Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results
 

Protective Vehicle Specialist

Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Secret Service
Office of Protective Operations, Special Services Division

Summary

Joining the Secret Service, Office of the Protective Operations, Special Services Division will allow you to use your expertise in the field of Automotive Technology to maintain, equip, and repair a state-of-the-art protective vehicle fleet, as well as support protective driving operations to ensure the secure and efficient transportation of protectees.

Overview

Help
Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
12/19/2025 to 12/31/2025
Salary
$64,788 to - $131,826 per year

GL07 - $64,788 to $81,942; GL09 - $72,254 to $93,229

Pay scale & grade
GL 7 - 9
Location
Few vacancies in the following location:
Washington, DC
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Domestic and Foreign travel may be required.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Term - The duration of this time limited Schedule B excepted appointment is 3 years and 120 days. Upon completion, you will either be converted to a career appointment in the competitive service or separated based on the expiration of the appointment.
Work schedule
Full-time - This position requires shift work to provide coverage on evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
12
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Top Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
TLE-OPO-SSD-TW02-26-EX
Control number
852953900

Duties

Help

The selectee will serve as a Protective Vehicle Specialist in the Office of Protective Operations, Special Services Division. The official title for this position is Protective Armor Specialist. Typical work assignments include:

  • Ensuring maintenance of fleet management in accordance with all inspectional procedures, guidelines, policies and procedures to ensure the safety of all stakeholders.
  • Maintaining and tracking vehicle performance data, operational reports, customer service records, and safety records.
  • Participating in logistics and strategic planning efforts to arrange protective services and transportation support for internal and external law enforcement partners.
  • Maintaining proficiency in USSS protective motorcade operations, including tactical driving of armored vehicles and defensive tactics to ensure the secure transport of authorized personnel.

Apply for this exciting opportunity to support the Secret Service mission by utilizing your skills to maintain the superior performance of the US President's state-of-the-art fleet of protective vehicles. This Protective Vehicle Specialist position starts at a salary of $64,788.00, GL-07 step 1, with promotion potential to $131,826.00, GS-12 step 10.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

Conditions of Employment:

  • US Citizenship is required.
  • Possess and maintain a current valid driver's license. Must be REAL ID compliant.
  • Obtain and maintain a Top-Secret Clearance.
  • Certify registration or exemption with the Selective Service if you are a male applicant born after 12/31/59.
  • Submit to a drug test prior to your appointment and random drug testing during employment.
  • Submit to a polygraph examination prior to your appointment.
  • Complete pre-employment medical examinations and be determined physically fit to perform strenuous and physically demanding duties.
  • Must be at least 21 years old at the time of application and under 40 at referral. Exceptions may apply for those with current or prior service in federal law enforcement positions covered by special retirement provisions. The Secret Service has determined age is a critical requirement for this role.
  • 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.
  • Possess uncorrected visual acuity of no worse than 20/100 binocular. Possess corrected visual acuity of 20/20 or better in each eye. Lasik, ALK, RK, and PRK corrective eye surgeries are acceptable eye surgeries for applicants, and you will be considered eligible for this position provided specific visual tests are passed. Waiting periods are Lasik-2 months after surgery, PRK-6 months after surgery, and ALK/RK-1 year after surgery.
  • Hearing loss, as measured by an audiometer, must not exceed 25 decibels (A.S.A. or equivalent I.S.O.) in either ear in the 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz ranges.
  • Complete or secure an appropriate waiver for a 13-week Uniformed Police Training Program (UPTP) at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) AND a 10-week Mixed Basic Training Course (MBTC) at the Agency's James J. Rowley Training Center (RTC) Click here to review the required Fitness Standards. Failure to pass these training programs on the first attempt may result in separation from the U. S. Secret Service.

