SummaryThe entry level candidates 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.
Learn more about this agencyDutiesHelp
- As a participant in the entry level candidates 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.
- Perform cyber defense trend analysis and reporting, as well as performing initial, forensically sound collection of images and inspect to discern possible mitigation/remediation on enterprise systems.
- Perform analysis of log files from a variety of sources (e.g., individual host logs, network traffic logs, firewall logs, and intrusion detection system (IDS) logs) to identify possible threats to network security.
- Performs cyber defense incident triage, to include determining scope, urgency, and potential impact; identifies the specific vulnerability; and makes recommendations that enable expeditious remediation.
RequirementsHelp
Conditions of employmentQualificationsWho 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.
OR
Veterans (as defined in 5 U.S.C. 2108) who were unable to apply within 2 years of obtaining a qualifying Associates, Bachelor's, Master's, Professional, Doctorate, Vocational or Technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution due to their military service obligation. Veterans have a full 2-year eligibility period to apply upon his/her release or discharge from active duty. The eligibility period for veterans must be within 6 years of degree completion. You MUST provide your DD-214 to support this claim.
In addition to the eligibility requirement above, you must also meet the Basic Requirement:
- Undergraduate or Graduate Education: Degree in computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology management or degree that provided a minimum of 24 semester hours in one or more of the fields identified above and required the development or adaptation of applications, systems or networks.
OR
- Attention to Detail - experience reviewing my own information technology-related work or data to ensure accuracy, completeness, and consistency with standards. My work or the data that I produce is typically reviewed by my supervisor or another colleague
- Customer Service - experience having brief contact with customers to provide information about available information technology products and services and providing customers with standard products or routine services to address information technology needs
- Oral Communication - experience informing my supervisor and other IT staff of the status of information technology systems, projects, or daily operations, including the status of information technology systems, projects, or daily operations, including the communication of basic technical information to a non-technical audience
- Problem Solving - identifying or selecting from a number of alternatives to address routine information technology-related issues by gathering and applying information from standard sources that provide a limited number of solutions
In addition to the Eligibility, and the Basic Requirement, your resume must demonstrate the following Qualifying Experience:
Your resume must describe at least one year of experience that demonstrates the competencies necessary for immediate success in the position. Experience refers to any paid or unpaid experience, including volunteer work and Military service, that would be considered equivalent to work normally performed at the next lower grade level in the federal service.
- For the GG-09, qualifying experience is defined as assisting collecting and analyzing data from intrusion detection systems (IDS), firewalls, and network/host logs to identify threat trends or assisting with technical support during security incidents, including documenting findings and helping with routine containment or remediation tasks.
- For the GG-11, qualifying experience is defined as identifying and investigating anomalous activity and Indicators of Compromise (IOCs) by monitoring enterprise networks, intrusion detection systems (IDS), or security event logs utilizing standard automated cybersecurity tools (such as vulnerability scanners, or log management test) to track vulnerabilities and assist with containment and remediation efforts.
*****Candidates must describe how they meet the qualifying experience within the body of their resume.
*****Veterans - DD-214 are required, and will render an ineligible rating if not submitted.
*****Transcripts are required along with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50. The absence of this information will result in an ineligible rating.
*****Candidate must meet Recent Graduate eligibility requirement by end of the Fall 2026 Semester.
Education- 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 ;/li>
- 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.
Additional information- CES Interns are NOT eligible for conversion to a career/career-conditional appointment.
- 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.
- Management has the prerogative to select at either grade level.
- Selectee of this recruitment will be required to sign a Recent Graduate Program Participant Agreement.
- 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.
- 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.
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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.
BenefitsHelp
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.
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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.
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