The Intelligence and Cybersecurity Diversity Fellowship Program is designed to help DHS recruit, retain, and reward the best and brightest in the fields of intelligence or cybersecurity. The program provides qualified students opportunities to work alongside highly skilled intelligence or cybersecurity professionals at DHS, gain hands-on technical experience, interact with experts and peers at professional development events and expand their professional network at national conferences.
The program will recruit high-performing individuals in intelligence or cybersecurity career paths from institutions of higher learning to support DHS’s mission. During the 12-week program, participants will be immersed in a federal work environment by collaborating with subject matter expert mentors on projects and performing assigned tasks on the intelligence and cybersecurity track.
To apply, applicants must:
- Be a U.S. Citizen.
- Be currently enrolled as a freshman, sophomore, or junior at an institution of higher learning, with a particular focus on Minority Serving Institutions – specifically, Historically Black College or University.
- Have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale and remain in good academic standing (3.2 GPA or higher) throughout the duration of the fellowship program.
- Have a declared major in a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), Information Technology (IT), cybersecurity, or intelligence-related field.
- Be a sophomore, junior, or senior by the start of appointment, and maintain enrollment on a full-time basis.
DHS will post applications during the annual recruitment cycle which spans from late summer to early fall.
All Intelligence and Cybersecurity Diversity Fellowship applicants must submit a completed online USAJOBS application that includes:
- Resume;
- Proof of U.S. Citizenship;
- Unofficial Transcript demonstrating a GPA of 3.2 or higher;
- Completion of an online assessment questionnaire; and
- Other requirements as outlined in the job opportunity announcement.
Selected participants will onboard in May. Participants will have a minimum commitment of twelve consecutive weeks of full-time summer employment from the date of onboarding.
At the end of the summer employment, participants will have option to:
- Maintain part-time employment with the Department during the school year;
- Enter leave without pay status with the intention of returning to the Department the following summer; or
- Termination from the Program and Department.
Participants entering the program as a student trainee during their sophomore year are paid at the GS-04, Step 1 level ($17.51 per hour). Approximate salary listed is based on current General Schedule Locality Pay Table in the Washington, DC area.
Student interns are not eligible for most federal employee benefits and are not tenured career federal employees with application status preference for other federal job posting. Interns accrue paid annual leave and sick leave. If converted, participants will begin to receive normal federal employee benefits.
In addition to standard pay, participants may be eligible for tuition assistance based on the Departments’ policies and procedures.
Participants accepting tuition assistance will be required to sign a service agreement with the Department. If terminated, individuals receiving tuition assistance will be required to reimburse DHS for the full amount received prior to termination. Reasons for termination include, but are not limited to: participant withdrawing from the program, poor job performance, GPA dropping below 3.2, expulsion or suspension from their college/university, misconduct, or failure to maintain a security clearance.
Upon successful completion of the program, participants may be converted to a full-time excepted service position at the Department. The following criteria must be met to be considered for employment:
- Obtaining a bachelor’s degree in a STEM, IT, cybersecurity, or intelligence field with a GPA of at least a 3.2 on a 4.0 scale;
- Participating in designated technical and core training;
- Collaborating with subject matter expert mentors in intelligence and cybersecurity;
- Completing 480 hours of work at the Department;
- Successful job performance; and
- Completing a final project based on agency requirements.
Note that all excepted service positions with the Department are subject to trial periods and other requirements.
Cybersecurity and intelligence are a critical element of the DHS’s mission, and the Department of Homeland Security is dedicated to recruiting a diverse workforce. The following DHS Components are participating in the Intelligence and Cybersecurity Diversity Fellowship Program: