Special Officer
United States Secret Service (USSS) Positions
Series and Grade:
GS-1802-5 through 9
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
The United States Secret Service is mandated by statute and executive order to carry out two significant missions: protection and criminal investigations. During the course of their careers, special agents carry out assignments in both of these areas and must be available to be assigned to duty stations anywhere in the world.
The Secret Service protects:
The president, the vice president (or other individuals next in order of succession to the Office of the President), the president-elect and vice president-elect; the immediate families of the above individuals; and former presidents, their spouses for their lifetimes, except when the spouse remarries.
In 1997, Congressional legislation became effective limiting Secret Service protection to former presidents for a period of not more than 10 years from the date the former president leaves office; children of former presidents until age 16; visiting heads of foreign states or governments and their spouses traveling with them, other distinguished foreign visitors to the United States, and official representatives of the United States performing special missions abroad; major presidential and vice presidential candidates, and their spouses within 120 days of a general presidential election; other individuals as designated per Executive Order of the President; and National Special Security Events, when designated as such by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security
The Secret Service investigates:
Violations of laws relating to counterfeiting of obligations and securities of the United States; financial crimes that include, but are not limited to, financial institution fraud, false identification documents, access device fraud, advance fee fraud, computer and telecommunications fraud, electronic funds transfers and money laundering as it relates to the agency's core violations; and computer-based attacks on the nation's financial, banking and telecommunications infrastructure.
Duty Location:
Newly appointed special agents may be assigned to duty stations anywhere in the United States. Throughout their careers, agents may experience frequent travel and reassignments to Secret Service offices located throughout the United States or liaison assignments in foreign countries.
Requirements:
- U.S. citizenship
- Distant vision must be at least 20/60 binocular uncorrected and correctable to 20/20 in each eye
- Possess a current valid driver's license
- Successfully complete a medical and polygraph examination
- Successfully complete a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use
- Qualify for top-secret security clearance
- Knowledge of arrest and security techniques and procedures
- Provide proof of veterans' preference points, when applicable.
Conditions:
- Will be required to carry a firearm while performing duties and maintain firearms proficiency.
- Initial appointment to the special officer position is in the excepted service.
- Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify that they have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under Selective Service law.
Training:
Newly appointed special officers receive eight weeks of intensive training at the Special Officer Basic Training Course at the U.S. Secret Service James J. Rowley Training Center outside of Washington, DC.
The training includes courses such as:
- Criminal Law
- Laws of Arrest
- Search and Seizure
- Control tactics
- Civil Liability
- Emergency Medicine
- Basic Water Safety
- Firearms Training
- Radio Communication
- Driver Training
- Physical Fitness Training
Benefits:
Special Officers:
- Are eligible for low-cost life insurance;
- Are eligible for individual or family membership in low-cost federal health benefit plans;
- Earn annual leave at the rate of 13 to 26 days per year, based on length of employment. Prior federal civilian or military service is creditable, as authorized;
- Accumulate sick leave at the rate of 13 days per year without limit;
- Receive paid holidays;
- Receive comprehensive retirement benefits through the Federal Employee Retirement System. Additional retirement credit is granted for prior federal military or government service, as authorized;
- Are eligible for participation in Flexible Spending Account Program; and
- Have access to physical fitness facilities.
Application Process:
Candidates interested in being considered for a special officer position may apply when applications are solicited by a current vacancy announcement. To obtain vacancy announcement information, visit www.secretservice.gov or call the Secret Service Employment Line at 1-888-813-USSS (8777) or 202-406-5390 (TTY).
To request a sample question booklet call 202-406-7540
