Responsibilities
NSA stays at the forefront of Cybersecurity. Backed by a talented cadre of capabilities development specialists, NSA operates innovative solutions to gather foreign Intelligence via Computer Network Exploitation. Analysts will receive expert and specialized training on state of the art tools and capabilities. A full career track that covers beginner to expert development paths awaits those that wish to join NSA's mission. Additionally, there are opportunities to receive specialized pay at specific milestones. As an Exploitation Analyst you will: - Analyze all-source data to evaluate foreign target opportunities - Understand and evaluate foreign target network - Develop strategies against those foreign target networks - Partner with operators to conduct operations against foreign networks - Inform defensive cyber operations through intelligence collection - Work with a dynamic team across the Intelligence Community to satisfy critical questions from policy makers, our military and our National Leaders - Analyze adversaries' communications across multiple mediums.
Job Summary
The United States has experienced profound changes that impact the way the National Security Agency (NSA) conducts its mission. The explosion of Internet communications has created a need for the Tailored Access Operations (TAO) mission. In order to carry out these functions NSA is looking for exploitation analysts who are highly skilled, want to stay on the leading edge of technology and are impassioned about ensuring the United States maintains a strategic edge in cyberspace. We foster an environment of cooperation and teaming to take full advantage of diverse skills and experiences. These are NOT your average Cyber, Computer Science, Networking or Engineering jobs!
Qualifications
The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position. Degree must be in Network Engineering, Systems Engineering, Information Technology, Computer Science, Mathematics, Data Science, or related field (e.g., General Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Forensics, Cyber Security, Software Engineering, Information Assurance, or Computer Security). Relevant experience must be in computer or information systems design/development, systems architecture, programming, information/cyber/network security, vulnerability analysis, penetration testing, computer forensics, cybersecurity, Machine/Network Virtualization, Cloud Infrastructure, Virtual Containers, Malware Analysis, Operating Systems, Signals Development (SIGDEV), Software/Hardware Reverse Engineering, Network Analysis, Protocol Analysis/Profiling, network exploitation, Persona Analysis, software analysis, debugging, network intrusion detection, and/or systems engineering. If not credited toward education requirement, completion of military training in a relevant area such as JCAC (Joint Cyber Analysis course), Undergraduate Cyber Training (UCT), Network Warfare Bridge Course (NWBC)/Intermediate Network Warfare Training (INWT), Cyber Defense Operations will be considered towards the relevant experience requirement (i.e., 20-24 weeks course will count as 6 months of experience, 10-14 weeks will count as 3 months of experience). Relevant sequences of certifications can substitute for 1 year experience. ENTRY/DEVELOPMENTAL Entry is with a Bachelor's degree and no experience. The following may also be considered for individuals with in-depth experience that is clearly related to the position: an Associate's degree plus 2 years of relevant experience; or at least 18 semester hours of military coursework/training in networking, computer science, or cyber topics plus 2 years of relevant experience. FULL PERFORMANCE Entry is with a Bachelor's degree plus 3 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree plus 1 year of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree and no experience. The following may also be considered for individuals with in-depth experience that is clearly related to the position: an Associate's degree plus 5 years of relevant experience; or at least 18 semester hours of military coursework/training in networking, computer science, or cyber topics plus 5 years of relevant experience; or successful completion of the CNO Apprentice Exploitation Analyst certification plus 3 years of relevant experience.
Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule
Pay: Salary offers are based on candidates' education level and years of experience relevant to the position and also take into account information provided by the hiring manager/organization regarding the work level for the position. Salary Range: $87,362 - 153,082 (Entry/Developmental, Full Performance) Salary range varies by location, work level, and relevant experience to the position. Training will be provided based on the selectee's needs and experience. Benefits: NSA offers a comprehensive benefits package. Work Schedule: This is a full-time position, Monday - Friday, with basic 8hr/day work requirement between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. (flexible). DCIPS Trial Period: If selected for this position, you will be required to serve a two-year DCIPS trial period, unless you are a veterans' preference-eligible employee, in which case you are required to serve a one-year trial period. This trial period runs concurrently with your commitment to the position, if applicable. Before finalizing your appointment at the conclusion of your trial period, NSA will determine whether your continued employment advances the public interest. This decision will be based on factors such as your performance and conduct; the Agency's needs and interests; whether your continued employment would advance the Agency's organizational goals; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. If you do not receive certification for continued employment, you should receive written notice prior to the end of your trial period that your employment will be terminated and the effective date of such termination.
How To Apply - External
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** 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.
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, "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.
Skills
The ideal candidate would be someone with solid decision making skills, flexibility, adaptability, collaboration, and technical proficiencies in several of the following areas: - Network traffic analysis - Operating system administration (Windows and Unix/Linux) - Network Security - Incident response - Computer and network forensics - Network administration - Vulnerability and malware analysis - Scripting and/or programming - Disparate dataset analysis - Penetration testing / red teaming - Capture the Flag exercises - Teamwork APPLICANTS ARE SUBJECT TO PASSING A COMPUTER NETWORKING ASSESSMENT BATTERY TEST AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT. Exploitation Analysts will undergo specialized training for their role. Upon successful completion of training, you may be eligible for training certification program pay incentive.
