DIPLOMATIC SECURITY SPECIAL AGENT |  |
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
United States Department of State
An Equal Opportunity Employer
How to Apply
Announcement No: SA-09-02
Opening Date: September 28, 2009
CLOSED
Position Title: FOREIGN SERVICE DIPLOMATIC SECURITY SPECIAL AGENT
Grade and Starting Salary Range: FP-06; $41,954- $56,383
per annum
Plus 25% Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP)
Additional Benefits: Tax-Free Housing Overseas; Tax-Free Educational Allowance Overseas, etc.(Details available under Compensation and Benefits.)
Number of Vacancies: The Department of State is developing a rank-order register to fill a limited number of Foreign Service Special Agent (SA) vacancies. The specific number to be hired will depend on the needs of the Foreign Service. Applications are accepted ONLY during the period specified above.
Area of Consideration: All Sources.
Location: All assignments until tenure will be directed by the Department and future assignments will be made according to the needs of the Service. Assignments may be to any of 260 Foreign Service posts abroad or to domestic posts in major cities within the United States and Puerto Rico at a Diplomatic Security Field Office, Resident Office, or at Bureau of Diplomatic Security headquarters in Washington, DC. Initial training and orientation will be held in Washington, DC and at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Brunswick, GA.
SPECIAL NOTICES
Applicants must successfully complete an online screening process. In order to access the initial screening (written exercise and multiple-choice questions), please go to the "Procedures for Applying" section. Only a limited number of applicants are expected to score high enough in the online screening to be invited to participate in an oral assessment administered by a Board of Examiners team. Only those applicants invited to the oral assessment will be required to complete and bring all documents listed under “Procedures for Applying” to the test site.
Applicants who are not successful under this Announcement are not eligible to reapply until one year after the closing date or October 9, 2010 provided there is a new open Vacancy Announcement at that time. Those who applied under SA-09-01 may not reapply under this Announcement.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Special Agents (SA) of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) are sworn federal law enforcement officers who are responsible for the security of Foreign Service personnel, property and sensitive information throughout the world. A substantial portion of a DS Special Agent’s career is spent living and working abroad. DS Special Agents are also responsible for the protection of the Secretary of State, certain foreign dignitaries during their visits to the U.S., and others as designated by the Secretary of State. Major activities include protective services, management of security programs for Foreign Service posts, criminal investigations, and background investigations, in addition to administrative, training, and liaison functions.
THE DIPLOMATIC SECURITY SPECIAL AGENT CAREER
The Department of State is seeking Diplomatic Security Special Agents to serve in the Foreign Service domestically and at U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide. Candidates must agree to live and to serve at any U.S. diplomatic or consular post abroad for a significant portion of their career, as well as in Washington, DC or domestic field offices such as Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, or San Francisco according to the needs of the service. As members of a diplomatic team, Special Agents not only help to accomplish the mission of the Department of State but also represent the United States to the people of other nations. The Foreign Service is more than a job – it's a career.
A career in the Foreign Service involves uncommon commitments and occasional hardships along with unique rewards and opportunities. A decision to enter this career must involve unusual motivation and a firm dedication to public service. In addition to living and serving in the United States, as with all Foreign Service positions, living and serving overseas is mandatory. Many overseas posts are in small or remote countries where harsh climates, health hazards, and other discomforts exist, and where American-style amenities frequently are unavailable. However, careers in the Foreign Service offer special rewards including the pride and satisfaction of representing the United States and protecting U. S. interests at home and abroad.
Diplomatic Security Special Agents, depending upon assignment, are responsible for Department of State security policies, provision of a range of security services, management of security operations, supervision of subordinate staff, and the actual performance of some, or all, of the following functions:
- Conducting protective security services for the Secretary of State, other U.S. government officials, and visiting foreign dignitaries, including planning, coordinating, directing, assisting, and evaluating, as well as providing the direct security services (e.g., escorting, driving, guarding, etc.).
- Administering and managing U.S. diplomatic mission security programs at overseas posts and domestically to include protection of personnel, facilities, and sensitive information. This includes a range of management activities including maintaining records, writing reports, responding to communications, conducting meetings, using the computer, directing and monitoring subordinates and contractors, hiring staff, evaluating job performance, mentoring, overseeing operations, developing procedures, resolving problems, monitoring resources, preparing budgets, allocating funds, maintaining internal controls, assessing effectiveness, updating knowledge, supporting senior officials, assisting others, responding to emergencies, coordinating with the U.S. Marine Security Guard and contract local security guard programs when oversees, and performing administrative duties.
