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Qualifications for Technical Law Enforcement

Qualifications

To be considered for positions in Technical Law Enforcement, applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • Be a U.S. Citizen.
  • Be at least 21 years of age, and younger than 37 at the time of referral*.

*Maximum age requirement: All applicants who are not currently employed in the law enforcement provision of FERS or the Civil Service Retirement System must be less than 37 years of age at the time of referral. (Unless the applicant has previous service in a Federal Civilian Law Enforcement position covered by special civil service retirement provision, including early or mandatory retirement).

Applicants who are eligible for veterans’ preference must be less than 40 years of age at the time of referral.

  • Possess a valid U.S. state motor vehicle operator’s license.
  • 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 Technical Law Enforcement applicants. Applicants will be considered eligible for the Technical Law Enforcement position provided specific visual tests are passed. The following are waiting periods for visual tests: LASIK-2 months after surgery, PRK-6 months after surgery, and ALK and RK-one year after surgery.

Technical law enforcement
  • Pass a hearing exam.*

*Hearing loss, as measured by an audiometer, must not exceed 30 decibels (A.S.A. or equivalent I.S.O.) in either ear in the 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz ranges.

  • Have no visible body markings. 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 (e.g., wedding band) is authorized on one finger). If you have visible body markings, you will be required to medically remove such visible body markings at your own expense prior to entering on duty with the Secret Service.
  • Be in excellent health and physical condition and pass an Applicant Physical Abilities Test.
  • Qualify for a Top Secret security clearance and undergo a complete background investigation, including driving record & credit check, drug screening, and medical examinations.
  • Carry and use a firearm.*

*Maintaining firearm proficiency is 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.

  • Applicants selected for these positions will be required to sign a continuing service agreement before being assigned to an initial training.

Frequent travel from home for periods of 30 days or longer is not unusual. In addition, the work performed in protective service 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 is high-paced and constantly and rapidly changing which means adjusting and adapting to situations on short notice.

Positions are generally filled as follows:

  • Frequent travel from home for periods of 30 days or longer is not unusual.

Applicants selected for these positions will be required to sign a Continuing Service Agreement before being assigned to an initial training.

At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GL-05 level as detailed in each Job Opportunity Announcement;

Or 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;

Or at least one full year of graduate-level education (i.e. 18 semester hours).

At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GL-07 level as detailed in each Job Opportunity Announcement;

Or Master’s or equivalent graduate degree;

Or two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree;

Or an LL.B. or J.D.;

Or a combination of education and experience.

At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GL-09 level as detailed in each Job Opportunity Announcement;

Or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree;

Or three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree;

Or LL.M.;

Or a combination of education and experience.

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