Do I need to be a United States citizen to work for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency?
Yes, you must be a citizen of the United States when you apply to work at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. NGA does not assist individuals in applying for US citizenship
I submitted my resume online. Should I follow up with a paper copy?
A paper copy (via fax or US mail) is not necessary or advantageous after you have submitted your resume online. The online submission process was specifically designed to provide the applicant with quick entry into our active applicant database.
Is there a resume format I should follow?
NGA does not have a required resume format. However, USAJobs does offer some tips for writing federal resumes: http://www.usajobs.gov/EI/resumeandapplicationtips.asp.
If I don't have a degree, will experience count?
Having an undergraduate degree is not mandatory, but is highly recommended. Life experiences are taken into consideration. However, a standard requirement for intelligence analysts and other positions is a college degree, preferably an advanced degree.
My education and/or work experience has changed significantly since I applied, should I apply again?
Not yet! Please contact the Recruitment Center on 571-557-1999 and discuss the significant changes (i.e., new college degree, additional job experience, etc.) with one of the recruiters.
What is involved in the hiring process with NGA? How long does it take?
Because the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency is a member of the Intelligence Community, our hiring process can take a little longer than most people might expect. Depending on a candidate’s personal circumstances such as the frequency of residential and employment moves, and overseas travel, to name a few, the total process may take as little as two months or more than a year. The following steps are part of the NGA hiring process:
- Background Investigation: Because of the classified nature of our work at NGA, all candidates must be eligible for a TOP SECRET/SCI security clearance and must take a polygraph examination. In order to obtain the required security clearance candidates must undergo a thorough Personnel Security background investigation that examines a candidate’s life history, character, trustworthiness, reliability and soundness of judgment. The background investigation includes a review of previous and current employment history (including contact with the candidate’s current employer), verification of education credentials and residential history, and interviews with knowledgeable sources such as friends, neighbors, supervisors, and co-workers. Depending on your situation, the background investigation process may take two and one-half months or longer. Investigators will also examine the potential for conflicts of interest, potential to be coerced and the candidate’s willingness and ability to abide by regulations governing the use, handling and the protection of sensitive information. In addition, credit bureau and criminal background checks are conducted to ensure that all candidates meet the high personnel security standards set by NGA and the Intelligence Community.
NOTE: Intentional misrepresentations in application documents raise serious doubts as to the applicant’s honesty and fitness for employment, and can be sufficient to establish that the applicant is unsuitable for Federal employment.
- Clearance Adjudication: After the background investigation is completed the information is passed to an NGA adjudicator. The adjudicator reviews the results of the Personnel Security Investigation and compares it to established qualifying criteria for granting security clearances with access to classified information or for an appointment to a sensitive position or position of trust. Once adjudication is complete and the security clearance is granted, the adjudicator notifies the Investigations Branch who in turn contacts HD to proceed to the next steps in the process. The adjudication process averages less than 20 days, but may take longer depending on a candidate’s personal circumstances.
- Drug Test: A pre-employment urinalysis test is required to detect the presence of illegal or controlled substances in a candidate's system. Positive test results or refusal to be tested will be considered in determining an applicant's eligibility for employment and may be the basis for denial of employment. NGA has the option of not testing applicants transferring directly to NGA from another Federal Agency where they held a drug testing-designated position (TDP) and had been subject to a test within the previous 12 months. This test usually takes approximately 10 to 15 days to order and complete.
- Other Tests and Paperwork: Certain positions may require a pre-employment medical examination and/or a vision test. The time needed to complete these tests can take approximately one and one half to two months.
- Relocation (Permanent Change of Station-PCS): If a candidate is required to relocate for the position with NGA, relocation or Permanent Change of Station (PCS) approval must be granted by the hiring official. PCS is the government process for relocation through which a candidate may receive monies to partially cover the cost of moving household goods.
- Placement: Candidates for analytical positions are assigned or placed to work in a specific office in one of NGA’s organizations prior to the first day of employment. Placements are determined by a Managers Placement Panel, that reviews the employment packages of candidates whose security clearance has been obtained. A candidate employment package, may include the resume, transcripts, and certificates and/or licenses received during the interview and application process. The panel will review the employment package to determine where a candidate’s skills can most effectively be utilized to fulfill NGA’s mission requirements. The panel process may take up to three months.
- Beginning Employment or Enter On Duty (EOD): After a candidate has been placed with a specific NGA office, the Recruitment Center will contact the candidate to coordinate the best date for the candidate to EOD and begin his/her career at NGA. A follow-up letter will be sent to confirm a candidate’s EOD date, salary, and position. Please note that NGA will normally EOD new employees at the beginning of a pay period (every two weeks). You, the candidate, will make the determination as to when you can to start with NGA after completing steps 1-6 in the hiring process.
