Signals Analyst - Entry/Mid-Level
Responsibilities
The professionals at the National Security Agency (NSA) have one common goal: to protect our nation. The mission requires a strong offense and a steadfast defense. The offense collects, processes and disseminates intelligence information derived from foreign signals for intelligence and counterintelligence purposes. The defense prevents adversaries from gaining access to sensitive classified national security information. With the rapid evolution of signals technology, the NSA must maintain and develop a highly talented and diverse workforce of Signals Analysts who are a vital part in maintaining our technical capabilities to collect signals intelligence. Description of Position Signals Analysts are hired into positions directly supporting a technical mission office or the Signals Analysis Development Program (SADP). The NSA Signals Analysis Development Program (SADP) is a 3 year development program designed to produce professional level Signals Analysts through an intensive, structured program of formal training courses and diverse work assignments. Signals Analysts supporting a technical mission office analyze signals from various sources, including foreign communications, radar and other electronic systems. The selected individual will work in a dynamic environment with duties that can include the following: - Identify and analyze waveforms in different domains (e.g., weapon systems, communications systems) - Identify and analyze bitstreams (e.g., multiplexers, error correction, voice and video compression, instrumentation systems) - Identify and analyze protocols (e.g., link layer, network layer, application layer)
Skills
The ideal candidate is someone with a desire for continual learning and strong problem-solving, analytic and interpersonal skills who is/can: - accountable - flexible - resilient - communicate effectively - collaborate with others Specialized skills and experience in one or more of the following is desired: - applying specialized tools and computer-based programs to process data for analytic problems - assessing applicability of available tools to various situations - combining analytics, tools, and visualization to support analysis - interpreting output of specialized tools and computer-based programs - programming / script development
Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule
On-the job training, Internal NSA courses, and external training will be made available based on the need and experience of the selectee. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, with basic 8hr/day work requirements between 0600 to 1800 (flexible).
Position Summary
Signals Analysis is a cutting-edge technical discipline that seeks to identify the purpose, content and user(s) of signals. Given today's rapidly evolving global communications, the NSA must maintain and develop a highly talented and diverse workforce of Signals Analysts who are a vital part in maintaining our technical capabilities to use the most sophisticated means to recover, understand, and derive intelligence from all manner of foreign signals.
Mandatory Qualification Reqs
Salary Range - $69,545 - $86,659 (Entry/Developmental) *The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position. 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. Entry is with a Bachelor's degree and no experience. A high school diploma or GED plus 4 years of relevant experience, or an Associate's degree plus 2 years of relevant experience will be considered for applicants who have completed relevant military degree programs (or equivalent), OR who have completed relevant military training [for example, 9141 (Navy Intermediate Technical ELINT Analyst), 1N2A (Air Force Intermediate Technical ELINT Analyst), 451 (Intermediate Signals Analysis) or 452 (Advanced Signals Analysis)], OR who have participated in or graduated from a relevant training program such as the Military COMINT Signals Analysis Program (MCSAP). Degree must be in Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science, a Physical Science, or a related technical field. A broader range of degrees will be considered for those who have completed a relevant training program listed above (e.g., 9141, 1N2A, 451, 452 or MCSAP). Relevant experience must be in signals analysis, preferably related to communications signals (e.g., bitstream analysis, waveform analysis, protocol analysis) and/or design and engineering of communications systems. Salary Range - $80,445 - $107,140 (Full Performance) *The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position. 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. 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. A high school diploma or GED plus 7 years of relevant experience, or an Associate's degree plus 5 years of relevant experience will be considered for applicants who have completed relevant military degree programs (or equivalent), OR who have completed relevant military training [for example, 9141 (Navy Intermediate Technical ELINT Analyst), 1N2A (Air Force Intermediate Technical ELINT Analyst), 451 (Intermediate Signals Analysis) or 452 (Advanced Signals Analysis)], OR who have participated in or graduated from a relevant training program such as the Military COMINT Signals Analysis Program (MCSAP). Degree must be in Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science, a Physical Science, or a related technical field. A broader range of degrees will be considered for those who have completed a relevant training program listed above (e.g., 9141, 1N2A, 451, 452 or MCSAP). Relevant experience must be in signals analysis (SA), with preferences specified below: - For TECH ELINT and OPELINT Signals Analysts: Experience related to electronic signals is preferred. - For FISINT Signals Analysts: Experience related to weapons system and/or satellite signals, or design and engineering of aerospace systems is preferred. - For PROFORMA Signals Analysts: Experience related to PROFORMA signals or design and engineering of radar or other industrial sensor systems is preferred. - For COMINT Signals Analysts: Experience related to communication signals (e.g., bitstream analysis, waveform analysis, protocol analysis) and/or design and engineering of communications systems is preferred.
How To Apply - External
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: U.S. Citizenship is required for all applicants. Reasonable accommodations provided to applicants with disabilities during the application and hiring process where appropriate. 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. This position is a Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) position in the Excepted Service under 10 U.S.C. 1601. DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans' Preference to eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement. If you are a veteran claiming veterans' preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., you may be asked to submit documents verifying your eligibility. 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. Please Note: Job Posting could close earlier than the closing date due to sufficient number of applicants or position no longer available. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
DCIPS Disclaimer
The National Security Agency (NSA) is part of the DoD Intelligence Community Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). All positions in the NSA are in the Excepted Services under 10 United States Codes (USC) 1601 appointment authority.