PROTECTION AGENT Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. OSSP-12800736-25-JJ Department Departmental Administration
Salary $120,579.00 to $156,755.00 Grade 13 to 13
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 9/16/2025 Close Date 9/22/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

This position is located in the Office of Safety, Security and Protection (OSSP), Executive Protective Operations Division (EPOD). The OSSP is responsible for developing and ensuring effective, efficient delivery of facility and personnel security and safety across USDA operations.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted only from current career conditional or career permanent USDA employees in the competitive service; and CTAP/ RPL eligible candidates, and permanent Farm Service County Office employees.

Duties

  • Reports to the Special Agent-in-Charge (SAC) for EPOD and coordinates security, communications, transportation, accommodation and logistics requirements for the Secretary of Agriculture and for accompanying dignitaries or family.
  • Participates in the full range of executive personal security protection policies, practices, and requirements attendant to the daily functions and long-term planning of the office.
  • Performs the duties of a Detail Leader of the Executive Protection Detail.
  • Assists in investigations concerning threats to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Agriculture.
  • Assists the SAC and Assistant Specialist Agent-in-Charge (ASAC) in planning the full range of programs and functions of executive protection.
  • Serves as a Department specialist in security and related management support areas to ensure safe and efficient operations during the protectee's travel, as well as personal and physical security within the office.
  • Coordinates with appropriate offices/agencies to ensure that all telecommunications systems are in place to include constant secure telephone services and other electronic communication systems with the Department of Agriculture and the White House.
  • Provides comprehensive support to members of the Office of the Secretary in those matters directed by the Secretary, Deputy Secretary and Special Agent-in-Charge of Executive Protective Operations.
  • Ensures full compliance with procedures, regulatory and statutory aspects of personal security and all logistics support is maintained.
  • Coordinates the myriad details of security, logistics, and related administrative matters with senior USDA staff as assigned.
  • Plans and carries out logistical support to the Secretary and his immediate staff in critical official matters as directed by the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, SAC/ASAC, which may be time sensitive.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a US Citizen or US National.
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
  • Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
  • If selected, you may be required to serve a probationary or trial period as applicable to appointment type.
  • Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
  • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
  • Incumbents must be able to obtain and maintain a security Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) Clearance.
  • This is an arduous rigorous position and is subject to medical screening and physical fitness testing.
  • This position is designated as Emergency Essential and may require the incumbent to work during weather-related closures.
  • This position requires the incumbent to be able to work shift work. The USDA operates 7 days per week and 24 hours per day. Special Agents will be required to work any assigned shift.
  • Duty hours are subject to change to accommodate the needs of the department. Applicants must be willing and able to work nights, weekends, and holidays.
  • See "Qualifications" section and "Additional Information" section for Special Position Requirements.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience, and selective placement factors, as defined below.

Time in grade:
Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled.

Maximum Entry Age (MEA): Applicants must not have reached their 37th birthday by the date of appointment to this position. These positions are covered by the special retirement provisions for Federal Law Enforcement Officers and have a mandatory retirement age of 57. Selectees for these positions who are over age 37 must have been or currently be covered by the special retirement provisions and be able to complete at least 20 years of covered service by age 57. You must submit proof of your status in the Law Enforcement retirement system.

Exceptions:

(1) Those who have sufficient creditable service in a Federal civilian (not military) law enforcement position covered by 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or 5 U.S.C. 8412 (d) to permit retirement on or before the mandatory retirement age of 57;
(2) Veterans who are eligible for veterans preference may be eligible for a waiver of the MEA for this position if you are otherwise qualified and meet medical and fitness requirements. If claiming veterans preference, you must submit proof of your veterans' preference. Please be advised that if you do not submit this required documentation of your service, you will not be eligible for consideration of this limited waiver of the MEA.

Specialized Experience:
At the GS-13 level: Qualifying experience for GS-13 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-12 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience participating in planning the full range of programs and functions of executive protection operations to include security, communications, transportation, and logistics requirements; experience planning protective coverage during all executive travel; and experience serving as a point of contact for various security, training and policy matters.

