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).
Program Details:
-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.
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.
How To Apply - External:
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: To be considered for our Co-op positions, you must submit a COMPLETE application package by 31 October. Your application package must include:
1. Unofficial transcript with a traditional grading scale (GPA)
2. 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.
DEADLINE: Applications are accepted 1 September - 31 October. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to allow sufficient time for review and security clearance processing.
U.S. Citizenship is required for all applicants. 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. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to applicants with disabilities during the application and hiring process where appropriate.
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, \
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).
Program Details:
-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.
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.
How To Apply - External:
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: To be considered for our Co-op positions, you must submit a COMPLETE application package by 31 October. Your application package must include:
1. Unofficial transcript with a traditional grading scale (GPA)
2. 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.
DEADLINE: Applications are accepted 1 September - 31 October. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to allow sufficient time for review and security clearance processing.
U.S. Citizenship is required for all applicants. 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. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to applicants with disabilities during the application and hiring process where appropriate.
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, \
About U. S. National Security Agency
NSA is at the forefront of U.S. government cryptology, integrating signals intelligence (SIGINT)
and cybersecurity to enhance national and allied advantages. Our mission encompasses
computer network operations aimed at securing critical insights and services, ensuring decisive
advantages for the nation and our allies.
NSA's cybersecurity initiatives are pivotal in safeguarding U.S. national security systems,
particularly within the Defense Industrial Base and enhancing the security of U.S. weaponry. We are committed to advancing cybersecurity through education, research, and career development.
Through foreign signals intelligence (SIGINT), NSA delivers crucial intelligence to U.S.
policymakers and military forces. This intelligence, derived from electronic signals and systems
used by foreign entities, provides essential insights into the capabilities, actions, and intentions
of adversaries worldwide. It supports our efforts to defend the nation, save lives, and advance
U.S. objectives and alliances globally.