- Position Title
- Criminal Investigator (Special Agent) - HAMMER
- Agency
- U.S. Secret Service
- Announcement Number
- SAB-SB-25-Q3-SOD-HAM Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Tuesday, April 1, 2025 to Monday, June 30, 2025
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1.
This position has an age requirement. Enter or select your date of birth.
This age restriction may not apply if you are currently serving in a federal civilian (not military) law enforcement position covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or Title 5 U.S.C. 8412(d).
2.
Have you ever worked for the Federal government in a civilian law enforcement position where you were under law enforcement retirement coverage?
If you are claiming an age waiver based on Federal law enforcement service you must submit copies of your SF-50s (Notice of Personnel Actions) reflecting the beginning date and end date of creditable Federal civilian (not military) service under Title 5 U.S.C. 8331(20) and Title 5 U.S.C. 8401(17). Block 30 of your SF-50 should show Retirement Code M or O. If you do not meet the age requirement and you are unable to provide this required documentation, you will not receive consideration under this announcement.
If you are claiming an age waiver based on Veterans' Preference you must upload required Veterans' Preference documents according to your preference type via USAJOBS:
-Statement of Service (Service Members currently serving)
-DD 214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty
-SF 15 Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference
-VA Benefits Letter
If you are claiming an age waiver based on Veterans' Preference you must upload required Veterans' Preference documents according to your preference type via USAJOBS:
-Statement of Service (Service Members currently serving)
-DD 214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty
-SF 15 Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference
-VA Benefits Letter
3.
Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?
Preferences
1.
Would you accept a term appointment?
Vacancy Questionnaire
1.
Please list the name, title, and office or division of the U.S. Secret Service employee who referred you or enter N/A if you were not referred by an employee.
2.
Recruiter ID Number: If you have one, please enter your recruiter's ID number. (Your recruiter would have supplied it to you). If you do not have one, please enter 0 (zero).
(limit 7 characters)
3.
Please choose the statement that best describes you.
4.
Are you a former Secret Service employee?
5.
Are you a current U.S. Secret Service employee?
6.
Do you possess or are you in the process of obtaining a valid U.S. state driver's license?
7.
If you receive a conditional offer of employment, do you agree to provide your medical records to the U.S. Secret Service's medical staff for review?
8.
Are you a citizen of a country other than the United States?
9.
Do you understand that if selected, you may be asked to renounce your non-United States Citizenship and sign a loyalty agreement?
10.
Are you legally able to possess a firearm? Answer "Yes" if you would be legally able to obtain a permit to possess a firearm, even if you do not currently have a permit?
11.
Special Agent applicants must undergo a complete medical examination as part of the hiring process. This is required to ensure the applicant is able to meet the strict medical standards for the position. Any chronic disease or condition affecting the respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, digestive, nervous, endocrine, lymphatic, nervous, genitourinary, and other systems that could impair full performance of the duties of the position may be disqualifying. The duties of this position require moderate to rigorous physical exertion, use of firearms, and exposure to inclement weather. Manual dexterity with comparatively free motion of fingers, wrists, elbows, shoulders, hips, and knee joints is required for this position. Special Agent applicants must also undergo preemployment drug screening. The purpose of the drug screening is to detect the current usage of illegal drugs.
Do you certify you understand these requirements and are willing to undergo a complete medical examination and drug screening as part of the hiring process?
Do you certify you understand these requirements and are willing to undergo a complete medical examination and drug screening as part of the hiring process?
12.
The U.S. Secret Service has strict physical fitness requirements as a condition of employment. Special Agent applicants are required to successfully complete a physical fitness test consisting of four assessments that are intended to evaluate an applicant's strength, agility, endurance, and other physical capabilities as part of the application process.
Do you:
Do you:
- Certify that you read the U.S. Secret Service Physical Fitness Standards;
- Understand a physical fitness assessment is administered during the first week of training; and
- Understand failure to meet these requirements at any point during training is grounds for dismissal from training?
13.
The Special Agent position conditions of employment include strict vision and hearing requirements.
To meet the vision requirement applicants MUST have at a minimum:
To meet the hearing requirement, applicants MUST have no hearing loss beyond 25 decibels at the 500, 1000, or 2000Hz ranges in both ears as registered by an audiometer. If you receive a conditional offer of employment, you will be required to undergo a medical examination to verify that the hearing standard is met. A false response or an attempt to conceal a hearing condition will cause your application to be found ineligible for processing. Applicants must meet this requirement without the use of a hearing aid.
Do you:
To meet the vision requirement applicants MUST have at a minimum:
- Uncorrected visual acuity of no worse than 20/100 binocular (both eyes tested together);
- Corrected visual acuity of 20/20 binocular (both eyes tested together); and corrected visual acuity of 20/20 or better in each eye, which can be achieved in one of three ways:
- Naturally without correction.
