Diplomatic Security Service Special Agent

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Diplomatic Service Security Special Agent

As a Diplomatic Security Service Special Agent in the Bureau of Diplomatic Security Services (DSS), you are a sworn federal law enforcement officer and specially trained Foreign Service security professional.

Special agents:

• Advise the U.S. ambassador on all security matters
• Manage a complex range of security programs designed to protect personnel, facilities, and information
• Protect the U.S. Secretary of State and visiting foreign dignitaries
• Investigate passport and visa fraud
• Conduct administrative and criminal investigations of personnel who report to chiefs of mission at diplomatic posts or are U.S. Department of State employees
• Conduct personnel security investigations

Conditions of Employment

• Be a U.S. citizen and available for worldwide service.*
• Be at least 20 years old and not older than 36 years.**
• Be fit for physical exertion and pass a pre-employment physical readiness test.
• Be able to obtain/maintain a Top Secret Security Clearance and TS/SCI access.
• Be able to meet the appropriate Foreign Service Minimum Medical Qualifications.
• Be able to obtain a favorable Suitability Review Panel determination.***
• Be able to testify in court.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; and
• At least one year of work experience and/or academic achievements that reflect progressively increasing levels of responsibility.

Candidates must adhere to the requirements listed in the open vacancy announcement at the time of their application.

*EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION PROGRAM (E-Verify) – Verification of employment eligibility in the United States is required. U.S. law requires companies to employ only individuals who may legally work in the United States – either U.S. citizens, or foreign citizens who have the necessary authorization. This agency uses E-Verify to compare information from the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration (SSA) records to confirm employment eligibility. If the employee’s information does not match DHS and/or SSA records, the employee is given an opportunity to resolve the problem. If eligibility cannot be verified, employment will be terminated.

**By authority of the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act, the Department requires that all career candidates (except for preference-eligible veterans) be at least 21 years old to be appointed and must be appointed prior to the month in which they reach age 37. There is no waiver for current GS-1811s seeking a 2501 appointment at or above age 37 (except for preference eligible veterans.)

*** The Department of State Suitability Review Panel and standards are defined in Chapter 3 of the Foreign Affairs Manual. For more information please visit: https://fam.state.gov/.