Federal
Police Officer (Secret Service Police) Canine Explosives Detection
U.S. Secret Service · Department of Homeland Security
About This Position
The Secret Service Police (Uniformed Division) mission is to protect facilities and venues secured for U.S. Secret Service protectees. Throughout its history, the Secret Service Police has accomplished this mission through a tradition of honor, integrity, and a commitment to excellence. Recruitment Bonus up to $60,000. For more information, click here. For more information on the Secret Service, click here.
Qualifications
*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 2000 Hz 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 License, State ID, Passport). 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 interest. In 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. Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. You qualify for the LE-01 grade level (starting salary $77,987.00) if you meet the following requirements: Possess, at a minimum, a high school diploma or certificate of equivalency. Be the age of 20 at the time of application. Must be 21 at the time of appointment. Ideal candidates will possess ONE of the SEVEN categories listed below: Military (current/former): Military working dog handler attached to a garrison or deployed unit. Experience with explosive detection canines. Successfully completed the requisite training course for a military K9 handler. Law Enforcement (current/former): Certified K9 handler/trainer for state, local, or federal agency. Served as a member of a federal, state, or local law enforcement K9 team. Successfully worked a law enforcement detection canine. Experience with explosive/narcotics detection canines. 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. Applicants must successfully complete Phase I (see below) to receive a conditional offer. In addition, applicants must successfully complete Phase II (see below) in order to receive final consideration for employment. Phase I: National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Uniformed Division Entrance Examination (UDEE) Applicant Physical Abilities Test (APAT) Special Agent and Uniformed Division Pre-Employment Review (Super) Interview Phase II: Credit Check Security Interview Polygraph examination Drug screening Medical examination Background investigation (a top-secret security clearance) 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 applicant's ability to safely complete a vigorous physical training program. It evaluates an 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. General Medical Requirements: As determined by the Office of Personnel Management, the duties of this position require moderate to arduous physical exertion involving walking and standing, use of firearms, and exposure to inclement weather. Manual dexterity with comparatively free motion of fingers, wrist, elbows, shoulders, hips and knee joints is required. Arms, hands, legs and feet must function sufficiently in order for applicants to perform the duties satisfactorily. Since the duties of this position are exacting and involve the responsibility for the safety of others under trying conditions, applicants must possess emotional and mental stability. Any condition that would hinder full, efficient performance of the duties of this position or that would cause the individual to be a hazard to himself/herself or to others is disqualifying. There are also specific medical requirements for this position, and any chronic disease or condition affecting the respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, digestive, nervous, endocrine, lymphatic, nervous, genitourinary, and other systems that would impair full performance of the duties of the position may also be disqualifying. Click here for more information. To view the entire application process, please click here. 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. Consideration will be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards as an indicator of quality of prior experience, no points will be assigned. For definitions of terms found in this announcement, please click here.
Major Duties
During the course of their careers, Secret Service Police (Uniformed Division) Officers carry out assignments in protection. Duties include: Safeguarding the White House complex, the Vice President's residence, and other designated facilities, as well as providing security for foreign missions and embassies. Traveling in support of the Presidential, Vice Presidential, and foreign heads of state/government missions. Enforcing mandated protective responsibilities as described under Title 18, United States Code, Section 3056A. For more information about the Secret Service Police position, click here SPECIAL OPERATIONS DIVISION: CANINE UNIT (K9) The Canine Explosives Detection Team (K9) is a specialized unit within the Secret Service Police that provides full-time explosive detection support to the Presidential Protective Division. On order, K9 will also provide support to designated protectees, protected venues, and National Special Security Events (NSSEs). For more information about the K9 position, click here. IMPORTANT: If you are unable to successfully complete the specialty team selection school or the specialty basic school required for the K9 position, you will have an opportunity to remain with the Secret Service Police in a non-tactical role.
