Criminal Justice Jobs – Law Enforcement – Secret Service Special Agent
Secret Service Agent Job Description
The role of the secret service agent can largely be split into two distinct parts. One duty is to protect and guard the president, vice president, their families and various other important persons. The other is to investigate any criminal activity that affects the government or state such as certain fraud cases, cyber attacks, certain money laundering cases and the falsifying of documents including identity.
Secret Service Agent Educational Requirements
You will need to be between age 21 and 37 at the time of acquiring the role. There are two entry levels that you could qualify for. What’s known as the GL-7 entry level will require you to have a minimum of a Bachelors degree whereas the GL-9 entry level will want to see candidates with a Masters degree or equivalent. A GPA of 3+ will be expected.
As well as the academic requirements, they will be looking for relevant experience such as proven achievements in investigations, surveillance and undercover work to name just a few.
The application itself will involve many steps as secret service agents have top level security clearance. You can expect:
- A Series Of In Depth Interviews
- Written and Oral Assessments
- Urine Analysis
- Medical – including vision tests
- Physical
- Polygraph Exam
- Psychological Assessment
- Background Check
All trainee secret service agents must also complete the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) Basic Criminal Investigator Training program which is located in Georgia and lasts for 10 weeks.
Following this all trainees will then have to complete a 17 week Special Agent Basic Training program which is located just outside of Washington. There will also be additional firearms training.
All the tests in the secret service agent application process must be passed on your first attempt in order for you to be successful.
Secret Service Agent Salary
Secret service agents generally earn on average between $55k – $75k per year with bonuses depending on location and assignments. There will also be a range of other benefit packages.
Secret Service Agent Career Prospects
As well as the obvious supervisory positions above the agent roles, there will be a multitude of directions you could go with your career if you are working as a secret service agent. It is a highly regarded position and classed as a key profession so there would be many different roles that you could transfer to at federal level.