Qualifications

You are minimally qualified for the GL-07 Level (starting salary $64,788) if you possess one of the following:

  • A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with superior academic achievement (S.A.A.) which is based on class standing, grade-point average, or honor society membership as described below.
    • Maintained a grade-point average of "B" (a GPA of 3.0 or higher) for all completed undergraduate courses, or those completed in the last two years of undergraduate study; OR
    • Rank in the upper one-third of your class in the college, university, or major subdivision; OR
    • Be a member of a national honor (other than freshman honor societies) recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. Please submit a college transcript(s) showing your grade point average for all four years of undergraduate study, including all transferred courses.
    • NOTE: GPAs are rounded to one decimal place. For example, 2.95 will round to 3.0 and 2.94 will round to 2.9. If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail or similar basis, your claim must be based on class standing or membership in an honor society.
  • At least one full year of graduate level education (i.e., 18 semester hours); OR
  • At least 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GL-05 level performing duties, such as assisting with fleet management, armored vehicle maintenance, protective driving, physical security, access control, and/or logistics support; OR
  • A combination of specialized experience, as described above, and successfully completed post-high school education.

You are minimally qualified for the GL-09 Level (starting salary $72,254) if you possess one of the following:

  • A master's or equivalent graduate degree (such as LL.B. or J.D.) or two full years of progressively higher graduate education, in a related field, leading to such a degree from an accredited college or university; OR
  • Have at least 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GL-07 level performing duties such as assisting with diagnosing and repairing protective armored vehicles, solving mechanical problems, and/or communicating with high-level officials; OR
  • A combination of specialized experience, as described above, and related graduate level education, beyond the first full year of graduate level study.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

In addition to the minimum qualifications described above, applicants must possess certification(s) as identified in one of the following categories:

  1. GL-07 Three (3) or more National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certifications or equivalent; or,
  2. GL-09 Four (4) or more National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certifications or equivalent; or,
  3. Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Master certificate or equivalent; or,
  4. Major Automobile manufacturer certification; or,
  5. Major Manufacturer College Co-Op program e.g., General Motors Automotive Service Educational Program (GM ASEP), Ford's Automotive Student Service Educational Training (Ford ASSET), or Mopar Career Automotive Program (MOPAR CAP).

Qualification and Eligibility Requirements: The qualification and eligibility requirements listed above must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Applicants must successfully complete and pass Phase 1 assessments (see below) to receive a Conditional Job Offer. In addition, applicants must successfully complete and pass Phase II (see below) to receive final consideration for employment.

Phase I:

  • National Crime Information Center (NCIC)
Phase II:
  • Credit Check
  • Security Interview
  • Polygraph Examination
  • Drug Screening
  • Medical Examination
  • Background Investigation (Top-Secret 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 to view our Drug Policy.

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.

Education

For positions with an education requirement, or if you are qualifying for a position by substituting education or training for experience, you MUST submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted that includes your name, the name of the educational institution, course title(s), number of credits, grade, and date of completion. An official transcript will be required if you are selected.

Additional information

Applicant selected for this position will be required to sign a Continued Service Agreement (CSA) before being assigned to an initial training class. The continuing service agreement will commit the applicant to a specified period of employment with the U.S. Secret Service upon the successful completion of training.

This position is covered by Administratively Uncontrollable Overtime (AUO) and additional compensation may be paid at the rate of up to 25% of the base salary.

Applicants will be required to travel to all phases of the hiring process at their own expense.

The Secret Service prohibits employees from having visible body markings (including but not limited to tattoos, body art and branding) on the head, face, neck, hand and fingers (any area below the wrist bone) (exception a single conservative and unobtrusive tattoo in the form of a ring is authorized on one finger).

If you are deemed minimally qualified for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entering Phase 1 of the hiring process. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.

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 Equal.Opportunity@usss.dhs.gov.

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

For more information on the Secret Service click here. For definitions of terms found in this announcement, please click here.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments are required for this position. Upon review, your resume and/or supporting documents need to support your answer choices and reflect the one year of specialized experience requirement, in order to be considered. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

The competencies needed to perform this job are:

  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Flexibility
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Oral Communication
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Reasoning
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork
  • Technical Competence
  • Vehicle Maintenance
  • Vehicle Operation

The USA Hire Assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.

Veterans: Qualified 10-point preference eligibles and veterans with 5-point preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligibles. View information on veterans' preference.

Interviews: Interviews are required for this position. Failure to complete the interview may result in removal from further consideration.

Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Personnel Management guidance and U.S. Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.