Secret Service Jobs – Special Agents and Administrative Support Jobs (Part 3)

• Betty Boyd
• January 14, 2022

U.S. Secret Service Jobs

This is the final installment of part 3 part of this series about the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). We will finish up with the U.S. Secret Service. The Secret Service was originally part of the U.S. Department of Treasury. It was put under DHS in 2003. The Secret Service was initially responsible for investigating counterfeiting of U.S. currency, which very prevalent after the Civil War. It eventually became the first domestic intelligence and counterintelligence agency.

The Secret Service is the oldest investigative law enforcement agency. Their dual mission is to “safeguard the nation’s financial infrastructure and payment systems to preserve the integrity of the economy, and to protect national leaders, visiting heads of state and government, designated sites and National Special Security Events”.

The Secret Service headquarters are in Washington, D.C., with over 136 field offices around the country. This agency is mandated by Congress to carry out their dual mission of protection and criminal investigations. One of their most important roles is to protect the President, Vice President, former presidents, visiting heads of states and major presidential and vice presidential candidates.

Special Agent

One of the more exciting careers is that of the special agent, GS-1811, and are hired at either the GL-7 level ($48,177 to $59,516), or GL-9 level ($53,728 to $67,589).

All secret service positions require a top-secret security clearance. Additionally, the applicant must meet specific suitability criteria. You must be a U.S. citizen, and there are age, vision, and physical condition requirements. You must be at least 21 years of age, and under 37 years of age to apply. A bachelor’s degree is required for the GL-7 level. The GL-9 level you must have a Master’s degree or 1 year equivalent to the GL-7.

There are 10 weeks of training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), Basic Criminal Investigator Training in Glycol, GA, and 17 weeks of Special Agent Basic Training at James J. Rowley Training Center. An agent must show proficiency in the handling of firearms, and maintain that proficiency.

Administrative Support Positions within the Secret Service

The following list of administrative positions involve knowledge of principles and concepts that are applicable to a variety of fields to include research, critical thinking, writing, and judgment.

Administrative Officer

The administrative officer, GS-0341-11/12 salary ranges from $60,212 (GS-11) with a promotion potential to $93,818 (GS-12) U.S. citizenship is a requirement for this position. To qualify for a GS-11 or GS-12 position you must have 1 year of specialized experience at the next lowest grade level (GS-09 or GS-11 respectively).

There is a wide range of duties that include planning, forecasting, presenting, tracking, and monitoring administrative and associated management services that are essential for effective operations.

An administrative officer has oversight over various program activities that are both short and long-range in duration. They must be able to estimate expenditures, coordinate, and track the expenditures associated with procurements of equipment, space, and supplies.

Other duties include initiating personnel actions and managing and assigning work to other administrative personnel. They participate in strategic planning, and serve as a key advisor to management on a wide range of administrative policies and procedures.

Investigative Support Assistant

The investigative support assistant, GS-1802, has a starting salary of $36,612 (GS-06) and a promotion potential to $58,576 (GS-08). You must be a U.S. citizen to apply and must have a top-secret clearance. To qualify for the GS-06 or GS-07 level you must have at least 1 year of experience at the next lowest grade (GS-05 or GS-06 respectively).

Responsibilities include preparation of correspondence, time, and attendance records, answer phones, process incoming and outgoing mail. Open and maintain case files, process and track evidence, and provide the necessary administrative support to special agent’s investigations, which include counterfeit and financial crimes.

They also conduct preliminary searches and input relevant data into criminal databases to help in the development of background information and compile criminal history statistics and reports.

Assist agents in preparing surveys, compile information for various reports and act as a liaison to local, state and other federal law enforcement agencies and share information and provide assistance as required.

Other interesting jobs include, polygraph support assistant, GS-303, investigative support assistant, GS-1802 and fingerprint specialist, GS-0072.

The Secret Service has over 136 field offices around the country and offices in such countries as Brazil, Canada, Germany, Mexico, Netherlands/The Hague, to name just a few. This agency offers an array of unique employment opportunities for applicants.

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For additional Information see:

• Secret Service
  • Employment

Related Resources

• Department of Homeland Security Employment
• Law Enforcement Jobs – All agencies
• CIA Jobs
• FBI Jobs