Selective Placement Factor (SPF):
Successful completion of an accredited basic law enforcement training program (civilian or military). In order to qualify for this position you must meet the above selective placement factor. A copy of your official law enforcement training certification (civilian or military) is required at the time of application. If you do not meet this requirement, you will be rated ineligible for this position.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

SPECIAL POSITION REQUIREMENTS (continued in Additional Information section)
Drug Testing: This is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use.

Drivers License Requirement: This position requires the incumbent to operate a motor vehicle. Must have or be able to obtain a valid driver's license to operate required vehicles.

Firearms Requirement: The incumbent is required to carry a firearm while performing duties of this position so they must meet initial and continuing qualifications in the use of firearms as outlined in the Gun Control Act of 1968, amended by the Lautenberg Amendment of 1996. The incumbent must qualify semiannually with all weapons issued by the USDA and maintain proficiency.

Education

Education substitution is not qualifying for the GS-13 level.

Additional information

SPECIAL POSITION REQUIREMENTS (continued from Qualifications section)

  • Physical Demands: Due to the physical and vigorous requirements of this position, the incumbent must meet the established medical and physical standards/requirements set forth by USDA, as is it considered essential to perform the duties of this position. The incumbent must be able to cope with continuously rigid and extremely short deadlines where schedules and workload are highly variable, unpredictable, and uncontrollable. The work requires a person with good physical health and stamina to work under pressure, along with the ability to lift and carry heavy objects of 180 pounds or more and have the physical agility and dexterity to work in confined spaces. The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, such as long periods of standing, walking, bending, stooping, reaching, crawling, and similar activities. The agent engages in such exertions on a routine basis as part of the executive protective detail work. Agents must be prepared to protect themselves or others from physical attacks at any time and without warning, and to use firearms, as required by the position, only as a last resort.
  • Lautenberg Amendment: This position is covered by the 1996 Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968. A person convicted of a misdemeanor or felony crime of domestic violence are not eligible for the position. False or fraudulent information provided by candidates is criminally punishable by fine or imprisonment (Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1001).
  • Training Requirement: The incumbent must, at minimum, have: successfully completed an accredited basic law enforcement training program (civilian or military); at least one year of previous law enforcement experience; not have a break in service in Law Enforcement for over 5 years; and not have been convicted of a crime of domestic violence as defined in Title 18, USC Section 922 (g) (9) Lautenberg Amendment.
  • Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Reemployment Priority List (RPL): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP or RPL eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.
  • Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Employees: Permanent County employees without prior Federal tenure who are selected for a Civil Service position under Public Law 105-277 will be given a career-conditional appointment and must serve a 1-year probationary period.
  • Incumbent is entitled to Law Enforcement Officer Retirement Coverage and this position is FLSA Non-Exempt and eligible for Administratively Uncontrollable Overtime.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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.

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.

You will be evaluated based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the experience, education, and training you described in your application package, as well as the responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine the degree to which you possess the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies listed below:

  • General Security and Law Enforcement
  • Personal Protection and Logistics
  • Program Liaison and Coordination

Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements and are determined to be among the best qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. Noncompetitive candidates and applicants under some special hiring authorities need only meet minimum qualifications to be referred.
Note: If after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, yourscore may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.

Clicking the link below will present a preview of the application form; i.e. the online questionnaire. The application form link below will only provide a preview and does not initiate the application process. To initiate the online application process, click the "Apply" button to the right.You will be evaluated based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the experience, education, and training you described in your application package, as well as the responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine the degree to which you possess the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies listed below:


To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12800736

Required Documents

The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, your system failure, etc. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.

