Summary

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.

Learn more about this agency

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.

Duties

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 GS-13 to $136,830.00 step 10.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

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)).

Qualifications

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

your performance and conduct;
the needs and interests of the agency;
whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your 1-year probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

To qualify for the GS-12 level, you must possess one year of specialized experience at the GS-11 level or equivalent, performing the duties listed below, for the specialized program:

Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems:

Support technical investigations to counter UAS threats using surveillance systems, countermeasures, and legal expertise.
Assist protective teams by integrating security measures, coordinating with agencies, and enhancing aerial intrusion prevention.
Help manage security programs against drone threats through expertise in device mitigation, TSCM, and RF monitoring.

Electronics:

Utilizing tools to troubleshoot and perform systematic problem solving of electronic devices and systems.
Testing, maintaining, installing, and evaluating electrical components and systems; and,
Troubleshooting, maintaining, and ensuring security of computers and computer network systems.

Enabling Unmanned Aerial Systems:

Develop, coordinate, and execute enabling UAS missions in compliance with federal regulations, agency policies, and mission objectives.
Provide advanced technical guidance on enabling UAS systems, including maintenance, troubleshooting, and integration with other technologies.
Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure proper training, risk management, and resource allocation for enabling UAS operations.

IT Network

Conducting surveillance via electron monitoring systems such as audio, video, and motion.
Analyzing network traffic, logs, and intrusion detection; and,
Collect and monitor network security data to support real-time threat detection

Technical Security, Coordination, and Protective Duties:

Conduct security assessments and site surveys to identify threats, implement countermeasures, and collaborate with stakeholders.
Support protective teams by integrating technical measures, coordinating with law enforcement, and improving protective environments.
Manage security programs by creating protocols, performing threat assessments, and deploying advanced solutions to reduce risks.

Technical Surveillance Countermeasures:

Conduct TSCM inspections, including RF signal adjudication, component detection, and physical inspections, to identify and neutralize vulnerabilities.
Perform TSCM functions using various specialized equipment and instrumentation.
Apply policies and procedures for operating TSCM equipment effectively.

Video Management and Integration:

Overseeing, designing and installing video surveillance systems with a concentration in Radio Frequency (RF) communication and video distribution.
Conduct real-time monitoring and analysis of video feeds to detect threats, coordinate with security personnel for immediate countermeasures, and perform surveillance investigations using advanced equipment and techniques.
Develop and coordinate security plans for video distribution systems to gather evidence and monitor suspects effectively.

Communications:

Install, test, maintain, and troubleshoot Land Mobile Radio (LMR) and Radio over IP (RoIP) devices and systems, independently resolving routine issues and escalating complex problems as needed.
Install, test, maintain, and troubleshoot Radio over IP (RoIP), independently resolving routine issues and escalating complex problems as needed.
Assist in radio spectrum analysis and deconfliction activities, supporting compliance with FCC and NTIA requirements under guidance from senior specialists.

Command & Control:

Support the application of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) in planning processes; assist in preparing briefings and instructional materials on NIMS.
Provide technical support for preparedness and response activities related to natural and man-made disasters; contribute to the development of plans for continuity of essential functions.
Install, test, maintain, and troubleshoot situational awareness systems and their connectivity, supporting integration efforts and resolving standard connectivity issues.

The qualifications requirements listed above must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

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.

Additional information

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.

If you are deemed minimally qualified for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entering Phase 1 of the hiring process. 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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal 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: flexible work schedules; telework; 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.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

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.

Required Documents

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 a Federal Law Enforcement Training Program? Please submit a copy of your FLETC certification and transcript.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

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.

Agency contact information

TLE Support Branch

Email

TLEhrsupport@usss.dhs.gov

Next steps

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.

Overview

Accepting applications

Open & closing dates

04/01/2026 to 04/08/2026

This job will close when we have received 300 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more

Salary

$105,251 - $136,830 per year

Pay scale & grade

GS 12

Locations

Few vacancies in the following locations:

OCI Only

Washington, DC

ASD Only

Landover, MD

Remote job

No

Telework eligible

No

Travel Required

75% or less - Domestic and Foreign travel may be required.

Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

Appointment type

Permanent

Work schedule

Full-time - This position requires shift work.

Service

Competitive

Promotion potential

13

Job family (Series)

1801 General Inspection, Investigation, Enforcement, And Compliance Series

Supervisory status

No

Security clearance

Top Secret

Drug test

Yes

Position sensitivity and risk

NCS/High Risk

Trust determination process

Credentialing
Suitability/Fitness
National security

Financial disclosure

No

Bargaining unit status

No

Announcement number

TLE-TEC-TW012-26-DHA

Control number

863553500

United States Secret Service

About Company

Technical Security Investigator