Requirements Continued:
- 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.
- Obtain a Top-Secret Clearance and retain it during your career.
- Use your official name on your application as it appears on your valid government identification (i.e., Driver License, State ID, Passport).
- Applicants must successfully complete the Special Agent Entrance Examination (SAEE) to receive consideration for this position. If you do not report to take the Special Agent Entrance Examination (SAEE), or you fail the exam, there is a three-month waiting period before you can reapply and retest. This includes applying to multiple job opportunity announcements; only the first test score will be applied.
You are minimally qualified for the GL-07 Level (starting salary $55,562) 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.
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.
Qualified applicants will only be referred at the GL-7 grade level. 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.
To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation for a Top Secret Clearance level as a condition of placement into this position.
For definitions of terms found in this announcement please click here.