- With glasses or contact lenses
- With eye surgery provided the required wait times have passed such as Lasik (2 months), PRK (6 months), ALK, or RK (1 year).
- Sufficient color vision to pass the required color vision test.
To meet the hearing requirement, applicants MUST have no hearing loss beyond 25 decibels at the 500, 1000, or 2000Hz ranges in both ears as registered by an audiometer. If you receive a conditional offer of employment, you will be required to undergo a medical examination to verify that the hearing standard is met. A false response or an attempt to conceal a hearing condition will cause your application to be found ineligible for processing. Applicants must meet this requirement without the use of a hearing aid.
Do you:
- Understand that the conditions of employment include strict vision and hearing requirements, and you may be required to take exams or provide results of exams to verify you meet these requirements,
- Certify that you meet the all the vision and hearing requirements,
- Attest that your response to this question is accurate to the best of your knowledge, and
- Acknowledge that any attempt to conceal your actual visual acuity or a hearing condition will cause your application to be ineligible for processing?
The following questions are regarding USSS' conditions of employment such as appearance and health; examinations, investigations, and tests; fitness and the training. We expect our employees to uphold these conditions throughout their tenure with USSS.
The duties of this position are exacting and involve responsibility for the safety of others under trying conditions, requiring applicants to 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.
If selected for this position, you will be:
The duties of this position are exacting and involve responsibility for the safety of others under trying conditions, requiring applicants to 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.
If selected for this position, you will be:
- Prohibited from having visible body markings (including but not limited to tattoos, body art, and branding) on the head, face, neck, hands, and fingers (i.e. any area below the wrist), with the exception of a single conservative and unobtrusive tattoo in the form of a ring, such as a wedding band on one finger.
- On call 24 hours a day and 7 days a week and are expected to respond immediately if called; Be required to work shift work (e.g. night shifts, weekend shifts, early morning shifts); Be often required to work extended hours, including multiple consecutive shifts and unscheduled overtime; Be often required to work several days in a row without a day off; Be often required to work holidays; Be often required to report to work during inclement weather (e.g., snow, ice, other hazardous conditions); Often have to work outside during inclement weather.
- Sometimes operate under leave restrictions, which means you are not permitted to take certain types of leave like vacation during busy times.
- Frequently reassigned (sometimes involuntarily) to different field offices throughout the United States and must be willing to accept such reassignments.
- Required to travel with little notice or down time; Be required to travel internationally, if needed; Be required to travel for up to 21 consecutive days, if needed.
- Required to sign a mobility agreement, in which you agree to accept assignments anywhere within the United States and overseas.
- Required to undergo intense physical, classroom, and firearms training for several weeks; Maintain firearms skills to the highest degree; Be tested quarterly on firearms abilities.
- Required to maintain physical fitness throughout your career.
- Required to follow the Government Code of Ethics which prohibits even the appearance of unethical conduct both on- and off-duty; places restrictions on what employees can do both on- and off-duty; and prohibits employees from obtaining part-time employment which conflicts with official duties.
- Required to participate in all aspects of the application process. You will be disqualified for employment should you refuse.
14.
Do you understand the conditions of employment and will comply with these requirements if selected for this position. Inability or refusal to meet the conditions of employment will result in disqualification for employment?
15.
The Secret Service follows stringent guidelines relating to illegal drug usage. Please note that if you receive a conditional offer of employment, you will be asked questions about your usage of illegal drugs in general, as part of the polygraph examination. Responses to questions regarding the Secret Service Applicant Drug Policy drug policy will be verified during interviews and are subject to a polygraph examination (the link to the policy is located under the Qualifications section of the job opportunity announcement).
Do you:
Do you:
- Certify you read and understand the U.S. Secret Service Applicant Drug Policy Statement
- Attest you meet the guidelines regarding illegal usage of drugs at the time of application and are willing to undergo a pre-employment drug screening if you receive a conditional offer of employment, and
- Acknowledge that refusal to meet these requirements will result in disqualification for employment?
16.
The Special Agent position requires Top Secret security clearance as a condition of employment. Applicants will undergo an extensive polygraph examination to verify responses provided to the U.S. Secret Service and to gather information relevant to the determination regarding an applicant's eligibility for Top Secret Security Clearance.
Do you:
Do you:
- Certify you are willing to undergo a polygraph examination,
- Understand as part of the polygraph examination you will be questioned to determine the accuracy of prior responses regarding the usage of illegal drugs, your finances, criminal record, past employment, and other information you have provided to the U.S. Secret Service, and
- Acknowledge that refusal to meet these requirements will result in disqualification for employment?
17.
The Special Agent position requires Top Secret security clearance as a condition of employment. A comprehensive background investigation will be conducted on applicants to determine their eligibility for Top Secret security clearance. As part of the investigation, applicants will be required to provide extensive information regarding their background and activities. The following questions will help you understand the eligibility requirements for Top Secret security clearance.
