Secret service agents play a valuable role in the criminal justice system. From preventing fraud and counterfeiting to protecting prominent figures, these professionals receive extensive education and training before assuming any responsibility.
Secret Service is the top protective services agency, providing security services and dignitary protection to the President and Vice President of the United States and high-ranking foreign visitors, including popes and prime Ministers.
In this article, we shall discuss the secret service hiring process and secret service requirements.
Table of contents
- About the Secret Service
- What Does the Secret Service Actually Do?
- How Much Do Secret Service Agents Make?
- What Skills Are Needed in the Secret Service?
- How Long is the Application Process for the Secret Service?
- Secret Service Hiring Process
- Secret Service Educational Requirements and Qualities
- Conclusion
- References
- Recommendations
About the Secret Service
Under the Department of Homeland Security, the United States Secret Service (USSS or Secret Service) is primarily responsible for criminal investigations and protecting U.S. politicians, their families, and visiting heads of state and government.
Abraham Lincoln established it in 1865. Previously part of the U.S. Treasury Department before being moving to the Department of Homeland Security, the Secret Service investigates financial crimes, securities fraud, and other financial crimes.
What Does the Secret Service Actually Do?
Secret service agents act as officers of the federal law enforcement agency the secret service, and they have a wide range of responsibilities. They also involve themselves in investigating and preventing financial crimes and analyzing and preventing computer-based attacks.
Below are some duties you will see a secret agent perform. They include:
- Ensure the security of government figures such as the President, the Vice President, and former presidents, as well as their families.
- Protect buildings or act as security at events requiring national-level protection.
- Investigate crimes such as identity theft, counterfeiting, and money laundering.
- Investigate computer hacking attempts made on national telecommunications systems and banking infrastructure, as well as undercover operations.
- Prepare reports for investigations or protection services.
Among the two divisions of the U.S. Secret Service are the investigative division and the uniformed division. The investigative division deals with investigations into fraud, counterfeits, computer hacking, and identity theft.
Most Secret Service agents work at the investigative level unless they are onto a protective task. The uniformed division of the Secret Service offers protective services to the public.
Most Secret Service agents work at the investigative level unless they areonto a protective task.
The uniformed division of the Secret Service offers protective services to the public. Job duties for agents vary and may require frequent travel with little notice.
How Much Do Secret Service Agents Make?
Secret service special agents typically earn between $138,895 and $139,267 per year. However, the pay grade will determine their salary. Special agents earn at the GL-7 or GL-9 pay grade.
GL-13 is the highest level of pay that agents can attain, with this level offering the highest salary. Location and job duties also affect the agent’s salary.
This is rather not surprising considering the length and the thoroughness of the secret service hiring process.
What Skills Are Needed in the Secret Service?
Agents are to have both soft and hard skills to be successful. Some of the most important are:
- A keen observational skill.
- Communication skills.
- Research skills.
- Physical endurance skills.
- Decision-making skills
Furthermore, you must also undergo a series of tests and inquiries into your personal life if you wish to be a secret service agent.
These tests include background checks, drug tests, polygraphs, and medical examinations.
How Long is the Application Process for the Secret Service?
To get into a position as an agent, prospective candidates must undergo extensive testing, qualify for Top Secret clearance, and pass an extensive background check.
This can cause the hiring process to take anywhere from six to nine months, depending on each individual.
You need to understand that Secret Service is not like every other regular law enforcement agent, and does not hasten their hiring process.
They take their time to ensure that only the best proven worthy, intelligence, physicality, and learning get into this very sensitive job.
Law enforcement officers get proper pay for doing their work. Check out: 15 Highest Paid Law Enforcement Jobs
Secret Service Hiring Process
It takes quite a suitable length of time to become a certified secret service agent. This is partly because of the demands and responsibility it goes with.
Nobody is going to allow you into such a sensitive security job position without being sure of your capabilities for the role.
Through the help of our research associates, we have outlined both secret service requirements and the hiring process for intending agents.
It’s important to check for the minimum qualifications before filling out the job application. Here are some things you’ll need before anyone even considers you for the job.
- Citizen of the United States, between 21 and 37 years of age (However, there would be an exemption if you have served in federal civil law enforcement, firefighting, or emergency response positions covered by special retirement provisions, including early retirement or mandatory retirement)
- Driver’s license with a valid license number.
- 20/100 sight, corrected to 20/20 if needed.
