Secret Service Agent
The Secret Service is a federal law enforcement agency, serving under the direction of the Department of Homeland Security. The Secret Service is best known as the agency responsible for protecting the President.
The Secret Service has two primary responsibilities: criminal investigation and presidential security. Secret Service agents are assigned both protection and investigation duties at some time during their service. As a result, secret service agents travel throughout the nation and world extensively.
Secret service agents are typically assigned the following duties.
Secret Service agents protect:
- The President, Vice President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and others in the presidential line of succession
- The President and Vice president’s families
- Former presidents and their wives for as long as they live. However, spouses who remarry lose Secret Service protection
- Former presidents’ children until they turn 16
- Under the direction of the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Secret Service agents provide security at national events
- Heads of state visiting the United States and family members accompanying them
- Recognizable presidential and vice presidential candidates and their family members 120 days before a presidential election
- Other people requested by the President
Secret Service agents investigate:
- Counterfeiting law violations
- Financial fraud, including banking, access device, advance fee, and computer fraud, financial document counterfeiting, and money laundering
- Computer hacker attacks on national telecommunications, computer network, financial, and banking infrastructure
Secret Service Agent Qualifications
- Proof of U.S. citizenship
- Pass a physical exam
- Pass a drug test
- Successful completion of a written test
- Successful completion of an extensive background investigation
- Successful completion of a polygraph test
- Complete a thorough interview
- Successful completion of an entrance exam
- Ability to acquire a Top Secret Security clearance
- Between the ages of 21-37 when applying
Additionally, to be considered for the Secret Service, you must hold a bachelor’s degree or have 3 years of criminal investigation or police experience.
Secret Service Agent Training
Secret Service trainees complete 3 month of training in New Mexico or Georgia at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. After training, agents complete 3 months of supplementary training in Maryland at the James J. Rowley Training Center.
To learn more about job opportunities with the Secret Service contact the agency’s recruitment program at 202-406-5830 or TTY 202-406-5390. For information about current openings call 888-813-8777.
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