By responding to this question, you are indicating you understand that if selected for this position you will:
By responding to this question, you are indicating you understand that if selected for this position you will:
- Undergo a comprehensive background investigation that will include:
- Interviews with past and present employers, neighbors, teachers, relatives, and references;
- Verification of past and present employment, residences, and education;
- Verification of police record and criminal history;
- Verification of citizenship;
- A review of finances and credit history;
- Verification of income tax payments;
- A review of physical and mental health.
- Examination of your use of alcohol and illegal drugs.
- Have your finances and current credit history evaluated, to include outstanding or overdue accounts.
- Be subjected to a continuous evaluation and background investigation every five years as part of the process used to update your clearance if granted a Top Secret security clearance.
Understanding the extensive requirements for Top Secret security clearance with the U.S. Secret Service, you must further attest your potential eligibility for Top Secret security clearance by answering the questions below. False responses to these questions or an attempt to conceal or misrepresent your background will cause your application to be found ineligible for processing.
18.
Have you been charged with, convicted of, or pleaded guilty to a felony or misdemeanor crime. Convictions include being found guilty, pleading no contest (nolo contendere), pleading guilty, or being found not guilty by reason of insanity?
19.
Have you been convicted in a court of the misdemeanor crime of domestic violence?
20.
Do you understand that if selected, the duration of this appointment is 3 years and 120 days, after which the Secret Service may convert you to a permanent appointment or separate you?
21.
Do you have any relatives who work for the Secret Service?
22.
Provide the name, relationship, title, and division or office of your relative who works for the Secret Service.
23.
Do you certify that all responses provided on this online application are true, complete, and correct to the best of your knowledge and belief, and are made in good faith?
24.
Periodically the U.S. Secret Service will send application updates through email, as well as through SMS (texting) to those who consent. Do you consent to receiving SMS texting to the mobile number you provided for updates to your application?
25.
Identify the attributes/accomplishments that qualifies you for the HAMMER Tactical Recruiting Program (TRP) position.
Assessment 1
Read all responses before making your selection. If you do not meet these minimum qualifications, you will be considered not qualified and will not receive consideration for this position.
Specialized experience at the GL-7 level is 1 year of specialized experience in, or related to, the investigative methods, protective methods, and law enforcement techniques that provide the specific competencies to successfully perform the position's duties. Experience also includes exercising initiative; attention to detail; judgment in collecting, assembling, and developing facts, evidence or other pertinent data; the ability to analyze and evaluate data or evidence to arrive at sound conclusions including applying new information; and the ability to partner with or lead others in the accomplishment of mission activities.
Superior Academic Achievement: To qualify under superior academic achievement, you must have completed all of the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and meet at least one of the following requirements: Class Standing - Being in the upper 1/3 of your graduating class; OR A GPA of 3.0 or higher out of 4.0, as recorded on your official transcript, or based on courses completed during your final 2 years of curriculum; OR A GPA of 3.5 or higher out of 4.0, based on the average of required courses completed in your major or required courses in major completed during your final 2 years of curriculum; OR Member of national scholastic honor society that meets the requirements of the Association of College Honor Societies.
1.
From the descriptions below, select the one response that best describes your experience or education as it pertains the Criminal Investigator, GL-1811-7 position.
Specialized experience at the GL-9 level is fifty-two (52) weeks of experience, at the GL-7 level or equivalent, that has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Examples of such specialized experience include: conducting investigations involving violations of the laws of the United States; preparing investigative reports by gathering information, performing analyses, summarizing results, identifying problem areas and proposing and implementing solutions; leading a team and ensuring the goals and deadlines for the team are met; interviewing witnesses, obtaining signed statements and participating in surveilling criminal activities; assisting in protective advance security surveys; analyzing intelligence information or investigating oral and/or written threats against officials; leading meetings or seminars on behalf of a work or academic group, presenting complex material, and responding effectively to questions from audience members or counterparts.
2.
From the descriptions below, select the one response that best describes your experience or education as it pertains the Criminal Investigator, GL-1811-9 position.
Specialized experience at the GS-11 level is fifty-two (52) weeks of experience, at the GL-9 level or equivalent, that has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Examples of such specialized experience include: planning and conducting complex criminal investigations to determine violations of Federal laws and regulations; collecting and assembling facts to identify logical conclusion; gathering, analyzing, and evaluating evidence or data; conducting interviews and interrogations; making arrests; conducting searches and seizures; taking responsibility for own actions and those of team members to ensure the goals and deadlines for the team are met; partnering with or leveraging networks or relationships from outside the organization, experience managing complex projects including setting priorities and determining resource requirements
3.
From the descriptions below, select the response that best describes your education and/or experience.