Civilian Employment

Student Education Employment Program

DTRA hires students to work in various administrative, technical and professional positions throughout the Agency. Students are hired to work part-time during the school year and full-time on breaks and during the summer. Some summer only positions are also available. The two primary programs are described below:

Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP)

The STEP provides maximum flexibility to both the Agency and the student because the nature of the work does not have to be related to the student's academic or career goals. Appointments may be extended in one-year increments as long as the individual meets the definition of a student (at least half-time course load in an accredited high school, technical or vocational school, 2 or 4-year college or university, graduate or professional school).

Student Career Experience Program (SCEP)

SCEP provides experience directly related to the student's educational program and career goals. Students pursuing a high school or general equivalency diploma; vocational/technical certificate; associate, bachelor, graduate or professional degree are eligible. Students may be converted to a full-time permanent position within 120 days after satisfactory completion of the requirements for his/her diploma, certificate or degree. In order to be non-competitively converted the student must have completed at least 640 hours of career-related work before completion of, or concurrently with, the course requirements.

• For both programs, students may work full- or part-time as long as the work schedule does not interfere with their academic schedule. Students may alternate school and work or may structure work around their academic schedule.
  
• There are two ways to apply for student employment at DTRA. The first is through high school, college or university career services offices. In the first process, DTRA human resources staff will work directly with the educational institution to notify them of the types of positions available and for the receipt of resumes. Since many schools require that students locate their own positions, we are also accepting resumes directly from interested students. Resumes may be sent via email to student.employment@dtra.mil.
  
• Regardless of the method of application, human resources staff will match applicant field of study and employment background to the work of the requesting organization. All qualified applicants will be referred to requesting supervisors for review. Both processes will allow students to work at the agency part-time while attending school and full-time during spring/winter breaks and during the summer. We anticipate several student positions being filled for summer employment only.