Department of Defense jobs

Mc5ully

Anyone on here currently working, or has worked, for the DoD?

I'm wanting to get a job with them in the future and am wondering what i need to get in.

nethacker

Mc5ully wrote: »

Anyone on here currently working, or has worked, for the DoD?

I'm wanting to get a job with them in the future and am wondering what i need to get in.

ofcourse it depends on what you are applying for. but as far as i know, you need a TS clearance especially if you are gonna be working with computers and stuffs

dave330i

You need Sec+ or CEH for most DoD jobs.

nethacker

dave330i wrote: »

You need Sec+ or CEH for most DoD jobs.

CCNA sec can be accepted too.

Mc5ully

Assuming I have said certs and can pass whatever security clearance they need me to pass. Could I grab a job without a degree as an entry level IT employee?

Thanks for the reply's everyone.

robertsonwm

I worked for DODEA (DOD Educational Activity) in Germany. Various IT jobs available and background depends on position but the opportunity to work abroad is awesome plus you get a living allowance on top of your salary. Positions available in Korea and Japan as well.

Mc5ully

robertsonwm wrote: »

I worked for DODEA (DOD Educational Activity) in Germany. Various IT jobs available and background depends on position but the opportunity to work abroad is awesome plus you get a living allowance on top of your salary. Positions available in Korea and Japan as well.

Thanks for the input! Any way you can tell me what exp or schooling you had when you got hired?

Everyone

No you don't need a degree. Just meet the 8570 (Security+) requirement, and be able to obtain a security clearance.

Much easier to get in if you already have both.

Mc5ully

Everyone wrote: »

No you don't need a degree. Just meet the 8570 (Security+) requirement, and be able to obtain a security clearance.

Much easier to get in if you already have both.

How can you get the sec clearance if your current employer won't pay for you to get it? I was under the impression that you can't apply for one by yourself.

MrAgent

A clearance is not something you can just go and buy or apply for. You have to work in a position that has the NEED for it.

Mc5ully

MrAgent wrote: »

A clearance is not something you can just go and buy or apply for. You have to work in a position that has the NEED for it.

That's what I thought. So i can't get the clearance before the DoD job as of right now.

robertsonwm

robertsonwm wrote: »

I worked for DODEA (DOD Educational Activity) in Germany. Various IT jobs available and background depends on position but the opportunity to work abroad is awesome plus you get a living allowance on top of your salary. Positions available in Korea and Japan as well.

No clearance required for DODEA, this is an educational environment. Just need to have a strong background in IT, certs will certainly help. Knew a few people w/o a degree who worked their way up. Best and quickest way to start out is to find a career ladder position such as a GS-5/7/9/11 position. Might start out low but in 2 years, you will be making a competitive salary. Most overseas positions are limited to 3-5 year tours but you have priority placement when you return to CONUS, then you can get that DOD clearance level position you are evidently looking for.

njkt

I would encourage you to check out USAJOBS.GOV

A lot of government agencies have moved to that location.

coty24

3 things that would get you in are Security+ and a vendor cert like MCTS or CCNA for example. If you have those things and no clearance, they can sponsor you.

***Source:ME

Mc5ully

coty24 wrote: »

3 things that would get you in are Security+ and a vendor cert like MCTS or CCNA for example. If you have those things and no clearance, they can sponsor you.

***Source:ME

Thanks for the input everyone. I'm currently going for my CCNA and Sec+. Already have my MCTS and should have my MCITP soonish.

I was informed that the level one cert requirements where A+, Net+, and SSCP/Sec+.

Blackout

There are tons of sites for DOD jobs, DISA, SAIC, CSC....just to name a few. But remember if you want to do an overseas job very few pay for relocation allowances.

the_Grinch

Getting a job with DoD has a lot of factors to it. First, what grade level? This dictates what level of experience or education you need for the position. Starting at a GS-5, you would need either a 4 year degree or some experience in the position you are looking to get. The other levels are as follows:

GS-7 - A masters degree (sometimes having graduate credit will count), high undergrad GPA (for some positions not all), or extensive experience
GS-9 - A masters degree or extensive experience (at this level you probably already do the job for another agency and are coming over)
GS-11 - Very rare to just jump into a position at this level, but now you need experience or a Ph. D

Those are the main levels that position would usually post for. With the economy being what it is, you'll find that the competition is much stiffer for government positions. I'd recommend getting a degree and having the certs (along with experience) as that will give you the best chances of being hired. Second, as far as the clearance goes like others have said you would need someone to hire you to get it. Depending on the level and how complicated your background is (lived a lot of places or had a lot of jobs) you are looking at anywhere from a month to 2 years. You may also be required to take a polygraph, which will come in two flavors: counterintelligence and full scope. Depending on the agency, you may have no poly, counterintel only, or both full scope and counterintel. Having a clearance already will make things easier all around, so if your willing and you qualify for a position that requires it, the military is always an option (be in National Guard, Reserve, or full time).

Is there a reason that you want DoD (opposed to the all the other agencies out there)? Regardless, USAJobs.gov is probably your best bet, but also look at the following sites:

Welcome to the National Security Agency - NSA/CSS
Defense Intelligence Agency | Committed to Excellence in Defense of the Nation
www.nga.mil
www.cia.gov

Also, if you plan on going to school, look for the various internships that government agencies have. These usually pay something and are a great foot in the door. I know the FBI has a program for new grads, where they attend an academy of some kind and then work at an office for a year. From there they can become either a Special Agent (would be required to attend the full academy) or an Intelligence Analyst. The position was Staff Operations Specialist and is open to all majors. FBI College

Good luck!

Chipsch

I actually just left working for the DoA as a GS-11 several months back. I may have skimmed past it but why exactly do you want to go to work for the DoD? In my personnel experience it just wasn't that satisfying. As for the clearance aspect, as someone already mentioned, to get one there must be a need for it. Also many DoD based jobs are "tailored" for those with prior military experience as well, so if you have that bullet on your resume you get preference.

Mc5ully

Chipsch wrote: »

I actually just left working for the DoA as a GS-11 several months back. I may have skimmed past it but why exactly do you want to go to work for the DoD? In my personnel experience it just wasn't that satisfying. As for the clearance aspect, as someone already mentioned, to get one there must be a need for it. Also many DoD based jobs are "tailored" for those with prior military experience as well, so if you have that bullet on your resume you get preference.

Landing a federal IT job sounds very interesting to me. Seems like good experience and might look good on a resume when/if I leave.

shodown

To be honest with you a lot of us are leaving our jobs because of the cuts that are coming. One big contract I worked on a few years ago was recently switched to a new contract and the rates were cut in half for some positons. Right now the Big companies are just asking engineers to take pay cuts and so on, other are going to greener pastures. This wasnt' the 1st or the last to have this happen, but DOD is not safe from cuts, and the work is very red tape. I'm worked at a who's who of DOD and Intel agnecies and I prefer the commercial sector over DOD anyday.