IT Infrastructure/Cyber Security Intern

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# IT Infrastructure/Cyber Security Intern

Columbus, NE, US, 68602-0499

Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) has an immediate opening for an ET Infrastructure/Cyber Security Intern located at the Columbus General Office in Columbus, Nebraska. Position closes March 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Central Time.

This is a temporary position in cooperation with the Wayne State College Growing Together program. Applications are limited to students currently enrolled in the Wayne State College Career Scholars program who will be entering their Senior year in the Fall of 2026. Approximate assignment dates are from August 17, 2026 - April 30, 2027, and the successful candidate will be required to work 30-40 hours per week as outlined in the program guide. This position is located at the NPPD Corporate General Office in Columbus, NE.

Join our team as an IT Infrastructure/Cyber Security and become an important part of our NPPD story. We are proud of our history, powering every corner of Nebraska, every day, for half a century. We recognize that it takes a diverse group of individuals to move forward in the rapidly changing energy industry, and now is the time to power our own transformation. Come with us on our journey, walking alongside teammates and our customers, leading the way in providing safe, reliable, sustainable energy for all Nebraskans, all while protecting our environment, powering our lives, and realizing our dreams. That’s NPPD…the Power of People.

Get to know us more here.

Position Summary

The IT Infrastructure/Cyber Security Intern is an entry-level role designed to provide student interns with a broad range of experiences that support infrastructure and cyber security concepts in a real-world business setting. The intern will gain hands-on experience working alongside experienced Infrastructure and Cyber Security Systems Analysts. The incumbent will be assisting and participating in day-to-day operations with multiple systems such as servers, virtualization, Active Directory, Linux, containers, vulnerability assessments, incident response activities, monitoring security systems, configuration management databases, and IT Service Management software.

Education, Training and Experience

The Intern must be enrolled at Wayne State College and a member of the Career Scholars Cooperative Education Program with senior standing at the time of assignment, majoring in Computer Science and/or Information Systems. Incumbent may travel to various NPPD locations throughout the state of Nebraska and must have and maintain a valid driver's license for the duration of the position.

Experience

- Ability to work independently and in cooperation with others on multiple activities, with flexibility to manage competing demands and changing priorities.

- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.

- Excellent analytical problem-solving skills.

- Must be customer-service oriented and adaptable to ongoing change.

Licenses and/or Certifications

None required

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Gain exposure to infrastructure systems, security requirements, and security controls and the implementation of related systems.

Assist with support of products including servers, virtual server farms, corporate firewalls, Active Directory, CMDB, ITSM, endpoint detection and response, vulnerability management, backups and replication, security information and event management systems, and assist with email protection, including analysis of suspicious emails reported by employees.

Interact with professionals from various departments, such as IT, development, and management, to understand the organization’s overall security needs and objectives.

Learn how to communicate effectively about infrastructure and cyber security concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Receive mentorship and guidance from experienced infrastructure and cyber security professionals who will provide insights and knowledge to help you grow in the field.

Stay updated on the latest technical trends, threats, and best practices through team discussions, training sessions, and independent research.

Apply theoretical knowledge from your coursework to real-world scenarios and challenges.

Contribute to improving the organization’s technology and cyber security posture, which has a direct impact on its operations, data protection, and reputation.

Accountable for other duties as assigned.

Core Competencies

Customer Focus

Employees & Teamwork/Diversity & Inclusion

Integrity/Excellence

Public Service/Environmental Stewardship

Safety

Salary Information - $29.58 per hour, non-exempt

Travel Required: Up to 25% (With no or minimal overnight stays, less than 3 per month, typically within state of Nebraska) Travel required may fluctuate by business need. This is an estimate and will be discussed further with candidates that receive an interview.

Nebraska Public Power District offers a competitive starting salary and an excellent benefits package including medical and dental insurance, 401K retirement plan, paid holidays, paid vacation, paid medical, training opportunities and more.

If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact Human Resources at Nebraska Public Power District.

Nebraska Public Power District is an Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer who values the contributions of its diverse work force. We are only legally able to hire persons who are 1) a United States citizen or national, 2) a lawful permanent resident of the United States, or 3) an alien legally authorized to work in the United States.

Benefits

Customers around the state know what to expect from NPPD — quality, reliability and performance excellence. Our values also extend to the way we take care of our employees and their families. We remain on the leading edge by providing competitive benefits that respond to the diverse lifestyles of our people in an ever-changing world.

Salary

Nebraska Public Power District offers a competitive starting salary with opportunities for growth. In addition to the base salary listed in posting, NPPD employees may also be eligible for our Annual Incentive Program (AIP) that may supplement total compensation at a level above and beyond the stated salary range.

Retirement Savings

NPPD employees may participate in two retirement plan options – a 401(k) plan and a 457(b) plan. Both plans allow for pre-tax or Roth contributions. After the first six months of employment, the 401(k) plan includes a generous matching contribution from NPPD. The five-year vesting period begins on an employee’s hire date. Our retired employees are eligible for retiree healthcare benefits as well as a life benefit paid out to designated beneficiaries upon their passing.

Health & Wellness

At NPPD, we care about the health and wellness of our employees. We offer new teammates two competitive hospital / medical plan options to fit their lifestyle and family needs. We also make an annual contribution to employee Health Savings Accounts, which can be used to offset out-of-pocket expenses. Employees and their spouse are invited to participate in a variety of wellness initiatives offered throughout the year as a way to enhance their wellness, reduce health risks and promote healthy lifestyles.

Other Benefits

Employees earn vacation on a schedule commensurate with their years of service. We also offer paid holidays as well as personal and family medical leave, including birth mother recovery leave and parental child bonding leave. All full-time employees receive a life insurance policy equivalent to two times the participant's annual salary at no cost to the employee. NPPD also offers dental and vision insurance as well as personal accident, accidental death and dismemberment, critical illness, hospital indemnity, long-term care, pre-paid legal/identity theft, and short-and long-term disability insurance plans. Additional benefits include college tuition reimbursement, relocation assistance and complimentary access to an Employee Assistance Program.

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