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Cybersecurity Specialist Graduate Fellow

Institutional Partnership Program
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Cybersecurity Specialist – Graduate Fellow

Duties/Description:

This fellowship is located within the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Carlsbad Field Office (CBFO), which oversees the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) near Carlsbad, New Mexico.

The CBFO Information Technology and Cybersecurity team supports DOE’s mission and ensures the safe, secure, and compliant operation of WIPP through robust protection of federal information systems, operational technology (OT), and network infrastructure.

The Graduate Fellow will assist the CBFO Cybersecurity Program in maintaining compliance with DOE and federal cybersecurity directives, including the Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA), NIST Special Publication 800-series, and DOE Order 205.1D. The fellowship provides hands-on experience in federal cybersecurity management, risk assessment, and information assurance within a real-world operational environment supporting DOE’s national security and environmental cleanup missions.

Under the supervision of senior CBFO staff, the Fellow will:

  • Support cybersecurity assessments and assist in identifying, documenting, and mitigating vulnerabilities in WIPP and CBFO information systems.
  • Participate in risk analysis activities, such as vulnerability scanning, patch management, and system configuration reviews.
  • Assist in maintaining compliance documentation, including System Security Plans (SSPs), Plans of Action and Milestones (POA&Ms), and annual FISMA reporting requirements.
  • Help monitor network activity and analyze security event data for potential incidents, escalating findings to senior cybersecurity staff.
  • Conduct research on current and emerging cyber threats affecting industrial control systems (ICS) and operational technology used at WIPP.
  • Support development and testing of incident response and continuity of operations (COOP) procedures for information systems supporting WIPP operations.
  • Collaborate with DOE Headquarters, M&O contractors, and site cybersecurity personnel to ensure consistent implementation of cybersecurity policies and procedures.
  • Assist with security awareness training, policy updates, and communication materials to improve organizational cybersecurity culture.

Qualifications

  • Qualified candidates should demonstrate:
  • Current enrollment or recent completion of a graduate program in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Information Systems, Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
  • Familiarity with federal cybersecurity frameworks (NIST 800-53, NIST CSF) and risk management principles.
  • Basic understanding of network security, encryption, access control, and vulnerability management.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail in reviewing system configurations and documentation.
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to summarize technical findings clearly.
  • Interest in federal service, information assurance, and national security mission support.
  • Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team and adapt to fast-paced, compliance-driven environments.