Description:
Joining the Secret Service as a Special Agent will allow you to perform critical protective and investigative assignments. The Special Agent position starts at a base salary of $65,435.00 (GL-07, step 1), with promotion potential to $158,322.00 (GS-13, step 10).This position is covered by Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) which is an additional compensation of 25% of the basic rate of pay.
Recruitment bonuses up to $60,000. For more information click here .
Requirements:
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.
You are minimally qualified for the GL-07 Level (starting salary $65,435) 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. For more information on S.A.A. please click here ; OR
- Have at least one full year of graduate level education (i.e. 18 semester hours); OR
- Have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GL-5 level. Specialized experience is defined as, experience writing non-technical reports, drafting responses to requests for information, and writing brief, informative or routine reports; gathering information, analyzing it and summarizing the results of your findings; taking responsibility for own actions to meet deadlines; presenting specific, pre-determined information at meetings, conferences, or seminars as a representative of a work or academic group; OR
- A combination of specialized experience, as described above, and related graduate level education.
You are minimally qualified for the GL-09 Level (starting salary $72,977) 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 meetings 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 salary $85,447) 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 two full years of graduate level study.
You will be considered for all grade levels; however, you will only be referred at the highest grade for which you are found to be best qualified.
Applicants must successfully pass Phase 1 assessments (see below) to receive a Conditional Job Offer. In addition, applicants must successfully pass Phase II (see below) to receive final consideration for employment.
Phase I:
- National Crime Information Center (NCIC)
- Special Agent Entrance Exam (SAEE)
- Applicant Physical Abilities Test (APAT)
- 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 to view our Drug Policy.
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 .
Ideal candidates for the CAT Program must have one or more of the following:
- Occupied a combat arms occupational specialty in the US Armed Forces
- Served as a tactical team member (in a non-support or administrative role) in a Department of Defense special operations unit
- Served as a military member possessing direct combat experience
- Served as a member of a federal, state, or local law enforcement tactical team
- Participated as a student athlete at a college or university
- Participated as a professional athlete in a sport
- This assignment to CAT is permanent, contingent upon successful completion of the required specialized training, and continued ability to meet all requirements of the position (e.g., medical requirements, continuing training, fitness standards, etc.)