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STUDENT TRAINEE (MANAGEMENT & PROGRAM ANALYST)

Department of Defense
Defense Security Cooperation Agency

Summary

This is a paid internship opportunity under the Pathways Internship Program, providing students with opportunities to work in agencies and explore Federal careers. This position provides students with opportunities to explore DSCA careers and gain meaningful developmental work experience.

Please read the entire announcement before applying.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted yesterday · Apply by 07/23/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 23, 2026
This job will close when we have received 75 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Location
Few vacancies in the following locations:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$37,765 - $75,059 per year

Salary is determined by grade and location at which you are selected.

Pay scale & grade
GS 4 - 7
Promotion potential
7
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Multiple Schedules
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
Yes
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
DSCA-26-13002409-PW
Control number
875955100

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Students; All U.S. Citizens who are students enrolled, at least part-time, in an accredited business, secretarial, technical school, junior college, college or university, (Transcripts required).

Duties

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These are developmental positions designed to provide interns with challenging assignments that will broaden their perspectives on issues facing the government and prepare them for future positions throughout the government. Pathways Student Intern will work with and support the office they are assigned to.

Their duties are, but not limited to:

  • Assist senior specialist and supervisor in conducting program functions.
  • Participate in special projects assigned by the supervisor, team leader, and/or higher-level staff within the assigned office.
  • Develop and coordinate a variety correspondence, program briefings, and other related actions.
  • Respond to routine questions pertaining to the mission and function of the assigned office. Referring other inquires to appropriate staff members.
  • Perform basic data entry and routine report generation using various database management systems.
  • Read directives and instructional material pertaining to the functions of the assigned office to be aware of new, revised, or amended procedures for that office and provide basic recommendations.
Areas include, but are not limited to: Mission support, international affairs, communications, policy, project management, data analytics, etc.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service http://www.sss.gov
  • Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply)
  • Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
  • Work Schedule: Full time or Part time. Must be able to work at least 16 hrs. per week during the academic year and full-time during the summer.
  • Overtime: Occasionally
  • Tour of Duty: Flexible
  • Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
  • Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Non-Exempt
  • Financial Disclosure: Not Required
  • Telework Eligibility: This position is eligible for situational telework, per management's discretion
  • Must be a degree or certificate seeking student who is enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an accredited educational institution on at least a half time basis as defined by the institution.
  • Must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent).
  • Must be able to work a minimum of 480 hours after start date and before completion of academic program requirements.
  • Applicants must have a graduation date on or after May 01, 2028
  • Must maintain enrollment at an educational institution. Must also maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent)
  • This position is in the excepted service
  • This is a drug-testing designated position
  • All Pathways interns are expected to report onsite at the time of hire

Qualifications

Starting GS grade levels are determined by education level COMPLETED at this time:

    • For GS-4: Completion of 2 full academic years of post-high school study or an associate's degree.
    • For GS-5: Completion of 4 academic years of post-high school leading to a bachelor's degree or equivalent degree.
    • For GS-7: Completion of 1 full academic year of graduate level education; OR Eligibility under the Superior Academic Achievement Provision and completion of a bachelor's degree.

Your responses to the initial application questionnaire will determine the grade for which you will be considered. You will only be considered for the grade level matching your claimed academic level.

Documentation must be provided which adequately supports your answers to the eligibility questions. If enrolled in a dual degree program, your supporting documents must show how your credit hours apply to each degree and, if applicable, which degree(s) you have completed.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at time of application.

All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.

You must be enrolled and pursuing a degree, preferably with a major in one of the following fields:

    • BusinessAdministration
    • Communications
    • Data Analytics
    • International Relations
    • PublicPolicy
    • Political Science
    • National Security

You must be enrolled in a degree program at a college or university that is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, go to http://ope.ed.gov/accreditatio.

Degree programs from institutions outside the United States: If you are currently enrolled in a degree program at a foreign college or university, your degree may need to be evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs, in order for you to be eligible for conversion to a permanent or term position. Your degree must be deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit must be given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualificatio

When relying on foreign education, submit transcripts and a copy of the equivalency evaluation results letter with a course-by-course listing. Documents must be in English or include an English translation. The hiring employer for this position does not evaluate degrees from foreign colleges or universities. For further information, visit: Foreign Education

College Transcript: Applicants must submit a copy of their most recent college transcript that lists the school's name, student's name, degree program, major, GPA, college courses, course title, and number of credit hours completed. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted, however should you be selected, official transcripts will be required prior to your appointment date.

Accepted for Enrollment: If you have been accepted for enrollment in an institution but have not yet begun coursework, you must submit an acceptance letter from the institution AND your most recent academic transcript from your previous program.

GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours that your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.

