Criminal Investigator (Special Agent) - $40,000 Recruitment Incentive

Summary

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 base salary of $48,371.00 (GL-07, 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.

Pay scale and grade

The pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.

Work schedule

Full-time

Travel Required

25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Appointment type

Term - The duration of this time limited Schedule B excepted appointment is 3 years and 120 days. Upon completion, you will either be converted to a career appointment in the competitive service or separated based on the expiration of the appointment.

Application requirements

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

Qualifications

To be considered for this position, applicants must successfully complete the Special Agent Entrance Examination (SAEE) and meet the following qualifications:

• For the GL-07 Level (starting base salary $48,371): 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 as described below.
  • Maintain a grade-point average of "B" (a GPA of 3.0 or higher) for all completed undergraduate courses, or those completed in the last two years of undergraduate study; OR Rank in the upper one-third of your class in the college, university, or major subdivision; OR Be a member of a national honor (other than freshman honor societies) recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. Please submit a college transcript(s) showing your grade point average for all four years of undergraduate study, including all transferred courses.
  • At least one full year of graduate level education (i.e., 18 semester hours); OR Have 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.
• For the GL-09 Level (starting base salary $53,945): 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.
  • A combination of specialized experience, as described above, and related graduate level education, beyond the first full year of graduate level study.
• For the GS-11 Level (Starting base salary $63,163): Possess one of the following:
  • A 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 such 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.

Conditions of Employment

Conditions of employment include:

• 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., REAL ID driver's license, State ID, Passport).

Physical Fitness Assessment

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

• National Crime Information Center (NCIC)
• Special Agent Entrance Exam (SAEE)
• Applicant Physical Abilities Test (APAT)
• Interview

Phase II

• Credit Check
• Security Interview
• Polygraph examination
• Drug screening
• Medical examination
• Background investigation (a top-secret security clearance)

Additional Information

*Recruitment Incentive: Applicants may be eligible for a $40,000 recruitment incentive in accordance with regulatory requirements. The first installment of $15,000 will be paid following successful completion of Secret Service Criminal Investigator training. A second installment of $10,000 will be paid following one year of service post training and an acceptable performance rating. The final installment of $10,000 will be paid upon completion of the 3-year term appointment.