Student Trainee (IT/Cyber)

Office of Personnel Management

East Butler, PA

JobSummary

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) invites students to apply to our Intern positions. The ideal candidates are current Certificate Program, Undergraduate or Graduate students who demonstrate innovation and self-initiative. You will have an opportunity to train and develop your skills in career fields such as human resources, policy, healthcare, insurance, retirement, or information technology and have a positive impact on the people and communities that OPM serves.

LowGrade

HighGrade

PromotionPotential

None

OrganizationCodes

OT/OM00

Relocation

False

HiringPath

student

MCOTags

TotalOpenings

few

AgencyMarketingStatement

Why Join Us? Our agency builds, strengthens, and supports the 2.1 million federal employees with programs like hiring assistance, healthcare and insurance, retirement benefits, and much more. We provide agencies with best practices and strategies to serve the federal workforce so they can best serve the American people. This internship includes a project based on current agency needs or untapped opportunities that contributes to meeting the agency's strategic objectives. The scope of a typical project will include participating on a cross functional project team, timeline development, project management, data analysis and presentations. Every day, we want every federal employee, no matter their background, ethnicity, preferences, or location, to feel inspired to serve.

TravelCode

ApplyOnlineUrl

https://apply.usastaffing.gov/Application/Apply

DetailStatusUrl

https://apply.usastaffing.gov/Application/ApplicationStatus

MajorDuties

What You May Be Doing: Participate in the design, development, testing, and implementation of new or modified applications software. This subject matter specialty will enhance your familiarity with or understanding of: C#.NET, VB.NET, Python, Go, Rust, Java, JavaScript, SQL, PowerShell, BASH, PHP, or other modern programming languages and solid debugging principle Web Development Frameworks such HTML, CSS, JavaScript Cloud Application Development Source Control methodologies with Git based technologies Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment Pipelines and tooling Agile Project Management Principles Experience with REST APIs Prototyping simple and intermediate complexity applications, algorithms, scripts, and interfaces OR Assists with the identification, analysis, reporting, and monitoring of cybersecurity risks.This subject matter specialty will enhance your familiarity with or understanding of: Information Security Risk Management Frameworks Risk and threat assessment tools and techniques Cybersecurity threats, vulnerabilities, and remediation strategies System security testing and evaluation methodologies Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Model and networking protocols such as TCP/IP, Dynamic Host Configuration, Domain Name System (DNS), and directory services IT infrastructure (Networking, Operating Systems, Applications, Databases, Cloud) Operating system, network security, database security, web security, and/or application security Laws, regulations, policies, and ethics as they relate to cybersecurity and privacy Incident response and handling methodologies Cryptography and key management principles The Skills to be Successful as a Student Trainee: You work smart (not just hard), and know how to drive projects, meet deadlines, and get things done. You have a bias for action and are proactive. You don't sweat the small stuff, but also understand the importance of paying close attention to detail and being very precise. You are flexible, creative, curious, and a willing to take initiative. You are a quick and flexible learner: open-minded, adaptable, comfortable with ambiguity, and excited by dynamic change. You inspire trust, forge relationships quickly, and earn the confidence and cooperation of your business partners. You have high standards, integrity, and ethics. What We're Looking For: Currently enrolled in an educational institution A solid team player who's also an independent thinker Deadline-driven, organized, and able to multitask A robust analytical skill set Strong verbal, written and presentation skills Endless curiosity and a penchant for thinking the impossible Proficiency with Microsoft Office software products Attentive to team needs as demonstrated by rapid and high-quality responsiveness to requests Excellent interpersonal skills; able to maintain solid rapport with team members as well as maintain professionalism with those outside of the team Excellent oral and written communications skills that demonstrate a professional demeanor and the ability to interact with others with discretion and tact Keen attention to detail Capable of identifying and completing tasks independently, with a sense of urgency and ownership Demonstrated success at maintaining high personal work standards Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and tact Strong presentation skills to audiences comprised of all levels of leadership Highly motivated, self-starter able to work autonomously and drive the work they own forward effectively

Education

Requirements

Citizenship: Must be a U.S. Citizen or National Selective Service: Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. Age: You must be at least 16 years of age Background Investigation: Must be suitable for Federal employment as determined by a background investigation. Availability for Work: Applicants for this position must be available to work a regular full/part-time schedule during the period of 18 MAY 2026 through 23 AUGUST 2026. Student Status: Applicants must have at least 1 academic year (fall and spring session) remaining in their studies before they complete their current degree requirements. Graduation Status: Applicants that graduate prior to MAY 2027 will not be considered for this position unless you have been accepted into a follow-on degree or certificate program and provide verification of future enrollment status prior to start date. Pathways Agreement: If selected, you will be required to sign a Pathways Agreement which specifies the conditions of your employment as we've indicated in this job announcement. You must continue to meet the Pathways Program requirements throughout the duration of your appointment. To verify that you do, we will require proof of your continued enrollment and good standing each semester or grading period throughout your internship. Failure to do so will result in termination of your internship and employment. Trial Period: Selectee must complete a trial period while on the Pathways internship appointment. Trial Period: Selectee must complete a trial period while on the Pathways internship appointment. Bargaining Unit: Depending on the location and program for which selected: if the duty station is finalized in the Boyers/East Butler, PA offices, employees in this position will be represented by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2450. if the duty station is finalized in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, employees in this position will be represented by the AFGE Local 32. if the duty station is finalized outside the localities above, this position will not be represented by a bargaining unit.

