Hiring Programs

This new program targets individuals who have graduated recently from qualifying educational institutions or programs. To be eligible, applicants must apply within 2 years of degree or certificate completion, except for veterans (as defined in 5 U.S.C. 2108) precluded from doing so due to their military service obligation, who will have up to 6 years after degree or certificate completion. Successful applicants will be placed in a dynamic, career development program.

NTE 2 yrs, shall provide individuals who have recently graduated from qualifying educational institutions or programs with developmental experiences in the Federal Government intended to promote possible careers in the civil service. The following principles and policies shall govern the Recent Graduates Program:

(a) Participants in the program shall be referred to as "Recent Graduates" and must have obtained a qualifying degree, or completed a qualifying career or technical education program, as determined by OPM, within the preceding 2 years, except that veterans who, due to their military service obligation, were precluded from participating in the Recent Graduates Program during the 2-year period after obtaining a qualifying degree or completing a qualifying program shall be eligible to participate in the Program within 6 years of obtaining a qualifying degree or completing a qualifying program.

(b) Responsibilities assigned to a Recent Graduate shall be consistent with his or her qualifications, educational background, and career interests, the purpose of the Recent Graduates Program, and agency needs.

Cooperative Education provides the opportunity for the student, educational institution, and CECOM to enhance a student’s career through a combination of classroom studies and on-the-job training. Students can serve their nation while receiving experience for future employment opportunities.

Co-op participants gain work experience while alternating between a semester of work and school. Benefits include, practical experience in applying academic principles/theories, determining general/specific career opportunities/goals, develops confidence/interpersonal skills/professional work habits and exposure to state-of-the-art equipment/practices.

Department of Army administers the Army Civilian Training, Education, and Development System (ACTEDS) Intern Program. ACTEDS is a requirements-based system that ensures planned development of civilian members of the force through a blending of progressive and sequential work assignments, formal training, and self-development for individuals as they progress from entry level to key positions. ACTEDS plans are developed for specific occupations. At each stage of the employee’s career, the plan provides career guidance on training and developmental assignments which are designed to improve job performance and build qualifications for advancement to key positions.

ACTEDS focuses heavily on professional and leadership development and contains all of the core leadership curriculum developed by Headquarters, Department of the Army (HQDA) as well as specific training and developmental assignments. The Department of the Army places a high priority on requirements identified in ACTEDS Plans and centrally resources the core leadership curriculum. This includes training such as Intern Leadership Development, Organizational Leadership for Executives, Personnel Management for Executives, Army Management Staff College, Senior Service Colleges and University Programs.

Scholarship For Service (SFS) is a unique program designed to recruit and train the next generation of information technology professionals, industrial control system security professionals, and security managers to meet the needs of the cybersecurity mission for Federal, State, local, and tribal governments. This program provides scholarships for up to 3 years of support for cybersecurity undergraduate and graduate (MS or PhD) education. The scholarships are funded through grants awarded by the National Science Foundation. In return for their scholarships, recipients must agree to work after graduation for the U.S. Government, in a position related to cybersecurity, for a period equal to the length of the scholarship.

The SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program was established as a concentrated effort to enhance the Department of Defense (DoD) workforce with talented, innovative and brilliant scientists, engineers and researchers. For over a decade, SMART Scholars have been working within labs and agencies of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Additional DoD to support the warfighter and create an impact to secure our nation.

SMART Scholars enter the program to pursue their education in some of the leading STEM fields currently in high demand by the United States Government. The program offers scholarships for bachelors, masters and PhD students pursuing STEM. While in school, students will receive full tuition, monthly stipends, health insurance and book allowances, as well as summer internships that range from 8 to 12 weeks. Upon degree completion, scholars begin working in a civilian position with their sponsoring facility. The internships and work experience allow scholars the opportunity to learn from the greatest minds in STEM and defense. Not only do scholars pursue their passions in their respective field during their educational phase, but they begin a journey towards an empowering career to protect national security.