Secret Service Agent

Job Description

The United States Secret Service (USSS) is a federal law enforcement agency that is centered on protecting the lives of national and visiting foreign leaders, as well as conducting criminal investigations. As one of the oldest federal law enforcement agencies in the nation, Secret Service agents continue to provide highly-skilled services in investigation and protection wherever they are stationed in the world. They are most commonly known for protecting the president, vice president, president-elect and vice president-elect and other successors to the president, as well as each of their immediate families. In addition, Secret Service agents are assigned to watch over former presidents, their spouses and children for no more than 10 years after the president leaves office and once the children are 16 years old. Presidential and vice presidential candidates and their spouses are also protected by the Secret Service months before the election. In addition, Secret Service agents are concerned with financial crimes, such as counterfeiting U.S. currency, forgery or theft of U.S. Treasury checks and bonds, as well as credit card, telecommunications, identity and computer fraud.

Educational Requirements

Depending on the grade level at which a special agent is hired, there are different educational requirements. According to the Secret Service’s official Web site, most agents, who have some postsecondary education, are hired at the GL-7 and GL-9 level. To qualify at the GL-7 level, applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and have excellent grades. The Secret Service evaluates “superior academic achievement” in many different ways, ranging from specific grade point averages to national honor society memberships. Applicants can also qualify for GL-7 positions if they have completed at least one full year of graduate level education, which equates to 18 semester hours, or if they have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GL-5 level, signifying relevant work experience. At the GL-9 level, applicants must have a master’s or equivalent graduate degree, such as a J.D., from an accredited institution, or possess a minimum of one year of specialized experience equal to the GL-7 level, involving related work or duties. While each level of the Secret Service differs, all applicants must meet the following general requirements: be a U.S. citizen between the ages of 21 and less than 37 at the time of appointment, possess a current valid driver’s license and have excellent vision naturally or when corrected.

Career Outlook and Salary

The career outlook for Secret Service agents should continue to be favorable for those who meet the general and educational requirements, as well as passing designated exams, background checks and obtaining a Top Secret clearance. Generally, special agents are hired at the GL-7 or GL-9 grade levels, depending on their education level, experience and other credentials. Their starting salary range can be anywhere from $43,200 to $73,354, according to the agency’s Web site. All job openings for Secret Service special agents can be found on USA Jobs, the federal government’s official job site.