National Security Agency Hiring for Computer Network Defense Analyst – Entry to Senior Level Full Time

Computer Network Defense Analysts work in multiple organizations at NSA and are primarily responsible for finding vulnerabilities, delivering analyses, crafting mitigations, developing cybersecurity products, and educating our customers to prevent and eradicate the cyber threats to the Defense Industrial Base, critical infrastructures and U.S. National Security Systems – to include NSA’s own information systems and networks assets. They apply technical expertise to provide computer network defense capabilities, continuous monitoring, technical analysis, situational awareness, and incident response for the highest classified capabilities, systems, and data in our Nation.
Depending on their experience and preferences, Computer Network Defense Analysts are hired into positions directly supporting a technical Cybersecurity mission office or into a development program like the Intrusion Analyst Skill Development Program (IASDP) or the Cybersecurity Operations Development Program (CSODP). These development programs are roughly 3 years in length and combine formal training and diverse work assignments.

Job Summary

Our adversaries and cyber criminals continue to push limits in cyberspace, creating more national security threats than we have ever seen. In order to ensure the United States maintains its strategic edge in cyberspace, NSA is looking for Computer Network Defense Analysts who are highly skilled, want to stay on the leading edge of technology and are impassioned about ensuring the security of our nation.

Qualifications

The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position.
This position has a Cyberspace Workforce Improvement Program (CWIP) requirement. Candidates accepted to fill this position may be required to obtain a DoD 8570.01-M approved certification within six (6) months of assignment. Interested parties currently pursuing certification are also encouraged to apply. Additional requirements may be placed against the selectee, based on requirements defined within DoD 8140.01 and DoD 8570.01-M “Information Assurance Workforce Improvement Program”.
Degree must be in Network Engineering, Systems Engineering, Information Technology or related field (e.g., General Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Forensics, Cyber Security, Software Engineering, Information Assurance, or Computer Security).
Relevant experience must be in one or more of the following: computer or information systems design/development, programming, information/cyber/network security, vulnerability analysis, penetration testing, computer forensics, information assurance, systems engineering, network administration, or system administration. 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).
ENTRY/DEVELOPMENTAL
Entry level 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
Full Performance level 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.
SENIOR
Senior level is with a Bachelor’s degree plus 6 years of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree plus 4 years of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree plus 2 years of relevant 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 8 years of relevant experience; or at least 18 semester hours of military coursework/training in networking, computer science, or cyber topics plus 8 years of relevant experience.

Competencies

As a Cybersecurity Computer Network Defense Analyst, you will hone your technical proficiencies in multiple areas, as noted below:
– Network analysis
– Network protocol analysis
– Network Signature development (Including Snort and Suricata signatures)
– Operating system administration (Windows and Unix/Linux)
– Network Security
– Incident response
– Computer and network forensics
– Network administration
– Vulnerability and malware analysis
– Software reverse engineering (including familiarly with tools like Ghidra, IDA Pro, etc.)
– Low level protocol and packet analysis
– Scripting and/or programming (examples include Python, C, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, SQL, Lua, etc.)
Ideal candidates for all positions are inquisitive and tenacious, with solid decision-making skills and the ability to react quickly, all while thriving in a team environment.

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule

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 ranges vary by location and work level.
This position is hiring for a variety of locations to include: Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, and Texas.
Salary Range: $77,745 – $172,075 (Entry/Developmental, Full Performance, Senior)
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: Applicants should be aware that some of these jobs support 24/7 operations based on mission requirements and shift schedules may vary to include night shift.

How to apply

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.
Due to time sensitive communications regarding your application, please ensure your spam filters are configured to accept email from noreply@intelligencecareers.gov. Please review the job posting thoroughly to ensure you meet the described qualifications and are aware of all associated requirements. 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. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible, as job postings could close earlier than the closing date due to sufficient number of applicants, or the position is no longer available. You may be asked a series of questions depending on the position you apply for. Your responses will be used as part of the application screening process and will assist in determining your eligibility for the position. Be sure to showcase within your resume those experiences relevant to this position. 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 all position qualifications, may be contacted to begin employment processing. Please remain diligent in monitoring email and your SPAM folder. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to applicants with disabilities during the application and hiring process where appropriate. Please visit our Diversity link for more information.
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.

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.