Summary Interested in a career in national security? DCSA is offering a paid internship: the DCSA Student Experience (DSE) '26 Cohort. Open to undergraduate and graduate students with a 3.0+ GPA, students must maintain full-time status through October 2027. The program runs 1 OR 15 June - 21 August 2026, requiring a minimum of 10 weeks of participation. Positions may be in one of the following offices: Field Operations - Industrial Security or Industrial Security - Entity Vetting. Responsibilities This is a temporary position NTE 1 year from appointment. The DCSA Student Experience is looking for a General Student Trainee (Industrial Security) to join our team to perform the following duties: - Under direct supervision, manage implementation of the NISP provides and facilitates multiple discipline support to assigned contractor facilities and GCAs. - Conducts basic-level evaluation of business structures, operational control, reporting requirements, and security program implementation throughout the life cycle of the contractor's FCL. - Utilizes risk management principles in the analysis, selection and application of effective security countermeasures. - Determines required resources and the length, breadth and scope and assigns actions to ensure work is efficiently accomplished. - Participates in integrated teams of security and counterintelligence professionals for SRs. - Assist in identifying and recording vulnerabilities or instances of noncompliance to determine the level of risk within a contractor's security program, providing timely analysis and recommendations regarding countermeasures/corrective actions. - Assists with detailing contractor compliance with regulations for the protection, control and safeguarding of classified information/material. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications To qualify at the GG-05 level, you must meet the criteria specified below: Completion of 1 full academic year of post-high school study by May 2026 (spring quarter/semester); Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher at time of application. A GPA of 3.0 or higher must be maintained throughout the duration of the program; and Maintain a full-time student status (as defined by your university or college) through October 2027. To qualify at the GG-07 level, you must meet the criteria specified below: Completion of 4 academic years of post-high school education leading to a bachelor's or equivalent degree (expected graduation date of May 2026 or earlier); and Enrolled as full-time student in a graduate program for Fall 2026; and Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher at time of application. A GPA of 3.0 or higher must be maintained throughout the duration of the program; and Maintain a full-time student status (as defined by your university or college) through October 2027. Students who successfully complete the Summer 2026 Cohort may be considered for participation with the Summer 2027 Cohort, pending educational qualification status. Students graduating prior to October 2027 from their current college/university must intend to continue their education and be enrolled as full-time students through October 2027. Proof of this enrollment and full-time status will be required prior to returning for the Summer 2027 Cohort. 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 requirements. See below for further instructions on transcripts. PLEASE NOTE - This is not a developmental career ladder 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: 1. 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 2. 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 3. Teamwork: Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals 4. 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 judgments 5. Attention to Detail: Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail 6. Ability to research, analyze and present information. Relocation expenses or housing benefits are NOT offered for our student positions. This position does not offer remote work. If you are selected, you will have to report to the office throughout your internship and be living within commuting distance of the office during the summer program. Education Education Requirement 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. COLLEGE FRESHMAN will be required to ALSO provide high school transcripts to confirm GPA requirements. 1st YEAR GRADUATE STUDENTS will be required to ALSO provide their transcript from their previous undergraduate program to show they meet the GPA requirement. TRANSFER STUDENTS may also need to provide their transcript from their previous institution if their GPA is not included on the unofficial transcript from their current institution. 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. All Defense Intelligence positions under the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) are in the excepted service by specific statue, 10 U.S.C. 1601. This position is in the excepted service and does not confer competitive status. For more information on the DCIPS occupational structure click here. For more information about career advancement in DCIPS click here.