What can I tell my family and friends about the hiring process at NGA?
We suggest that candidates tell his/her immediate family and friends that he/she is a candidate for employment with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. The agency requires candidates to have a security clearance and that he/she has submitted their names as references on the security-related paperwork. The investigator performing the background investigation will contact them in the near future to ask questions about a candidate’s honesty, reliability, and trustworthiness, and whether or not a candidate should be given access to classified information or assigned to a sensitive position or position of trust. The investigator may also ask about past and present personal activities, employment history, education, family background, neighborhood activities, and finances. References should be encouraged to be honest and forthcoming with the investigator.
I haven't heard from NGA lately. Am I still being considered?
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency receives approximately 1,000 resumes a month from people desiring to make NGA their employer of choice. Our goal is to contact candidates in as timely a manner as possible as they proceed through the hiring process. Please note that during the investigation process NGA may not have any information to share until the security clearance is actually granted or denied since those processes are handled by other agencies. We ask all candidates to remain patient.
What training is required?
NGA provides education and career development opportunities to its employees to ensure the workforce is prepared to meet current and future mission requirements. Candidates for some positions, primarily analytical positions, will be required to successfully complete an analytical training program in order to continue employment and must sign a Training Service Agreement. The training required depends on the requirements of each position, along with the skills, education, and experience of the individual. Be advised that this training may be held at a number of local NGA sites on day and evening shifts. Transportation to and from training is the responsibility of the employee. New hires in non-analytical positions and their hiring managers will determine what, if any, internal/external training and experiences are needed to enable the person to quickly become a productive member of the NGA team.
What is the Training Service Agreement?
NGA will provide education and career development opportunities to its employees to ensure the workforce is prepared to meet current and future mission requirements. Employees participating in internal NGA training programs of 160 hours or longer, and who receive salary covering the training period, must agree in writing to continue in NGA service for a period of three times the length of the training period. Employees who begin but do not successfully complete the 160 hours or longer training course, including the Geospatial Intelligence Training Program (GITP), may be terminated and/or required to reimburse the Government for training cost (excluding salary) associated with their attendance. Employees who leave NGA after completion of the training, but prior to completion of their service obligation, may be required to reimburse the agency for training costs (excluding salary) associated with their training attendance. Execution of a service agreement does not in any way guarantee continued employment with NGA.
What is the Sponsorship Program?
The NGA Sponsorship Program provides an opportunity for applicants, while waiting for the completion of the hiring process, to have a one-on-one communication link with an NGA employee. The primary goal of the program is to maintain a candidate’s interest in and enthusiasm for a career with NGA through personalized communication and pre-employment mentoring.
Does NGA offer a formal Mentoring Program?
For those employees who elect to participate, NGA provides a formal mentoring program. This highly encouraged program promotes partnerships for all employees to develop themselves personally and professionally with the assistance of a more experienced employee. These partnerships continue for as long as mutually desired and serve as an opportunity for newer employees to grow in the skills of professional leadership and technical excellence, and to advance NGA’s mission. Studies prove that having a Mentor assists employees in getting off to a great start in their career and in developing themselves for the future.
Are there any travel opportunities with NGA?
Travel, like training, depends on the requirements of each position. The manager and the employee should discuss what travel opportunities are available to best develop the employee’s skills and make them more productive.
Why do you need my Social Security Number?
Authority: 5 U.S.C. sections 3301, 4118, 8347; 10 U.S.C. sections 1601-02; and Executive Orders 9397, 9830 and 12107.
Principal Purpose: This information is needed to ensure the accuracy of critical data in each employee/applicant record. The records have various uses by the agency, including screening qualifications and determining status, eligibility and rights and benefits under pertinent laws and regulations. Routine Uses: Information may be disclosed in accordance with the routine uses established for OPM/GOVT-1, General Personnel Records, which permits disclosures to be made to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Department of Justice, to law enforcement agencies, and other Federal and state agencies.
Disclosure: Disclosure is voluntary. However, failure to provide your Social Security Number, as well as all other required information, will disqualify you from further employment consideration.
Why do you need my email address?
NGA's eRecruit system requires an email address as a user ID. If you do not have an email address, several Internet Service Providers offer free email accounts. Hotmail and Yahoo are just two of these. Through them or other companies, you can obtain a free email address that you can use with NGA's eRecruit system.