Summer 2024 NRO Cadre Student Internship Program
WE ARE THE NRO
For sixty years, the NRO has developed, acquired, launched, and operated the satellites that are the foundation for America’s advantage and strength in space. Using a diversified architecture of spacecraft, NRO collects and delivers the best space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance content on the planet.
Learn more at nro.gov.
Basic Eligibility For A Position With The NRO
- You must be a U.S. Citizen Be a U.S. citizen
- You must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance
- You will be subject to pre-employment and periodic drug testing
- You will be subject to pre-employment and periodic polygraph examinations
Federal Employee Vaccination Requirement
To ensure compliance with nationwide COVID-19 vaccine protocols, please visit NRO Apply Now to review the latest guidance.
NRO Summer Intern Program
Are you ready to learn what it takes to be a member of our vibrant and diverse team of experts? Apply to participate in our summer 2024 NRO Cadre Undergraduate and Graduate Student Internship Program today! We’re actively seeking motivated, highly qualified candidates in a wide variety of career categories including: STEM/Technical, Contracts, Financial Management, Mission Support, and Security. To learn more about the Career Fields, please click here.
The NRO Cadre Undergraduate and Graduate Student Internship Program provides students pursuing advanced education with paid opportunities to work at the NRO and explore career paths related to their academic field of study or career interests. Interns will receive training and guidance to prepare them to support NRO projects and initiatives.
Summer interns are full-time employees on a temporary appointment for the period of 10 weeks between June and August. There may be opportunities to return during subsequent summers based on mission requirements, continued eligibility, and the student's availability.
Benefits Available to Interns
- Onsite workout facility
- MaxiFlex work schedule
- Upon successful evaluation and mission need, there is a chance to 'convert' to a full-time employee after graduation
- With a successful evaluation at the end of the summer, interns could be invited back for multiple summers
NRO is accepting applications through 11:59 PM EST on October 31, 2023.
What You Will Be Doing
Intern Projects: Each intern will be given a project to complete that aligns with her/his experience and education. Specific duties will expose individuals to independent and team-oriented work opportunities. Each intern performs under direct supervision and will be provided feedback on a regular and timely basis.
Professional Development and Training: Throughout the summer, NRO interns will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of professional development and training experiences. Some of these events include speaker series with NRO seniors; resume writing workshops, security lunch and learns, and NRO mission overviews.
External Events and Experiences: As time and availability permit, interns will be able to take advantage of selected events outside of the NRO. These include tours of mission partner agencies such as the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) and National Security Agency (NSA) and potentially NRO launches.
Who May Apply
To be eligible for the program, the requirements include:
- Be enrolled full-time in an undergraduate or graduate degree program at an accredited university.
- Undergraduates must have completed a minimum of 24 credit hours.
- Provide an unofficial transcript at the time of application and an official transcript upon acceptance into the program from the academic institution.
- Be available for an interview and other applicable processing.
- Pass a drug test, and not have illegal drug use in the past 12 months. Prior drug use is carefully evaluated.
- Be available, and geographically located near Chantilly, Virginia, or Fort Belvoir, Virginia (on rare occasions) for the 10-week summer program from June – August.
Preferred qualifications include:
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Good organization and planning skills and be able to demonstrate effective project coordination and implementation based on past work or school experiences.
- Possess deductive reasoning skills and be able to analyze and synthesize information for problem-solving.
- Prior experience in the intelligence community or space-related agency.
What You Need to Apply
Required - Resume
Applicants are required to provide a resume reflecting applicable experience that demonstrates the possession of the knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary for immediate success in the position
Optional – Cover Letter
Applicants are highly encouraged to provide a cover letter. Cover letters cannot exceed 5,000 characters and should include the following:
- Reasons you want to work at the NRO
- The experience you would like to obtain while interning at the NRO
- The unique characteristics and/or experiences that make you a good fit for the NRO
Locations
Chantilly, Virginia
Fort Belvoir, Virginia
Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado
White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico
Salary
2023 Salary Range for Washington DC Area:
Working towards:
- Bachelor’s Degree: GG-06, Step 5 - $54,159 per year or $25.95 per hour
- Master’s Degree: GG-07, Step 5 - $60,185 per year or $28.83 per hour
- Doctorate: GG-09, Step 5 - $73,617 per year or $35.27 per hour
Federal pay is a combination of base and locality pay which is based on the geographic location of where you work.
These positions are Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) positions in the Excepted Service under 10 USC 1601.
Trial Period
All new DCIPS employees will be required to serve a 2-year trial period.
Veterans’ Preference
DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans’ Preference to preference eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Vol 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement. If you are a veteran claiming veterans’ preference, as defined by section 2108 of Title 5 USC, you must submit documents verifying your eligibility upon request.
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.
Reasonable Accommodation Policy
Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process should follow the instructions in the job opportunity announcement. For any part of the remaining hiring process, applicants should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
A reasonable accommodation is any change to a job, the work environment, or the way things are usually done that enables an individual with a disability to apply for a job, perform job duties or receive equal access to job benefits.
Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodations when:
- An applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to apply for a job.
- An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential job duties or to gain access to the workplace.
- An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to receive equal access to benefits, such as details, training, and office-sponsored events.
You can request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application or hiring process or while on the job. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please send your request to Hiring@nro.mil.
Privacy Act Notice
Privacy Act Notice (PL 93-579): We use this information to determine qualifications for employment. This is authorized under Title 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361.
Read more about the Privacy Act of 1974