General Student Trainee (Security Administration)

Summary

Are you looking for a career in national security? The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) is seeking students to join our team for summer 2025. Our paid internship program will provide students the opportunity to gain marketable developmental experience in counterintelligence and insider threat, industrial security, personnel security, security training, and other DCSA core mission and support areas. Become a part of America's Gatekeeper Team!

This job is open to

• Students
  
  Current students enrolled in accredited educational institutions from high school to graduate level. Includes internships, pathways and other student programs.

Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to: Current students enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree program with a full-time course load at time of application and in the spring semester prior to the summer program, with an expected graduation date of October 2025 or later.

Duties

Under the Security Administration series, DCSA delivers efficient and effective background investigations, continuous vetting, and adjudications to safeguard the integrity and trustworthiness of the federal and contractor workforce. We inspect and monitor companies that require access to or possess-classified information and controlled unclassified information associated with DoD classified contracts. These companies produce critical technology and provide services for the Department of Defense. Additionally, we provide security products and services to ensure maximal human performance in credibility assessment, industrial security, information security, insider threat, personnel security, physical security and special access program missions through training, education, quality assurance and research.

The DCSA Student Experience is looking for interns to join our team in the following security administration disciplines:

Personnel Security/Adjudications, Physical Security, Communications Security, Information Security, Operational Security, Special Access Programs, FOCI, International Programs, Export Controls and or Emergency Planning.

• Interacts with security personnel and other staff regarding issues or other developments in specific cases.
• Utilizes risk management principles in the analysis, selection and application of effective security countermeasures.
• Provide investigative support as well as assist in achieving the goals of the assigned program.
• Based upon provided guidance, determines required resources, length, breadth and scope of assignment as well as ensure work is efficiently accomplished.
• Collaborate with integrated teams of security and counterintelligence professionals.

You are applying to the Security Administration series and not a specific position. If selected, you will be placed in an open internship position within the Security Administration series in the location specified in your application.

**SALARY INFORMATION**

• Long Beach, California - $46,020 - $74,110
• March AFB, California - $46,020 - $74,110
• McClellan, California - $43,757 - $70,520
• Palmdale, California - $46,020 - $74,110
• San Diego, California - $45,075 - $72,588
• San Mateo, California - $49,262 - $79,331
• Colorado Springs, Colorado $40,562 - $65,321
• Denver, Colorado - $44,001 - $70,859
• Groton, Connecticut - $44,590 - $71,808
• Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - $41,260 - $66,445
• Chicago, Illinois CHI $44,180 - $71,148
• Fort Meade, Maryland - $45,146 - $72,703
• Mount Laurel, New Jersey - $43,550 - $70,133
• Albuquerque, New Mexico - $39,993 - $64,405
• Fort Bliss, Texas - $39,576 - $63,733
• San Antonio, Texas - $40,142 - $64,645
• Ogden, Utah - $39,576 - $63,733
• Tacoma, Washington - 44,316 - 71,366

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Must be a US citizen
• Selective Service Requirement: Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. For more information http://www.sss.gov
• Resume and supporting documents received by 11:59PM EST will be considered
• This is a Drug Testing designated position
• Position is a (DCIPS) position in the Excepted Service under U.S.C. 1601
• Work Schedule: Full Time
• Overtime: Occasionally
• Tour of Duty: Flexible
• PCS (Permanent Change of Station): Not Authorized (Relocation expenses or housing will NOT be provided by the agency)
• Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Non-Exempt
• Financial Disclosure: Not Required
• Telework Eligibility: This position is telework eligible, but is not a full time telework position. The incumbent will be required to report to the office on a routine basis.
• Suitable for federal employment, determined by a background investigation.
• If selected, the incumbent must obtain and maintain appropriate security clearance as indicated in job announcement.
• Must be enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree program with a full-time course load at time of application and in the spring semester prior to the summer program, with an expected graduation date of October 2025 or later.
• Must have and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale.
• Students accepted to the internship program must send an official transcript with spring 2025 semester/quarter grades to Student Programs prior to onboarding.
• Students who successfully complete the program may be eligible for non-competitive conversion to a permanent position effective after graduation if all requirements have been met. (See below for other factors)
• Funding availability, mission requirements, and other factors may apply.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must meet the criteria specified below:

QUALIFICATIONS:

• To qualify at the GG-05 pay level: You must be enrolled in an accredited undergraduate degree program with a full-time course load at time of application and in the spring semester prior to the summer program, with an expected graduation date of October 2025 or later. Note: A full-time course load is at least 12 credit hours per semester.

