🟢 Status: OPEN — Closes June 30, 2026 — Apply Immediately | 70+ Locations Nationwide | Source: USAJOBS.gov
US Secret Service Special Agent Jobs 2026 — USSS | GL-7 to GS-13 | $48K–$118K | Apply USAJOBS
The United States Secret Service (USSS), under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is recruiting Special Agents for 2026. This announcement is open through June 30, 2026 — and with today’s date being early June, time is short. The Secret Service is one of the most elite federal law enforcement agencies in the world, responsible for protecting the President, Vice President, their families, foreign heads of state, and former US presidents, while also investigating financial crimes including counterfeiting, cybercrime, and financial institution fraud.
New Secret Service Special Agents start at the GL-7 grade level ($48,854/yr) with promotion potential to GS-13 ($118,204/yr). You will be assigned to one of over 70 domestic field offices or potentially an international office and will alternate between protective and investigative assignments throughout your career.
Job Overview
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Job Title | Special Agent |
| Agency | United States Secret Service (USSS) |
| Department | US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) |
| Job Series | GL/GS-1811 Criminal Investigator |
| Location | Washington, DC | New York, NY | Los Angeles, CA | Chicago, IL | Miami, FL | Houston, TX | Dallas, TX | San Francisco, CA + 70+ Field Offices Nationwide |
| Work Schedule | Full-Time — must be available 24/7, including nights, weekends, and holidays |
| Appointment Type | Permanent — Career Appointment |
| Pay Scale & Grade | GL-7 Entry — Promotion potential to GS-13 |
| Salary Range | $48,854 – $118,204 per year (plus locality pay and LEAP) |
| Opening Date | Continuous Recruitment |
| Closing Date | June 30, 2026 — Apply Immediately |
| Who May Apply | US Citizens — Open to Public |
| Security Clearance | Top Secret / SCI — Full background investigation required |
| Drug Test | Required |
| Polygraph | Required |
| Medical Exam | Required — vision, hearing, physical standards |
| Physical Fitness Test | Required — Secret Service Physical Fitness Test |
| Training | 13-week FLETC + 18-week James J. Rowley Training Center (paid) |
| USAJOBS Control No. | 863783700 |
| USAJOBS Link | Click Here to Apply |
About the Role
Secret Service Special Agents have a dual mission unlike any other federal law enforcement career. On the investigative side, agents investigate counterfeiting, financial crimes, cybercrime, identity theft, and crimes against financial infrastructure. On the protective side, agents conduct protective advances, operate on protective details, and serve as the last line of defense for the world’s most protected individuals.
Agents rotate between investigative and protective assignments every 5–7 years. Early career agents typically spend the first years in a field office conducting investigations before moving to a protective detail assignment. Senior agents may serve on the Presidential Protective Division (PPD), the most prestigious assignment in the Secret Service.
“We are a small, elite agency with an outsized mission. Our agents are trained to the highest standards and trusted with the most critical protection assignments in the world.” — USSS Leadership
Key Duties & Responsibilities
- Conduct protective advances for USSS protectees including the President, Vice President, and foreign heads of state
- Serve on protective details — providing physical security for protectees at all times
- Investigate financial crimes including counterfeiting US currency, credit card fraud, identity theft, cybercrime, and financial institution fraud
- Conduct surveillance, execute search warrants, make arrests, and testify in federal court
- Coordinate security for National Special Security Events (NSSEs) such as presidential inaugurations, State of the Union, and G7/G20 summits
- Conduct protective intelligence investigations to identify and assess threats to protectees
- Liaise with other law enforcement agencies, foreign security services, and the intelligence community
- Maintain firearms qualification, physical fitness, and defensive tactics proficiency
- Write detailed investigative and protective reports — maintain case files and chain of evidence
- Respond to medical emergencies — all Secret Service Agents are trained in emergency medicine
Qualifications & Requirements
Minimum Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | US Citizen required |
| Age | Must be at least 21 years old; no older than 37 at time of appointment (exceptions for veterans) |
