Page Content 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.
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