Actually this is not a clearance-related question. I have a question about NSA job postings. The job postings location lists multiple places. Does that mean that if i get this job I can work in any of those locations immediately? Or do I have a to start at Fort Meade and then go somewhere else after a few years?
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Great question, I was wondering the same thing.
From what I heard, they do ask you to rank available locations in the order of your preference, but then they just kind of assign you to the MD location anyway… lol. Not sure if they perhaps assume applicants’ current residences as main factor while making these determinations, or maybe there are other factors involved? But in that case why even bother asking? If I am in Jersey and ready to move somewhere for a job, then might as well go where I like, not necessarily to MD just because its closest geographically. Or maybe its because people rarely select Fort Meade as a first choice? hmmm… wouldnt be too surprised.
NSA, like NGA and DIA, has staff at numerous locations. If you get to the point where you get an interview, be sure to ask these questions because the answer may depend on the position. And even if you can stay at one of the locations away from the “flagpole” (Ft. Meade, Ft. Belvoir, Bolling AFB/JBAB for NSA, NGA, DIA respectively), you may have limited promotion opportunities as compared to being at “headquarters.”
@sbusquirrel Great point on the promotional opportunities!
As to discussing location anywhere during the application process, I am not sure how and when that should take place. I would imagine the applicant would need to bring it up with their recruiter? I dont think they would ask on their own other than in the application form. I am not sure what you meant by “the answer may depend on the position” since all of their job postings have the available locations listed up front.
Let’s say you look on the web site today, see a job you’re interested in, and apply… well it may be several months (at least) before you actually get to the point where they are ready to make a final job offer, after you’ve gotten through the clearance process and all the good HR stuff. So once you get to that point, they may not need people at all of the locations listed in that original vacancy announcement.
It has even been known to happen (with NSA at least) where once you get to that final job offer they may say, yeah we know you applied for a digital bottle washer position, but we think you’d be a good fit for this cloud based dish washer position [not actual job titles 
] would you be interested? And that may not be at the same location either.
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@sbusquirrel You’re right. I keep underestimating how long these things typically take. By the time all is said and done, the hiring landscape may be quite transformed. The sad realities of federal hiring practices. I also agree with what you said elsewhere that it is certainly not geared in favor of the applicants. Ain’t that a fact!
Most agencies have multiple HQs and field offices. It depends on where the team is located so, really it comes down to what you do. If you’re IT and the IT dept is in DC, they’ll expect you in DC. But if the data center is in ID, and you are a data center server admin, they might expect you to work in ID.
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I wasn’t asked at all about my location preference for when I applied to the NSA; job posting just had all the available locations, with indicators for locations that typically have more positions/personnel need.
One day after sending in the necessary HR info (several months post HireVue interview), they came back with the CJO which contained the title, the salary, and where I’d be located.
Presuming I’m cleared, it’s where I’ll be I imagine. The hiring manager for the DOD at the location emails be semi-frequently to check-in as well, so like I said, I assume I could end up there most likely.
You can get directly hired to the field. Some of the locations have a relocation incentive as well.