COMPUTER SCIENTIST

AF Force Renewal (DAF); San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 79,735 - 126,275; Full time

Job summary

The PALACE Acquire Program offers a permanent position upon completion of the formal training plan. As a Palace Acquire Intern you will experience both personal and professional growth while dealing effectively and ethically with change, complexity, and problem solving.

The 3‑year training plan includes yearly salary increases, with promotions and raises tied to performance and supervisory approval. Location is Lackland AFB, TX, and the program is a full-time, intern-level opportunity with

Qualifications

• Knowledge of computer science theories and concepts.
• Ability to apply system evaluation methods to software projects.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Performs routine tasking or assists others with more complex assignments.
• Participates in developing software and solutions for higher level scientists and customers.

Skills

Knowledge of computer science

Analytical abilities

Problem solving

Ethical decision making

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science

Job description

Summary

The PALACE Acquire Program offers you a permanent position upon completion of your formal training plan. As a Palace Acquire Intern you will experience both personal and professional growth while dealing effectively and ethically with change, complexity, and problem solving. The program offers a 3‑year formal training plan with yearly salary increases. Promotions and salary increases are based upon your successful performance and supervisory approval.

Overview

Open & closing dates: 09/29/2025 to 09/28/2026

Salary: $79,735 to – $126,275 per year

Pay scale & grade: GG 7 – 9

Location: Lackland AFB, TX

Remote job: No

Telework eligible: No

Travel Required: Occasional travel – You may be expected to travel for this position.

Relocation expenses reimbursed: No

Appointment type: Internships

Work schedule: Full‑time

Service: Excepted

Promotion potential: 12

Job family (Series):

• 1550 Computer Science

Supervisory status: No

Security clearance: Sensitive Compartmented Information

Drug test: Yes

Position sensitivity and risk: Special‑Sensitive (SS)/High Risk

Trust determination process

• Suitability/Fitness

Financial disclosure: No

Bargaining unit status: No

Announcement number: K-26-DHA-2806378-BJM

Control number: 846773800

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Students

Current students enrolled in an accredited high school, college or graduate institution.

Recent graduates

Individuals who have graduated from an accredited educational institute or certificate program within the last 2 years or 6 years for Veterans.

Clarification from the agency

This public notice is to gather applications that may or may not result in a referral or selection.

Duties

GG-07:

1. Performs routine tasking or assists others with more complex assignments.
2. Performs a variety of specific duties designed to develop knowledge and skill in applying system evaluation methods and techniques in support of systems acquisition.
3. Participates in conducting studies to identify computer system deficiencies.
4. Participates in special projects and assignments in the development of software and solutions to be used by higher level computer scientists, scientist, contractors and/or customers.

GG-09:

1. Assists in applying methods and functions of program modeling/simulating and algorithm techniques to segments of a study or project.
2. Applies system evaluation methods and techniques to portions of a larger project/activity.
3. Assists senior specialists in developing research/development, testing/evaluation or implementation, and acquisition strategies.
4. Carries out special projects and assignments in the development of software and solutions to be used by higher-level computer scientists, scientists, contractors and/or customers.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Please read this Public Notice in its entirety prior to submitting your application for consideration.
• U.S. Citizenship is required
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
• PCS expenses if authorized will be paid IAW JTR and Air Force Regulations
• Recruitment incentives may be authorized
• This posn is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
• Position may be subject to random drug testing
• Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.
• Selective Service: Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service. For additional information, click here.
• You will be required to serve a two-year probationary period
• Position may require a special security clearance
• Mobility – you may be required to relocate during or after completion of your training
• Minimum GPA of 2.95 on a 4.0 grading scale
• Employee must maintain current certifications
• This public notice is to gather applications that may or may not result in a referral or selection.

Qualifications

INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT:

Basic Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in computer science or bachelor’s degree with 30 semester hours in a combination of mathematics, statistics, and computer science. At least 15 of the 30 semester hours must have included any combination of statistics and mathematics that included differential and integral calculus. All academic degrees and course work must be from accredited or pre‑accredited institutions.

You may qualify if you meet one of the following:

1. GS-7: You must have completed or will complete a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor’s from an accredited institution AND must have documented Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) at the undergraduate level in the following:

a) Grade Point Average 2.95 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on your official transcript or as computed based on 4 years of education or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of curriculum; OR 3.45 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in your major field or the required courses in your major field completed during the final 2 years of your curriculum.

1. ++GS-9:++ You must have completed 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master’s degree or equivalent graduate degree:

a) Grade Point Average –2.95 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on your official transcript or as computed based on 4 years of education or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of curriculum; OR 3.45 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in your major field or the required courses in your major field completed during the final 2 years of your curriculum. If more than 10 percent of total undergraduate credit hours are non‑graded, i.e. pass/fail, CLEP, CCAF, DANTES, military credit, etc. you cannot qualify based on GPA.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

1. Knowledge of computer science, policies, theories, principles and concepts to apply to scientific methods and techniques to solve assigned problems.
2. Knowledge of theoretical of computer science, including digital computer systems architecture and systems software organization.

3.Knowledge of computer science and related disciplines to design, develop and adapt scientific methods and techniques to recommend solutions for computer problems.

1. Ability to analyze, interpret and apply computer science procedures in a variety of situations and recommend effective solutions to senior scientists.
2. Knowledge of the principles of internetworking technologies, including TCP/IP, network routing, and network infrastructure devices.
3. Knowledge of Microsoft, Linux, and Virtual Machines technologies to create networking environments that supports the detection and study of malware analysis.

PART‑TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part‑time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

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

Education

IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcriptswith the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience; transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Additional information

Current Federal Civilian employees may apply for temporary and term positions and if selected, a break in service may be required before appointment to the position.

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.

Tax Law Impact for PCS: On 22-Dec-2017, Public Law 115-97 – the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017” suspended qualified moving expense deductions along with the exclusion for employer reimbursements and payments of moving expenses effective 01-Jan-2018 for tax years 2018 through 2025. When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit GSA Bulletin FTR 20-04 here for additional information.

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.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

Review our benefits

How you will be evaluated

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

For DHA Positions:

These positions are being filled under Direct-Hire Authority for the DoD for Post-Secondary Students and Recent Graduates. The Secretary of the Air Force has delegated authority by the Office of the Secretary of Defense to directly appoint qualified students and recent graduates directly into competitive service positions; positions may be professional or administrative occupations and located Air Force‑Wide. Positions may be filled as permanent/term with a full-time/part-time work schedule. Pay will vary by geographic location.

*** The term “Current post‑secondary student” means a person who is currently enrolled and in good academic standing at a full‑time program at an institution of higher education; and is progressing toward a baccalaureate or graduate degree; and has completed at least 1 year of the program.

*** The term “recent graduate” means a person awarded a degree by an institution of higher education not more than 2 years before the date of the appointment of such person, except in the case of a person who has completed a period of obligated service in a uniform service of more than 4 years.

Your latest resume will be used to determine your qualifications.

Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

Your responses to the questionnaire may be compared to the documents you submit. The documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of “not qualified” or “insufficient information” and you will not receive further consideration for this job.

Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

Agency contact information

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Address: AF Force Renewal, 550 C Street W, JBSA Randolph AFB, TX 78150, US

Next steps

After you submit your application, you will be contacted if further evaluation or interviews are required.

Your application will remain active through the open period of this Public Notice. Once this Public Notice closes, you must reapply.

Fair and transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

Criminal history inquiries Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Financial suitability New employee probationary period Privacy Act Reasonable accommodation policy Selective Service Signature and false statements Social security number request