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 business, computer, engineering, manufacturing, construction, intelligence analysis aide, and Chinese or Farsi language. The program provides hands-on work experience from September-August for 4 hours per day/20 hours per week Monday-Friday.
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 business, computer, engineering, manufacturing, construction, intelligence analysis aide, and Chinese or Farsi language. The program provides hands-on work experience from September-August for 4 hours per day/20 hours per week Monday-Friday.
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.
All applicants and employees are subject to random drug testing in accordance with Executive Order 12564.
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
- Must complete at least two course in desired field of study prior to the completion of the junior year.
- Students interested in the HSWS Program must reside within commuting distance of the location.
**ATTENTION**: Applicants are not guaranteed to be placed in the position/area they select. The HSWS Program Manager will review the application materials (to include resume and transcript) and will make the final determination as to which position best utilizes the applicant's skills.
Education
For AK:
- Must complete or be enrolled in a higher level Computer Science course prior to the completion of the junior year.
For TX and CO:
- Must complete at least two Business or Technical Computer course prior to the completion of the junior year (preferred Business courses are Microsoft Applications, Keyboarding, Software Applications, Advanced Applications and Computer Skills for Academic Success/preferred Technical Computer courses are Computer Science, Visual Basic, Java, Web Page Design, Intro to Engineering and Programming C++. Applicants who have not completed one of these courses will not be considered for a position in the program.
For UT:
- 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).
For GA:
- Complete at least two of the following course work; business course, technical computer course, computer technology, engineering, manufacturing, construction, Chinese language, or humanities prior to the completion of the junior year. Courses preferred are Microsoft Applications, Keyboarding, Software Applications, Advanced Applications, Advance English, Advance Humanities, Language courses, Computer Skills for Academic Success/preferred Technical Computer courses are Computer Science, Visual Basic, Java, Web Page Design, Intro to Engineering and Programming C++). Applicants who have not completed one of these courses will not be considered for a position in the program.
For HI:
- Must complete a minimum of one Business course, one Technical Computer course, two Chinese language courses, or one AP English Course and AP Humanities Course prior to the completion of the junior year (preferred Business courses are Microsoft Applications, Keyboarding, Software Applications, Advanced Applications and Computer Skills for Academic Success/preferred Technical Computer courses are Computer Science, Visual Basic, Java, Web Page Design, Intro to Engineering and Programming C++/preferred Language courses are Intermediate Chinese or above.) Applicants who have not completed one of these courses will not be considered for a position in the program.
Additional information
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.
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.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Online applications must be submitted by 11:59PM EST on September 30, 2026. Applications received after the deadline, as well as incomplete packets, will not be considered.
Early Acceptance Incentive
Applications are accepted 1 September - 30 September 2026, however, selections for this program are made on a rolling basis and applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as practical to allow sufficient time for review and security clearance processing.
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 that you may be asked a series of questions depending on the position you apply for. Your responses will be used as part of the screening process of your application and will assist in determining your eligibility for the position. Be sure to elaborate on experiences in your resume. Failure to provide the required information or providing inaccurate information will result in your application not being considered for this position. Only those applicants who meet the qualifications for the position will be contacted to begin employment processing.
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 noreply@intelligencecareers.gov. For job vacancies that include stated testing requirements, also include the following: @uwe.nsa.gov, @nsa.gov, and @pearson.com**
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
**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.
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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.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
**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.
----------------------------------------------------------------
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.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
