Criminal Investigator - Special Agent Talent and Achievement Recruitment Program (STAR)

U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 48,000 - 118,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks dedicated individuals to join as Special Agents, performing vital protective and investigative roles. This position offers a competitive starting salary with significant promotion potential, complemented by additional compensation for law enforcement duties. The role demands strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to exercise sound judgment in high-stakes situations. Candidates must meet rigorous qualifications, including educational and physical fitness standards, and undergo a thorough background investigation to secure a Top Secret Clearance. This is an exceptional opportunity for those looking to make a difference in national security.

Qualifications

• Must possess a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• Experience in investigative and protective methods is required.

Responsibilities

• Perform protective and investigative assignments as a Special Agent.
• Complete physical fitness assessments and background investigations.

Skills

Analytical Skills

Attention to Detail

Judgment

Initiative

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Graduate Level Education

Job description

Joining the Secret Service as a Special Agent will allow you to perform critical protective and investigative assignments. The Special Agent position starts at a base salary of $48,371.00 (GL-07, step 1), with promotion potential to $117,034.00 (GS-13, step 10).

This position is covered by Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) an additional compensation of 25% of the locality rate.

For more information on the Secret Service click here.

Duties

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Qualifications

Requirements Continued:

• 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 2000Hz ranges.
• Obtain a Top-Secret Clearance and retain it during your career.
• Use your official name on your application as it appears on your valid government identification (i.e., Driver License, State ID, Passport).

You are minimally qualified for the GL-07 Level (starting base salary $48,371.00) if you possess one of the following:

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with superior academic achievement (S.A.A.) which is based on class standing, grade-point average, or honor society membership as described below.
  • Maintained a grade-point average of "B" (a GPA of 3.0 or higher) for all completed undergraduate courses, or those completed in the last two years of undergraduate study; OR
  • Rank in the upper one-third of your class in the college, university, or major subdivision; OR
  • Be a member of a national honor (other than freshman honor societies) recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. Please submit a college transcript(s) showing your grade point average for all four years of undergraduate study, including all transferred courses.
  • NOTE: GPAs are rounded to one decimal place. For example, 2.95 will round to 3.0 and 2.94 will round to 2.9. If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail or similar basis, your claim must be based on class standing or membership in an honor society.
• At least one full year of graduate level education (i.e., 18 semester hours); OR
• At least 1 year of specialized experience in, or related to, the investigative methods, protective methods, and law enforcement techniques that provide the specific competencies to successfully perform the position's duties. Experience also includes exercising initiative; attention to detail; judgment in collecting, assembling and developing facts, evidence or other pertinent data; the ability to analyze and evaluate data or evidence to arrive at sound conclusions including applying new information; and the ability to partner with or lead others in the accomplishment of mission activities.

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.

Applicants must successfully complete and pass Phase 1 assessments (see below) to receive a Conditional Job Offer. In addition, applicants must successfully complete and pass Phase II (see below) to receive final consideration for employment.

Phase I:

• National Crime Information Center
• Special Agent Entrance Exam (SAEE)
• Applicant Physical Abilities Test (APAT)
• Interview

Phase II:

• Credit Check
• Security Interview
• Polygraph examination
• Drug screening
• Medical examination
• Background investigation (a top-secret security clearance)

The Secret Service follows stringent guidelines relating to illegal drug usage. An applicant's history is reviewed and a determination for employment is made according to our guidelines. For more information regarding the U.S. Secret Service drug guidelines please click here to view our Drug Policy.

As part of the application process, the applicant will be required to complete the United States Secret Service Applicant Physical Abilities Test (APAT). It is a physical fitness assessment which consists of four components (push-ups, sit-ups, Illinois Agility Run and a 1.5 Mile Run). The APAT is designed to measure the current level of general physical fitness of an applicant, which serves as an indicator of an applicant's ability to safely complete a vigorous physical training program. It evaluates the applicant's ability to perform the physical tasks required on the job by measuring muscular and dynamic strength, endurance, flexibility, aerobic capacity and other factors related to physical aptitude. The standards are anticipated to be the same regardless of age, gender or position.

To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation for a Top Secret Clearance level as a condition of placement into this position.

For definitions of terms found in this announcement, please click here.