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Criminal Investigator - Special Agent (Counter Assault Team)

United States Secret Service
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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 $63,381 (GL-07, step 1), with promotion potential to $167,336 (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.

 

Duties

SPECIAL AGENTS

​​​​​​​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.

COUNTER ASSAULT TEAM 

The Secret Service Special Operations Division’s Counter Assault Team (CAT) creates a unique tactical career opportunity for special agents within the Office of Protective Operations.  Special Agents within this tactical operations assignment possess operational skills that are relevant to the mission of the Special Operations Division.  Special Agents assigned to CAT provide tactical support to Secret Service protective details to include high level protectees such as the President and Vice President of the United States of America.  CAT members conduct comprehensive mission planning and extensive coordination with support entities to accomplish their mission.  CAT personnel receive advance training in weapons handling, tactics, and decision making.

IMPORTANT: If you are unable to successfully complete the specialty team selection school or the specialty basic school required for selection in the CAT position, you will have an opportunity to remain within the special agent position in a non-tactical role.   

For more information about the CAT position click here. 

 

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • 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.

 

Conditions of Employment you will be required to:

  • Be at least age 21 at the time of application 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 veteran's preference must receive a conditional offer of employment prior to reaching age 40 to continue in the application process.
  • 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 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 in Glynco,GA and 18 weeks of specialized training at the 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.
  • Complete 9 weeks of CAT Selection and Basic Training at the Rowley Training Center in Laurel, MD.
  • 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.
  • Be appointed to this position under an excepted appointment which is limited to 3 years and 120 days. Upon completion of this period, you will either be converted to career status or separated based on the expiration of the appointment.
  • Possess uncorrected visual acuity of no worse than 20/100 binocular, possess corrected visual acuity of 20/20 or better 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-2 months after surgery, PRK-6 months after surgery, ALK and RK-one year after surgery).

 

Qualifications

 

You are minimally qualified for the GL-07 Level (starting salary $63,381) 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 $70,685) 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 $82,764) 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. 

Ideal candidate for the CAT Program will likely have:   

  • Occupied a combat arms occupational specialty in the U.S. Armed Forces
  • Served as a tactical operator (in a non-support or administrative role) in a Department of Defense special operations unit
  • Served as a military member possessing direct combat experience
  • Served as a member of a federal, state, or local law enforcement tactical team
  • Participated as a student athlete at a college or university
  • Participated as a professional athlete in a sport
  • Completed the requisite training course for military or government special operations unit or a federal, state, or local law enforcement tactical team.

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

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

 

Additional information

Condition of Employment - Hearing Requirement

  • Hearing loss as measured by an audiometer must not exceed 25 decibels (A.S.A. or equivalent I.S.O.) in either ear in the 500,1000 and 2000Hz ranges.

The Department of Homeland Security 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 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)(exception a single conservative and unobtrusive tattoo in the form of a ring is authorized on one finger). 

If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration of Federal Employment. False statements on any part of the OF-306 and application may result in withdrawal of the offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine or imprisonment.

E-Verify Statement: 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.

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. 

 

Required Documents

In addition to addressing the job opportunity announcement 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 detail and in month/year format (MM/YYYY), reflecting starting date and ending date, and include the number of hours worked per week.
  • If you have earned a college degree, you must include a copy of your unofficial college/university transcript with your application.
  • If you are qualifying based on education or you are qualifying based on a combination of education and experience , or are claiming Superior Academic Achievement (overall grade point average of 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 recorded on the unofficial college/university transcript) to qualify at the GS-07 level (as explained in the Qualifications section), you must submit a copy of your college/university transcript (unofficial is acceptable) which must show school name, student's name, credit earned, degree, and date awarded.  Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. For example, specific courses accepted for college-level credit by an accredited U.S. college or university, or foreign education evaluated by an organization recognized for accreditation by the Department of Education as education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. college or university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications for more information. Those with Foreign education, click here.
  • Are you a Veteran? Submit Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) or Statement of Service. If a DD-214 is not available, submit your Statement of Service from the Armed Forces that list the beginning and ending dates of active service, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable conditions. Those applying for 10-point preference must fill out the SF-15 (click here for the form) and provide the required documentation listed on the back of the form. Click here for more veterans' information.
  • Are you a current or former Federal Employee? Submit a copy of your SF 50, Notification of Personnel Action, showing your tenure code, position occupied and highest grade and step. In addition, if you have or had service in a Federal Law Enforcement position covered by law enforcement or firefighter retirement provisions, including early or mandatory retirement, the SF-50 must show the retirement code. An award SF-50 does not contain the required information. Also submit your performance appraisals and/or incentive awards.
  • Did you previously take the Special Agent Entrance Exam (SAEE)? Submit a copy of your SAEE results.

 

https://www.usajobs.gov/job/770407400