1. Secret Service Special Agent By: Dareus Anderson

2. Pay Opportunities Special agents are generally hired at the GL-7 or GL-9 grade levels depending on qualifications and education. Based on those grade levels and the assigned geographic area, the 2010 starting salary range is $43,964 - $74,891.

3. Responsibilities Carrying out limited investigations of alleged or suspected violations of the law Conducting surveillance and undercover activities or operations, raids and/or seizures Apprehending, arresting, interviewing, and interrogating persons suspected of violations of the law Organizing evidence for presentation to prosecution officials

4. Educational Requirements Possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with superior academic achievement. Superior academic achievement is defined as meeting at least one of the following requirements: Being in the upper third of your graduating class Having a grade point average of 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0, based on four years of undergraduate education or based on courses completed during the final two years of curriculum Having a grade point average of 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0, based on required courses completed in your major or required courses in your major completed during the final two years of curriculum Being a member of a national scholastic honor society that meets the requirements of the Association of College Honor Societies

5. Other Requirements Carrying out investigations of alleged or suspected violations of the law Conducting surveillance and undercover activities or operations Apprehending and arresting persons suspected of violations Organizing evidence for presentation to prosecution officials Applicants must pass a medical examination by an authorized government physician, which includes vision, hearing, cardiovascular and mobility of extremities. In addition, applicants must be determined physically fit by an authorized government physician to perform strenuous and physically demanding duties.

6. Maximum Entry Age Restriction On August 26, 2009, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) published a memorandum for all Heads of Departments and Executive Agencies related to hiring of preference eligible veterans applying for federal positions with maximum entry-age restrictions. As directed by OPM, the U.S. Secret Service will conduct an analysis of all Secret Service positions having maximum entry age restrictions to determine whether a maximum entry age requirement is essential to the performance of the position. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference who exceed the current maximum entry age requirement will continue to be processed during this ongoing analysis. No final determination regarding affected applicants will be made until completion of this analysis. If it is the determination of the U.S. Secret Service that the requirement is not essential to the position, then the Agency will waive the maximum entry-age requirement for veteran's preference eligible applicants for that position. Proper notification to all affected parties will be published when the analysis has been completed.

7. Interviews Applicants must pass a series of in-depth interviews

8. Training Special agent trainees must successfully complete the 10 week Federal Law Enforcement Training Center's (FLETC) Basic Criminal Investigator Training program in Glynco, Georgia, and the 17-week Special Agent Basic Training program at the James J. Rowley Training Center outside Washington, D.C. Failure to pass either training program on the first attempt will result in separation from the United States Secret Service.

9. Firearm Proficiency Newly appointed special agents, upon completion of training, are required to carry a firearm for the performance of their duties. Special agents will be required to maintain firearms proficiency

10. Travel and Relocation Newly appointed special agents may be assigned to duty stations anywhere in the United States. Throughout their careers, agents may experience frequent travel and reassignments to Secret Service offices located throughout the United States or liaison assignments in foreign countries. Candidates must sign a mobility agreement stating their willingness to accept assignments anywhere within the United States and overseas

11. Conditions of Employment Special agents will be required to carry out assignments in the areas of protection and investigations; work long hours in undesirable conditions on short notice; travel away from home for periods ranging from one to 30 days or longer. Additionally, special agents may be requested to work undercover assignments. The special agent position is designated as a key position in accordance with Department of Defense Directive 1200.7.

12. Benefits Federal employees are eligible to participate in the following benefits programs. More information about the benefits may be found by clicking on each program: Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI)Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) Retirement Thrift Savings Plan Benevolent Fund Federal Holidays Annual and Sick Leave Federal Flexible Spending Account