  • Resume that includes:1)personal information such as name, address, contact information;2)education;3)detailed work experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable);4)other qualifications.
  • If education is required or being used to qualify, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application if it includes your name and the necessary course information; however, if you are selected, official transcripts will be required prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university. If any education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service. For a list of private organizations that evaluate education, visit the NACES website. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.
  • Current and former Federal employees:
    • Most recent non-award Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) showing you are/were in the competitive service, highest grade held (or promotion potential) on a permanent basis, position title, series and grade AND
    • Most recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable. A performance plan is not an acceptable substitute.
  • Current permanent FSA County employees must submit your most recent non-award Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) showing your highest grade (or promotion potential) held on a permanent basis, position title, series and grade AND most recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) per above.
  • Veteran Hiring Authorities: VEOA, VRA and 30% Disabled Veterans: DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, that shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. If currently on active duty you must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. Veteran's preference must be verified prior to appointment.
  • If claiming 10-point veteran's preference you must provide the DD214 or certification requirements (see above bullet), plus the proof of entitlement of this preference as listed on the SF-15 Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference. The SF-15 should be included but is not required. Failure to submit these documents could result in the determination that there is insufficient documentation to support your claim for 10-point preference.
  • Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act: Copies of Notification of Personnel Action(s) (SF-50) showing the employee served in eligible appointment(s) for a period(s) of more than 24 mos w/o a break between appointments of two+ years. Include initial hire actions, extensions, conversions and separation SF-50s for each period. Submit performance rating(s) showing acceptable performance for each period counted towards eligibility signed by supervisor(s). If documentation does not exist for one or more periods, submit a statement from supervisor(s) indicating acceptable performance. Applicants who do not have performance documentation for any period shall provide a reason why the documentation is not available and statement that performance for all periods was at an acceptable level.
  • Schedule A, Persons with Disabilities Appointment: Letter from a physician, local, state or federal rehabilitation office citing eligibility under 5 CFR 213.3102 (u).
  • Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP priority must provide: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330.
  • If claiming eligibility under a special hiring authority or an interchange agreement with another merit system not listed above, see the requirements for that authority and submit the required supporting documentation. Go to: USAJOBS Hiring Path for Special Authorities or Special Hiring Authority for more information.

How to Apply

Please read the entire announcement and all instructions before you begin. You must complete this application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.

Applying online is highly encouraged. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00a.m. - 4:00p.m., Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, contact the Agency Contact listed below well before the closing date for an alternate method. All hardship application packages must be complete and submitted no later than noon ET on the closing date of the announcement to be entered into the system prior to its closing.

This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis; contact the Agency Contact to request this.

To begin, click "Apply" and follow the instructions to complete the Assessment Questionnaire and attach your resume and all required documents.

NOTE: Please verify that documents you are uploading from USAJOBs transfer into the Agency's staffing system as there is a limitation to the number of documents that can be transferred. However, once in the Agency's staffing system, you will have the opportunity to upload additional documents. Uploaded documents must be less than 5MB and in one of the following document formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, PDF, TXT or Word (DOC or DOCX). Do not upload Adobe Portfolio documents because they are not viewable.

Agency contact information

Jimmie Jones
Address
Departmental Administration
1400 Independence Av SW
Washington, DC 20250
US

Next steps

Your application will be reviewed to verify that you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements for the position prior to issuing referral lists to the selecting official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. Log in to your USAJOBS account to check your application status.

You must choose to turn on email notifications in your USAJOBS profile if you want to receive important email notifications that may impact your applicant experience (e.g. If you start an application and do not submit it prior to the closing date, USAJOBS will send an email reminder that the closing date is approaching and your application is in an incomplete status).

Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.

Under the Fair Chance Act, agencies are not allowed to request information about an applicant's criminal history until a conditional offer of employment has been made, except as allowed for access to classified information; assignment to national security duties or positions; acceptance or retention in the armed forces; or recruitment of a Federal law enforcement officer. An applicant may submit a complaint or any other information related to an organization's alleged noncompliance with the Fair Chance Act. The complaint must be submitted within 30 calendar days of the date of the alleged noncompliance. To make a Fair Chance Act inquiry or complaint, send an email with the appropriate information toOHRM-FCAComplaint@USDA.GOV, subject line: Fair Chance Act.


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


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