HIGH SCHOOL WORK STUDY PROGRAM The National Security Agency's (NSA) High School Work Study (HSWS) Program application is open only to high school juniors who plan to participate in a school-sponsored Work Experience Program during their senior year. **Program is subject to change** APPLICATION INFORMATION: To apply, students must check with their High School Work Experience Coordinator to determine the school's application process as well as specific course requirements for their school.
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. The program provides hands-on work experience from August 2027 to July 2028 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.
- 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 - Must complete or be enrolled in a higher level Computer Science course prior to the completion of the junior year. - Students interested in the HSWS Program at the NSA Alaska (NSAA) must reside within commuting distance of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Anchorage, Alaska. Available Positions within the HSWS Program (Anchorage, AK Only): Morse Code - Students who are currently enrolled in Computer Science courses. They will use their technical knowledge to perform daily duties to include operations from the Signals Analysis discipline with a primary focus on international Morse code communications and using a wide range of systems and equipment to execute operations. Russian - Students who are currently enrolled in advanced Russian courses (Russian 4 or higher). They will be required to use their Russian language skills to perform daily duties. Students need to be excelling in both their Russian reading, writing and listening skills. In addition, students should be recommended by the school's lead Russian language instructors. Intelligence Analysis (IA) Aide - This work role uses your writing and critical thinking skills to transform foreign intelligence and cybersecurity information into critical reports that will be used to understand high priority intelligence issues. Must be enrolled in at least one advanced English course and at least one advanced humanities course (Government, History, etc.), and completed at least two business or technical computer courses. Support Specialist - Provide administrative and technical support across various areas such as policies, facilities, and systems. Engage with stakeholders using information management and customer service principles. Complete tasks and develop deliverables leveraging your skills. Suitable for STEM students or those who have completed specific computer courses by the end of their junior year in high school. This includes either two technical courses (like Computer Science or Java) for STEM students, or one business/non-technical course (like Microsoft Applications or Software Applications) for non-STEM students.
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 Alaska. 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. All students must work a minimum of 4 hours each day, 5 days a week, Monday through Friday. Report times are between the hours of 10:30 am and 12:30 pm with core work hours from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm. The maximum number of hours a student may work per week is 32 hours.
Online applications must be submitted by 30 September 2026. Applications received after the deadline, as well as incomplete packets, will not be considered. Students must also submit the following material via email to [email protected] by 30 September 2026: (1) One Student Evaluation form (please request form from [email protected] or contact your guidance counselor) (2) Official transcript from High School, which MUST include their junior year work in progress courses for both first and second semester. (3) Resume- Must include the relevant courses completed or in progress as well as the position (Morse Code) to which you are applying. You may call NSA-A HSWS point of contact for specific questions regarding the program: NSA Alaska Chief of Staff: 907-552-3812 or email [email protected] 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 [email protected]. Apply soonest, as job postings can close earlier than stated end dates due to changes in requirements. It is important to review and note the minimum qualifications, as only those applicants who meet the required qualifications will be contacted to continue the employment process. Please populate the resume tool to showcase any relevant work experience and education related to the position and answer any applicable screening questions. Information collected will be used to determine eligibility, and failure to provide accurate information may result in disqualification for this position. A confirmation email will be sent after submission of the first application and also after any future updates to submitted applications. **Due to time sensitive communications regarding applications, please ensure your spam filters are configured to accept email from [email protected]. For job vacancies that include stated testing requirements, also include the following: @uwe.nsa.gov, @nsa.gov, and @pearson.com** 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. The following four narrative questions provide an opportunity for you to highlight your dedication to public service for the hiring manager and agency leadership (or designee(s)). While your responses are not required and will not be scored, we encourage you to thoughtfully address each question. Please provide a response of 200 words or less to each question. You will be asked to certify that you are using your own words and did not use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) such as a large language model (LLM) like ChatGPT or Copilot. (Please attach in application) 1. How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? Provide a concrete example from professional, academic, or personal experience. 2. In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? Provide specific examples where you improved processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes. 3. How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? Identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that are significant to you, and explain how you would help implement them if hired. 4. How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Provide one or two specific examples, and explain how those qualities would enable you to serve effectively in this position.
**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.