Conditions of Employment
U.S. Citizenship. A U.S. citizen is an individual who has acquired citizenship by birth in the United States, through U.S. citizen parents, or through the naturalization process. U.S. citizens are legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship and are entitled to all the rights and protections under U.S. law. Possess a current valid driver's license. Must be REAL ID compliant. Must be at least 20 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. This position requires an automatic credit check after initial qualifications are met. Carry and use a firearm. Maintaining firearm proficiency is also 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. Complete 13 weeks of intensive training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco, GA or Artesia, NM and 18 weeks of specialized training at the James J. Rowley Training Center in Laurel, MD. Failure to pass the standards on the first attempt may result in separation from the Secret Service. Click here for more information. Completion of a 17-week K9 Selection and Basic Training. 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. Be appointed to this position under a limited-term Schedule B excepted appointment which is 3 years and 120 days. Upon completion of this period, you will either be converted to career status or separated based on the expiration of the appointment.
How You Will Be Evaluated
We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are considered in the following order: (1) preference eligibles having a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more; followed by (2) other 10-point preference eligibles; (3) 5-point preference eligibles; and (4) non-preference eligibles (i.e., non-veterans). For information on veterans' preference, please click here. The competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this job are: Ability to follow instructions and respect authority; obey organizational policies and the chain-of-command. Ability to deal calmly and effectively with high stress or dangerous situations; remain calm, even-tempered, and in control of emotions, as appropriate for the situation. Ability to convey oral information in a clear, concise and well-organized manner taking into account the audience and the nature of the information (e.g., technical, controversial); speaks clearly, convincingly and confidently using proper grammar, tone and pace; tracks audience responses and reacts appropriately to those responses. Ability to demonstrate fairness, professionalism and tact when interacting with others; understand and interact effectively with a variety of people to include those who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; adjust interpersonal style, as needed, to interact with differing individuals. Ability to display a high standard of ethical conduct and can be trusted in all work situations; choose an ethical course of action and do the right thing, even in the face of opposition; encourage others to behave accordingly. To preview questions, please click here. All information that you want us to consider must be in your resume. For additional information on how to build a federal resume, please click here.
Additional Information
*Recruitment Incentive: Applicants may be eligible for a $60,000 recruitment incentive in accordance with regulatory requirements. The first installment of $15,000 will be paid following successful completion of the Secret Service K9 specialized training. A second installment of $15,000 will be paid following one year of service post specialized training and an acceptable performance rating. The third installment of $15,000 will be paid after a third year of service post specialized training and an acceptable performance rating. The final installment of $15,000 will be paid after a fourth year of service post specialized training and an acceptable performance rating. Provision of these payments require the execution of a four-year Continuing Service Agreement (CSA) with the agency. Newly hired employees who resign from the USSS prior to the expiration of the CSA will be required to repay the recruitment incentive. (NOTE: Eligibility is limited to "Newly appointed" Federal employees as defined by 5 CFR 575.102). Applicants selected for this position will be required to sign a CSA before being assigned to an initial training class. The CSA will commit the applicant to a specified period of employment with the U.S. Secret Service upon the successful completion of training. Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change. A special needs/superior qualifications pay-setting authority may be available to applicants who have superior qualifications or whose skills and competencies fill a special need of the Secret Service. The recommended salary for such an applicant may be at any point in the range listed for this position. If you are deemed eligible for this pay-setting authority, you will be notified during the hiring process. Please note that the use of this authority is at the sole discretion of the Secret Service. For more information on superior qualifications, click here. WORK SCHEDULE: Newly appointed Secret Service Police Officers normally work a 40-hour workweek on a set schedule (e.g., 6:30 am - 3:00 pm, 2:30 pm - 11:00 pm, or 10:30 pm - 7:00 am shifts). Workdays and shifts will vary depending on assignment and manpower requirements. Applicants will be required to travel to all phases of the application process at their own expense. The Secret Service prohibits employees from having visible body markings (including but not limited to tattoos, body art, and branding) on the head, face, neck, hand and fingers (any area below the wrist bone). Exception: a single conservative and unobtrusive tattoo in the form of a ring is authorized on one finger. Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions. DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Click here to learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above. PLEASE NOTE: Only resumes up to a total of two pages will be accepted. Applicants with resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time (ET) before 03/31/2026 to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: To begin your online application, click the Apply Online button and follow the prompts to register or sign into USAJOBS, Complete the online questionnaire and submit the required documents. See Required Documents section for more detail. To update your application, at any time during the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account. There you will find a record of your application, the application status, and an option to Update Application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account. All of your applications will appear on the Welcome page. The application record in your USAJOBS account provides the Announcement Status and a "You applied on" date. This information does not confirm the agency application status. Use the "Track this Application" link for additional information regarding the agency application status, the documentation you submitted, and any correspondence sent related to this application. The Announcement Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Announcement Status means, visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/update. We strongly encourage you to apply online. If you cannot apply online, you may contact the Law Enforcement Acquisition Division, Uniformed Division Support Branch at [email protected] OR by calling (202) 406-5271 between the hours of 9:00 am and 5:30 pm EST (excluding Federal holidays) prior to the closing date of this announcement to receive assistance. For general recruitment information please call 888-813-USSS (8777) or email [email protected]. The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), and or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps, VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement. The Secret Service provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities, on a case-by-case basis.
Required Documents
In addition to addressing the job opportunity announcement specific questions, you must also submit the following documentation: Resume - Limit your resume to no more than two pages. The USAJOBS database will not allow an applicant to submit an application that includes a resume over two pages. In order to receive credit for experience contained in an uploaded resume, your employment history should show relevant work experience in detail and in month/year format (MM/YYYY), reflecting starting date and ending date, and include the number of hours worked per week. To learn how to format and submit a two-page resume, please visit the USAJOBS Help Center. High School Diploma or certificate of equivalency Are you a Veteran? Submit Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) or notice form. If a DD-214 is not available, submit certification from the Armed Forces that list the beginning and ending dates of active service, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable conditions. Those applying for 10-point preference must fill out the SF-15 (click here for the form) and provide the required documentation listed on the back of the form. For more information view Veteran Information. Are you a current or former Federal Employee? Submit a copy of your SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, showing your tenure code, position occupied and highest grade and step. In addition, if you have or had service in a Federal Law Enforcement position covered by law enforcement or firefighter retirement provisions, including early or mandatory retirement, the SF-50 must show the retirement code. An award SF-50 does not contain the required information. Also submit your performance appraisals and/or incentive awards. Do you have a local, state, federal, or military Law Enforcement Certification? Submit your local, state, federal, or military Law Enforcement Certification. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office. Did you previously take the Uniformed Division Entrance Exam (UDEE)? Submit a copy of your UDEE results.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for the Police Officer (Secret Service Police) Canine Explosives Detection position at U.S. Secret Service?
The salary range for this position is $77,987 - $134,165/yr. This is a LE-1 position on the General Schedule pay scale. Actual pay may vary based on locality adjustments.
Where is the Police Officer (Secret Service Police) Canine Explosives Detection job located?
This position is located in Washington, District of Columbia. This is an on-site position.
What qualifications do I need?
*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 2000 Hz 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., ...
How do I apply for this position?
Apply through USAJobs.gov by clicking the 'Apply on USAJobs' button. You'll need a USAJobs account, a federal-style resume, and supporting documents. The deadline is Mar 31, 2026.
Is a security clearance required?
Yes, a Top Secret clearance is required.
What does LE-1 mean?
LE-1 refers to the General Schedule grade level. Higher grades require more experience and offer higher pay. Visit our GS Pay Scale page for full salary tables by grade and locality.
What benefits do federal employees receive?
Federal employees receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (FEHB), retirement through FERS, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with government matching, paid annual and sick leave, paid parental leave, life insurance, and student loan repayment programs.