Special Agent - Lateral

Summary

The United States Secret Service is recruiting Experienced and Ready to Serve Special Agents for placement at one of over 70 locations nationwide. For more information, click here. Permanent Change of Station (PCS) will be paid by the agency. Selectees are guaranteed placement at their first Office of Choice. Meet requirements to qualify for 11-week expedited training. May require additional training if training waiver is not granted. For more information on the Secret Service, click here.

Duties

• Joining the United States Secret Service as a Special Agent offers a unique and rewarding career dedicated to serving the nation through our dual mission of criminal investigations and protection. Special Agents play a critical role in safeguarding the financial integrity of the United States and protecting its highest leaders, including the President, Vice President, and other designated individuals. Throughout their careers, Special Agents have the opportunity to work on diverse assignments across the country and around the globe, gaining unparalleled experience in both investigative and protective operations. Responsibilities include: Conducting complex criminal investigations into financial crimes, including counterfeiting, cyber fraud, and other threats to the financial infrastructure of the United States. Providing physical protection for the President, Vice President, their families, visiting foreign dignitaries, and other protectees, ensuring their safety in every environment. Designing, planning, and implementing advanced security measures for National Special Security Events (NSSEs), such as presidential inaugurations, international summits, and other high-profile events. As a Special Agent, you will be part of an elite team committed to excellence, integrity, and service, with opportunities to serve at multiple duty stations both domestically and internationally. This dynamic and impactful career challenges you to rise to your fullest potential while making a difference for the nation. This announcement is designed to attract a diverse pool of highly qualified applicants. Candidates with Federal law enforcement experience are strongly encouraged to apply. This role offers an excellent opportunity for individuals with a background in law enforcement to leverage their skills and expertise in a challenging and rewarding environment. For more information about the Special Agent position, click here.

Qualifications

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: Your performance and conduct; The needs and interests of the agency; Whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and Whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Specialized Experience to qualify for the GS-12 Level (starting base salary $76,463) you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is outlined as: Participates as a team member, which may include planning, coordinating, and conducting Federal investigative activities. Investigations may involve surveillance assignments, developing and controlling informants, and activities concerning organized crime and/or subversive groups; OR Develops and uses information from a wide variety of sources such as electronic devices, informants, private citizens, victims, and officials from Federal law enforcement agencies, to investigate and, when appropriate, apprehend individuals suspected of being involved in crimes, in support of the subsequent preparation and presentation of federal court cases in collaboration with other Federal agencies. To qualify for the GS-13 Level (starting base salary $90,925) you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is outlined as: Investigates violations of the laws of the United States relating to fraudulent manufacture and/or use of credit/debit cards, access devices, computers/telecommunications equipment, and Federal government identification; Or Coordinates investigations with Federal jurisdictions and/or assists foreign officials in cases of international scope. Selective Placement Factor: In addition to the minimum qualifications described above, you must meet the following requirement to be considered qualified for the position: Completion of the Criminal Investigator Training Program at The Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. Time-in-Grade Requirements: Under competitive merit promotion procedures, any individual who is currently holding, or who has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under a non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet "time-in-grade" requirements (have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade of the grade for which you are applying). Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to current competitive service employees applying for a Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. NOTE: All current or former Federal employees must provide a copy of their SF-50, "Notice of Personnel Action" that indicates proof of status and time-in-grade eligibility. The SF-50 must include your position, title, series, grade, step, tenure (1 or 2), and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). You may need to submit more than one SF-50 to comply. The qualification requirements listed above must be met by the closing date of this announcement. 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, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Applicants must successfully pass the Phase 1 recruitment process (see below) to receive a Conditional Job Offer (CJO). In addition, applicants must successfully pass the Phase II recruitment process to receive final consideration for employment, unless otherwise indicated below. Note: Following the CJO, applicants will be required to participate in a PT and Firearms assessment to assess the type of training you'll participate in upon completion of the hiring process. Phase I: National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Structured Interview Phase II: Security Interview Polygraph examination Drug screening Medical examination Background investigation (a top-secret security clearance - reciprocity will be granted) Physical Fitness and Firearms Assessment (does not impact employment opportunity) 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. 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.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship is required. U.S. citizens are legally authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship and are entitled to all rights and protections under U.S. law. Possess a current valid driver's license. Must be REAL ID compliant. Use your official name on your application as it appears on your valid government identification (i.e., REAL ID Driver's License, State ID, Passport). Must be at least 21 years old at the time of application. Applicants may be referred up to their 40th birthday. Referral is defined as the point at which minimum qualification determinations are completed. Exceptions may apply for those with current or prior service in federal law enforcement positions covered by special retirement provisions. The Secret Service has determined that age is essential to the performance of this position. 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. Obtain a Top-Secret Clearance and retain it during your career. This position requires an automatic credit check after initial qualifications are met. 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. To be eligible for the 11-week expedited training, candidates must pass PT/Firearms assessment pre hire. Failure to pass the assessment will result in the full 18-week course. Failure to pass the training program may result in separation from the Secret Service. 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. Must have uncorrected vision of at least 20/100, correctable to 20/20 in each eye. LASIK, ALK, RK, and PRK surgeries are acceptable if required post-surgery visual tests are passed: Lasik (3 months), PRK (6 months), ALK/RK (1 year) waiting periods apply. 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.

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. PLEASE NOTE: Only resumes up to a total of two pages will be accepted. Applicants with resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. The complete application package must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. (ET) on 09/30/2026 to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: To begin your online application, click the Apply Online button and follow the prompts to register or sign into USAJOBS, Complete the online questionnaire and submit the required documents. See Required Documents section for more detail. To preview the questionnaire, please click the link 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. 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. It is your responsibility to verify that any information entered or uploaded is received and is accurate. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. Determining your eligibility and qualifications is dependent on the supporting documentation and information provided, which may impact your referral for further consideration. If a document is not legible, we will not be able to view it in your application. 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 [email protected] 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. For general recruitment information please call 888-813-USSS (8777) or email [email protected]. Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions. This is an open continuous announcement which will be used to fill vacancies for the next 4 months. Applicants must apply and/or update their applications by 11:59 pm ET at the close of the following cut-off dates to be considered. Cut-off dates: 05/25/2026 to 06/06/2026 06/07/2026 to 06/20/2026 06/21/2026 to 07/04/2026 07/05/2026 to 07/18/2026 07/19/2026 to 08/01/2026 08/02/2026 to 08/15/2026 08/16/2026 to 08/29/2026 08/30/2026 to 09/12/2026 09/13/2026 to 09/30/2026 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.