Special Agent (Lateral)

U.S. Capitol Police; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 91,000 - 148,000; Full time

Job summary

The United States Capitol Police (USCP) seeks a lateral Special Agent to join the Protective Services Bureau in Washington, DC. The role involves a mix of protective and investigative duties, including dignitary protection, threat assessment, and complex investigations.

Candidates must complete FLETC CITP or equivalent training and meet extensive federal law enforcement experience requirements. This is a full-time, permanent position with travel required for assignments.

Qualifications

• Must have completed the FLETC CITP or an equivalent training program (FBI/DEA/USPS).
• Must have 9 months of law enforcement experience post training.
• Must have 52 weeks of law enforcement experience at time of appointment.
• Must be current law enforcement employed outside of USCP.

Responsibilities

• Provide protection of congressional leadership and protect visiting officials.
• Investigate criminal and terroristic activity per DC Code and Title 18.
• Coordinate investigative and protective efforts with other USCP and external agencies.

Job description

Special Agent (Lateral)

Overview

• Announcement number/Req ID: req795
• Closing date: 8/31/2026
• Pay scale & grade: LP 03- 03
• Salary: 90,853.00 - 147,928.00 PA
• Job series: 0083
• Appointment type: Permanent
• Work schedule: Full-Time
• Locations: Many vacancies in the following location: Washington, DC20001
• Relocation expenses reimbursed: No
• Telework eligible: False

Clarification from the agency

United States Citizens who are current Law Enforcement and have successfully passed the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP) or equivalent training program from the FBI, DEA or U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Current USCP employees not eligible. Requires a USCP full field background investigation.

Duties

Summary

The United States Capitol Police (USCP) safeguards the Congress, Members of Congress, employees, visitors, and Congressional buildings and grounds from crime, disruption, and terrorism. The USCP protects and secures Congress so it can fulfill its constitutional and legislative responsibilities in a safe, secure, and open environment.

Responsibilities

Are you looking for a rewarding career in law enforcement? Join our team of dedicated, mission-driven officers in protecting Congress and the legislative process.

This position is located within the Protective Services Bureau (PSB), Assistant Chief of Police for Protective and Intelligence Operations (ACOP-P&IO), United States Capitol Police (USCP). PSB collects and analyzes information to produce intelligence, assess threats, enforce the law, identify risks, and develop and employ risk mitigation, Member protection, and enforcement strategies. Specialty Units include Investigations and Dignitary Protection.

A United States Capitol Police Special Agent within PSB performs a full range of protective and investigative functions. Special Agents are assigned to PSB’s Dignitary Protection Division (DPD) or Investigations Division (ID). The PSB DPD is responsible for carrying out protective functions and operations. The PSB ID is responsible for investigating violations of the D.C. Code and Title 18 of the U.S. Code to include allegations of criminal activity, terroristic activity, and threats or unusual interests against Members of Congress and other statutory protectees of Congress that occur in the jurisdiction of the USCP as defined by 2 USC § 1966(a) & (f).

Duties include but are not limited to:

• DPD Special Agents: Provide protection of congressional leadership, including the coordination of security arrangements for domestic and international travel through advance security surveys and on-the-ground protection. Provide personal security of Members of Congress and their families; visiting officials of foreign, Federal, state, and/or local governments, and other congressional visitors. Provide protective coverage for congressional events such as congressional hearings and sessions, official functions, and other events identified by the respective Sergeant at Arms and/or Chief of Police.
• ID Special Agents: Investigate criminal and terroristic activity involving violations of the D.C. Code and Title 18 of the U.S. Code; Collect, evaluate, interpret, and disseminate information related to the mission of the ID; Prepare and disseminate written reports including reports of investigation, various investigative assessments, and investigation bulletins; Perform a full range of comprehensive investigative functions to include planning, organizing, fact-finding, and reporting results on cases ranging from routine to highly complex; Perform protective intelligence operations, coordinating investigative and operational efforts with other USCP sworn officers and outside agency officials; Serve as a liaison with local, state, and Federal law enforcement agencies; Conduct surveillance, surveillance detection, and countersurveillance operations; Represent the USCP during investigative and law enforcement meetings. Serve arrest and search warrants; work with judicial officials for prosecution.

