Special Agent - United States Secret Service

Protective MissionThe U.S. Secret Service has a long history ofensuring the safety of the nation’s leaders andvisiting foreign dignitaries. To accomplish thismission, the U.S. Secret Service develops andutilizes preventative strategies, includinginvestigating threats made against protectees,implementing innovative threat assessmenttechniques and utilizing advanced protectivemethodologies.Since the U.S. Secret Service’s protective missionwas first mandated in 1901, the agency’sjurisdiction has expanded to meet the needs ofan evolving security environment. Today, the U.S.Secret Service is legally authorized to protect:• The President andVice President of theUnited States, and their immediate families• Major presidential and vice presidentialcandidates, as well as their spouses• Visiting foreign heads of state and theirspouses• Former presidents, their spouses, and theirminor children under the age of 16. In 1997,Congress authorized legislation limitingprotection of former presidents to 10 yearsafter leaving office, making President Clintonthe last president who will receive lifetimeSecret Service protection• Events designated as National SpecialSecurity Events by the Department ofHomeland Security

TrainingDuring the first year of employment, specialagents receive several months of formal classroom,fitness, firearms and simulation training.Newly appointed special agents receiveapproximately 11 weeks of intensive training atthe Federal Law Enforcement Training Center(FLETC) in Glynco, Georgia, where they areinstructed in a variety of law enforcementdisciplines, from criminal investigations tofirearms training.Upon successful completion of training at FLETC,special agents obtain approximately 16 weeks ofspecialized instruction at the U.S. Secret Service’sJames J. Rowley Training Center (JJRTC) outsideWashington, D.C. There, they receive tailoredtraining in all aspects of the agency’s protectiveand investigative missions. Upon graduationfrom JJRTC, trainees are sworn in as special agentsof the U.S. Secret Service.Throughout their careers, special agents areregularly tested for firearms proficiency andphysical fitness, and they frequently participate inadvanced training programs that augment theirability to carry out the U.S. Secret Service’s uniquedual mission of protection and investigations.

Career PathThe U.S. Secret Service offers qualified men andwomen a challenging and fulfilling career, andrecruits personnel of the highest caliber to carryout its dual mission.Newly-appointed special agents may be assignedto field offices anywhere in the United States.Frequent travel and reassignments to a variety ofduty stations, occasionally including liaisonassignments in foreign countries, are some of theunique opportunities that await special agents.Special agents usually are hired at the GL-5, GL-7or GL-9 level, depending on individualqualifications and/or education. Eligibility forpromotion in the U.S. Secret Service is basedupon performance. The full performance level fora special agent is GS-13. Selection for promotionfor positions above the GS-13 level is competitive.

Benefits• Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP)that provides an opportunity for specialagents to receive up to an additional25 percent of their annual base pay• Low-cost life insurance• Individual or family membership inlow-cost federal health benefit plans• Annual leave earned at the rate of 13 to 26days per year, based on length ofemployment. Prior federal civilian ormilitary service is credited, as authorized• Sick leave accumulated at the rate of 13 daysper year without limit• Paid holidays• Comprehensive retirement benefits.Retirement credit is granted for prior federalmilitary or government service, as authorized• Eligibile for participation in FlexibleSpending Account Program

Foreign LanguageProficiencyA one-time recruitment bonus, 25 percent ofbasic annual pay, will be paid to newly-hiredspecial agents, who are identified as having aforeign language skill and can test at the S-3level. This level requires that the applicant is ableto speak the language with sufficient structuralaccuracy and vocabulary to participate effectivelyin most formal and informal conversations onpractical, social and professional topics.The recruitment bonus must be approved priorto the applicant’s first day of employment andwill be paid as a lump sum, upon successfulcompletion of all required training and graduationfrom the U.S. Secret Service training center.The actual payment will depend on the availabilityof funds.

Conditions ofEmploymentCertain demands are required of all special agentsof the U.S. Secret Service. These include, but arenot limited to:• Work long hours in undesirable conditionson short notice• Travel away from home for periods up to30 days, and sometimes longer• Carry a firearm while performing duties, andmaintain firearms proficiency• Carry out assignments in the areas of bothprotection and investigations• Relocate to duty stations throughout the U.S.and abroad as organizational needs dictate• Agents may be requested to work undercoverassignments• Initial appointment to the special agentposition is in the excepted service