Overview

The Government-wide Federal Rotational Cyber Workforce Program provides opportunities for employees performing information technology (IT), cybersecurity, and cyber-related functions to apply for and serve in rotational assignments (or details) at agencies outside of their home agency. These non-reimbursable details last from six months to one year. Rotational assignments are advertised on Open Opportunities at least once a year in November, starting in 2023. The program, authorized by the Federal Rotational Cyber Workforce Program Act of 2021 (Public Law 117–149), expires in June 2027 (unless extended).

Purpose and Objectives

The program will help Federal agencies continue to enhance their cyber workforce by developing critical cyber skills and creating environments where employees have ongoing learning and development opportunities. Cyber employees on interagency rotations can improve and develop knowledge and skills to not only support their own professional growth but also bring new skills back to their home agency. Such rotations help advance career opportunities and support employee engagement, satisfaction, and retention.

The program objectives are that:

• Cyber employees serving in rotations (details) gain on-the-job experience and achieve higher or different skill levels in IT, cybersecurity, or other cyber-related functions; and
• Rotations promote intra-agency and interagency integration and coordination of cyber practices, functions, and personnel management.

Eligibility for Rotations

The Federal Rotational Cyber Workforce Program focuses on cyber employees and cyber rotational assignments.

To be eligible to apply for a rotation, an employee must be in a “cyber-coded” position, which means the employee’s official position is assigned a cyber code indicating it has IT, cybersecurity, or other cyber-related functions.  Additionally, a cyber employee must have the supervisor’s approval to apply for a rotation.

How the Program Works (employee perspective)

1. Employee requests and receives approval from home agency officials to apply for and serve in rotations in other agencies.
2. Employee finds and applies for cyber rotations on Open Opportunities site.
3. Host agency selects employee for 6-month to 1-year rotation.
4. Employee performs rotational assignment with host supervisory instruction, support, mentorship, and feedback.
5. Employee receives performance evaluation from host and home supervisors.
6. At end of rotation, employee returns to original (or equivalent) position at home agency and conducts self-assessment and program evaluation.

How the Program Works (rotation supervisor perspective)

1. Agency officials determine cyber-coded positions are eligible for rotational assignments to detailees from other agencies.
2. Coordinators promote program; help supervisor identify and post cyber rotations on Open Opportunities site.
3. Supervisor reviews applications and makes selection into 6-month to 1-year rotational assignment.
4. Supervisor provides instruction, support, mentorship, and feedback throughout detailee's rotational assignment.
5. Supervisor evaluates detailee's performance in coordination with home supervisor.
6. At end of rotation, detailee vacates the position and returns to home agency.

Reference Materials

• Federal Rotational Cyber Workforce Program Implementation Memo and Guidance
• Editable Forms/Templates
• Open Opportunities Page

Contact Information

Cyber employees may search for rotations and apply directly on Open Opportunities, and may reach out to the agency point of contact named on the rotation advertisement. Cyber employees seeking program information may contact their agencies’ Cyber Rotation Program Coordinators.  Department/Agency Cyber Rotation Program Liaisons may contact OPM at CyberHRStrategy@opm.gov.