IT CYBERSECURITY SPECIALIST (INFOSEC) CES Recent Graduate

This position is part of the Recent Graduates Program, targeting individuals who have graduated recently from qualifying educational institutions or programs. Applicants must apply within 2 years of degree or certificate completion, except for veterans precluded from doing so due to military service obligations, who have up to 6 years after degree completion.

About the role

Successful applicants will be placed in a dynamic, career development program with both formal and on-the-job training to develop the required knowledge and skills for the position.

Responsibilities

• Perform feasibility studies to develop or modify information systems to meet user requirements.
• Provide technical advice to users, evaluating alternative means of satisfying requirements and recommending effective automation approaches.
• Review proposals for change, including objectives, scope, and user expectations, addressing problems requiring significant departure from established practice.
• Prepare testing and implementation plans, establishing test criteria and data to ensure program modules and outputs are tested for completeness and accuracy.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• This national security position requires a favorable suitability review and security clearance. Failure to maintain security eligibility may result in termination.
• Current Federal Career/Career-Conditional employees will be placed on an Excepted appointment.
• This position is covered under DoD Manual 8140 and is subject to future Cyber Workforce requirements.
• This is a drug-testing designated position.

Qualifications

Who May Be Considered:

• Individuals who have obtained a qualifying Associates, Bachelor's, Master's, Professional, Doctorate, Vocational, or Technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution within the previous 2 years.
• Veterans (as defined in 5 U.S.C. 2108) unable to apply within 2 years due to military service obligation. Veterans have a full 2-year eligibility period upon release or discharge from active duty, within 6 years of degree completion. You must provide your DD-214 to support this claim.

Basic Requirement:

• Undergraduate or Graduate Education: Degree in computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology management, or a degree providing a minimum of 24 semester hours in one or more of these fields, with development or adaptation of applications, systems, or networks.

Experience in the following areas:

• Attention to Detail: Reviewing IT-related work or data for accuracy, completeness, and consistency with standards.
• Customer Service: Brief contact with customers to provide information about IT products/services or delivering standard products/routine services.
• Oral Communication: Informing supervisors and IT staff about system/project status, including basic technical information for non-technical audiences.
• Problem Solving: Addressing routine IT-related issues by gathering information from standard sources with limited solutions.

Qualifying Experience by Grade Level:

• GG-07: Identifying and resolving stable, routine technical problems using established guides, protocols, or standard operating methods.
• GG-09: Handling stable cybersecurity issues independently and selecting standard methods for readily available solutions.
• GG-11: Independently planning and executing conventional IT cybersecurity projects or resolving complex issues by adapting standard methods.

Additional Requirements:

• Candidates must describe how they meet qualifying experience in their resume.
• Veterans must submit a DD-214; failure to do so will result in an ineligible rating.
• Transcripts are required, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50. Missing this information will result in an ineligible rating.
• Candidates must meet Recent Graduate eligibility by the end of the Fall 2026 semester.

Education Substitution

• GG-07: Bachelor’s degree with Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) or 1 academic year of graduate education (or law school). SAA is based on class standing, GPA, or honor society membership.
• GG-09: Completion of a Master’s or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education.
• GG-11: Completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education in a directly related field.

Qualifying Education Institution: Must be accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. View accredited institutions.

Foreign Education: Education completed in foreign institutions must be evaluated by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. Learn more.

Additional Information

• Recent Graduates are not eligible for conversion to a career/career-conditional appointment but may convert to a term or permanent position in a designated organization.
• A trial period may be required if you have not previously completed one in the excepted or competitive service.
• Management may select at any grade level (GG-07, GG-09, or GG-11).
• Selectees must sign a Recent Graduate Program Participant Agreement.
• Additional vacancies may be filled within 90 days of the closing date.
• Moving costs will not be paid; recruitment, relocation, or retention incentives are not authorized.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service. Verify registration.
• DoD policy on employment of annuitants applies.
• Veterans’ Preference will be applied to eligible candidates in the Cyber Excepted Service. Learn more.
• Candidates may submit a cover letter, which will be forwarded to the selecting official.
• If selected, the authorized rate of pay may exceed the stated maximum under certain circumstances.
• The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 may affect taxable reimbursements/payments. Learn more about RITA.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Access to a range of benefits designed to support federal employees and their families.
• Eligibility depends on position type (full-time, part-time, or intermittent). Learn more about federal benefits.