0-3 years of service = earn 4 hours of annual leave per pay period (equivalent to 13 days per year)

3-15 years of service = earn 6 hours of annual leave per pay period (equivalent to 20 days per year)

15 + years of service = earn 8 hours of annual leave per pay period (equivalent to 26 days per year)

Sick Leave

Earn 4 hours of sick leave each pay period

Family Medical Leave

Limited advance sick leave is available in case of a family or personal emergency

Paid Holidays

10 paid Federal holidays per year

Health Benefits Plans

You have a choice of fee-for-service plans. If enrolled the government pays approximately 75% of your premium. Your part of the premium is tax-exempt.

Life Insurance

You have a choice between government wide and NASA specific life insurance plans.

Retirement Plan

As a NASA employee you will be enrolled in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). You may think it's too early to think about retirement but the service you put in as a co-op will count towards your retirement benefits. It is never too early to think about and plan for the future. You will be eligible to receive retirement from three sources; a basic retirement plan, your Thrift Savings Plan, and Social Security.

Thrift Savings Plan

Eligibility to contribute to the Thrift Savings Plan comes along with employment. This plan is similar to the 401K plans in private industry. After 60 days of employment you become eligible to contribute up to 10% of your pre-tax salary. After a waiting period, the government will automatically contribute 1% of your salary with additional matching of up to a total of 5% match of your salary.

KSC will reimburse students for transportation expenses between the college or university outside a 100-mile radius with the exception of the first trip to work and the last trip to school. Reimbursement is based on mileage or airfare, whichever is most advantageous to the Government.

Starting the Spring Semester 2003, NASA will pay the academic fee institutions charge students to participate in the Co-op Program.

Pay Increases for Longevity

Government employees receive within-grade increases (WIG) which are incremental (step) increases within the same pay grade and are based primarily on satisfactory performance while in a pay status. Co-op grade levels generally begin with the first step in the respective grade and there is a minimum requirement of 52 weeks of satisfactorily performed work for steps 2 and 3 within a grade. An accumulation of 52 calendar weeks (including up to 80 hours of LWOP) fulfills the time requirement for these first few WIG increases.

Cost of Living Increases

Each year Congress approves a small percentage salary increase for most employees to insure that salaries keep pace with inflation.

Cafeterias On-Site

KSC has food service facilities conveniently located within walking distance of your office or work area. Food service is offered at very competitive prices. Also there are snack bars located on the third floor of the Headquarters Building and the Operations Support Building (we realize you don't know where that is yet!), and at the Air Force Station adjacent to KSC there are several fast food restaurants.

Federal Credit Union

You will be eligible for membership in various Federal Credit Unions. A $25 balance must be maintained at all times. Branches are conveniently located at KSC and in the surrounding communities.

Recreation Facilities & Parks

If your body is not as toned as you would like to flaunt around the beautiful beaches here, don’t worry. KSC has two fitness centers that are open to all employees provided they pass a simple physical. Personal Training is free and available by appointment. In addition, there are two parks with volleyball, basketball, softball, and football fields available to KSC employees. Barbecue grills and playgrounds are also available for weekend cookouts. The Center's intramural teams play their games at one of these two parks.

Life Long Learning

Our work here is on the cutting edge of the final frontier. As we stretch the limits of human knowledge and the boundaries of our known universe--you, as a NASA employee, will be expected to develop and expand your knowledge, skills, and abilities. Keeping employees up to date and on the same page is vital to our mission. As an employee, the expectation is that you will continue to learn and develop throughout your career. To facilitate life long learning, NASA has a number of tools and programs that will not only develop--but also challenge you.  Subsidized continuing education, extensive onsite training, continuing exposure to the latest technology, and a constant influx of new and challenging projects will help you continue to learn throughout your NASA career.

Job Security

As shown by our very, very low turnover rates, NASA is a proven "employer of choice." This means that if you join NASA and continue to perform satisfactorily, you most likely will have the opportunity to remain with us and help explore the final frontier.

Awards and Recognition

NASA has an active incentive awards program that rewards and recognizes outstanding achievement, innovation, and performance.  Awards are both monetary and non-monetary (time-off, medals, and certificates).

Accelerated Training Program

The ATP is an intensive 6-month training program for science and engineering majors who have converted to full-time employment. Through participation in this program, individuals who successfully complete the requirements are promoted to the next grade level (GS-7 to GS-9 or GS-9 to GS-11) in 6 months instead of 1 year as normally required by law.

Safety and Wellness

Safety is a major focus at KSC, and is built into the Center’s Implementation Plan: “Assure that safe, sound, and efficient practices and processes are in place for privatized/commercialized launch site processing”. As a NASA employee, not only will you be a key player in our safety and wellness programs, you will also be a major beneficiary of our processes, products, and facilities. KSC is focused on insuring that you are safe, secure, and well cared for. KSC has two Occupational Health Clinics that provide preventive care, limited immunizations, and health screening at no charge.

Discounts on Area Attraction Tickets

Through the NASA Exchange stores you can purchase many Orlando attraction tickets at a discount or receive special offers. Also launch memorabilia is sold here and there is no state taxes at the Exchange! Just another benefit of working here.

Beautiful Beaches and Weather

And if you haven’t realized it yet Florida is famous for its beautiful BEACHES! In the spring while friends and family are shivering in the snow you can be lying out working on your tan. How many places can offer that? Everyday is a beautiful day in Florida that's why its such a vacation hot spot. Now imagine yourself working here...doesn't it sound awesome!