DSSA: SOP 134C4

BUREAU OF GLOBAL TALENT MANAGEMENT
OFFICE OF TALENT ACQUISITION

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE (SOP) NOTICE NO. 134C4

This SOP replaces and supersedes SOP 134C3 dated 10/15/2024 and all prior versions of SOP 134C.

SUBJECT: Salary Standards for Entry-Level Diplomatic Security Special Agent Candidates, effective February 20, 2025.

PURPOSE: To provide procedures for determining the entry-level salary for Diplomatic Security Special Agent Candidates at the time of appointment in accordance with 3 FAM 3121.1-2.

AUTHORITY: 22 USC 3964 and Section 404 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 authorize the Secretary to assign all Foreign Service personnel “to appropriate salary classes in the Foreign Service Schedule.” 3 FAM 3121.1-2 governs salary assignments for Foreign Service Specialists.

PROCEDURE:

The Office of Intake, Planning, and Onboarding (IPO) is responsible for determining the entry-level salary (grade and step) offered to a candidate, based on their qualifying professional experience, education, and current federal agency salary history. Salary review/appeal procedures are covered by Salary Review Procedure SOP No. 134D6.

Determination of Entry-level Grade and Step:

For all Diplomatic Security (DS) Special Agents (SA), the minimum entry-level salary is set at FP-6, Step 4 and the maximum is set at FP-6, Step 14. All new DS Special Agents will enter on duty at the FP-6 Step 4 level, unless awarded additional steps for certain education, current or prior federal employment salary history matching considerations identified below.

Education:

To be considered, a degree must be conferred prior to appointment by a nationally accredited college or university. The accrediting institution or association must be one recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. The minimum education requirements stated in the vacancy announcement must be completed at the time of application. A degree received after the IPO has sent a Confirmed Offer of Employment Letter (that is, an offer to join a specific orientation class with a specified starting date), but before the candidate has been sworn into the Foreign Service, will be credited for grade and salary determination upon submission of evidence of the degree to IPO. Advanced degrees in fields related to a candidate’s specialty above the minimum vacancy announcement requirements may be considered if conferred prior to being sworn in as a Foreign Service Specialist, as described below, for an additional step consideration. Education completed at foreign institution may be used to meet education requirements if the candidate can show that the foreign education is comparable to education received in the United States.

Candidates will be awarded one additional step (above FP6, Step 4) for an advanced degree (master’s or doctorate) in a security related field (e.g., criminal justice), or a law degree. A minor or focus on a related field as part of a non-related field (e.g., foreign affairs or international relations) will not qualify for an additional step.

Directly Related Experience:

Directly Related Experience is professional experience related to the functions of the DS Special Agent position that the applicant has acquired. Directly related experience will be credited only as follows:

  1. Military Service –
      • a). Specialized military service as a Special Agent in CID, OSI, NCIS and/or Coast Guard Intelligence.
      • b) 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 Marine Security Guard watch stander, a police patrolman or a Military Police officer without investigative or protective detail responsibilities.
      • c) It will be incumbent on the applicant to provide all the following supporting documentation:

        • i) Military document showing a Military Occupational Specialty, Skill Code, or Designator which denotes a military specialty directly related to the DS Special Agent position.
        • ii) Copy of military orders showing applicant’s assignment to a unit in which the primary mission is the conduct of investigations, personal/protective security functions, or management of security programs.
        • iii) Copy of a fitness/performance report from unit in question demonstrating that functions performed are directly related to those of a DS Special Agent, and that the candidate performed them satisfactorily.
  2. Law Enforcement –
      a) 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.
  3. Other Categories –
      a) Additional salary steps are not awarded for work experience which is not directly related to the functions of the DS Special Agent position.

Salary Matching Considerations:

Once a candidate’s grade and step are determined based on education and qualifying experience, IPO will review their current salary to determine if it exceeds the projected salary in the Foreign Service Overseas Salary Table. If the current salary is higher, the candidate’s starting salary will be adjusted to the closest step at or above their current salary within the assigned grade. If the current salary exceeds the highest step available for the assigned grade, the candidate will be placed at step 14 of that grade.

For this SOP, “current salary” refers to the base salary earned for at least 90 days before appointment as a Foreign Service Career Candidate. Federal government civilian direct-hire employees must have no more than a three-calendar-day break in service between their current federal employment and Foreign Service appointment, per government-wide regulations.

For candidates with current or previous federal employment, only base salary will be considered for the purposes of salary matching. Locality pay or other special differentials will not be considered part of “current salary.” The highest federal base salary held for at least 90 days may be considered for purposes of salary matching regardless of how long ago the position was held.

For all other candidates, there must not be a break in service of more than 45 calendar days between their most recent employment and Foreign Service appointment for current salary matching considerations to apply.

Candidates must submit proof of their current salary, e.g. a copy of 90 days’ worth of earnings statements; an SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action (for federal civilian employees only); a signed statement on letterhead from the Human Resources Office of their most recent employer; and/or other appropriate documentation.

For candidates who are not entering the Foreign Service directly from other federal civilian employment but previously held a federal government civilian direct-hire position, their highest federal salary will be considered for purposes of salary matching. Candidates must submit a copy of an SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action for proof of their prior federal employment.

Salary Offer Response Deadline:

You will have 10 calendar days to accept, decline, or appeal the salary offered.