Clarification from the agency

U.S. Secret Service Uniformed Division employees currently serving on a Career, Competitive Service Appointment and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) DHS employees. Note: You must have already completed your 3 years, 120 days conversion period.

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The United States Secret Service Special Agent position 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

• U.S. Citizenship.
• Possess a current valid driver's license. Must be REAL ID compliant.
• Use your official name on your application as it appears on your valid government identification (i.e., REAL ID Driver's License, State ID, Passport).
• 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.
• Undergo pre-employment and random drug testing and disclose any prior drug use or experimentation.
• Be available for assignment to any of the U.S. Secret Service Field Offices. Preferences are not guaranteed.
• Carry and maintain firearm proficiency. Conviction of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence disqualifies you unless pardoned or the conviction is expunged or set aside.
• Candidates must complete training at the National Computer Forensics Institute (NCFI) in Hoover, AL, followed by a selection course at the James J. Rowley Training Center (RTC) in Laurel, MD. Upon successful completion, candidates will enter a specialized training program at RTC. Failure to pass the training program may result in separation from the Secret Service.
• Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance.
• Sign a mobility agreement stating your willingness to accept assignments anywhere within the United States and overseas.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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 probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

Specialized Experience

You are qualified for the GL-09 Level (starting base salary $54,945) 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-7 level such as experience applying law enforcement, protective, or investigative techniques in the performance of job duties; identifying problem areas and proposing and implementing solutions; taking responsibility for own actions and those of team members to ensure the goals and deadlines for the team are met; and leading meeting or seminars on behalf of a professional or academic group; setting work priorities and allocating resources; partnering with other individuals from within and outside the organization; OR
• A combination of specialized experience, as described above, and related graduate level education, beyond the first full year of graduate level study.

You are minimally qualified for the GS-11 Level (Starting base salary $63,163) if you possess one of the following:

• Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.M.; OR
• Have at least 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GL-9 level such as experience in, or related to planning and conducting complex criminal investigations to determine violations of Federal laws and regulations; collecting and assembling facts to identify logical conclusion; gathering, analyzing, and evaluating evidence or data; conducting interviews and interrogations; making arrests; conducting searches and seizures; taking responsibility for own actions and those of team members to ensure the goals and deadlines for the team are met; partnering with or leveraging networks or relationships from outside the organization, experience managing complex projects including setting priorities and determining resource requirements; OR
• A combination of specialized experience, as described above, and related graduate level education, beyond the first full year of doctoral level study.

Time-in-Grade Requirements: Under competitive merit promotion procedures, any individual who is currently holding, or who has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under a non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet "time-in-grade" requirements (have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade of the grade for which you are applying). Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to current competitive service employees applying for a Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. NOTE: All current or former Federal employees must provide a copy of their SF-50, "Notice of Personnel Action" that indicates proof of status and time-in-grade eligibility. The SF-50 must include your position, title, series, grade, step, tenure (1 or 2), and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). You may need to submit more than one SF-50 to comply.

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

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.

Applicants must successfully pass the Phase 1 assessments (see below) to receive a Conditional Job Offer.

Phase I:

• National Crime Information Center (NCIC)
• Special Agent Entrance Exam (SAEE)
• Applicant Physical Abilities Test (APAT)
• Special Agent and Uniformed Division Pre-Employment Review (Super) Interview

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. For more information about the APAT, please click here

General Medical Requirements: As determined by OPM the duties of this position require moderate to arduous physical exertion involving walking and standing, use of firearms, and exposure to inclement weather. Manual dexterity with comparatively free motion of fingers, wrist, elbows, shoulders, hips and knee joints is required. Arms, hands, legs and feet must function sufficiently in order for applicants to perform the duties satisfactorily.

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 qualification requirements.

The competencies needed to perform this job are:

• Investigative methods
• Protective methods
• Law enforcement techniques
• Exercising initiative
• Attention to detail
• Judgment and Problem Solving
• Ability to analyze and evaluate data or evidence
• Ability to partner with or lead others

Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP eligible. View information about CTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. You must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this announcement. To be considered well qualified under CTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position.

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.

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