Clarification from the agency

All US Citizens

The selectee will serve as a Technical Security Investigator specializing in one of the following areas: Fire, Life-Safety, Hazmat; Chemical Biological Countermeasures; Electronics; Explosive Ordnance Disposal; Technical Surveillance Countermeasures; IT Network; or Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems/Enabling Unmanned Aerial Systems in the Office of Technical Development and Applied Research, Technical Security Division or Aviation and Airspace Security Division. Typical work assignments include:

• Installing, monitoring, maintaining, analyzing, and evaluating the latest known technologies (e.g. state of the art intrusion detection systems and devices) that may potentially be used by hostile entities, both domestic and abroad, either independent or as groups to penetrate the Agency sites or otherwise harm protectees;
• Conducting routine security searches of protective and investigative locations to identify, detect, deter, and stop potential or actual threats involving hazardous materials, items, devices, persons, or unsafe environmental conditions; and advising senior Technical Security Investigators on potential violations and security deficiencies, matters that are not routine.
• Assisting in protective countermeasures and related law enforcement response planning duties; assisting in planning, organizing investigative tactics and techniques to assist with investigations of suspected criminal violations.
• Assisting in protective advances and conducting surveys and analyses; adjusting plans and schedules; and assisting in developing alternative strategies in response to delays, sudden and/or major changes in itineraries or the introduction of critical intelligence.
• Assisting in providing advice and assistance to U.S. Secret Service, White House Officials and representatives from other federal agencies and organizations on issues.

Apply for this exciting opportunity to support the Secret Service's mission by providing a technically secure environment for the President and Vice President at the White House and Vice-Presidential Residence, providing technical security for other protectees, and to provide leading edge technical support to criminal investigations conducted by the agency.

Conditions of employment

• US Citizenship is required.
• Effective May 7, 2025, all applicants are required to have their REAL ID driver's license.
• Obtain and maintain a Top-Secret Clearance. For more information visit OPM MythBuster Page.
• 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 a pre-employment and post-employment medical examination and be determined physically fit to perform strenuous and physically demanding duties.
• Be at least age 21 at the time of application and less than age 37 at the time of referral unless you have previous service in a Federal Civilian Law Enforcement position covered by special civil service retirement provision, including early or mandatory retirement. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must be less than 40 years of age at the time of referral.
• 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.
• Successfully complete or secure an appropriate waiver for a 13-week Uniformed Police Training Program (UPTP) and 10-week Mixed Basic Training Course (MBTC) at the Agency's James J. Rowley Training Center (RTC), and a 6-week Protective Advance Coordinator Course in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.
• A one-year probationary period may be required.

Qualifications

You qualify for the GL-09 grade level (starting salary $72,254.00) if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GL-07 level performing duties such as:

• Supporting the execution of programs by analyzing data and applying technical knowledge of systems and counter measures to detect and address threats;
• Serving on armed protective operations teams to safeguard assets by deploying surveillance systems and coordinating threat responses with partner agencies; and,
• Contributing to technical security programs focused on countering threats through support in physical security assessments, surveillance activities, and hazardous device mitigation.

OR Possess a Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education in an accredited college or university leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D. if related (such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work), OR a combination of education and experience listed above.

You qualify for the GS-11 level (starting salary $63,163) if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GL-09 level performing duties as identified below:

Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems/Enabling Unmanned Aerial Systems:

• Supporting technical investigations to identify and mitigate CUAS/EUAS threats by applying advanced knowledge of surveillance systems, countermeasures, and legal frameworks to develop effective investigative strategies;
• Supporting multidisciplinary protective teams by integrating technical security measures, coordinating with partner agencies, and recommending improvements for detecting and preventing aerial intrusions; and,
• Assisting with managing specialized security programs targeting drone threats by providing expertise in hazardous device mitigation, TSCM, and RF monitoring to maintain a secure operational environment.

Electronics:

• Utilizing tools to troubleshoot and perform systematic problem solving of electronic devices and systems;
• Testing, maintaining, installing, and evaluating electrical components and systems; and,
• Troubleshooting, maintaining, and ensuring security of computers and computer network systems.

Chemical Biological Countermeasures:

• Responding to, mitigating, or investigating known or suspected released of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) materials, including hazard site survey, characterization, and sample recovery operations;
• Utilizing, repairing, and troubleshooting specialized hazmat and CBRN detection equipment; and,
• Participating in the prevention of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) or Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) incidents.

Technical Surveillance Countermeasures:

• Participating in technical surveillance countermeasures inspections to include radio frequency signal adjudication, electrical and physical component detection, and physical inspections, identifying, and neutralizing technical penetrations and vulnerabilities that could be used to compromise sensitive and national security information;
• Performing technical surveillance countermeasures functions utilizing a wide variety of technical surveillance countermeasures equipment and instrumentation; and,
• Applying policies and procedures for the use of technical surveillance countermeasures equipment.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal:

• Responding to incident scenes where explosive threats are suspected or determined;
• Interpreting x-rays of potential explosive devices, and/or other unknown and suspicious devices; and,
• Identifying and differentiating between commercial, military, and home-made explosives.

Fire, Life-Safety, Hazmat:

• Responding to incidents involving structure fires; hazardous materials (HAZMAT) releases; and/or technical rescue operations;
• Inspecting or investigating various facilities (e.g., warehouses, shops, hospitals, offices, living quarters, etc.) for violations of fire regulations, and for conditions contributing to serious fire hazards; and,
• Identifying criteria and implementing fire/life safety surveys for pre-incident analysis and incident response.

IT Network

• Conducting surveillance via electron monitoring systems such as audio, video, and motion;
• Analyzing network traffic, logs, and intrusion detection; and,
• Collect and monitor network security data to support real-time threat detection

OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M. (such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work), OR a combination of education and experience.

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.

The qualification requirements listed above must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

How you will be evaluated

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

This announcement is being filled using the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Direct-Hire Authority. The "Rule of Three", Category Rating and Veterans Preference will not apply to this vacancy. Agencies may appoint candidates directly to jobs, without regard to the provisions of Title 5 U.S.C.3309 through 3318. For more information on Direct Hire Authority, please see: OPM Direct Hire Fact Sheet.

Applicants who meet the specialized experience for the position will be referred to the selecting official for further consideration. Veterans' preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants do not apply to the announcement.

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. If the one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the next lower grade level cannot be identified in your resume, you will be considered not qualified. The competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this job are:

• Planning and Evaluating
• Technical Competence
• Partnering

An interview may be required for this position. If an interview is required, failure to complete the interview may result in removal from further consideration.

Due weight will be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards in merit promotion selection decisions in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3).

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 Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.