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Pathways Student Trainee (Contracting)

Department of Defense
Defense Information Systems Agency
DISA-MSO/Procurement Services Directorate (PSD)

Summary

This position is part of DISA's Pathways Student Trainee Program, which is designed for current students and individuals accepted for enrollment in a qualifying educational program in an accredited institution, on a full or half-time basis. As a paid intern, you will be given the opportunity to gain the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to pursue a successful career with DISA and to explore numerous possibilities for growth, learning and valuable work experience.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted today · Apply by 07/03/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 3, 2026
Location
Many vacancies in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$35,749 - $41,341 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 2 - 4
Promotion potential
9
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Internships
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Excepted Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Secret
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
PWIN-DISA-12950088-26AB
Control number
871339700

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Students Enrolled or Accepted for Enrollment During the Current or Next Upcoming Semester in a Degree-seeking Program (diploma, certificate, etc.) in an Accredited/Qualifying Educational Institution, on a Full or Half-time Basis.

Duties

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  • As a participant in the Pathways Internship 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.
  • Serve as trainee in contracting working closely with team leader and supervisor in a training capacity on assigned tasks.
  • Observe and assist contract specialists to develop skills in contracting.
  • Perform a variety of limited technical tasks designed to familiarize the incumbent with regulatory guidelines, terminology, procedures and techniques of the government

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S Citizen or National
  • This national security position, which may require access to classified information, requires a favorable suitability review and security clearance as a condition of employment. Failure to maintain security eligibility may result in termination.
  • Must be at least 16 years of age.
  • Enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a full-time or half-time student.
  • Must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Must maintain student eligibility for the duration of internship.
  • Must be willing and able to work a minimum of 20 hours per week during the duration of the internship.

Qualifications

Student Interns qualify based on their educational achievements. To be eligible for the Student Internship Program, you must submit unofficial/official transcripts with the current enrollment period course load along with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 - The absence of this information will result in an ineligible rating. Transcripts (Are Required)

This is a year round internship and not seasonal

  • To qualify at the GS-02 - Completion of high school diploma or equivalent degree.
  • To qualify at the GS-03 - Completion of I full academic year of post-high school study.
  • To qualify at the GS-04 - Completion of 2 full academic years of post-high school study or an associate's degree.
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.

Education

To qualify at the 02 - Completion of high school diploma or equivalent degree.
To qualify at the 03 - Completion of I full academic year of post-high school study.
To qualify at the 04 - Completion of 2 full academic years of post-high school study or an associate's degree.
  • Students must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) at time of application and must maintain at least a 2.5 GPA throughout the entire Pathways Student Trainee Internship appointment to remain in the Program;
  • Applicants MUST submit a transcript or proof of enrollment with the online application (see Required Documents for additional details).
Undergraduate Credit Information: 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours is equal to 1 academic year above high school.
For study at a business or technical school, 36 weeks of study (20+ classroom hours per week) is comparable to 1 academic year above high school.

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence at the time of application. Late submissions of proof of accreditation will not be accepted. Click on the link for a list of accredited organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials.

Additional information

  • This announcement will be used to fill positions with an entry grade of GS-1199-02, GS-1199-03, or GS-1199-04, with a career progression target grade of GS-1102-09 FPL GS-09. If selected for a position a job offer will be made at the minimum salary level for the offered grade level. Management has the prerogative to select at any grade level. This recruitment provides promotion opportunity to target position without further competition when selectee is eligible and recommended by management. However, promotion is not guaranteed, and no promise of a promotion is implied.
  • The duration of a Pathways appointment under Sch D is a trial period.
  • An appointment under a Pathways Internship is intended to continue through completion of education and work requirements.
  • Telework availability will be based upon the mission requirements and supervisory determination.
  • Management has the prerogative to select at any grade level.
  • This recruitment provides promotion opportunity to target position without further competition when selectee is eligible and recommended by management. However promotion is not guaranteed and no promise of a promotion is implied.
  • Moving costs WILL NOT be paid.
  • Recruitment, relocation, or retention incentives are NOT authorized. 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.
  • Applicants must sign a Pathways Participant Agreement; be able to furnish course registration information at the start of each school term; and be able to provide verification of academic status (official transcript) at the end of each academic term.
  • We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 90 days of the closing date.
  • For more information on veterans' preference click here.
  • 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. It applies to former Federal civilian employees receiving a retirement annuity from the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund that are hired within the DoD on or after November 24, 2003. The policy also applies to annuitants (appointed in DoD on/or after November 24, 2003) who move from one position to another within DoD through voluntary reassignment, promotion, change to lower grade or transfer between military departments. Please see this policy here.
  • For more information regarding qualifications requirements please 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.
  • For more benefits information please visit: http://www.disa.mil/Careers/Federal-Benefits.

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.

How you will be evaluated

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

You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

  • Analysis
  • Decision Support
  • Office Automation
  • Administration & Management

You can preview the Assessment Questionnaire here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12950088

Online Assessments and Questionnaire Information: Your results on these assessments will be used to place you into one of the three quality categories listed below according to Category Rating and Selection Procedures. In addition, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to verify you meet the qualifications for this job. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and may be interviewed prior to selection. You will be notified of the outcome.
  1. Qualified Category - Meets the minimum qualifications as described in the Qualifications section of this announcement.
  2. Highly Qualified Category - Exceeds the minimum qualification requirements and demonstrates proficiency in some of the job-related competencies based on the answers to the occupational questionnaire.
  3. Best Qualified Category - Exceeds the minimum qualification requirements and demonstrates a high level of proficiency in the job related competencies based on the answers to the occupational questionnaire.
Application of Veterans Preference: The Category Rating Method does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three," but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligible's within each category. Preference eligibles who meet minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or higher. A selecting official may make selections from the highest quality category (Best Qualified) provided no preference eligible in that category is passed over to select a non-preference eligible in that category unless the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 3317(b) or 3318(b) are satisfied.

Defense Information Systems Agency

If you want to do interesting and challenging work and to make a contribution to national defense, DISA is a great place for you.

DISA provides secure and reliable communications and computing support that enable the President and our military forces to communicate globally through voice, video, and data transmission. DISA is a leader within the Federal Government in implementing "people programs" and offers a broad range of quality-of-life and training programs. Go to www.disa.mil for more information.

It is in the Professional Work Category at the Entry / Developmental Work Level within the CES Occupational Structure.

It is located in the DISA DKAEAB-PS8221

Agency contact information

HR Customer Care Center
Phone
(317) 212-0454
Email
dfas.indianapolis-in.zh.mbx.dfasmeritcc@mail.mil
Address
DISA - MSO/PROCUREMENT SERVICES DIRECTORATE
2300 East Drive Bldg 3600
Scott AFB, IL 62225
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Defense Information Systems Agency, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://www.disa.mil/careers/

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