• To qualify for the GG-07 pay level: You must be enrolled in an accredited undergraduate program with a full-time course load at time of application with an expected graduation date of May 2025 or earlier. You must have conferred your undergraduate degree by May 2025 and be accepted into a graduate level educational program for the Fall 2025 semester. Proof of acceptance must be provided prior to start of position; OR you must be enrolled in an accredited graduate degree program with a full-time course load at time of application and in the spring semester prior to the summer program, with an expected graduation date of October 2025 or later.

1. You must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale.
2. Students scheduled to graduate prior to winter 2025 are ineligible unless accepted and enrolled in a subsequent degree program. Documentation of subsequent degree program acceptance and enrollment will be required at time of application.

Education: All applicants must submit college or university unofficial transcripts as proof of enrollment in an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree program, current enrollment in a full-time course load and to confirm GPA. See below for further instruction on transcripts.

Relocation expenses or housing benefits are NOT offered for our student positions. This position is not remote. If you are selected, you will have to report to the office throughout your internship and be living within commuting distance to the office during the summer program.

**PLEASE NOTE** - This is not a developmental opportunity - this position will be filled at the GG-05 or GG-07 depending on applicant qualifications and organizational requirements.

Specifically, you will be evaluated on the following competencies:

Communication: Written and oral communication techniques sufficient to develop and deliver briefings, project papers, status/staff reports and correspondence to managers to foster understanding and acceptance of findings and recommendations.

Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.

Teamwork: Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.

Problem Solving: Identifies and analyzes problems; uses sound reasoning to arrive at conclusions; finds alternative solutions to complex problems; distinguishes between relevant and irrelevant information to make logical judgements.

Attention to Detail: Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.

Additionally, you will be evaluated on your ability to research, analyze, and present information.

Education

All applicants must submit college or university unofficial transcripts as proof of enrollment in an accredited undergraduate or graduate program, current enrollment in a full-time course load, and to confirm GPA requirement. NEWLY ENROLLED FRESHMAN will be required to ALSO provide high school transcripts to confirm GPA requirements. If you are newly enrolled and do not have a transcript you should provide your acceptance letter as proof of enrollment.

Superior Academic Achievement does not apply to DCIPS positions.

Failure to provide transcripts will result in you being rated ineligible for this position.

Foreign Education: For further information, click on the following link:

https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/

Additional information

VETERANS PREFERENCE/CURRENT OR FORMER FEDERAL

In accordance with DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, veterans preference is not required to be applied when considering candidates with prior Federal competitive or excepted service who have completed a probationary or trial period and have not been separated for cause. Therefore, veterans preference will not be applied to applicants with current federal service, or former federal civilian service meeting the above criteria.

Re-employed Annuitant: This position does not meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/1400.25-V300.pdf

Applicants selected from this announcement may be required to serve a two-year trial period.

If selected, Federal employees currently serving in the competitive service must acknowledge that they will voluntarily leave the competitive service by accepting an offer of employment for a DCIPS excepted service positions.

If selected, non-DCIPS candidates must acknowledge in writing that the position they have been selected for is in the excepted service and covered by DCIPS.

Selection under this appointment authority does not confer civil service competitive status.

All current and former Federal employees must submit a copy of your latest SF50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing your tenure, grade and step, and type of position occupied (i.e., Excepted or Competitive); or similar Notification of Personnel Action documentation, i.e., Transcript of Service, Form 1150, etc.

