Student Trainee (Cyber Apprentice)

Summary

The Defense Manpower Data Center is excited to launch the inaugural pilot of the Department of Wars (DoW) Cyber Apprenticeship Program!

The program administered by the DoW Office of the Chief Information Officer (DoW CIO) is designed to address the growing demand for skilled cyber professionals within the Department. This 12-month program provides a paid structured progressive pathway for individuals seeking to launch or advance their careers in cyber. Learn more about the program here.

Duties

As a Student Trainee (Cyber Apprentice) at the GSsome of your typical work assignments may include:

• Training & Development: Participates in formal and on-the-job training (OJT) programs to learn organizational cyber defense operations policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Shadows senior specialists to develop practical skills in threat analysis and incident response.
• The trainee assists in monitoring cyber defense systems (e.g. intrusion detection firewalls). Learns to identify potential security events and conduct initial triage to differentiate between benign and potentially anomalous activity.
• Incident Response & Analysis: The position involves analyzing routine security alert for more complex incidents the trainee is responsible for gathering data and compiling event timelines.
• The trainee executes mandated vulnerability scans on production systems. Categorizes scan results (e.g. missing patches) and performs basic maintenance patching and configuration checks on cyber defense tools.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Males born aftermust be registered for Selective Service
• Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply)
• Suitable for Federal employment determined by a background investigation
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
• Work Schedule: Full time
• Overtime: Occasionally
• Tour of Duty: Flexible
• Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
• Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Non-Exempt
• Financial Disclosure: Not Required
• Telework Eligibility: This position is not telework eligible
• This position is non-critical sensitive; employee must have or be able to obtain and maintain a SECRET security clearance which requires a favorably adjudicated SSBI or equivalent.
• Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft.
• Selectees will need to sign a service and mobility agreement
• A Selectees acceptance of their tentative job offer serves as their registration in the apprenticeship program.

Qualifications

You may qualify at the GS-07 if you fulfill the following qualifications:

A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service:

• Applying practical foundational knowledge of IT security principles underlying network protocols (e.g.
  TCP/IP DNS) and threat signatures;
• Explaining basic network architecture concepts;
• Applying Foundational knowledge of general information security concepts common threats incident handling methodologies and basic vulnerability management strategies;
• Applying logical reasoning to analyze technical data troubleshoot basic system or network issues and drawing supported conclusions from raw information;
• Clearly communicating technical concepts both verbally and in writing to draft basic reports and collaborate effectively within a team environment.;

OR

B. I have 1 full year of graduate level education OR Superior Academic Achievement and a Bachelors Degree;

Superior Academic Achievement is based on:
(1) Class Standing - Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college university or major subdivision such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration based on completed courses; OR
(2) Grade-Point Average (G.P.A.) - Applicants must have a grade-point average of either (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 (B or better) as recorded on your official transcript or as computed based on 4 years of education or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 (B or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.; OR
(3) Honor Society Membership - Applicants may be considered eligible based on membership in one of the approved national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies ( refers to paid and unpaid experience including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g. Peace Corps AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g. professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community student social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies knowledge and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience including volunteer experience.

The DoW Cyber Apprenticeship program is a full time one-year 40 hour work week program which when completed may provide the opportunity to be converted to a permanent position in the competitive service. If the agency chooses to convert them successful graduates of the Apprenticeship Program will be placed in a career ladder position with promotion potential up to GS-12.

To be eligible for conversion participants must also meet the following requirements as an Intern/Apprentice:
- Be a United States citizen;
- Complete the one-year Cyber Apprenticeship Program to include classroom technical and on-the-job training conferring to a Registered Apprenticeship Program Certificate (480 hours).
- Meet the qualification standards for the position to which she or he will be converted;
- Receive a favorable recommendation by an official of the agency or agencies in which she or he served; and
- Meet any agency-specific requirements as specified in the Participant Agreement.

Cyber Apprenticeship Program Requirements
Technical Training: Completes all required technical training interactive labs and coursework specified by the DoW Cyber Apprenticeship Program (via the selected industry or academic partner pathway) independently and within established deadlines.

Developmental Participation: Participates actively in required mentoring sessions developmental assignments and performance reviews to track progress toward the target work role competencies.

Certification Attainment: Maintains academic and programmatic good standing actively applying learned principles to daily operational tasks. Prepares for and successfully attains the required foundational industry certifications (e.g. CompTIA or EC Council) and DoD 8140 basic-level qualifications by the conclusion of the one-year Cyber Apprenticeship Program.

Education

If you are using education to qualify: You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims by the closing date of this announcement. We will accept unofficial transcripts as long as they show the school name applicant name GPA and that you have graduated.

FOREIGN EDUCATION may be qualifying if a private organization specializing in interpreting foreign education programs has deemed the foreign education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program or a U.S. accredited college or university has given full credit for the foreign courses.

Unofficial transcripts from U.S. Department of Education accredited colleges universities schools or institutions listing your name the name of the school the date and degree awarded and the list of classes and credits earned are acceptable for the application process. If selected official transcripts are required before a firm job offer is made. A photocopy of your degree/diploma is not acceptable.

When relying on foreign education submit transcripts and a copy of the equivalency evaluation results letter with a course-by-course listing. Documents must be in English or include an English translation. The hiring employer for this position does not evaluate degrees from foreign colleges or universities. For further information visit: Foreign Education

Additional information

Candidates must be:

• Over 18 years of age
• A United States citizen
• Able to obtain and maintain a government security clearance

The following are the characteristics of a successful apprentice in the DoW Cyber Apprenticeship Program:

• Exhibit a strong work ethic
• Eager to learn and grow
• Willingness to be mobile and flexible to a variety of work experiences
• Demonstrate analytical and problem-solving capabilities
• Aptitude to learn new and complex material quickly
• Ability to commit to work within the DoW

Re-employed Annuitant: This position does not meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Reemployed Annuitants can be found at: applicants must meet qualifications and eligibility criteria by the closing date of the announcement.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Required Experience:

Intern