- Conducting investigations to include criminal investigations, personnel investigations, counterintelligence and counter-terrorism inquiries, and investigative work in preparing for court appearances, including planning, coordinating, gathering information, interviewing, surveillance, conducting searches and inspections, compiling and analyzing data, using computer software, writing and reviewing reports, monitoring, and related activities.
- Assessing security threats against U.S. interests and diplomatic installations and personnel abroad as well as investigating hostile intelligence attempts to subvert U.S. personnel and interests overseas.
- Safeguarding classified and sensitive information and materials as required by Presidential Directives or Executive Orders by conducting programs and projects, including inspecting, monitoring, reviewing, maintaining access control, transporting, analyzing, reporting, coordinating, and related activities.
- Managing or implementing security-related aspects of building construction for both new and existing buildings such as counter-terrorist access controls and security monitoring by reviewing plans, making recommendations, conducting inspections, coordinating with technical personnel, and related activities.
- Conducting, managing, and assisting security-related training programs for U.S. foreign affairs agencies’ personnel, police and security officials of foreign governments, and other groups on topics such as security precautions, laws and regulations, electronic monitoring, terrorism, passport and visa fraud, special agent tasks, and related topics, including planning, coordinating, conducting, and evaluating training.
- Communicating and coordinating with domestic and foreign security, law enforcement agencies, military, and non-government agencies on protection services, investigations, security threats, programs, and issues. This also includes developing and maintaining contacts with these organizations and host country officials.
- Providing public outreach and assistance through briefings and speeches, serving on committees and task forces, attending meetings, writing reports, and participating at other venues to disseminate information, explain, give advice, make recommendations, and assist in other ways on security-related issues and programs.
INITIAL CAREER DEVELOPMENT ASSIGNMENTS
All Special Agents must complete approximately seven months of initial training at the Diplomatic Security Training Center (DSTC) in the Washington, DC area, and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Brunswick, Georgia. The training program develops and tests proficiency in job-related subjects that include criminal law, federal court procedures, use of firearms, physical fitness, personal defensive tactics, driving skills, emergency medical procedures, protective security techniques and criminal investigations. Proficiency is measured through a series of scored practical exercises as well as written subject matter-specific and comprehensive written examinations. Failure to successfully complete any aspect of the training program is grounds for separation.
Special Agents normally will be assigned to one of eight domestic Field Offices for their first three years of service (including training) or possibly to a small Resident Agent Office. Needs of the Service sometimes require that domestic assignments be shortened for re-assignment to a Regional Security Office at an overseas post.
The needs of the service will always have a significant bearing upon personnel assignments; that is especially true in a Special Agent's initial assignments. While it is possible that a Special Agent may serve in domestic positions for the initial two tours of duty, it is equally possible that the needs of the service may require assignment abroad much earlier than expected. After Special Agents have gained several years of experience and are tenured, they have a greater opportunity to express their preference for an onward assignment in domestic or overseas positions. Special Agents are expected to serve a substantial portion of their careers living and working abroad.
Domestically, Special Agents may be assigned to provide protective services for the Secretary of State, and other U.S. officials or visiting foreign dignitaries. Domestic Special Agent duties can entail long hours and extended periods of travel, including overseas travel. Domestic assignments include criminal investigations related primarily to the enforcement of statutes protecting the integrity of U.S. passports and entry visa documents. Special Agents may also conduct background investigations for individuals desiring employment with the Department of State or updating the security clearances of Department of State employees. Throughout their careers, Special Agents can expect to work substantial overtime and occasional irregular schedules that require duty on weekends and holidays.
When assigned abroad, Special Agents serve as security program managers at U.S. diplomatic or consular posts. At Foreign Service posts, Diplomatic Security Special Agents are referred to as Regional Security Officers and are responsible for the administration of a broad range of security services to protect Foreign Service personnel, facilities, operations, and information against foreign intelligence, criminal, and terrorist activities. The Bureau of Diplomatic Security also conducts overseas investigations for the Department of State and other federal agencies. Diplomatic Security Regional Security Officers are assigned responsibilities on a regional basis and often serve Foreign Service posts in several countries, which may require frequent travel.
INITIAL SALARY AND SALARY INCREASES
Initial salary at appointment will normally be at Foreign Service grade FP-6, step 4. Exceptions may be made to increase the number of steps based upon such factors as a master’s degree in a related field (e.g. criminal justice), or a law degree, and/or other directly related specialized experience. However, maximum salary is limited to the grade that the candidate is qualified for at the time of appointment. No appointments are made above the FP-6, step 14 level ($56,383 base pay).
Salaries are determined at the time a final offer of employment is made. Entry-level salary for federal civilian employees, appointed without a break in service, will be set at the step within the Foreign Service grade to which they are appointed nearest to the base salary rate of their previous salary. No appointments are made above the FP-6, step 14 level ($56,383 base pay).
Generally, all new Special Agents enter on duty at the FP-6 step 4 level. On a limited basis, some additional steps may be awarded for certain education and/or experience factors. All service/employment calculations are based upon a one year minimum. One step may be added for each 12 months of total creditable (and documented) experience, rounded down. Part-time experience or employment will be pro-rated but will not be credited if it totals less than 12 months.
Generally, the minimum entry salary for all Special Agents will be FP-6, step 4 with the possible addition of one step (above FP-6/4) for an advanced degree in a related discipline (master’s or PhD) or a JD. On a limited basis, additional steps may be awarded for each year of documented, directly-related experience. In any case the maximum starting salary is FP-6, step 14. Directly-related experience may be credited only as follows:
- Military Service – one step for each documented year of specialized military service as a Special Agent in CID, OSI, NCIS and/or Coast Guard Intelligence. One step for each year of specialized experience in military organizations equivalent to those named above in which the primary duties are directly related to the functions of a DS Special Agent. No credit will be given for service as a MSG watchstander, a police patrolman or MP without extensive investigative or protective detail responsibilities. It will be incumbent on the applicant to provide supporting documentation.
- Law Enforcement – one step for each documented year of specialized, directly related experience as a detective, criminal investigator; personal protective specialist (e.g., Governor’s/Mayor’s Detail) or a Special Agent in a state or federal law enforcement organization.
- Other Categories – Additional salary steps are not awarded for work which cannot be documented as directly related or for experience not clearly and directly related to the functions of the Special Agent position.
Upon the successful completion of training, salaries will be adjusted (25%) to include Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) and, if applicable, locality pay. Upon relocating overseas, salaries may be adjusted to include cost-of-living allowance, post differential, danger pay, and/or other allowances specific to posts of assignment. The actual additions to base pay will be determined by the location of assignments.
Special Agents will be administratively promoted from FP-6 to the FP-5 level after 12 months of satisfactory performance, and to FP-4 after an additional 18 months of satisfactory performance. To proceed beyond the FP-4 level, Special Agents must receive tenure and are considered for promotion annually in competition with their peers.
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
Special Agent applicants must be U.S. citizens and must have a bachelor’s degree at the time of appointment as stipulated in the educational requirements section. Male applicants must be in compliance with the Selective Service Act (if necessary). Applicants are required to qualify with firearms during initial training and periodically thereafter. Applicants must be willing to use and carry firearms throughout their career. Applicants must be fit for strenuous physical exertion and able to pass physical fitness tests. Applicants must possess a valid U.S. driver’s license and be able to pass specialized driving courses during initial training.
Applicants must successfully complete all aspects of the seven month initial training program for their candidacy and their employment to be continued; failure to pass any aspect of the initial training, including physical fitness tests, is grounds for separation.
Applicants for a Special Agent position must not have been convicted of any felony charge. In accordance with the Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act, a person convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence may not possess a firearm. Applicants must be able to certify that they have not been convicted of any such violation and that they are not otherwise prohibited from possessing firearms.
The initial qualification review is conducted to determine if the applicant meets the minimum qualifications for the position. Some of the minimum qualifications are discussed in the following paragraphs. Most of those qualifications are summarized on the minimum qualifications check sheet at the end of this Announcement.
Candidates cannot be appointed prior to their 21st birthday. Candidates must be within nine months of receiving their bachelor’s degree in order to apply, specifically, they must receive their degree prior to July 8, 2010 (exceptions cannot be granted). Special Agent candidates must be appointed prior to their 37th birthday. The Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act authorized the Secretary of State to prescribe qualifications for Special Agents, including entry age. Those qualifications remain in effect until changed by the Secretary of State or by the courts. The age 37 maximum does not apply to preference - eligible veterans.
Prior to appointment, candidates for the Special Agent position must undergo a thorough background investigation to determine eligibility for a TOP SECRET (TS) security clearance and the candidate’s suitability for appointment to the Foreign Service. In addition, a determination must be made of a Special Agent candidate’s eligibility for a TOP SECRET / SENSITIVE COMPARTMENTED INFORMATION (TS / SCI) security clearance. The Special Agent candidate and, with few exceptions, all immediate family members (spouse, parents, siblings, children, or cohabitants) must be citizens of the United States in order for the candidate to qualify for SCI access.
