Criminal Investigator (Special Agent) Job

Vacancy No. SAB-SB-25-ICT-MUL Department U.S. Secret Service
Salary $90,025.00 to $117,034.00 Grade 13 to 13
Perm/Temp Temporary FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 5/30/2025 Close Date 6/4/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Honolulu, HINew York, NYPhiladelphia, PADallas, TX


Summary

The Special Agent position starts at a base salary of $90,025.00 (GS-13, step 1), with promotion potential to $117,034.00 (GS-13, step 10). This position is covered by Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) which is an additional compensation of 25% of the basic pay rate.

For more information on the Secret Service click here.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

This job opportunity announcement is for Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) eligibles in the Philadelphia, PA, New York, NY, Dallas, TX, Seattle, WA, and Honolulu, HI commuting area and persons eligible under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act of 1998.

Duties

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.

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.

For more information about the Special Agent position, click here.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Conditions of Employment:

If selected for this position, you will be required to:

  • U.S. Citizenship.
  • Effective May 7, 2025, all applicants are required to have their REAL ID driver's license.
  • You must be between the age of 21 and less than age 37 at the time you receive a conditional offer of employment, unless you have previous service in a Federal Civilian Law Enforcement position covered by special law enforcement or firefighter retirement provisions, including early or mandatory retirement. Applicants with veterans' preference must receive a conditional offer of employment prior to reaching age 40 to continue in the application process.
  • Possess visual acuity no worse than 20/100 uncorrected, correctable to 20/20 in each eye. (Note: Lasik, ALK, RK, and PRK corrective eye surgeries are acceptable eye surgeries for Special Agent applicants. Applicants will be considered eligible for the Special Agent position provided specific visual tests are passed. The following are waiting periods for visual tests: Lasik-3 months after surgery, PRK-6 months after surgery, and ALK and RK-one year after surgery).
  • Submit to a drug test prior to your appointment and random drug testing while you occupy the position.
  • Disclose any prior drug use, attempted use, and/or experimentation.
  • Carry and use a firearm. Maintaining firearm proficiency is also mandatory. You will be ineligible to occupy this position if at any time you have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, unless you received a pardon or your conviction was expunged or set aside.
  • Complete 13 weeks of intensive training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco, GA, 1 - week of training at the National Computer Forensics Institute (NCFI) in Hoover, AL and 20 - 21 weeks of specialized training at the James J. Rowley Training Center in Laurel, MD. Failure to pass the training program may result in separation from the Secret Service. Click here to review standard.
  • Sign a mobility agreement stating your willingness to accept assignments anywhere within the United States and overseas.
  • Certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so, if you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959.

Key Requirements:

  • U.S. citizenship is required.
  • Possess a current valid driver's license.
  • You must obtain a Top-Secret Clearance and retain it during your career.

Qualifications

You qualify for the GS-13 level (starting salary $90,025.00) if you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level, which is in or directly related to difficult and complex protection, investigative, or staff assignment including but not limited to: investigates violations of the law related to fraudulent manufacture and/or use of credit/debit cards, access devices, computer/telecommunication equipment; electronic fund transfer and financial institution fraud; participates in undercover and surveillance assignments; participates in advance security surveys; conducts protection activities; and works with U.S. Attorneys in preparing and presenting cases for prosecution in Federal courts.

Time-in-Grade: Current Federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the Federal service.

Qualifications Must Be Met: The qualification requirements listed above must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

In addition to meeting the basic eligibility criteria, ICTAP applicants and VEOA applicants must be well qualified for the position. Well-qualified is defined as having knowledge, skills, and abilities that clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position. ICTAP applicants must possess a background that demonstrates a satisfactory level of the evaluation criteria to be eligible for selection.

Those applicants who are ICTAP eligible and Persons eligible under the VEOA and who are found to be well-qualified for this vacancy will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview.

If your application and supporting documentation does not support your responses to the questionnaire, it may affect your evaluation or result in your name being removed from further consideration.

Applicants must successfully complete Phase I to be certified to receive a conditional offer of employment notification. In addition, applicants must successfully complete Phase II in order to receive final consideration for employment.

Phase I:

  • National Crime Information Center (NCIC)
  • 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.

You are also encouraged to submit unofficial transcripts(s) for each degree (i.e. Bachelors, Master's and Ph.D.) to receive consideration for this position.

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. The standards are anticipated to be the same regardless of age, gender or position.

If you are a "No Show" or fail the Special Agent Entrance Exam, there is a three-month waiting period before you can reapply and retest.

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

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is calling on those who want to help protect American interests and secure our Nation. DHS Components work collectively to prevent terrorism; secure borders and our transportation systems; protect the President and other dignitaries; enforce and administer immigration laws; safeguard cyberspace; and ensure resilience to disasters. We achieve these vital missions through a diverse workforce spanning hundreds of occupations. Make an impact; join DHS.

