Clarification from the agency

This job opportunity announcement is for Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) eligibles in the Washington, DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, White Plains, Miami, Palm Beach, Waco commuting areas and Persons eligible under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act of 1998.

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Joining the United States Secret Service as a Special Agent offers a unique and rewarding career dedicated to serving the nation through our dual mission of criminal investigations and protection. Special Agents play a critical role in safeguarding the financial integrity of the United States and protecting its highest leaders, including the President, Vice President, and other designated individuals. Throughout their careers, Special Agents have the opportunity to work on diverse assignments across the country and around the globe, gaining unparalleled experience in both investigative and protective operations.

Responsibilities include:

• Conducting complex criminal investigations into financial crimes, including counterfeiting, cyber fraud, and other threats to the financial infrastructure of the United States.
• Providing physical protection for the President, Vice President, their families, visiting foreign dignitaries, and other protectees, ensuring their safety in every environment.
• Designing, planning, and implementing advanced security measures for National Special Security Events (NSSEs), such as presidential inaugurations, international summits, and other high-profile events.

As a Special Agent, you will be part of an elite team committed to excellence, integrity, and service, with opportunities to serve at multiple duty stations both domestically and internationally. This dynamic and impactful career challenges you to rise to your fullest potential while making a difference for the nation.

For more information about the Special Agent position, click here.

Conditions of employment

• Applicants must be 21 at the time of application and under 37 at the time of a conditional offer, unless they have prior federal law enforcement service under special retirement provisions. Veterans' preference applicants must receive a conditional offer before age 40.
• Must have uncorrected vision of at least 20/100, correctable to 20/20 in each eye. Lasik, ALK, RK, and PRK surgeries are acceptable if required post-surgery visual tests are passed: Lasik (3 months), PRK (6 months), ALK/RK (1 year) waiting periods apply.
• Submit to a drug test prior to your appointment and random drug testing while you occupy the position. Disclose any prior drug use, attempted use, and/or experimentation.
• Carry and use a firearm. Maintaining firearm proficiency is also mandatory. You will be ineligible to occupy this position if at any time you have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, unless you received a pardon or your conviction was expunged or set aside.
• Candidates are required to complete intensive training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco, GA, followed by specialized training at the James J. Rowley Training Center in Laurel, MD. Failure to pass the training program may result in separation from the Secret Service.
• Sign a mobility agreement stating your willingness to accept assignments anywhere within the United States and overseas.
• Certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so, if you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959.

Key Requirements:

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Possess a current valid driver's license.
• You must obtain a Top-Secret Clearance and retain it during your career.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

You qualify for the GS-13 level (starting salary $90,025.00) if you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level, which is in or directly related to difficult and complex protection, investigative, or staff assignment including but not limited to: investigates violations of the law related to fraudulent manufacture and/or use of credit/debit cards, access devices, computer/telecommunication equipment; electronic fund transfer and financial institution fraud; participates in undercover and surveillance assignments; participates in advance security surveys; conducts protection activities; and works with U.S. Attorneys in preparing and presenting cases for prosecution in Federal courts.

Time-in-Grade: Current Federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the Federal service.

Qualifications Must Be Met: The qualification requirements listed above must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

In addition to meeting the basic eligibility criteria, ICTAP applicants and VEOA applicants must be well qualified for the position. Well-qualified is defined as having knowledge, skills, and abilities that clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position. ICTAP applicants must possess a background that demonstrates a satisfactory level of the evaluation criteria to be eligible for selection.

Those applicants who are ICTAP eligible and Persons eligible under the VEOA and who are found to be well-qualified for this vacancy will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview.

If your application and supporting documentation does not support your responses to the questionnaire, it may affect your evaluation or result in your name being removed from further consideration.

Applicants must successfully complete Phase I to be certified to receive a conditional offer of employment notification. In addition, applicants must successfully complete Phase II in order to receive final consideration for employment.

Phase I:

• National Crime Information Center (NCIC)
• Special Agent Entrance Exam (SAEE)
• Applicant Physical Abilities Test
• Interview

Phase II:

• Credit check
• Security interview
• Polygraph examination
• Drug Screening
• Medical examination
• Background investigation (a top-secret security clearance).

The Secret Service follows stringent guidelines relating to illegal drug usage. An applicant's history is reviewed and a determination for employment is made according to our guidelines. For more information regarding the U.S. Secret Service drug guidelines please click here.

You are also encouraged to submit unofficial transcripts(s) for each degree (i.e. Bachelors, Master's and Ph.D.) to receive consideration for this position.

As part of the application process the applicant will be required to complete the United States Secret Service Applicant Physical Abilities Test (APAT). It is a physical fitness assessment which consists of four components (push-ups, sit-ups, Illinois Agility Run and a 1.5 Mile Run). The APAT is designed to measure the current level of general physical fitness of an applicant, which serves as an indicator of an applicant's ability to safely complete a vigorous physical training program. It evaluates the applicant's ability to perform the physical tasks required on the job by measuring muscular and dynamic strength, endurance, flexibility, aerobic capacity and other factors related to physical aptitude. The standards are anticipated to be the same regardless of age, gender or position.

If you are a "No Show" or fail the Special Agent Entrance Exam, there is a three-month waiting period before you can reapply and retest.

For definitions of terms found in this announcement, please click here.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the well qualified requirements based on your experience, education, and training. If you are determined Well Qualified and successfully complete Phase 1, you will receive a conditional job offer.

The competencies needed to perform this job are:

• Investigative methods
• Protective methods
• Law enforcement techniques that provide the specific competencies to successfully perform the position's duties
• Exercising initiative
• Attention to detail
• Judgment in collecting, assembling and developing facts, evidence or other pertinent data
• Ability to analyze and evaluate data or evidence to arrive at sound conclusions including applying new information
• Ability to partner with or lead others in the accomplishment of mission activities

Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrates acceptable proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all SPFs and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis.

Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate basic proficiency in most of the critical competencies, including all SPFs and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis.

Veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed in the best qualified category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level, or higher (this position is not considered scientific/professional). Other 10-point preference eligibles and veterans with 5-point preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligibles within the category in which they qualify. For information on veterans' preference, please click here.

Your on-line application will be rated on the extent, quality, and relevance of the following: your experience, education and training, and competencies. All applicants are evaluated on competencies related to law enforcement methods and techniques, protective methods and techniques, investigative methods and techniques, initiative, attention to detail, learning, problem solving, partnering, planning and organizing, and leadership. All answers in the online process must be substantiated by your resume. Upon review your resume and transcripts need to support your answer choices. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or on the application questionnaire may result in your removal for consideration.

DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Click here to learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Homeland Security and its Components from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to EqualOpportunity@usss.dhs.gov.