Cooperative Education Program – Language (Maryland)
National Security Agency/Central Security Service · Department of Defense
This job in plain English
NSA's Cooperative Education program lets students alternate school semesters with paid work at the National Security Agency at Fort Meade, Maryland. This posting is only for students pursuing a Chinese or Farsi language major.
Can you apply?
Yes, if you are a U.S. citizen: this job is open to everyone.
- StudentsPeople currently enrolled in a qualifying school, usually for Pathways internships.
- People with disabilitiesPeople with a documented disability, hired through the Schedule A authority.
- Open to everyoneAny U.S. citizen or national can apply. Some jobs also accept non-citizens; the announcement says so.
Other groups listed above may get extra consideration, for example veterans' preference.
Open to the public, but you must be a U.S. citizen, national, or someone who owes allegiance to the U.S. You must also be a current student at an accredited high school, college, or graduate school, and individuals eligible under Schedule A (a hiring path for people with disabilities) may apply.
What you would do
- Alternate school semesters with 40-hour work tours at NSA
- Work on real projects using NSA labs, equipment, and advanced technology
- Learn about the Intelligence Community and federal government while working
- Take one technical course per semester with tuition help
Do you qualify for GG-3 to GG-7?
With education: You must be pursuing a Chinese or Farsi language-focused major. You must be a second-semester college freshman or a college sophomore. A cumulative college GPA of 3.0 or higher is preferred.
How to apply well
What to send:
- Documents verifying veterans' preference eligibility, if you claim it and are asked
- Education records showing attendance and degrees from accredited schools, if you rely on education
How you will be rated: You will be rated on how well you meet the listed qualifications. Failing to provide all required information may lead to an ineligible rating or a lower overall rating.
Tips for this job:
- Only students pursuing a Chinese or Farsi language major can apply.
- Be ready to be in the U.S. for interviews between November 2026 and March 2027.
- Talk with your school advisor about how rotating work semesters may affect your student status, scholarships, and financial aid.
Good to know before you apply
Schedule: Full-time. Students alternate school semesters with 40-hour work weeks over 52 weeks. Occasional travel may be required.
Incentives and relocation: Subsidized student housing and travel during work tours if you live over 75 miles from Fort Meade. Tuition reimbursement for one technical course per semester, up to $2,500. Relocation expenses may be reimbursed under agency policy. You may be eligible for full-time employment after finishing the program.
Conditions of employment:
- Must be eligible for a TS/SCI security clearance
- Background investigation, full-scope polygraph, and psychological evaluation required
- Random drug testing
- Must be in the U.S. for interviews from November 2026 to March 2027
- Financial disclosure required
We wrote this summary automatically from the official announcement. The announcement on USAJOBS is the only one that counts: read it before you apply.
Job details
- Salary
- $39,799 – $65,599 per year
- Pay scale and grade
- GG-3 to GG-7 · General Schedule equivalent
- Location
- Fort Meade, Maryland
- Appointment
- Permanent
- Work schedule
- Full-time
- Service
- Excepted
- Openings
- Many
- Security clearance
- Top Secret
- Travel
- Occasional travel
- Drug test
- Not required
- Supervisory
- No
- Occupation
- Intelligence (0132)
- Announcement
- 1262239
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