About This Position
Joining the United States Secret Service (USSS), Office of Technical Operations (TEC), within the Aviation and Airspace Security Division (ASD), Operational Communications and Integration Division (OCI), or Technical Security Division (TSD) allows you to provide specialized technical expertise and operational support, to develop and implement countermeasures against threats to protected individuals and facilities, and contribute to criminal investigations conducted by the USSS.
Qualifications
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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 1-year probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
To qualify for the GS-12 level, you must possess one year of specialized experience at the GS-11 level or equivalent, performing the duties listed below, for the specialized program: Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems: Support technical investigations to counter UAS threats using surveillance systems, countermeasures, and legal expertise. Assist protective teams by integrating security measures, coordinating with agencies, and enhancing aerial intrusion prevention. Help manage security programs against drone threats through expertise in device mitigation, TSCM, and RF monitoring.
Electronics: Utilizing tools to troubleshoot and perform systematic problem solving of electronic devices and systems. Testing, maintaining, installing, and evaluating electrical components and systems; and, Troubleshooting, maintaining, and ensuring security of computers and computer network systems. Enabling Unmanned Aerial Systems: Develop, coordinate, and execute enabling UAS missions in compliance with federal regulations, agency policies, and mission objectives.
Provide advanced technical guidance on enabling UAS systems, including maintenance, troubleshooting, and integration with other technologies. Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure proper training, risk management, and resource allocation for enabling UAS operations. Communications: Install, test, maintain, and troubleshoot Land Mobile Radio (LMR) and Radio over IP (RoIP) devices and systems, independently resolving routine issues and escalating complex problems as needed.
Install, test, maintain, and troubleshoot Radio over IP (RoIP), independently resolving routine issues and escalating complex problems as needed. Assist in radio spectrum analysis and deconfliction activities, supporting compliance with FCC and NTIA requirements under guidance from senior specialists. Command & Control Support the application of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) in planning processes; assist in preparing briefings and instructional materials on NIMS.
Provide technical support for preparedness and response activities related to natural and man-made disasters; contribute to the development of plans for continuity of essential functions. Install, test, maintain, and troubleshoot situational awareness systems and their connectivity, supporting integration efforts and resolving standard connectivity issues. Chemical Biological Countermeasures Responding to, mitigating, or investigating known or suspected releases of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) materials, including conducting hazard site surveys, characterization, and sample recovery operations with minimal supervision.
Utilizing, repairing, and troubleshooting specialized hazmat and CBRN detection equipment, and recommending improvements to operational procedures. Coordinating and participating in the planning and execution of prevention activities for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) or Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) incidents. Technical Surveillance Countermeasures Conducting technical surveillance countermeasures inspections, including radio frequency signal adjudication, electrical and physical component detection, and physical inspections, and assisting in identifying and neutralizing technical penetrations and vulnerabilities.
Performing technical surveillance countermeasures functions utilizing a wide variety of technical surveillance countermeasures equipment and instrumentation and recommending enhancements to procedures. Applying and interpreting policies and procedures for the use of technical surveillance countermeasures equipment and assisting in the development of new procedures. Explosive Ordnance Disposal Responding to incident scenes where explosive threats are suspected or determined and providing technical expertise in the identification and mitigation of such threats.
Interpreting x-rays of potential explosive devices, and/or other unknown and suspicious devices, and advising others on findings. Identifying and differentiating between commercial, military, and home-made explosives, and providing guidance to less experienced personnel. Fire, Life-Safety, Hazmat Conducting responses to incidents involving structure fires; hazardous materials (HAZMAT) releases; and/or technical rescue operations and providing technical support during these incidents.
Inspecting or investigating various facilities (e.g., warehouses, shops, hospitals, offices, living quarters, etc.) for violations of fire regulations, and for conditions contributing to serious fire hazards, and preparing reports of findings. Developing and implementing fire/life safety surveys for pre-incident analysis and incident response and recommending corrective actions. 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. Time-in-Grade Requirement: Under competitive merit promotion procedures, any individual who is currently holding, or who has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under a non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet "time-in-grade" requirements (have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade of the grade for which you are applying).
NOTE: All current or former Federal employees must provide a copy of their SF-50, "Notice of Personnel Action" that indicates proof of status and time-in-grade eligibility. The SF-50 must include your position, title, series, grade, step, tenure (1 or 2), and type of service (Competitive or Excepted).
You may need to submit more than one SF-50 to comply. The qualification and eligibility requirements listed above must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Current of Former Political Appointees: 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.
Major Duties
The selectee will serve as a Technical Security Investigator, in the Office of Technical Operations, specializing in one of the following areas: Chemical Biological Countermeasures; Communications; or Command & Control, Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems; Electronics, Enabling Unmanned Aerial Systems; Explosive Ordnance Disposal; Fire, Life-Safety, Hazmat or Technical Surveillance Countermeasures. The Aviation and Airspace Security Division (ASD) develops, coordinates, and implement airspace security plans for sites visited by the President and Vice President of the United States or other designated USSS protectees. Please note, ASD is only selecting candidates for positions located in Landover, MD.
The Technical Security Division (TSD) provides specialized technical expertise and operational support, develops and implements countermeasures to address threats against protected persons and facilities, and supports criminal investigations conducted by the Secret Service. Please note, TSD is only selecting candidates for positions located in for the Washington, DC. The Operational Communications and Integration Division (OCI) provides secure, integrated communications for Secret Service, protectees and ensures reliable, interoperable systems with federal, state, and local partners to support protective and investigative missions.
