Criminal Investigator (Special Agent)

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 salary of $52,921 (GL-07, step 1), with promotion potential to $158,432 (GS-13, step 10). For more information on the Secret Service click here.

This position is covered by Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) and additional compensation of 25% of the base salary will be added to locality pay.

Qualifications:

You are minimally qualified for the GL-07 Level (starting salary $52,921) 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 at least one full year of graduate level education (i.e., 18 semester hours);
• OR at least 1 year of specialized experience in, or related to, the investigative methods, protective methods, and law enforcement techniques that provide the specific competencies to successfully perform the position's duties. Experience also includes exercising initiative; attention to detail; judgment in collecting, assembling and developing facts, evidence or other pertinent data; the ability to analyze and evaluate data or evidence to arrive at sound conclusions including applying new information; and the ability to partner with or lead others in the accomplishment of mission activities.

You are minimally qualified for the GL-09 Level (starting salary $59,021) 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 salary $69,107) 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 which is defined 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.

Qualified applicants will only be referred at the highest grade level for which they qualify. Consideration will be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards as an indicator of quality of prior experience.

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: 

• 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 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 consist 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. 

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

Responsibilities:

During the course of their careers, special agents carry out assignments in both investigations and protection and may be assigned to multiple duty stations throughout the U.S. and abroad. Duties include:

• Conducting criminal investigations pertaining to financial obligations of the United States.
• Providing protection for various protectees.
• Planning and implementing security designs for National Special Security Events.

For more information about the Special Agent position click here.