will be on a Grade and Step Scale. All work studies are a Grade 01 Step 01. High School Work Study students are on a part‑time schedule and make approximately $15.00 per hour in Utah. Students will earn Annual Leave and Sick Leave at a rate of one hour of Annual Leave and one hour of Sick Leave for every twenty hours worked. Students are to work a Monday – Friday work schedule. The maximum number of hours a student may work per week is 32 hours.

Additional Employment Information

U.S. Citizenship is required for all applicants. 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. NSA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities during the application and hiring process.

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' PreferenceIn 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.