IT Cybersecurity Specialist (PLCYPLN) - CES Recent Graduate

About the role

The recent graduates program targets individuals who have graduated recently from qualifying educational institutions or programs. To be eligible, applicants must apply within 2 years of degree or certificate completion, except for veterans precluded from doing so due to their military service obligations, who will have up to 6 years after degree or certificate completion.

Successful applicants will be placed in a dynamic, career development program.

What you will do

• As a participant in the Recent Graduates Program, you will receive both formal and on-the-job training to develop the required knowledge and skill to successfully perform the duties of the position.
• Evaluate and support customer's needs focusing on acquisition and procurement processes.
• Execute standardized workflows, and directives relating to an operational environment supporting resources and processes across the directorate.
• Advises on Information Technology related acquisition tasks within the assigned portfolio to include management and oversight of acquired resources.
• Provide coordination with inside and outside entities to develop, deliver, and sustain war winning combat support IT solutions.

Education

Substitution of education for experience at the 07 grade level: Bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement or 1 academic year of graduate education (or law school, as specified in qualification standards or individual occupational requirements).

Superior Academic Achievement: S.A.A. is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership. Substitution of education for experience at the 09 grade level: Completion of a Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D.

Substitution of education for experience at the 11 grade level: Completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M. in a directly related field.

Qualifying Education Institution: Any of the following educational institutions or curricula that have been accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education *** Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services at the time of application.

National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.

How you will be evaluated

How You Will Be Evaluated: Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the applicant questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job.

If, after reviewing your resume and or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating.

You can preview the Assessment Questionnaire here: *** Criminal History Inquiries- If you apply to this position and are selected, we will not ask about your criminal history before you receive a conditional job offer.

If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency @ ***

Documents you must provide

• FOR THIS JOB ANNOUNCEMENT THE FOLLOWING SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED AS THEY APPLY STATED BELOW AND MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE CLOSE OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT.
• Resume: A two-page maximum resume is required.
• Applicant guidance on the two page resume requirement may be found at *** .
• Learn more about the new resume requirements Complete initial Eligibility Questionnaire: Your resume must demonstrate the quality of your work as it relates to the experience requirements outlined in the job announcement.
• Transcripts (Required) - To be eligible for the Recent Graduates Program, you must submit official/unofficial transcripts.
• The absence of this information will result in an ineligible rating.
• Current and former federal employees, including those currently working for the agency, must submit their SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) reflecting their highest grade held on a permanent basis for at least 52 weeks, tenure, and appointment type.
• Failure to provide this document may result in disqualification.
• Veterans Preference Documentation (If applicable):You must submit a copy of your DD Form-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty", showing the dates of active duty service, type of discharge and the character of service.
• Alternatively, If you are a current military member in active duty service and do not have a copy of your DD Form-214, you must submit a written documentation (certification) from your branch of service certifying that you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions no later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted with your application for this position.
• The certification should also include your rank, dates of active duty service and what they condition of discharge is thought to be.If claiming 10-point preference and/or are a 30% or more Disabled Veteran, you must submit both a DD Form-214 or expected discharge documentation as described above AND a copy of a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or your branch of service certifying the presence of service-connected disability and indicating the percentage of disabilityIf you are claiming eligibility based on 10-point derived veterans' preference (i.e. a spouse, widow/widower, or parent of a veteran claiming veterans' preference when the veteran is unable to use it), you must also submit a Standard Form 15 (SF-15) "Application for 10-Point Veteran's Preference" and any required documents indicated on the SF-15 to substantiate the claimed preference.
• Military Spouse Preference (if applicable): Spousal Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders, marriage certificate/license, and a MILITARY SPOUSE PPP SELF-CERTIFICATION CHECKLIST are required to claim Military Spouse Preference.
• The Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist can be found here: To download the checklist, select "Save" or "Save As" instead of "Open." Save the document to your device then open it as a PDF.
• Once the form is opened, select "Enable All Features" and the form will populate so that it can be completed. *** Your complete Application Package (containing the above required documents) must be received no later than 11:59 pm Eastern Time on 11/18/2026.
• WARNING: Failure to submit a complete application package including any required documentation by 11:59 PM (EST) on11/18/2026 , or at the time of application for announcements with an extended closing date, may result in an ineligible rating and loss of consideration.
• To verify that your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select Application Status and More Information.
• The Details page will display the status of your application.
• It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered, uploaded is received, legible and accurate.
• HR will not modify answers submitted by an applicant.

What to expect next

Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. The occupational questionnaire and the resume that you submit will be used to assess your qualifications for the job, and to identify the best qualified applicants to be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interviews.

We will notify you of the outcome after each of these steps has been completed. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. *** ***

Additional information

CES Interns are NOT eligible for conversion to a career/career-conditional appointment in the Competitive Service. CES Interns are eligible for non-competitive conversion to a term or permanent CES position in a CES designated organization: A trial period may be required if you have not previously completed a trial or probationary period in the excepted or competitive service.

We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies 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 (to verify your registration status click here). The Department of Defense (DoD) policy on employment of annuitants issued March 18, 2004 will be used in determining eligibility of annuitants.

Because this position is in the Cyber Excepted Service, Veterans' Preference will be applied to preference eligible candidates, as defined by Section 2108 of the Title 5 U.S.C. in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 3005, "CES Employment and Placement." If you are a veteran claiming veteran's preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., you must submit documents verifying your eligibility with your application package.

For more information on Cyber Excepted Service Personnel System, click here. For more information on veterans' preference, click here. For more information regarding qualifications requirements, click here.

You may submit a cover letter which will be forwarded to the selecting official with your resume. Your cover letter will not be used to verify your qualifications or eligibility. All applicants are encouraged to apply electronically.

If you are unable to apply on-line, you may contact *** for assistance. If selected, the authorized rate of pay may exceed the stated maximum salary rate range under certain circumstances. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 makes certain reimbursements/payments taxable.

For information on these changes and the Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA), for which some appointees are eligible, click here. This position is covered under DoD Manual 8140 which will be subject to future Cyber Workforce requirements as defined by the Manual.

Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (to verify your registration status click here). The Department of Defense (DoD) policy on employment of annuitants issued March 18, 2004 will be used in determining eligibility of annuitants.

Because this position is in the Cyber Excepted Service, Veterans' Preference will be applied to preference eligible candidates, as defined by Section 2108 of the Title 5 U.S.C. in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 3005, "CES Employment and Placement." If you are a veteran claiming veteran's preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., you must submit documents verifying your eligibility with your application package.

For more information on Cyber Excepted Service Personnel System, click here. For more information on veterans' preference, click here. For more information regarding qualifications requirements, click here.

You may submit a cover letter which will be forwarded to the selecting official with your resume. Your cover letter will not be used to verify your qualifications or eligibility.