Resumes should NOT include: Classified information/SSN/Photo of yourself/personal information (gender, religion, affiliation etc/Encrypted digitally signed docs). Resumes with this prohibited information will be automatically ineligible for consideration.

• Benefits
  
  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  
  Review our benefits
  
  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Read the job opportunity carefully to make sure you have included all required contact information.

Include dates, hours, level of experience and examples for each work experience

For each work experience you list, make sure you include:

• Start and end dates (including the month and year).
• The number of hours you worked per week.
• The level and amount of experience-for instance, whether you served as a project manager or a team member helps to illustrate your level of experience.
• Examples of relevant experiences and accomplishments that prove you can perform the tasks at the level required for the job as stated in the job announcement. Your experience needs to address every required qualification.

If your resume does not clearly outline details for each position as noted, you may be deemed "not referred" for this position.

Once the application process is complete, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the Occupational Questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job If you are found to be among the top candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.

• Benefits
  
  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  
  Review our benefits
  
  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
• Required Documents
  
  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
  
  Please review the General Application Information and Definitions at:
  
  https://www.dla.mil/Portals/104/Documents/Careers/downloads/DoDGenAppInfo%2012-1-2020.pdf?ver=ECNbdsHtGilTd3OENN4A0Q%3d%3d
  
  The documents you are required to submit vary based on the authority you are using to apply (i.e., applying as a veteran, applying as a current permanent Federal employee, applying as a reinstatement, etc.).
  
  Your complete application includes your COMPLETE resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which prove your eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.
  
  The following documents are REQUIRED:
  
  Your complete application includes your COMPLETE resume and documents which prove your eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.
  
  1. Your resume: It must include your name, contact information, anticipated graduation date, name of university or college, degree type (Bachelors, Masters, etc.) major and/or minor.
  2. Transcripts: This position has a degree or education requirement, so you are required to submit a copy of your transcript. We accept unofficial transcripts, as long as they contain your name, the name of the school, the date and degree that was awarded (if applicable), GPA and the lists of classes and credits earned. NEWLY ENROLLED FRESHMAN will be required to provide the above-mentioned college transcripts and ALSO provide high school transcripts to confirm GPA requirements.
  
  Do not provide links, screenshots, or pictures of your transcript. Unofficial transcripts must be obtained by your registrar's office or submitted as a PDF document with the student's name, the name of the school, GPA and the list of classes and credits earned.
  
  
  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
  
  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
  schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
  
  Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
• How to Apply
  
  To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package as described in REQUIRED DOCUMENTS.
  
  Click 'Apply Online' to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account.
  
  1. Follow the prompts to complete the assessment questionnaire and upload required documents.
  
  2. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application.
  
  3. Applications must be received by the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.
  
  To review the status of an application through USAJOBS:
  
  1. Log into your USAJOBS account
  
  2. Click Application Status within your profile to expand your application
  
  3. Locate the job announcement and click the more information link under the Status column for this position. You will be routed to Application Manager. The Details tab displays by default. The Details tab displays comprehensive information about the selected Application Package including: assessment(s) and the status, supporting documents and their status, correspondence sent to you by the hiring agency, and your application processing status.
  
  Agency contact information
  
  DCSA Servicing Team
  
  Phone
  
  614-692-2886
  
  Email
  
  DHRS-DDCSA@dla.mil
  
  Address
  
  Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency
  
  27130 Telegraph Road
  
  Quantico, VA 22134
  
  US
  
  Next steps
  
  Once you successfully complete the application process, you will receive a notification of receipt. Your application package will be reviewed to ensure you meet the basic eligibility and qualifications requirements, and you will receive a notification. A review will be made of your online questionnaire and the documentation you submitted to support your responses. A list of qualified applicants will be created and sent to the selecting official. All applicants reviewed and/or referred will receive a notification letter.
  
  The selecting official may choose to conduct interviews, and once the selection is made, you will receive a notification of the decision.
  
  *NOTE: If you submit a resume but no questionnaire, you cannot be considered for the position. If you submit a questionnaire but no resume, you cannot be considered for the position. Your application will be appropriately documented and you will be removed from further competition against this announcement.
  
