Technical Security Investigator

Summary Joining the Secret Service, Office of Technical Development and Applied Research, Technical Security Division or Aviation and Airspace Security Division, will allow you to provide specialized technical expertise to develop and implement countermeasures to protected persons and/or facilities and support protective and criminal investigations. Requirements Conditions of Employment US Citizenship is required. Effective May 7, 2025, all applicants are required to have their REAL ID driver's license. Obtain and maintain a Top-Secret Clearance. For more information visit OPM MythBuster Page. 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 a pre-employment and post-employment medical examination and be determined physically fit to perform strenuous and physically demanding duties. Be at least age 21 at the time of application and less than age 37 at the time of referral unless you have previous service in a Federal Civilian Law Enforcement position covered by special civil service retirement provision, including early or mandatory retirement. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must be less than 40 years of age at the time of referral. 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. Possess uncorrected visual acuity of no worse than 20/100 binocular. Possess corrected visual acuity of 20/20 or better in each eye. Lasik, ALK, RK, and PRK corrective eye surgeries are acceptable eye surgeries for applicants, and you will be considered eligible for this position provided specific visual tests are passed. Waiting periods are Lasik-2 months after surgery, PRK-6 months after surgery, and ALK/RK-1 year after surgery. 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. Successfully complete or secure an appropriate waiver for a 13-week Uniformed Police Training Program (UPTP) and 10-week Mixed Basic Training Course (MBTC) at the Agency's James J. Rowley Training Center (RTC), and a 6-week Protective Advance Coordinator Course in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. A one-year probationary period may be required. Qualifications You qualify for the GL-09 grade level (starting salary $72,254.00) if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GL-07 level performing duties such as: Supporting the execution of programs by analyzing data and applying technical knowledge of systems and counter measures to detect and address threats; Serving on armed protective operations teams to safeguard assets by deploying surveillance systems and coordinating threat responses with partner agencies; and, Contributing to technical security programs focused on countering threats through support in physical security assessments, surveillance activities, and hazardous device mitigation. OR Possess a Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education in an accredited college or university leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D. if related (such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work), OR a combination of education and experience listed above. You qualify for the GS-11 level (starting salary $63,163) if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GL-09 level performing duties as identified below: Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems/Enabling Unmanned Aerial Systems: Supporting technical investigations to identify and mitigate CUAS/EUAS threats by applying advanced knowledge of surveillance systems, countermeasures, and legal frameworks to develop effective investigative strategies; Supporting multidisciplinary protective teams by integrating technical security measures, coordinating with partner agencies, and recommending improvements for detecting and preventing aerial intrusions; and, Assisting with managing specialized security programs targeting drone threats by providing expertise in hazardous device mitigation, TSCM, and RF monitoring to maintain a secure operational environment. 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. Chemical Biological Countermeasures: Responding to, mitigating, or investigating known or suspected released of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) materials, including hazard site survey, characterization, and sample recovery operations; Utilizing, repairing, and troubleshooting specialized hazmat and CBRN detection equipment; and, Participating in the prevention of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) or Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) incidents. Technical Surveillance Countermeasures: Participating in technical surveillance countermeasures inspections to include radio frequency signal adjudication, electrical and physical component detection, and physical inspections, identifying, and neutralizing technical penetrations and vulnerabilities that could be used to compromise sensitive and national security information; Performing technical surveillance countermeasures functions utilizing a wide variety of technical surveillance countermeasures equipment and instrumentation; and, Applying policies and procedures for the use of technical surveillance countermeasures equipment. Explosive Ordnance Disposal: Responding to incident scenes where explosive threats are suspected or determined; Interpreting x-rays of potential explosive devices, and/or other unknown and suspicious devices; and, Identifying and differentiating between commercial, military, and home-made explosives. Fire, Life-Safety, Hazmat: Responding to incidents involving structure fires; hazardous materials (HAZMAT) releases; and/or technical rescue operations; Inspecting or investigating various facilities (e.g., warehouses, shops, hospitals, offices, living quarters, etc.) for violations of fire regulations, and for conditions contributing to serious fire hazards; and, Identifying criteria and implementing fire/life safety surveys for pre-incident analysis and incident response. 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 OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M. (such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work), OR a combination of education and experience. 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. The qualification requirements listed above must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Additional information This position is covered by Administratively Uncontrollable Overtime. Applicants selected for this position will be required to sign a Continued Service Agreement (CSA) before being assigned to an initial training class. The CSA will commit the applicant to a specified period of employment with the U.S. Secret Service upon the successful completion of training. The work performed in protective service is high-paced and may involve a high risk of exposure to potentially dangerous situations and hazardous environments impacting the lives of internal and external stakeholders and properties protected. The work requires long and irregular hours including holidays, weekends and evenings, shift work, physical exertion (lifting heavy objects, crouching/crawling under or in automobiles, self-protection in harm's way and defending internal and external stakeholders against a physical harm and/or attack(s). 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 [email protected]. 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. 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). View common definitions of terms found in this announcement. DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan, Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401(k)); Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Additional selections may be made from this announcement if additional identical vacancies in the same title, series, and grade and unit occur. Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with other DHS components for similar positions. Read more 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 window Learn more about federal 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.