Applicants selected for this position will be required to sign a continuing service agreement before being assigned to an initial training class. The continuing service agreement will commit the applicant to a specified period of employment with the U.S. Secret Service upon the successful completion of training.

Applicants will be required to travel to all phases of the hiring process at their own expense. If a final job offer is extended, relocation expenses will not be authorized for first duty location.

The Secret Service prohibits employees from having visible body markings (including but not limited to tattoos, body art, and branding) on the head, face, neck, hand and fingers (any area below the wrist bone). If you have visible body markings, you will be required to medically remove such visible body markings at your own expense prior to entering on duty with the Secret Service.

If you are deemed well qualified for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entering Phase 1 of the hiring process. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.

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.

Since the duties of this position are exacting and involve the responsibility for the safety of others under trying conditions, applicants must possess emotional and mental stability. Any condition that would hinder full efficient performance of the duties of this position or that would cause the individual to be a hazard to himself/herself or to others is disqualifying.

There are also specific medical requirements for this position and any chronic disease or condition affecting the respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, digestive, nervous, endocrine, lymphatic, nervous, genitourinary and other systems that would impair full performance of the duties of the position may also be disqualifying. Click here for more information.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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. If you are determined Well or Best Qualified for a grade level and successfully complete Phase 1, you will receive a conditional job offer.

The competencies needed to perform this job are:

  • Investigative methods
  • Protective methods
  • Law enforcement techniques that provide the specific competencies to successfully perform the position's duties
  • Exercising initiative
  • Attention to detail
  • Judgment in collecting, assembling and developing facts, evidence or other pertinent data
  • Ability to analyze and evaluate data or evidence to arrive at sound conclusions including applying new information
  • Ability to partner with or lead others in the accomplishment of mission activities

If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be placed in one of the following categories:

Best-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate high proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all Selective Placement Factors (SPF) and appropriate Quality Ranking Factors (QRF) as determined by the job analysis.

Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrates acceptable proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all SPFs and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis.

Veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed in the best qualified category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level, or higher (this position is not considered scientific/professional). Other 10-point preference eligibles and veterans with 5-point preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligibles within the category in which they qualify. For information on veterans' preference, please click here.

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.

Required Documents

In addition to addressing the vacancy specific questions, you must also submit the following documentation:

  • Resume- In order to receive credit for experience contained in an uploaded resume, your employment history should show work experience in month/year format (MM/YYYY), reflecting starting date and ending date, and include the number of hours worked per week.
  • Special Priority Selection rights under ICTAP: Submit a copy of your agency notice, copy of your most recent performance appraisal (proof of your most recent performance rating of at least "fully successful" (Level III) or equivalent.), and your most current SF-50 noting duty location, tenure code, position occupied, highest grade and step, retirement code, and full performance level.
  • Are you a Veteran eligible under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act of 1998? Submit a DD-214 (Member Copy 4) and/or documentation of service-connected disability. If a DD-214 (Member Copy 4) is not available, other documentation listing the beginning and ending dates of active service and the type of discharge must be submitted to verify eligibility. Click here for more veterans' information.
  • Did you previously take the Special Agent Entrance Exam (SAEE)? Submit a copy of your SAEE results.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on 06/04/2025 to receive consideration.

The application process is as follows:

  1. To begin your online application, click the Apply Online button and follow the prompts to register or sign into USAJOBS,
  2. Complete the online questionnaire and submit the required documents. See Required Documents section for more detail.
You must complete the application process and submit any required documents no later than 11:59 p.m. (ET) on 06/04/2025

To preview questions, please click here.

To update your application, at any time during the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account. There you will find a record of your application, the application status, and an option to Update Application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.

To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account (https://usajobs.gov/Account/Login). All of your applications will appear on the Welcome page. The application record in your USAJOBS account provides the Announcement Status and a "You applied on" date. This information does not confirm the agency application status. Use the "Track this Application" link for additional information regarding the agency application status, the documentation you submitted, and any correspondence sent related to this application. The Announcement Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Announcement Status means, visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status.

We strongly encourage you to apply online. If you cannot apply online or have questions about the hiring process, you may contact the Law Enforcement Acquisition Division, Special Agent Support Branch at sasupport@usss.dhs.gov OR by calling (202) 406-6760 between the hours of 9:00 am and 5:30 pm ET (excluding Federal holidays) prior to the closing date of this announcement to receive assistance.

Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.

The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), and or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps, VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.

The Secret Service provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities, on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us if you require this for any part of the application and hiring process.

Agency contact information

SA Support Branch
Address
United States Secret Service
Please read entire announcement
Please apply online
Washington, DC 20223
US

Next steps

You may check the status of your application for this position by going to www.usajobs.gov. You will also receive an e-mail notification regarding your application status.

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Homeland Security and its Components from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to Equal Opportunity@usss.dhs.gov.

DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Click here to learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include flexible work schedules; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service- connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.

Additional Locations

  • San Antonio, TX
  • Seattle, WA


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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