Special Agent Counter Assault Team

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.

BE A PART OF THE COUNTER ASSAULT TEAM

The Secret Service Special Operations Divisions 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 CAT you will have an opportunity to remain in the Special Agent position in a non-tactical role.

For more information about the CAT position click here.

Conditions of employment

• 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 drivers 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 Drivers License State ID Passport).
• Must be at least 21 years old at the time of application and under 40 at referral. 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.
• Candidates are required to complete an intensive 13-week training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco GA followed by specialized 18-week training at the James J. Rowley Training Center in Laurel MD. 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 theand 2000Hz ranges.

Qualifications

As a condition of employment for accepting this position you may be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public 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.

You are minimally qualified for the GL-07 Level (starting salary $65435) if you possess one of the following:

• A bachelors 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
• Have at least one full year of graduate level education (i.e. 18 semester hours); OR
• Have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GL-5 level. Specialized experience is defined as experience writing non-technical reports drafting responses to requests for information and writing brief informative or routine reports; gathering information analyzing it and summarizing the results of your findings; taking responsibility for own actions to meet deadlines; presenting specific pre-determined information at meetings conferences or seminars as a representative of a work or academic group; OR
• A combination of specialized experience as described above and related graduate level education.

You are minimally qualified for the GL-09 Level (starting salary $72977) if you possess one of the following:

• A masters 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 meetings 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 $85447) 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 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 two full years of graduate level study.

You will be considered for all grade levels; however you will only be referred at the highest grade for which you are found to be best qualified.

Applicants must successfully pass Phase 1 assessments (see below) to receive a Conditional Job addition applicants must successfully 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)

The Secret Service follows stringent guidelines relating to illegal drug usage. An applicants 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 consists 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 applicants ability to safely complete a vigorous physical training program. It evaluates the applicants 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. For more information about the APAT please click here.

Ideal candidates for the CAT Program must have one or more of the following:

• Occupied a combat arms occupational specialty in the US Armed Forces
• Served as a tactical team member (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
• This assignment to CAT is permanent contingent upon successful completion of the required specialized training and continued ability to meet all requirements of the position (e.g. medical requirements continuing training fitness standards etc.)