Unofficial transcripts from U.S. Department of Education accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions listing your name, the name of the school, the date and degree awarded, and the list of classes and credits earned are acceptable for the application process. If selected, official transcripts are required before a firm job offer is made. A photocopy of your degree/diploma is not acceptable.

Additional information

All applicants must meet qualifications and eligibility criteria by the closing date of the announcement.

This position is subject to an initial drug screening, and random testing thereafter. A negative drug test result must be received by HR within 30 calendar days after the EOD (i.e., start date). The selectee's inability successfully pass; or refusal to conduct the test may result in: 1) the tentative or FJO being withdrawn during the recruitment process; or 2) subsequently being removed from Federal service for failure to meet a condition of employment.
You may be required to sign a "Drug Test Statement of Understanding" if you are selected for this position.

As identical vacancies are identified, additional selections may be made.

You will serve a trial period for the duration of the Intern appointment.

Interns may be promoted to higher grades based on the amount of education completed and acceptable performance. However, promotions are not guaranteed.

Upon successful completion of the program requirements, the student intern may be non-competitively converted to a term (time-limited) or permanent appointment upon graduation, to a position that has a career ladder targeted up to the GS-13, provided they are a US citizen who has meet the program requirements and receive a favorable recommendation from the supervisor for retention.

Interns may be considered for conversion to a Term or Permanent appointment within 180 days of completion of degree requirements provided they:

    • Successfully completed an academic course of study with a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale);
    • Complete a minimum of 480 hours of work experience before completing degree requirements;
    • Meet the qualification requirements for the position to which they are converted (including any required coursework); and
    • Maintain acceptable performance.

Incumbent must attain DoD Security Cooperation Workforce (SCW) Certification and complete related continuous learning requirements in accordance with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) 2017, Title 10 United States Code, Section 384 and Security Cooperation Workforce Certification Program 2.0 requirements. Incumbent must complete DoD SCW Basic-level certification courses within one year. Requirements for Proficiency Level 1 - At least 1 year of successful SC work experience with a performance appraisal rating of 3 or better. Incumbent must complete DoD SCW Foundational level certification requirements within one year of entering the SC position. In addition, 40 hours of continuing education (CUE) every two years.

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

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.

We will review your resume and supporting documents, to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the minimum qualifications on the information provided and evaluate your relevant work experiences as it relates to fundamental competencies, identified below, required for this position.

Competencies:

  • Attention to Detail
  • Flexibility
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Minimum Qualifications
  • Problem Solving
  • Self-Management
  • Technology Application


If you meet the minimum qualifications of this position, you may be presented with instructions on how to access the USA Hire Assessment. This additional online assessment is required and must be completed within 48 hours following the close of this announcement unless you have requested Reasonable Accommodation for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Your results will be kept on record for one year when applying for future jobs that require the same USA Hire Competency Based Assessments.

A list of qualified applicants will be created and sent to the selecting official. All applicants reviewed and/or referred will receive a notification letter.

Based on the results of this evaluation, you will be placed in one of the following quality categories:

Best Qualified:
This highest category will be used for those candidates who possess the type and quality of experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position, including any selective placement factors and/or appropriate quality ranking factor(s), as determined by the job analysis.
Highly Qualified: This higher category will be used for those candidates who possess the type and quality of experience that exceed the minimum qualifications of the position, including any selective placement factors and/or appropriate quality ranking factor(s) as determined by the job analysis.
Qualified: This lowest category will be used for those candidates that meet the minimum qualifications of the position, including all selective placement factors and appropriate quality ranking factor(s) and are proficient in some, but not all, of the requirements of the position. Candidates may require extensive training and/or orientation in order to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position. https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/competitive-hiring/#url=Category-Rating

Names of the candidates in the Best Qualified category will be sent first to the hiring manager for employment consideration. Applicants in other categories will be referred in accordance with category rating procedures.

Veterans Preference:
If you are entitled to veterans preference, you should indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency. If you are entitled to veterans' preference and qualified for the position, your name will be placed above non-preference candidates on a list sent to the hiring manager for employment consideration. Qualified veterans' preference eligible with a service-connected disability of 10% or more will be listed at the top of the highest quality category depending on the position and grade level of the job.
For information on entitlement seeFeds Hire Vets - Job Seekers - Veterans.

Defense Security Cooperation Agency

This position is part of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. DSCA's mission is to advance U.S. national security and foreign policy interests by building the capacity of foreign security forces to respond to shared challenges. DSCA leads the broader U.S. security cooperation enterprise in its efforts to train, educate, advise, and equip foreign partners. DSCA administers security cooperation programs that support U.S. policy interests and objectives.

Agency contact information

DE Applicant Inquiries
Email
DEApplicantInquiries@dla.mil
Address
Defense Security Cooperation Agency
1851 S. Bell
Room 501
Arlington, VA 22240
US

Visit our careers page

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

https://www.dsca.mil/

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