The director of the Office of Personnel Management, Kiran A. Ahuja, issued implementation guidance for the new Federal Rotational Cyber Workforce Program on March 17. This government-wide program is developed in accordance with the Federal Rotational Cyber Workforce Program Act of 2021.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) reported there were 714,548 job postings in the United States for cybersecurity job positions during the 12-month period running through April 2022. Approximately 40,000 postings were in public service.
Six-Month to One-Year Cyber Program Details
This program offers six-month to one-year interagency details of cyber employees to cyber rotations at other agencies. The intent is to improve and develop knowledge and skills to support professional growth and bring new skills back to their home agency.
According to the program guidance, federal employees in the executive branch of the federal government that work in IT, cybersecurity, or other cyber-related functions can apply for six-month details to other agencies. There is an option for extending participation for up to one year, and they are available to both the competitive and excepted service.
Application Process
A government-wide open period will be offered annually starting this November when agencies are able to advertise rotational cyber opportunities. Agencies aren’t limited to announcing cyber rotations only during the open period – they can advertise rotations at any time they feel the need to do so.
Rotational cyber positions will be announced and managed on the Open Opportunities platform. The Open Opportunities website is sponsored by USAJOBS that hosts government-wide job announcement and specific development opportunities for current federal employees
Application Submission Eligibility
Posted position announcements on the Cyber Professionals Community Page is limited to employees that are:
- Assigned to a cyber-coded position in an agency,
- Approved for participation by the head of the employing agency (or designee) and endorsed by the supervisor.
- Rated at least fully successful on the most recent annual performance appraisal, and
- In possession of security clearance at the level required for the rotational
If you meet the criteria you may apply for a detail at the same, lower, or higher grade level than what they are currently assigned.
Agencies retain discretion with respect to the assignment of its employee under the Federal Rotational Cyber Workforce Program and may end the detail if needs of the home agency necessitate it. Many cyber positions are critical and hard to fill, your supervisor may not approve the application for this reason.
Continued Service Agreement
The detail of an employee to a rotational cyber workforce position is contingent upon the employee entering into a written service agreement with the home agency. Those accepted for these positions are required to complete a period of employment with the home agency following the conclusion of the detail that is equal in length to the period of the detail.
Take initiative with your career
If you desire to expand your cyber horizons and are willing to accept a six month to one year detail, and you meet the eligibility requirements, request your supervisor’s approval and apply. Supervisors look for employee initiative and encourage details that will expand their knowledge in any given field – especially when they know you will return with a more diverse knowledge of the cyber field.
There are ways to provide additional support in your absence. Often times this leads to lateral assignments or temporary promotions for others in your unit. This can improve morale and will expand their knowledge and skills as well.
