Technical Security Investigator

U.S. Secret Service
Washington, DC

JobSummary

Joining the US Secret Service, Office of Technical Operations (TEC), as a Technical Security Investigator (TSI), allows you to provide specialized technical expertise and operational support, to develop and implement countermeasures to threats against protected persons and facilities, and to support criminal investigations conducted by the Secret Service.

LowGrade

12

HighGrade

12

PromotionPotential

13

SubAgencyName

Office of Technical Operations

OrganizationCodes

HS/HSAD

Relocation

False

HiringPath

  • fed-transition
  • public

MCOTags

  • NatSec

TotalOpenings

Few

AgencyMarketingStatement

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is calling on those who want to help protect American interests and secure our Nation. DHS Components work collectively to prevent terrorism; secure borders and our transportation systems; protect the President and other dignitaries; enforce and administer immigration laws; safeguard cyberspace; and ensure resilience to disasters. We achieve these vital missions through a workforce spanning hundreds of occupations. Make an impact; join DHS. Building on a Tradition of Excellence and Meeting the Challenges of the Future, the Secret Service is a premier law enforcement organization with two critical national security missions: protect our nation's leaders and to conduct criminal investigations. Our team members continue a tradition of excellence - whether investigating financial crime or protecting national and visiting foreign leaders. In the Secret Service, we serve the country with duty, loyalty, justice, integrity and courage. In the Secret Service, we: Protect the President, the Vice President, and other leaders; investigate threats against them; and safeguard their residences and other facilities. Plan and implement security designs for National Special Security Events. Investigate financial crimes including fraud, identity theft and computer-based attacks on banking or telecommunications infrastructure. Find us on at X Find us on Instagram Find us on Facebook Find us on LinkedIn

TravelCode

7

ApplyOnlineUrl

https://apply.usastaffing.gov/Application/Apply

DetailStatusUrl

https://apply.usastaffing.gov/Application/ApplicationStatus

MajorDuties

  • The selectee will serve as a Technical Security Investigator specializing in one of the following areas: Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems; Electronics; Enabling Unmanned Aerial Systems; IT Network; Technical Security, Coordination, and Protective Duties; Technical Surveillance Countermeasures; Video Management and Integration; Communications; or Command & Control in the Office of Technical Operations, Aviation and Airspace Security Division (ASD) or Operational Communications and Intelligence Division (OCI). 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 Operational Communications and Integration Division (OCI) provides secure, and 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 only selecting candidates for positions located in Washington, DC. 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 salary of $105,251.00, GS-12, step 01 with a promotion potential to $136,830.00, GS-13, step 10.

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.

Requirements

US Citizenship is required. Possess 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. Must be at least 21 years old at the time of application and under 40 at 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. Must have uncorrected vision of at least 20/100, correctable to 20/20 in each eye. LASIK, ALK, RK, and PRK surgeries are acceptable if required post-surgery visual tests are passed: Lasik (3 months), PRK (6 months), ALK/RK (1 year) waiting periods apply 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). 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. Lautenberg Amendment: This position authorizes the incumbent to carry a firearm. Any person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition (Title 18, USC, Section 922(g)(91)).

Evaluations

This announcement is being filled using the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Direct-Hire Authority. Agencies may appoint candidates directly to jobs, without regard to the provisions of Title 5 U.S.C.3309 through 3318. Therefore, Veterans' preference does not apply when appointing individuals. For more information on Direct Hire Authority please visit: Direct Hire Authority. Veterans: Although the Direct Hire Authority permits hiring without regard to Veterans Preference, applicants who are eligible for Veterans Preference are encouraged to include that information in their application and submit supporting documentation (See Required Documents section for information on substantiating documents). Upon review, your resume and/or supporting documents need to support your answer choices to the assessment questionnaire. If qualifying based on specialized experience, your resume must also reflect the one year of specialized experience requirement, in order to be considered. If the one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the next lower grade level cannot be identified in your resume, you will be considered not qualified. The competencies needed to perform this job are: Planning and Evaluating Self Management Technical Competence Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the Federal government, you are not ICTAP eligible. View information about ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered eligible under ICTAP, you must be placed in the well-qualified category for this position, 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. 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 Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.

HowToApply

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. 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 preview the questionnaire, please click the link https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12890607 To update your application at any time during the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS. There you will find a record of your application, the application status, and an option to Update Application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. 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. For information on what each Announcement Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. It is your responsibility to verify that any information entered or uploaded is received and is accurate. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. Determining your eligibility and qualifications is dependent on the supporting documentation and information provided, which may impact your referral for further consideration. If a document is not legible, we will not be able to view it in your application. We strongly encourage you to apply online. If you cannot apply online or have questions about the hiring process, you may contact the Law Enforcement Acquisition Division, Technical Law Enforcement Support Branch at TLEHRSupport@usss.dhs.gov or (202) 406-6411. 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. 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.

WhatToExpectNext

Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your eligibility. Best-qualified applicants will be referred for further consideration and possible interview. We expect to make a selection within 45 days of the closing date of this announcement. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. We will notify you by email after each of these steps has been completed. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. For more information on applying for Federal employment, please click here.

RequiredDocuments

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 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. Are you a current or former federal employee? Submit a copy of your SF 50, Notification of Personnel Action, showing your position occupied and highest grade and step. Additionally, 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. An award SF-50 does not contain the required information. Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP)? 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 Veteran? Veterans' preference does not apply to selections made using Direct Hiring Authority however, if you would like to submit your military records for benefits you may receive after selection, please submit the following: a copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (Member Copy 4). If a DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (Member Copy 4) is not available, other documentation listing the beginning and ending dates of active service and the type of discharge must be submitted to verify eligibility. If claiming 10-point preference, you will need to submit a Standard Form (SF-15), "Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference." For more information view Veteran Information. 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, and Mixed Basic Training Course? Please submit a copy of your certifications and transcripts.

Benefits

DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; law enforcement retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include: tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select Benefits. Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.

BenefitsUrl

https://help.usajobs.gov/working-in-government/benefits

OtherInformation

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. 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. Applicants selected for this position will be required to sign a Continuing Service Agreement 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. 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. 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. Applicants will be required to travel to all phases of the hiring process at their own expense. 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). 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 Equal.Opportunity@usss.dhs.gov. For definitions of terms found in this announcement, please click here.

KeyRequirements

WithinArea

False

CommuteDistance

0

ServiceType

01

AnnouncementClosingType

03

AnnouncementClosingTypeOption

300

AgencyContactEmail

TLEhrsupport@usss.dhs.gov

SecurityClearance

Top Secret

DrugTestRequired

True

PositionSensitivitiy

NCS/High Risk

AdjudicationType

  • Credentialing
  • Suitability/Fitness
  • National security
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