- Registered with the Selective Service System or possess an exemption certificate.
Secret Service Educational Requirements and Qualities
As long as you meet the minimum qualifications, your next step then will be to ensure that you have the qualifications and qualifications to compete.
As a candidate, you must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university and show “superior academic performance”
For eligibility, you need a GPA of 3.0 or higher, to have graduated in the top third of your class, or to be a member of a national honors society.
If you didn’t have the best undergraduate experience, you may still qualify with academic credentials, such as a master’s degree in a relevant field.
In order to become a secret service agent, you may need to have worked as a detective or investigator or in another job that involved similar investigative and law enforcement duties. There is never a substitute for this in the secret service hiring process.
Secret Service Test for Agents
You will need to take a series of tests to see if you have what it takes to become an Enforcement Agent. The first test is the Treasury Enforcement Agent Exam.
This test measures reading comprehension, reasoning, mathematics, and investigative skills, as well as your writing abilities. You will also participate in a report writing assessment to assess your writing abilities.
Along with the written exams and assessments, you will take a series of interviews to determine your verbal communication skills and your ability and desire to succeed.
Physical Fitness Training
Although most careers in law enforcement can be physically demanding, the demands of dignitary protection especially stressed Secret Service agents.
For individuals interested in becoming Secret Service agents, they must prepare for a physical fitness evaluation and get in great shape. The Secret Service physical fitness test requires push-ups, sit-ups, chin-ups, as well as a 1.5-mile run.
The recruitment team will score you on your ability to complete the push-ups, sit-ups, and chin-ups, as well as how well you run. You should start training as soon as possible for your physical fitness test.
Starting a fitness routine that involves cardiovascular exercises, running and weight training is never too early if you’re serious about pursuing this career.
If this is something you want to pursue, find a doctor and get started on a routine that involves cardiovascular exercise, running, and weight training.
Learning to train doesn’t have to be difficult. Consider: 15 Best Personal Trainer Classes Online
Secret Service Background Investigation for Agents
Secret Service background investigations include criminal history checks, credit, and financial status checks, job history verification, and passport checks. These checks determine if the individual qualifies for top-secret clearance.
Usually, within a few weeks of applying for clearance, an individual will have a face-to-face security interview. This interview is critical to the background investigation. This remains one of the toughest stages in the secret service hiring process because it is hard not to have a few skeletons hanging in one’s cupboard.
Past-due debts, defaulted student loans, prior felony arrests, or past drug use may disqualify you from employment. A background check will include a polygraph exam. During the polygraph, they advise people to tell the truth.
There is no guarantee that honesty will get you the job, but dishonesty will not get you the job too. If the polygraph examiner detects deception, you will lose out on the opportunity.
Secret Service Agents Medical Test
As part of the secret service hiring process, the Secret Service will put you through a physical examination. They will check you for eye and hearing impairments and blood pressure and heart health.
If everything checks out, you’ll be one step closer to the Academy. The idea is to avoid hiring people that might get hurt or worse because of poor health.
The Secret Service Academy
When the Secret Service decides you are just the person they are looking for, you’ll go to the Secret Service Academy. Secret Service agents receive extensive training, starting with 17 weeks of special agent training at the Federal Law Enforcement Academy in Glynco, Georgia.
As a Secret Service agent, you will attend special agent training at the James J. Rowley Training Center outside of Washington, D.C. Here, they will challenge you both physically and mentally as you prepare for the specific duties involved in the job.
Becoming a Certified Secret Service Agent
As a Secret Service agent, put in a lot of work and dedication, but the rewards are well worth it if you persevere.
Whether protecting dignitaries or investigating financial crimes, special agents may be called upon to work anywhere in the world.
Visit https://www.usajobs.gov/job/639712700 to begin your application.
Conclusion
The job of a special agent in the U.S. Secret Service is not one to be taken lightly, and neither is the individual who holds it.
That is why Secret Service hiring process is long compared to many other law enforcement agents in the US. If you have the relevant talent and training, be sure to reap the rewards that come with it.
Discover a career that will take you to new heights while you serve your country honorably, distinguished, and with pride. Secret service agents remain one of the most respected security and law enforcement agencies in the united states.
References
- The Job of a Special Agent | United States Secret Service – www.secretservice.gov
- How to Become a Secret Service Agent: Steps and FAQs | Indeed.com
- Become a Secret Service Agent – www.thebalancecareers.com
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