A candidate who already holds a current Top Secret clearance, but does not hold SCI access, will require an upgrade to SCI before he or she can report for training or duty.
As is the case with other federal criminal investigators and protective security personnel, Special Agents must perform duties in the field that are physically demanding. Special Agents must be willing and able to meet these physical demands in high-stress, life and death situations. The Special Agent’s life and the lives of others may depend upon the Agent’s physical capabilities and conditioning. For this reason, Special Agent candidates must satisfy medical suitability and physical fitness requirements that are more rigorous than those of most other professions.
Specifically, candidates must pass a thorough medical examination, which includes a cardiovascular stress test conducted or authorized by the Department of State’s Office of Medical Services. In order to continue their candidacies, candidates must receive a Department of State class one medical clearance (unlimited clearance for worldwide assignment). This means that candidates must be generally healthy and free of medical conditions that might require specialized or follow-up medical care that cannot be obtained on a worldwide basis.
Special Agent candidates must meet certain minimum physical standards including various tests for vision in each eye, with and without correction, as well as audio-metric standards for hearing in each ear (use of a hearing aid is not permitted), sufficient to satisfactorily perform an Agent’s duties. For example, uncorrected distant vision must be 20/100 or better in each eye and corrected to 20/20 in one eye and 20/30 or better in the other eye. Candidates must also pass color vision and depth perception tests.
Additionally, the Office of Medical Services must deem that a candidate is medically able to meet the numerous and often arduous physical demands that are inherent in and are a necessary part of the essential functions of the job. For instance, Special Agents are required to perform protective security assignments with physical demands that may include, but are not limited to, intermittent and prolonged periods of running, walking, standing, sitting, squatting, kneeling, climbing stairs, quickly entering and exiting various vehicles, enduring inclement weather, as well as carrying and using firearms.
Special Agents conduct raids, make arrests and perform other law enforcement or related functions that may require running, jumping, kneeling, squatting, dodging, lying prone, as well as wrestling, restraining and subduing suspects, attackers, or detainees. Agents must be able, if necessary, to conduct security inspections that may require crawling under vehicles and other low clearances or in tight spaces such as attics and crawl spaces.
Sometimes it may be necessary for an Agent to assist with installing or maintaining security countermeasures, which might involve lifting heavy objects and working on ladders or rooftops. Agents must be skilled at driving and maneuvering a motor vehicle defensively or evasively in a variety of situations and at various speeds.
Special Agent candidates will be trained in many of the above skills, which include firearms training, defensive tactics, how to physically restrain a suspect, and specialized driving techniques. Agent candidates must be able to participate in and complete all aspects of their training. Any physical condition that would cause the candidate to be a hazard to himself/herself or others, including those they are protecting or placing under arrest, is potentially disqualifying.
Candidates must be willing and able to travel extensively throughout the world utilizing whatever means are available. Traveling and assignments abroad may involve working in remote areas where traditional comforts and medical facilities are limited. Special Agents may be required to travel to locations of civil unrest where conditions are potentially hostile and where performance of duties is conducted under hazardous circumstances.
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Prior to appointment, applicants must have at least a bachelor’s degree from a nationally accredited college or university. The accrediting institution or association must be one of those recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. Equivalent degrees from resident foreign colleges or universities are considered on a case-by-case basis.
Applicants currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree may apply up to nine months preceding their graduation. Graduation must be within nine months of the closing date of this application, specifically prior to July 8, 2010 (exceptions cannot be granted). Final acceptance will be predicated on receipt of the degree prior to appointment. It is also required that an official transcript that confirms award of the degree is placed in the candidate’s file prior to appointment. In addition, some experience requirements are identified below.
WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
In addition to the educational requirement, applicants for the Special Agent position must have at least one year of work experience and/or academic achievements that reflect progressively increasing levels of responsibility. Each application will be examined on its own merits to determine if the work experience requirement has been met.
Specialized experience in such areas as the administration of security programs, the conduct of investigations, threat assessments, service in a law enforcement agency, and service in the U.S. military are all highly desirable. However, it is not essential to have those specific experiences or ability in a foreign language to be considered for the DS Special Agent position.
SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE
Applicants with 18 credit hours of graduate level study (beyond the bachelor’s degree level) may substitute that academic achievement for a year of work experience. Applicants who do not have a minimum of 18 credit hours of graduate study may substitute the following educational achievements for one year of work experience: 2.75 GPA for the bachelor’s degree and two internships totaling at least four months duration.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
The education, work experience, and other qualifications will be evaluated for evidence of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities that have been identified as important to successful job performance as a Diplomatic Security Special Agent based on extensive job analysis research. Not all of these attributes need to be met by a candidate; the attributes will be used as a set to evaluate candidates.