Evaluations

Once the application process is complete, your resume will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. Qualified applicants will be placed in one of four groupings: Preference eligible having a compensable service-connected disability of 10 percent or more Other 10-point preference eligible 5-point preference eligible No preference eligible Selection will be made from the highest available preference group, as long as at least three candidates remain in that group. When fewer than three candidates remain in the highest group, consideration may be expanded to include the next grouping.

HowToApply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST)on 04/10/2026 to receive consideration. To begin, click Apply Online to access an online application. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account or you may need to create a new account. You will be taken to an online application. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation, and submit the application. You will receive an email notification when your application has been received for the announcement. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account and select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and your responses submitted to the online application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. You may preview the assessment questionnaire by clicking here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12921869 If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document that you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application. Click the following link for more information, https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Alternate_Application_Information.

WhatToExpectNext

The Assessment Questionnaire identifies the best qualified applicants to be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interviews. Your ratings in this Assessment Questionnaire are subject to evaluation and verification based on the documents and references you submit. Later steps in the selection process are specifically designed to verify your ratings. What You Can Expect Next Once your online application is submitted you will receive confirmation emails at various points in the hiring process. Please be sure to check your SPAM box. The Summer 2026 Cohort Student Internship Cohort is expected to start May 2026 and continue through August 2026 or, in some cases a student intern may be extended without further competition. Please consider these dates before submitting an application. An agency may not request, orally, in writing, or electronically through the USA Jobs website or other electronic means, that an applicant for appointment for a position in the civil service disclose criminal history record information before the appointing agency extends a conditional offer of employment. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency or visit https://www.opm.gov/about-us/careers-at-opm/opportunities/

RequiredDocuments

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: 1. Your resume: Your Resume showing the applicant's name, email address, work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment, and duties performed to include pay plan, series, and grade level for relevant federal experience. Your resume must show complete information for each job entry to support minimum qualifications. Only the first 2 pages of the resume/application will be used to verify minimum qualifications. Please be sure to include specific dates of employment and work schedule(s). 2. Transcripts and Proof of Enrollment: You are required to submit a copy of your transcripts and proof of enrollment. We accept unofficial transcripts, as long as they contain your name, the name of the school, the date and degree that was awarded, and the list of classes and credits earned. Official transcripts will be required prior to final offer of employment 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, your most recent academic transcript from your previous program and provide proof of future enrollment status prior to start date. 3. Veteran's Documents: If applying using veteran's preference or under a Veteran's hiring authority you must submit the following documents DD214 showing character of service, SF-15 Form (and any required documents listed on page 2) and VA letter showing final percentage, or certification of expected discharge or release from active duty. PLEASE REVIEW THE BELOW LINK FOR OTHER SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS needed for proof of eligibility at FedsHireVets. An incomplete package may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.

Benefits

BenefitsUrl

https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/Guide-Me/New-Prospective-Employees/

OtherInformation

We understand that not everyone will demonstrate proficiency in all of the duties listed in this job posting. At OPM, we strive to raise the bar! We encourage all to apply if you feel your skills and life experiences are transferable to some of the duties listed in this vacancy. What Do We Offer? Upon graduation and completion of the student internship program requirements you MAY BE non-competitively converted, without a break in service, to a term (time-limited), career, or career conditional (permanent) appointment in the federal government, to a position up with a full performance level up to the GS-12. Grade level upon conversion will be determined by management and neither conversion nor promotion is guaranteed. Interns must meet the qualification requirements for the position to which promoted or converted. This appointment allows for conversion to a permanent appointment. Conversion Eligibility Information Requirements Extensions: This temporary appointment and may be extended without further competition based on the need of the organization for the work to continue and provided the individual continues to meet the eligibility requirements. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across OPM. Hourly pay rates range from $17.44 to 19.96 per hour and may vary based on the duty location. Relocation expenses will not be paid. For more information on the Pathways Program, please visit: Pathways Program Fact Sheet As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: - your performance and conduct; - the needs and interests of the agency; - whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and - whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

KeyRequirements

WithinArea

False

CommuteDistance

ServiceType

AnnouncementClosingType

AgencyContactEmail

jobs@opm.gov

AgencyContactPhone

202-606-9321

SecurityClearance

Not Required