Travel required

Travel is required for both domestic and international assignments.

Supervisory status

False

Promotion potential

03

Requirements

You must obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance. Your completed application and required documents must be submitted by the closing date of this vacancy announcement to receive further consideration. Your online application and answers to the attached assessment questionnaire will be reviewed and evaluated. As a result of this initial review, qualified applicants will be required to submit additional biographical information and supporting documents. A list of these documents will be provided to you during the selection process. For further consideration, qualified candidates will be required to submit an Authorization for Release form and additional information via a Personal History Statement (PHS) for further pre-employment screening. The information provided, along with a review of a candidate's credit, criminal history, and their driving record, will be reviewed. ESOPH is an automated system used by investigators to efficiently manage background investigations. Candidates will receive an e-mail from ESOPH, where they will be instructed to provide their PHS.

Qualifications

Must have completed the FLETC Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP) or equivalent training program from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) or U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Certificate or FLETC transcript must be included with application.

If you need a copy of your FLETC transcript, you can request it through email at [e-mail], call [phone] or visit the following url: https://www.fletc.gov/request-your-transcript

Must be current Law Enforcement and possess 9 months of law enforcement experience post training at time of application. Must possess 52 weeks of law enforcement experience at time of appointment. Must be current law enforcement employed outside of USCP.

Initial Assessment Phase

Following the pre-employment screening, candidates may be invited to participate in the Initial Assessment Phase of the USCP hiring process, all facets of which will be conducted virtually at a location of their choice. This phase consists of an Orientation. It provides the applicant with an overview of the USCP and its hiring process.

Examination Phase

• Psychological – Candidates complete a battery of psychological assessments and a clinical interview. The psychological examination will last approximately four to six hours. Candidates are encouraged to be well rested and eat prior to the examination. The psychological exam will occur online and require the use of a desktop or laptop computer, camera, and microphone.
• Medical - The medical examination will determine if a candidate is medically qualified to perform the functional requirements of the job. Candidates will be required to fast (abstain from food) prior to the medical examination.
• Polygraph – The polygraph examination is used to confirm information obtained through the selection process.

Background Investigation

Must be a United States citizen. Must meet position age requirements. Must possess and maintain a valid REAL ID U.S. driver's license. Must show evidence of responsible driving in the last one year. Male applicants must be registered for Selective Service. Travel for hiring assessments and training is at applicant's expense. Must successfully complete a full field background investigation. Polygraph, medical assessment, criminal, credit, and tax check required. Must successfully complete all required training. Must successfully complete a probationary period. Must have completed the FLETC CITP or equivalent training program from the FBI, DEA or U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Must be in a full and unrestricted duty status at the time of application and at the time of appointment.

Candidates must meet the following requirements to be minimally qualified for this position:

• U.S. Citizenship – Only United States Citizens will receive consideration. Qualified applicants will be required to provide proof of citizenship early in the selection process. Naturalized citizens must be able to participate and complete a holistic and verifiable background investigation of their personal and professional background.
• Age Requirements – Sworn officer positions with the USCP are subject to the mandatory retirement provisions of the Capitol Police Retirement Act, which requires an officer to separate/retire from the USCP by age 57, but as the result of current critical mission requirement, the age has been increased to 59.
• Applicants must be at least 21 years old at time of appointment and ordinarily not older than 37. However, the maximum entry age has been increased to 39 years of age at the time of appointment (or 40 years of age if the individual turns 40 in the same month of their initial appointment), with required mandatory retirement after 20 years of Federal law enforcement service (e.g., employed at 39 years of age and retire at 59 years of age).
• As a lateral transfer, you may older than age 39 only if you are currently serving in or you previously served in a Federal civilian law enforcement position that is subject to the mandatory retirement rules AND the years of law enforcement you already served PLUS the expected years you will serve as a USCP law enforcement officer, will allow you to accumulate at least 20 years of combined total Federal law enforcement service by age 59. If age 39 or above, must provide an SF-50 with application that indicates retirement coverage by special law enforcement retirement provisions.
• Education – High School diploma or GED certificate is required.
• Valid Driver's License – Applicants must possess a valid U.S. driver's license that has not been revoked or under suspension for the past one (1) year.
• Criminal History Check – Must successfully pass a comprehensive criminal history check of the past 10 years.
• USCP Police Officers are required to possess a firearm and ammunition. Applicants who have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition and are ineligible for the position.
• Credit Check – Must successfully pass a credit check. Applicants must not be in default or delinquent on any Federal guaranteed student loans.
• Selective Service Registration – Male applicants must provide verification of registration with the Selective Service System or must verify exemption from the Selective Service System registration because of age or military status. Female applicants are exempt from Selective Service System registration.
• Fingerprint Check – Applicants' fingerprints will be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for a check of the criminal history record.
• Background Investigation – Must successfully complete all components of the USCP full field background investigation.

Education

High School diploma or GED certificate is required. Must have completed FLETC Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP) or equivalent training program from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) or U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Certificate or FLETC transcript must be included with application. If you need a copy of your FLETC transcript, you can request it through email at [e-mail], call [phone] or visit the following url: https://www.fletc.gov/request-your-transcript

Additional Information

The USCP offers a competitive starting salary of $90,853.00 with opportunities to earn overtime up to the maximum allowable pay rate. Upon validation of current annual base salary, selectees whose base salary meets or exceeds this starting salary will receive a base salary offer that equals or exceeds their current annual base salary. A recruitment bonus of $5,000 will be provided following appointment, with another $5,000 provided following completion of 18 months of service. Provision of these payments requires the execution of a two year service agreement with the Department. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health insurance, dental insurance, vision care, life and long-term care insurance, Thrift Savings Plan, flexible spending accounts, and access to an employee assistance program. USCP employees are covered under the law enforcement provisions of the Federal Employees Retirement System. A Student Loan Repayment Program Incentive of up to $10,000 annually with a maximum of $80,000 per employee is available, subject to budget availability. Upon receipt of proper certification, sick leave balances will be transferred from other branches of the Federal Government. While previous creditable Federal service is used to determine the appropriate leave accrual category, annual leave balances are transferable only from other Legislative Branch organizations. Transit subsidy benefits for your commuting costs may be provided to you as a tax-free benefit. USCP has several on-site state of the art fitness centers with access to personal trainer consultants and locker room facilities.

How You Will Be Evaluated

The evaluation consists of the following: o Full Field Background Investigation o Medical Examination o Polygraph Examination o Psychological Examination. Failure to successfully pass a full field background investigation and all segments of the pre-employment evaluation process will result in disqualification from further consideration under this Vacancy Announcement. Additional Job Requirements: Must successfully complete the 6 week USCP Basic Agent Training Program (BATP) for DPD or 5 week USCP Basic Investigations Training Program (BITP) for ID for retention in the position. Firearm Proficiency – USCP Special Agents must be able to carry and maintain proficiency in the use of a firearm. Shift Work - The USCP operates 7 days per week and 24 hours per day. Special Agents will be required to work any assigned shift. Duty hours are subject to change to accommodate the needs of the Department. Applicants must be willing and able to work nights, weekends, and holidays. Probationary Period - This appointment requires the employee to complete a one-year probationary period. The one-year probationary period begins after completing the mandatory training described in this Vacancy Announcement. During the probationary period, the employee's conduct and performance will be monitored to determine if the employee will be retained.

Security clearance

4

Drug test required

Yes

Required Documents

1) Resume; 2) Copy of FLETC CITP or USCP Basic Agent Training Program (BATP) or equivalent training program from the FBI, DEA or U.S. Postal Inspection Service certificate(s) or FLETC transcript; 3) SF-50(s) for retirement and showing 1811 series in your career. If you need a copy of your FLETC transcript, you can request it through email at [e-mail], call [phone] or visit the following url: https://www.fletc.gov/request-your-transcript

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The USCP is an equal opportunity employer in accordance with applicable federal laws, rules, and regulations.

FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT

This position is non-exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act provisions.