Knowledge of English grammar and usage, writing techniques, public speaking techniques, computer operations (including office programs, e-mail, and Internet), sources of information (e.g., newspaper, television, published documents), world history, world geography, congress, leadership principles, management principles, team building, interviewing techniques, security principles, evaluation of security threats, criminal investigative methods and procedures, arrest procedures, use of force issues, court testimony procedures, defensive-driving, Federal judicial statutes, constitutional law, intelligence community, and related knowledge areas.
General skill in reading comprehension, active listening, writing, speaking, critical thinking, active learning, learning strategies, mathematics, time management, coordination, problem identification, judgment and decision making, social perceptiveness, persuasion, negotiation, service orientation, information gathering, information organization, idea generation and evaluation, instructing, and monitoring.
Physical ability to see objects that are near, far, in color, or at night, including good depth perception, hear speech or other sounds, possibly including sufficient sensitivity to hear sounds of low volume or in noisy environments, speak clearly enough so others will understand, possibly including speaking to groups, work long hours and sometimes be sleep deprived, travel and sometimes experience jet-lag, stand or walk for long periods, tolerate physical discomforts (heat, cold, noise, pollution, etc.), bend or reach, wear body armor and gear, use firearms, use restraining devices to subdue a resisting person, use hands and feet in self-defense techniques, perform pursuit or evasive driving, run for short distances or up stairs, climb ladders, lift self or jump over obstacles, lift and carry up to 50 pounds or more, pull or push heavy objects, crawl or stoop, balance, and related abilities.
PROCEDURES FOR APPLYING
We are not currently accepting applications for this position.
Following the successful completion of the online computer pre-screening process only qualified applicants who attain competitive scores will be invited to take further assessments with Department of State representatives.
That assessment process begins with a proctored writing skills examination. The ability to draft an essay demonstrating a strong command of English grammar, spelling and punctuation is essential. A competitive score on the written examination allows the applicant to proceed to a personal assessment conducted by the Board of Examiners that includes a multiple choice qualifications review and oral assessments.
Applicants who are not successful under this Vacancy Announcement are not eligible to reapply until one year after the closing date of this Announcement or October 9, 2010. No applications are accepted for this position unless there is an open Vacancy Announcement.
NOTE: The following four requirements apply ONLY to those applicants who successfully complete the online screening / examinations AND who scored high enough to be invited to participate in further written and oral examinations:
We are not currently accepting applications for this position.
- The Application for Employment (DS-1950) (534kb, PDF) and the Employment Data Form (this form is found on pages 6 & 7 of form DS-1950).
- The Minimum Qualifications Check Sheet (513 kb, PDF)
- A two page typed (double-spaced) narrative autobiography that discusses your background, personal interests and hobbies, your motivation for joining the Foreign Service and your motivation for becoming a Diplomatic Security Special Agent.
- Official college or university transcript(s) confirming award of degree(s) or the date a degree will be awarded. An "unofficial" copy of the transcript(s) may be used pending issuance of the official documentation. Candidates who are successful in this examination process are reminded that an official transcript is required to complete their official file.
Those candidates who have been invited to participate in written and oral examinations are reminded that they must bring the above-listed materials with them to the examination site (official transcripts can be mailed later). Candidates will not be permitted to participate in the examination until these materials are provided to the examiners. Submitted materials become the property of the Department of State and will not be returned.
For additional information, please refer to the Bureau of Diplomatic Security's web site at www.state.gov/m/ds or the Department of State’s Human Resources web site at careers.state.gov.
Executive Branch agencies are barred by 5 US Code 3303, as amended, from accepting or considering prohibited recommendations and are required to return any prohibited political recommendations to sender. In addition, as mandated by 5 US Code 310, sons and daughters of federal employees cannot be granted preference in competing for these employment opportunities.
THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE IS COMMITTED TO EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND FAIR AND EQUITABLE TREATMENT FOR ALL WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEX, RELIGION, AGE, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, DISABLING CONDITION, POLITICAL AFFILIATION, MARITAL STATUS, OR PRIOR STATUTORY, CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED ACTIVITY. THE DEPARTMENT PROVIDES REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS TO APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES. APPLICANTS REQUIRING A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION FOR ANY PART OF THE APPLICATION OR HIRING PROCESS SHOULD SO ADVISE THE DEPARTMENT. ALL DECISIONS FOR GRANTING REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS ARE MADE ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS.