Summer 2027 College Internship - Source Career Field

National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA); Denver (CO); On-site; USD 29,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) invites college interns to support the GEOINT enterprise through problem solving, data collection, and briefing preparation. Applicants must be enrolled in a degree program and meet GPA and age requirements.

Interns will be placed in one-year appointments, work alongside diverse teams, and gain exposure to mission-focused GEOINT tasks in multiple focus areas, including cartography, geography, and data analysis.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years old at time of application.
• Must be currently enrolled at least part-time in an accredited degree program with graduation date October 2027 or later.
• A GPA of 3.0 or higher shown on the most recent transcript.
• Experience presenting clear verbal updates in one-on-one or group settings.
• Experience identifying and gathering data to resolve routine problems.
• Experience explaining fundamental AI concepts and technologies used for routine tasks.

Responsibilities

• Assist with problem identification, analysis and resolution within the assigned GEOINT area.
• Prepare and present briefings directly related to work assigned.
• Collaborate with a diverse set of customers and providers to acquire GEOINT content and information.
• Support the center of the GEOINT enterprise by contributing to critical functions and data delivery during the internship.

Skills

Verbal updates

Data gathering

Explain AI concepts

Education

Enrollment in degree program

Job description

Cover Letter

Applicants are not required to submit a cover letter for employment consideration with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. However, a cover letter is recommended. Applicants will have the option to attach a cover letter in the Qualifications - Attachments step of the online application.

Pay Band, Salary Range - Ext

2026 DC Salary Chart (Step 10 Max):

Band 1 $30,249 - $75,059

Band 2 $57,736 - $101,097

2026 St. Louis Salary Chart (Step 10 Max):

Band 1 $27,108 - $67,264

Band 2 $51,740 - $90,597

2026 Denver Salary Chart (Step 10 Max):

Band 1 $29,477 - $73,142

Band 2 $56,262 - $98,515

Permanent Change in Station

PERMANENT CHANGE IN STATION: PCS expenses are not authorized.

NGA Marketing Message

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) is the world leader in Geospatial Intelligence. We analyze imagery and data from many sources and incorporate it into visual displays of essential information for use in national defense, homeland security and safety of navigation. The extraordinary talents and skills of our teams of analysts and other professionals are vital to our success as the worldwide provider of GEOINT.

Know the World, Show the Way...from Seabed to Space!

Assignment Description

ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION: College Interns perform a variety of functions and tasks in support of the organization to which they are assigned. Work assignments will involve problem identification, analysis, and resolution. Specific duties may include the preparation and presentation of briefings directly related to work assigned. They must be in attendance at and enrolled in a graduate, baccalaureate, or associate degree program. Students are placed on one-year temporary appointments, which can be extended in one-year increments until the student graduates. Their appointment terminates upon graduation or when the student no longer attends school, even if the expiration date on the current appointment has not been reached.

Additional Information

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The Source Career Field would be a good fit for you if you're majoring in Geography, Cartography, Earth Science, International Studies, Anthropology, or Linguistics. As an intern in the Source career field, you will be at the center of the GEOINT enterprise, collaborating with a diverse set of customers and providers to acquire the content, data, and information needed to address the nation’s most pressing intelligence challenges.

While your specific placement will be determined by mission needs, this internship will provide you with exposure to the critical functions that enable the agency to deliver timely and relevant GEOINT.

Potential areas of focus include:

• Collection Strategy & Operations: Develops comprehensive multi-INT strategies, manages tasking requirements, and ensures the seamless delivery of critical GEOINT data. (Includes roles like Source Strategies Analyst, OPIR Operations Analyst, and Foundation Collection Analyst).
• Navigation & Safety Analysis: Analyzes worldwide aeronautical, maritime, and bathymetric data to support the safety of global navigation and intelligence requirements. (Includes roles like Aeronautical Analyst, Maritime Analyst, and Bathymetrist).
• Geodetic & Earth Sciences: Analyzes the Earth's physical properties, gravity, magnetic fields, and satellite orbits, and conducts geophysical surveys to support advanced DoD applications. (Includes Geodetic Earth Scientists, Geodetic Orbit Scientists, and Geodetic Surveyors).
• Human Geography & Open Source Research: Applies expertise in socio-cultural dynamics, foreign languages, and open-source intelligence to understand regional issues and support national security goals. (Includes Human Geographers, Human Geography Linguists, Open Source Research Analysts, and Librarians).
• Cartography & Photogrammetry: Performs advanced image assessment and ensures the quality, accuracy, and currency of mapping and cartographic information produced for partners worldwide. (Includes Cartographers and Photogrammetrists).

Transcript Upload Instructions: All applicants must upload proof of current enrollment as part of their application. This includes your most recent unofficial transcript showing the date, university information, and GPA. Freshmen may upload a letter of enrollment from the university in place of a transcript. Failure to upload this documentation will result in disqualification from consideration. Accepted applicants must also submit an official transcript to Student Programs once the relevant semester (e.g., Spring 2027) is complete.

For more information on NGA occupations and mission sets, check out our Student Brochure at: https://www.nga.mil/assets/files/Student_Brochure.pdf

Qualifications Mandatory

MANDATORY QUALIFICATION CRITERIA: For this particular job, applicants must meet all competencies reflected under the Mandatory Qualification Criteria to include education (if required). Online resumes must demonstrate qualification by providing specific examples and associated results, in response to the announcement’s mandatory criteria specified in this vacancy announcement:

1. At least 18 years of age at time of application
2. Must be currently enrolled at least part-time in an accredited two-year or four-year college or university degree program (associate's, bachelor's, graduate, or post-graduate) with a graduation date of October 2027 or later. Applicants scheduled to graduate prior to October 2027 are ineligible unless accepted and enrolled in a subsequent degree program. Applicants are required to show proof of enrollment by uploading their current unofficial transcript that includes the date, university information, and GPA. Freshmen may provide a letter of enrollment from the university in place of a transcript
3. A GPA of 3.0 or higher, shown on the most recent transcript that is uploaded to this application. Freshmen are required to achieve a fall semester GPA of 3.0 or higher, verified by submitting an updated transcript or letter in the spring. All applicants, especially freshmen, who do not meet the 3.0 GPA requirement in the fall semester will have their offers rescinded
4. Experience presenting clear verbal updates or explanations of routine information in one-on-one or group settings
5. Experience identifying and gathering the data necessary to resolve routine problems
6. Experience explaining fundamental AI concepts and/or technologies used for routine tasks

EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: Incumbent must be enrolled in an associate degree program, baccalaureate, or graduate program.

Special Info External

As a condition of employment at NGA, persons being considered for employment must meet NGA fitness for employment standards.

• U.S. Citizenship
• Security Clearance - Top Secret /Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI)
• Polygraph & Drug Test
• Direct Deposit
• Trial Period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. We may consider: performance conduct; needs and interests of the agency; and whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government and the efficiency of the Federal service

Applicant Evaluation Process

APPLICANT EVALUATION PROCESS:

1. All applicants will be evaluated using the Mandatory Qualification Criteria,
2. Qualified applicants will then be evaluated by an expert or panel of experts using a combination of qualification criteria to determine the best-qualified candidates,
3. Best-qualified applicants may then be further evaluated through an interview process.

Military retiree applicants, if selected, may be impacted by the 180-day appointment restrictions of DODI 1402.01. HD personnel will provide additional information if applicable.

Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the Assignment Description, Additional Information Provided By the Selecting Official, and the Qualification Requirements; and then construct their resumes to highlight their most relevant and significant experience and education for this job opportunity. This description should include examples that detail the level and complexity of the performed work. Applicants are encouraged to provide any education or degree information referenced in the announcement that is relevant. If education is listed as a mandatory requirement, only degrees obtained from an institution accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by an accrediting organization recognized by the Secretary, US Department of Education will be accepted. You must use the NGA resume builder and limit your resume to 2 pages.

In accordance with section 9902(h) of title 5, United States Code, annuitants reemployed in the Department of Defense shall receive full annuity and salary upon appointment. They shall not be eligible for retirement contributions, participation in the Thrift Savings Plan, or a supplemental or re-determined annuity for the reemployment period. Discontinued service retirement annuitants (i.e., retired under section 8336(d)(1) or 8414(b)(1)(A) of title 5, United States Code) appointed to the Department of Defense may elect to be subject to retirement provisions of the new appointment as appropriate. (See DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 300). Reemployed annuitants must meet additional selection criteria as outlined in the DODI 1400.25, v300.

All candidates will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, disability, or sexual orientation.

NGA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Applications will only be accepted online. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify us at [e-mail]. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.

DCIPS Statement

NGA utilizes all processes and procedures of the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). Non-executive NGA employees are assigned to five distinct pay bands based on the type and scope of work performed. The employee's base salary is established within their assigned pay band based on their unique qualifications. A performance pay process is conducted each year to determine a potential base pay salary increase and/or bonus. An employee's annual performance evaluation is a key factor in the performance pay process.

This position is a DCIPS position in the Excepted Service under 10 U.S.C. 1601. DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans' Preference to preference 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 an external applicant claiming veterans' preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., you must self-identify your eligibility.

Benefits

Pay is only part of the compensation you will earn working for the Federal Government. We offer a broad array of benefits programs and family friendly flexibilities to meet the needs of you and your family.

For more information on the array of benefits programs, please visit https://www.nga.mil/careers/Benefits_&_Pay.html.

Special Requirements

You must be able to obtain and retain a Top Secret security clearance with access to SCI. In addition, you are subject to a Counterintelligence Polygraph examination in order to maintain access to Top Secret information. All employees are subject to a periodic examination on a random basis in order to determine continued eligibility. Refusal to take the examination may result in denial of access to Top Secret information, SAP, or unescorted access to SCIFs.

Employees with SCI access and who are under NGA cognizance are required to submit a Security Financial Disclosure Report, SF-714, on an annual basis in order to determine continued eligibility. Failure to comply may negatively impact continued access to Top Secret information, Information Systems, SAP, or unescorted access to SCIFs.