| Education | Bachelor’s degree in any field from an accredited college/university |
| Experience | At least 3 years of progressively responsible work experience; OR 1 year of specialized federal law enforcement or criminal investigative experience |
| GL-7 Qualification | Bachelor’s degree with Superior Academic Achievement OR 1 year of specialized investigative experience |
| Driver’s License | Valid driver’s license required — excellent driving record |
| Vision | 20/100 uncorrected (correctable to 20/20); normal color vision required |
| Physical Fitness | Must pass Secret Service Physical Fitness Test (PFT) |
| Drug-Free | Drug-free for required period prior to application |
| Background Investigation | Must pass TS/SCI background investigation (most thorough in federal government) |
| Polygraph | Must pass Secret Service polygraph exam |
Career Ladder & Salary
| Grade | Salary Range | Career Level |
|---|---|---|
| GL-7 (Entry) | $48,854 – $63,787/yr | New agent — upon graduation from JJRTC |
| GL-9 | $57,118 – $74,250/yr | After 1 year at GL-7 |
| GL-11 | $68,405 – $88,926/yr | After 1 year at GL-9 |
| GS-12 | $81,956 – $106,541/yr | After 1 year at GL-11 |
| GS-13 (Full Performance) | $97,376 – $118,204/yr | Full performance level after ~5 years |
💡 All agents also receive Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) of 25% on top of base salary — significantly increasing total compensation throughout your career.
Salary & Benefits
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Base Salary + LEAP | $48,854 to $118,204/yr base; plus 25% LEAP; plus locality pay |
| Retirement | Law Enforcement FERS — retire at age 50 with 20 years service |
| Health Insurance | FEHB — DHS contributes to premium for agent and family |
| Dental & Vision | FEDVIP coverage |
| TSP | Thrift Savings Plan with 5% government match |
| Paid Training | 13-week FLETC (Glynco, GA) + 18-week James J. Rowley Training Center (Laurel, MD) — fully paid |
| Paid Parental Leave | 12 weeks paid parental leave |
| Relocation | Paid relocation allowance upon initial assignment |
| Paid Vacations | 26 days vacation + 13 sick days per year |
| Firearms & Equipment | All firearms, tactical equipment, vehicle use, and credentials provided |
| Career Advancement | Supervisory SA → ASAIC → SAIC → Deputy Director → Director |
How to Apply
Step 1 — Create your free USAJOBS account at usajobs.gov
Step 2 — Go directly to usajobs.gov/job/863783700
Step 3 — Complete the online application — submit your federal resume (max 2 pages per USSS guidance), transcripts, and DD-214 (if veteran)
Step 4 — If referred, you will complete a written examination and structured interview
Step 5 — Conditional offer: complete Medical Exam, Physical Fitness Test, Polygraph, and Background Investigation
Step 6 — Attend 13-week basic agent training at FLETC in Glynco, GA, followed by 18-week advanced training at James J. Rowley Training Center in Laurel, MD
⚠️ URGENT: This announcement closes June 30, 2026. With today’s date in early June, you have a very narrow window to apply. Submit your application immediately. The entire selection process (from application to academy start) typically takes 12–18 months. Early applicants have a significant advantage.
Veterans’ Preference
Veterans with honorable discharge qualify for 5-point or 10-point hiring preference. Veteran preference eligibles are exempt from the age-37 maximum. Military experience in law enforcement, intelligence, communications, financial management, or as a commissioned officer makes candidates highly competitive. Submit DD-214 and VA disability documentation with your application.
About the US Secret Service
The United States Secret Service (USSS) was established in 1865 — originally to combat the counterfeiting of US currency, which constituted approximately half of all currency in circulation at that time. Presidential protection was added to the mission following the assassination of President William McKinley in 1901. Today the Secret Service employs approximately 7,500 Special Agents, Uniformed Division Officers, and professional/technical staff across 70+ domestic field offices and 25+ international offices. The USSS protects the President, Vice President, their immediate families, former presidents, major presidential and vice-presidential candidates, and visiting foreign leaders.
Disclaimer
FederalJobsAlert.us is an independent job notification website. This listing is sourced from USAJOBS.gov for informational purposes only. Always verify the latest details and apply directly at usajobs.gov/job/863783700. We are not affiliated with USSS, DHS, or any US government agency.
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