Special Agent - HAZARDOUS AGENT MITIGATION & MEDICAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM (HAMMER)
U.S. Secret Service
Posted: January 16, 2026 (0 days ago)
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U.S. Secret Service
Department of Homeland Security
Location
Washington, District of Columbia
Salary
$65,435 - $158,322
per year
Type
Closes
Base salary range: $88,520 - $115,079
Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-12. Expert-level knowledge in field.
Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).
This role involves working as a Special Agent on the Counter Assault Team for the U.S. Secret Service, focusing on protecting high-profile individuals and conducting investigations to prevent threats.
It requires strong analytical skills, quick decision-making under pressure, and a commitment to law enforcement duties.
Ideal candidates are recent college graduates or those with some professional experience in analysis, reporting, or team leadership who are physically fit and ready for demanding fieldwork.
Joining the Secret Service as a Special Agent will allow you to perform critical protective and investigative assignments.
The Special Agent position starts at a base salary of $65,435.00 (GL-07, step 1), with promotion potential to $158,322.00 (GS-13, step 10).
This position is covered by Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) which is an additional compensation of 25% of the basic rate of pay. Recruitment bonuses up to $60,000.
For more information click here.
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
You are minimally qualified for the GL-07 Level (starting salary $65,435) if you possess one of the following: 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.
For more information on S.A.A. please click here; OR Have at least one full year of graduate level education (i.e.
18 semester hours); OR Have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GL-5 level.
Specialized experience is defined as, experience writing non-technical reports, drafting responses to requests for information, and writing brief, informative or routine reports; gathering information, analyzing it and summarizing the results of your findings; taking responsibility for own actions to meet deadlines; presenting specific, pre-determined information at meetings, conferences, or seminars as a representative of a work or academic group; OR A combination of specialized experience, as described above, and related graduate level education.
You are minimally qualified for the GL-09 Level (starting salary $72,977) if you possess one of the following: A master's or equivalent graduate degree (such as LL.B.
or J.D.) or two full years of progressively higher graduate education, in a related field, leading to such a degree from an accredited college or university; OR Have at least 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GL-7 level such as experience applying law enforcement, protective, or investigative techniques in the performance of job duties; identifying problem areas and proposing and implementing solutions; taking responsibility for own actions and those of team members to ensure the goals and deadlines for the team are met; and leading meetings or seminars on behalf of a professional or academic group; setting work priorities and allocating resources; partnering with other individuals from within and outside the organization; OR A combination of specialized experience, as described above, and related graduate level education, beyond the first full year of graduate level study.
You are minimally qualified for the GS-11 Level (Starting salary $85,447) if you possess one of the following: Ph.D.
or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.M.; OR Have at least 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GL-9 level such as experience in, or related to planning and conducting complex criminal investigations to determine violations of Federal laws and regulations; collecting and assembling facts to identify logical conclusion; gathering, analyzing, and evaluating evidence or data; conducting interviews and interrogations; making arrests; conducting searches and seizures; taking responsibility for own actions and those of team members to ensure the goals and deadlines for the team are met; partnering with or leveraging networks or relationships from outside the organization, experience managing complex projects including setting priorities and determining resource requirements; OR A combination of specialized experience, as described above, and related graduate level education beyond two full years of graduate level study.
The qualification requirements listed above must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
You will be considered for all grade levels; however, you will only be referred at the highest grade for which you are found to be best qualified.
Applicants must successfully pass Phase 1 assessments (see below) to receive a Conditional Job Offer.
In addition, applicants must successfully pass Phase II (see below) to receive final consideration for employment.
Phase I: National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Special Agent Entrance Exam (SAEE) Applicant Physical Abilities Test (APAT) Interview Phase II: Credit Check Security Interview Polygraph examination Drug screening Medical examination Background investigation (a top-secret security clearance) The Secret Service follows stringent guidelines relating to illegal drug usage.
An applicant's history is reviewed and a determination for employment is made according to our guidelines. For more information regarding the U.S.
Secret Service drug guidelines, please click here to view our Drug Policy.
As part of the application process the applicant will be required to complete the United States Secret Service Applicant Physical Abilities Test (APAT).
It is a physical fitness assessment which consists of four components (push-ups, sit-ups, Illinois Agility Run and a 1.5 Mile Run).
The APAT is designed to measure the current level of general physical fitness of an applicant, which serves as an indicator of an applicant's ability to safely complete a vigorous physical training program.
It evaluates the applicant's ability to perform the physical tasks required on the job by measuring muscular and dynamic strength, endurance, flexibility, aerobic capacity and other factors related to physical aptitude.
For more information about the APAT, please click here.
Ideal candidates for the CAT Program must have one or more of the following: Occupied a combat arms occupational specialty in the US Armed Forces Served as a tactical team member (in a non-support or administrative role) in a Department of Defense special operations unit Served as a military member possessing direct combat experience Served as a member of a federal, state, or local law enforcement tactical team Participated as a student athlete at a college or university Participated as a professional athlete in a sport This assignment to CAT is permanent, contingent upon successful completion of the required specialized training, and continued ability to meet all requirements of the position (e.g., medical requirements, continuing training, fitness standards, etc.) Major Duties:
Joining the United States Secret Service as a Special Agent offers a unique and rewarding career dedicated to serving the nation through our dual mission of criminal investigations and protection.
Special Agents play a critical role in safeguarding the financial integrity of the United States and protecting its highest leaders, including the President, Vice President, and other designated individuals.
Throughout their careers, Special Agents have the opportunity to work on diverse assignments across the country and around the globe, gaining unparalleled experience in both investigative and protective operations.
Responsibilities include: Conducting complex criminal investigations into financial crimes, including counterfeiting, cyber fraud, and other threats to the financial infrastructure of the United States.
Providing physical protection for the President, Vice President, their families, visiting foreign dignitaries, and other protectees, ensuring their safety in every environment.
Designing, planning, and implementing advanced security measures for National Special Security Events (NSSEs), such as presidential inaugurations, international summits, and other high-profile events.
As a Special Agent, you will be part of an elite team committed to excellence, integrity, and service, with opportunities to serve at multiple duty stations both domestically and internationally.
This dynamic and impactful career challenges you to rise to your fullest potential while making a difference for the nation.
BE A PART OF THE COUNTER ASSAULT TEAM The Secret Service Special Operations Division's Counter Assault Team (CAT) creates a unique tactical career opportunity for special agents within the Office of Protective Operations.
Special Agents within this tactical operations assignment possess operational skills that are relevant to the mission of the Special Operations Division.
Special Agents assigned to CAT provide tactical support to Secret Service protective details to include high level protectees such as the President and Vice President of the United States of America.
CAT members conduct comprehensive mission planning and extensive coordination with support entities to accomplish their mission.
CAT personnel receive advance training in weapons handling, tactics, and decision making.
IMPORTANT: If you are unable to successfully complete the specialty team selection school or the specialty basic school required for CAT, you will have an opportunity to remain in the Special Agent position in a non-tactical role.
For more information about the CAT position, click here.
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