  REGARDING INTERVIEWS: Interviews may be required for this position. Accommodations may be made to conduct telephonic interviews to preclude travel hardships for applicants. Note: Declining to be interviewed or failure to report for a scheduled interview will be considered as a declination for further consideration for employment against this vacancy.
  
  The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the point of contact for this job announcement. Your requests for reasonable accommodation will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.
  
  This announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
• Fair and Transparent
  
  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
  
  
  • Criminal history inquiries
  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Financial suitability
  • New employee probationary period
  • Privacy Act
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Selective Service
  • Signature and false statements
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

Please review the General Application Information and Definitions at:

https://www.dla.mil/Portals/104/Documents/Careers/downloads/DoDGenAppInfo%2012-1-2020.pdf?ver=ECNbdsHtGilTd3OENN4A0Q%3d%3d

The documents you are required to submit vary based on the authority you are using to apply (i.e., applying as a veteran, applying as a current permanent Federal employee, applying as a reinstatement, etc.).

Your complete application includes your COMPLETE resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which prove your eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.

The following documents are REQUIRED:

Your complete application includes your COMPLETE resume and documents which prove your eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.

1. Your resume: It must include your name, contact information, anticipated graduation date, name of university or college, degree type (Bachelors, Masters, etc.) major and/or minor.
2. Transcripts: This position has a degree or education requirement, so you are required to submit a copy of your transcript. We accept unofficial transcripts, as long as they contain your name, the name of the school, the date and degree that was awarded (if applicable), GPA and the lists of classes and credits earned. NEWLY ENROLLED FRESHMAN will be required to provide the above-mentioned college transcripts and ALSO provide high school transcripts to confirm GPA requirements.

Do not provide links, screenshots, or pictures of your transcript. Unofficial transcripts must be obtained by your registrar's office or submitted as a PDF document with the student's name, the name of the school, GPA and the list of classes and credits earned.


If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package as described in REQUIRED DOCUMENTS.

Click 'Apply Online' to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account.

1. Follow the prompts to complete the assessment questionnaire and upload required documents.

2. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application.

3. Applications must be received by the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.

To review the status of an application through USAJOBS:

1. Log into your USAJOBS account

2. Click Application Status within your profile to expand your application

3. Locate the job announcement and click the more information link under the Status column for this position. You will be routed to Application Manager. The Details tab displays by default. The Details tab displays comprehensive information about the selected Application Package including: assessment(s) and the status, supporting documents and their status, correspondence sent to you by the hiring agency, and your application processing status.

Agency contact information

DCSA Servicing Team

Phone

614-692-2886

Email

DHRS-DDCSA@dla.mil

Address

Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency

27130 Telegraph Road

Quantico, VA 22134

US

Next steps

Once you successfully complete the application process, you will receive a notification of receipt. Your application package will be reviewed to ensure you meet the basic eligibility and qualifications requirements, and you will receive a notification. A review will be made of your online questionnaire and the documentation you submitted to support your responses. A list of qualified applicants will be created and sent to the selecting official. All applicants reviewed and/or referred will receive a notification letter.

The selecting official may choose to conduct interviews, and once the selection is made, you will receive a notification of the decision.

*NOTE: If you submit a resume but no questionnaire, you cannot be considered for the position. If you submit a questionnaire but no resume, you cannot be considered for the position. Your application will be appropriately documented and you will be removed from further competition against this announcement.

REGARDING INTERVIEWS: Interviews may be required for this position. Accommodations may be made to conduct telephonic interviews to preclude travel hardships for applicants. Note: Declining to be interviewed or failure to report for a scheduled interview will be considered as a declination for further consideration for employment against this vacancy.

The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the point of contact for this job announcement. Your requests for reasonable accommodation will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

This announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

Fair & Transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

• Criminal history inquiries
• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
• Financial suitability
• New employee probationary period
• Privacy Act
• Reasonable accommodation policy
• Selective Service
• Signature and false statements
• Social security number request