HIGH SCHOOL HERITAGE SPEAKER PROGRAM (HSP)

The National Security Agency is this Nation’s cryptologic expert. It coordinates, directs, and performs highly specialized activities to protect U.S. information systems (Information Assurance) as well as provides foreign signals intelligence (SIGINT) to our U.S. policy-makers. It is also one of the most important centers of foreign language analysis and research within the federal government.

LOCATION: NSA is headquartered at Fort George G. Meade, MD, with offices in Dorsey, Linthicum (near BWI Airport) and in Northern Prince Georges County.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: Any high school JUNIOR with native language ability in Chinese, Korean, Arabic, Persian/Farsi, Hindi, Urdu or Punjabi. Applicants must be willing to take part in a school-sponsored work experience program during their senior year of school (a summer-only program may also become available). Eligible candidates must also be fluent in English with an overall “B” grade point average. Finally, applicants MUST BE CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES and 16 years of age to participate in the program.

HOW TO APPLY: Check with your high school EASL or Work Experience Coordinator to ascertain if NSA is scheduled to visit your school. Or, you may contact NSA’s Recruiting Branch directly to obtain application information.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT PROCESSING: A security clearance must be granted prior to employment; therefore, applicants will undergo extensive pre-employment processing including: an interview with a psychologist; a security interview conducted with the aid of a polygraph; and a personnel interview. The final stage of processing, a background investigation, will take approximately four to six months to complete.

SALARY: GGD-1, $17,152 per annum (approximately $8.24 per hour)

1.  On-the-job training to enhance language/analytical ability;

CONDITIONS FOR RETENTION IN THE HSP WORK STUDY PROGRAM

1.     Meet standards of conduct and performance on the job.

2.     Maintain passing grades in all senior class work.

3.     If absent from school, be absent from work.

4.     Achieve satisfactory evaluations from both your work supervisor and EASL/Work Experience Coordinator.

5.     Complete the HSP, graduate, and receive your high school diploma.

6.     Employment may be terminated if employee’s conduct, work, or academic performance warrants such action.

NATURE OF APPOINTMENT: As an HSP participant, you will be hired on a Temporary Appointment with a “Not To Exceed” date of 30 June (of your senior year). Employment is guaranteed from September – June with the possibility of an extension through 31 August. Your temporary, part-time employment category requires a Monday through Friday duty schedule (just as you attend school) for not more than 32, or less than 20, hours per week.  

PLACEMENT AFTER GRADUATION / END OF WORK-STUDY PROGRAM: There is NO GUARANTEE of permanent full-time or part-time employment after the completion of the program. However, the intent of this program is to provide successful participants with the opportunity to continue their studies on a full-time or part-time basis as an undergraduate.

ENTITLEMENTS:  1.  Earn sick/annual leave in proportion to time actually worked:

a.)        Sick Leave – 1 hour for every 20 hours worked.

b.)        Annual Leave – 1 hour for every 20 hours worked.

2.     Pay full Social Security taxes.

3.     Entitlements for those who successfully complete the HSP and are selected to attend college will be provided at that time.

TRANSPORTATION: Participants must have reliable transportation for getting to and from work.

POSITIONS OPEN TO HSP STUDENTS:

          Language Aide: On-the-job training to learn/develop skills necessary to become a Language Analyst. Specific duties/responsibilities/training will be determined on a case-by-case basis based upon individual language skill and ability.

National Security Agency
Student Programs Office (MB3)
9800 Savage Road, Suite 6779
Fort George G. Meade, MD  20755-6779
(410) 854-4592

NSA is an equal opportunity employer and abides by applicable employment laws and regulations. Reasonable accommodations are provided to applicants with disabilities during the application and hiring process, where appropriate. Positions are open to U.S. citizens only and employment is contingent upon successful completion of a security background investigation and polygraph. Employees and applicants are subject to random drug testing in accordance with Executive Order 12564.