INFORMATION & ARTS STUDENT TRAINEE (VISUAL INFORMATION SPECIALIST)

Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA); Quantico (VA); On-site; USD 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) is seeking students for a Summer/Fall 2027 experience to assist in creating visual content and data-driven graphics for agency materials. You will help plan and produce basic visual communication products, and support senior specialists in interpreting client needs to deliver clear, compelling visuals.

The role emphasizes producing gallery-ready visuals, maintaining a graphics library, and assisting with publications and presentations for

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student at the time of application.
• A cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0 or higher is required.
• Must maintain full-time student status through October 2028.

Responsibilities

• Assist in creating graphics and visual content aligned with agency messaging.
• Plan, coordinate, and produce basic visual communication products for presentations.
• Interpret customer intent with senior specialists to inform visuals.
• Provide graphic data depictions to support analytical presentations and products.
• Prepare data and create artwork for visual presentations and publications.
• Support production of computer-generated products on various platforms.
• Maintain graphics library for the directorate.

Skills

Graphic design

Data visualization

Communication

Presentation support

Education

Undergraduate or graduate student status

GPA 3.0 or higher

Full-time student through Oct 2028

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

Summary

The DCSA Student Experience (DSE) '27 Cohort. Open to undergraduate and graduate students with a cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0, who will remain full-time students through October 2028. Summer Cohort Start Date: 31 May 2027 (alternate: 14 June 2027); End Date: 20 August 2027. Students must attend for a minimum of 10 weeks (400 hours).

Selection Office(s)

Office of Communication & Congressional Affairs

Duties

This is a temporary position NTE 04 September 2027.

• Aids the branch and directorate in creating products that align with agency messaging and provides accurate and informative graphic content for products and presentations.
• Assists in planning, coordinating, designing, creating and producing basic visual communication products and projects.
• Assists senior specialist in interpreting customer intent.
• Provides unique graphic data depiction in support of analytical presentations and products.
• Prepares and organizes data and creates visual data representation and artwork for visual presentations and publications.
• Responsible for production of computer‑generated products created on various computer platforms.
• Maintains library of graphics, icons and images for the directorate.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Must be a US citizen
• Selective Service Requirement: Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. For more information http://www.sss.gov
• Resume and supporting documents received by 11:59 PM EST will be considered
• This is a Drug Testing designated position
• Position is a (DCIPS) position in the Excepted Service under U.S.C. 1601
• Work Schedule: Full Time
• Overtime: Occasionally
• Tour of Duty: Flexible
• PCS (Permanent Change of Station): Not Authorized (Relocation expenses or housing will NOT be provided by the agency)
• Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Non-Exempt
• Financial Disclosure: Not Required
• Telework Eligibility: This position is telework eligible but is not a full-time telework position. The incumbent will be required to report to the office on a routine basis.
• Supervisors may approve situational telework on a case‑by‑case, temporary basis for limited situations.
• If selected, the incumbent must obtain and maintain appropriate security clearance as indicated in the job announcement.
• Incumbent must be enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree program with a full‑time course load at the time of application, for the semester prior to the Summer Cohort, and following participation in the Summer Cohort.
• Selected students must maintain full‑time enrollment through October 2028. Students not intending to maintain full‑time enrollment through October 2028 will be marked ineligible.
• Incumbent must have and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale. Grade‑point averages are rounded to one decimal place. For example, 2.95 will round to 3.0 and 2.94 will round to 2.9.
• DSE Summer ’27 Cohort Start Date: 31 May 2027 (alternate – 14 June 2027); End Date: 20 August 2027. Students must attend for a minimum of 10 weeks (400 hours).
• Students selected for the internship program must send an official transcript with Spring 2027 semester/quarter grades and proof of full‑time student status to Student Programs prior to their start date.
• This is not a developmental career ladder opportunity – the position will be filled at the GG‑05 or GG‑07 depending on applicant qualifications and organizational requirements.

Qualifications

To qualify at the GG‑05 level

• Completion of 1 full academic year of post-high school study by June 2027 (spring quarter/semester);
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher at time of application. A GPA of 3.0 must be maintained throughout the duration of the program; and
• Maintain a full‑time student status (as defined by your university or college) through October 2028
• NOTE: Freshman receiving Pass (P)/Fail (F) grades their first semester must receive all P's to maintain eligibility

To qualify at the GG‑07 level

• Completion of 4 academic years of post-high school education leading to a bachelor's or equivalent degree (expected graduation date of June 2027 or earlier); and
• Enrolled as full‑time student in a graduate program for Fall 2027; and
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher at time of application. A GPA of 3.0 or higher must be maintained throughout the duration of the program; and
• Maintain a full‑time student status (as defined by your university or college) through October 2028.

Students who successfully complete the Summer 2027 Cohort may be considered for participation with the Summer 2028 Cohort, pending educational qualification status. Students graduating prior to October 2028 from their current college/university must intend to continue their education and be enrolled as full‑time students through October 2028. Proof of this enrollment and full‑time status will be required prior to returning for the Summer 2028 Cohort.

Dual Enrollment High School Students are not eligible.

All applicants must submit college or university unofficial transcripts as proof of enrollment in an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree program, current enrollment in a full‑time course load and to confirm GPA requirements. See below for further instructions on transcripts.

College Freshmen

must also submit their high school transcript to show they meet the GPA requirement.

1st year Graduate Students

must submit their transcript from their previous undergraduate program to show they meet the GPA requirement.

Transfer Students

must submit their transcript from their previous institution if their GPA is not included on the unofficial transcript from their current institution.

Dual Enrollment High School Students

are not eligible, as students are required to have completed High School or GED prior to application.

Superior Academic Achievement does not apply to DCIPS positions.

Failure to provide transcripts and additional documentation to support your eligibility will result in you being rated ineligible for this position.

Foreign Education: For further information, click on the following link: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/

Additional information

VETERANS PREFERENCE/CURRENT OR FORMER FEDERAL

In accordance with DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, veterans preference is not required to be applied when considering candidates with prior Federal competitive or excepted service who have completed a probationary or trial period and have not been separated for cause. Therefore, veterans preference will not be applied to applicants with current federal service, or former federal civilian service meeting the above criteria.

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

Applicants selected from this announcement may be required to serve a two‑year trial period.

If selected, Federal employees currently serving in the competitive service must acknowledge that they will voluntarily leave the competitive service by accepting an offer of employment for a DCIPS excepted service positions.

If selected, non-DCIPS candidates must acknowledge in written that the position they have been selected for is in the excepted service and covered by DCIPS.

All Defense Intelligence positions under the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) are in the excepted service by specific statute, 10 U.S.C. 1601. This position is in the excepted service and does not confer competitive status.

For more information on the DCIPS occupational structure click here.

For more information about career advancement in DCIPS click here.

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.

Housing/Relocation

Relocation expenses or housing benefits are NOT offered for our student positions. This position does not offer remote work. If you are selected, you will have