Please note, OCI is selecting candidates for positions located in Washington, DC, Miami, Los Angeles, Dallas, Atlanta, New York, Chicago, Boston, and Philadelphia offices. Typical work assignments include: Installing, monitoring, and evaluating the latest known technologies (such as state-of-the-art intrusion detection systems and devices) that may potentially be used by hostile entities, both domestic and abroad, either independently or as groups, to penetrate Agency sites or otherwise harm protectees. Conducting routine security searches to identify, detect, deter, and stop potential or actual threats involving hazardous materials, items, devices, persons, or unsafe environmental conditions.
Assisting with implementing protective countermeasures and supporting law enforcement responsive planning duties. Contributing to the development and organization of investigative tactics and techniques to support investigations of suspected criminal violations. Apply for this exciting opportunity to impact the United States Secret Service's security initiatives in support of our protective and investigative missions.
This Technical Security Investigator position starts at a base salary of $76,463 (GS-12, step-1), with promotion to $118,204 (GS-13, Step-10).
Conditions of Employment
US Citizenship is required. Possess and maintain a current valid driver's license. Must be REAL ID compliant. Obtain and maintain a Top-Secret Clearance. Certify registration or exemption with the Selective Service if you are a male applicant born after 12/31/59. Submit to a drug test prior to your appointment and random drug testing during employment. Submit to a polygraph examination prior to your appointment.
Complete pre-employment medical examinations.
Click here for more information. Be at least age 21 at the time of application and less than age 40 at the time of appointment. 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. 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. Possess uncorrected visual acuity of no worse than 20/100 binocular. Possess corrected visual acuity of 20/20 or better in each eye.
Lasik, ALK, RK, and PRK corrective eye surgeries are acceptable eye surgeries for applicants, and you will be considered eligible for this position provided specific visual tests are passed. Waiting periods are Lasik-2 months after surgery, PRK-6 months after surgery, and ALK/RK-1 year after surgery. 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.
Complete or secure an appropriate waiver for a 13-week Uniformed Police Training Program (UPTP) at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) AND a 10-week Mixed Basic Training Course (MBTC) at the Agency's James J. Rowley Training Center (RTC), and a Protective Advance Coordinator Course (PACC) in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.
Click here to review the required Fitness Standards. Failure to pass these training programs on the first attempt may result in separation from the U. S. Secret Service.
Education
Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted.
How You Will Be Evaluated
Your application will be rated on the extent and quality of your experience, education and training relevant to the duties of the position. All answers provided in the online process must be substantiated by your resume. Subject matter experts (SMEs) will review your resume to determine your technical qualifications for this position based on the required specialized experience.
SMEs will review ONLY two (2) pages of your resume, starting at your work experience. SMEs will not review additional information beyond your resume (e.g., cover letter, links embedded in your resume). Applicants passing the structured resume review will move on to the next phase of the assessment process.
The competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this job are: Planning and Evaluating Self-Management Technical Competence Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the Federal government, you are not CTAP eligible. View information about CTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered eligible under CTAP, you must be deemed qualified based on the structured resume review, as described above.
In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement. An interview may be required for this position. If an interview is required, failure to complete the interview may result in removal from further consideration.
Due weight will be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards in merit promotion selection decisions in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3). 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 Personnel Management guidance and U.S.
Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.
Additional Information
DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities. Applicant selected for this position will be required to sign a Continued Service Agreement (CSA) before being assigned to an initial training class. The continuing service agreement will commit the applicant to a specified period of employment with the U.S. Secret Service upon the successful completion of training.
This position is covered by Administratively Uncontrollable Overtime (AUO) and additional compensation may be paid at the rate of up to 25% of the base salary. The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Homeland Security and its Components from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S.
Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to [email protected].
You will be required to complete and sign an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, to certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to receiving your Conditional Job Offer letter. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment. More than one selection may be made from this announcement if additional identical vacancies in the same title, series, grade and unit occur Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.
The selectee will be required to report to a Secret Service Office or DHS Component Office as their Duty Station. 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 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).
For definitions of terms found in this announcement, please click here
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 (ET) on 04/08/2026 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.
You must complete the application process and submit any required documents no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on 04/08/2026. To view the required online questionnaire, please click the link https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12921561.
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.
We strongly encourage you to apply online. If you cannot apply online, you may contact the Terrell White at [email protected] OR by calling (202) 406-6411 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. The Secret Service provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities, on a case-by-case basis.
Please contact us if you require this for any part of the application and hiring process.
Required Documents
In addition to addressing the vacancy 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 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. directly relate to the position. Support your skills with specific examples such as accomplishments or results from your career or education. Are you a current United States Secret Service Employee?
Submit a copy of your SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, showing your tenure code career or career-conditional (codes 1 or 2, in block 24), position occupied and highest grade and step. In addition, the SF50s must show the highest grade or promotion potential level attained competitively. An award SF-50 does not contain the required information.
If you are applying for a higher grade, please provide the SF-50s which shows the length of time you have been in your current/highest grade and that supports one year of experience (i.e., With-in Grade Increase (WRI) SF-50).You may need to submit more than one SF-50 to comply. Lastly, 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.
You may have to submit more than one to show time in the code Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP)? Submit a copy of your agency notice, copy of your most recent performance appraisal (with at least a satisfactory rating) and your most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location. Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee?
Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment: Position title, Type of appointment (Schedule a, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee) Agency, beginning and ending dates of your appointment. Completed the Federal Law Enforcement Training Program, Mixed Basic Training Course, and the Protective Advance Coordinator Course? Please submit a copy of your certifications and transcripts.