For USSS agents.

[Cesar]

I am currently in the process of obtaining a job (1811) with the Secret Service and have passed three out of the five phases (Initial interview, TEA, and Panel interview). I have my medical exam in two weeks. My question concerns the final stage, polygraph.

Basically, what can I expect from USSS? I hear that every agency is a little different and my recruiter isn't telling me much. Also, how extensive is the background check? Is it similar to getting a security clearance for the military? Thanks.

[Mike]

The Uniformed Division is in low morale, partly due to Bill-san womanizing and the Monica mess. Plus the guards told the truth more to the prosecutors.

[guzxe]

Cesar,
What is your background? I have applied to the USSS in SF and never got pass the application process. I have a buddy who's been a SA for 5 years, had him look at my app and still got rejected once it goes to D.C. What are they looking for? Any help would be great.
Thanks

[Blackjack78]

http://www.911jobforums.com/

[guzxe]

thanks blackjack. this site helped.

[Blackjack78]

Good luck!

[MEGAFORCE45]

x

[guzxe]

Megaforce,
Yah I had put all info all the way back to the womb. But I can't even make it pass the application part. Good luck on your admin. if you haven't gotten in yet.

The other thing i'm up against is age. I'm 35 now and 36 being the cut off for all 1811 position. I know it's all the red tape BS but wish they would change it. Anwyays good luck to all!

[MEGAFORCE45]

x

[guzxe]

So are there plans on chaning the age limit to say 39? That would give me more time to get other skills and thus make me more competitive. I'm also applying for LE in the bay area should my time run out with the Fed agencies. Well keep my hopes up and pray for the best.

[MEGAFORCE45]

No plans to my knowledge.

[guzxe]

thought so. Ok thanks for all the info.

[BTFH1811]

USSS does not set the age limit for 1811s, that was determined by Congress when establishing the special LE/firefighter retirement. To qualify for what is called the "6c" retirement (6c is for the part of the CFR that covers the special retirement) you must have a minimum of 20 years in a qualifying fed LE or firefighter job, before you reach your 57th birthday, because 57 is the mandatory retirement age set by Congress. So 57 minus 20 gets you a start age before your 37th birthday. That's not say it can't go up, since a few years ago the age was 55 not 57.

However, wishing for a higher mandatory retirement age (and therefore higher limit for entry), is a double edge sword. Congress established the special retirement to because they felt LE and firefighting were not appropriate for geriatrics, but the regular retirment is 30 years fed service, which would have meant hiring 1811s before age 25 if they wanted a mandatory retirement age when they first set it up. Not very realistic to say all the 1811s should come on board in their early 20s.

However, Congress set up the LE retirement, and allowed folks in qualifying jobs retire after only 20 years of service, and set a mandatory retirement age (formerly 55 now 57). If they continue to up the mandatory retirement age, the justification for the special retirement plan becomes less logical. If you take some time to analyze the retirement plans you will see it would suck to get rid of the special LE retirement.

Now regarding filling certain supervisory jobs with guys over 57, that may make sense, but the problem is you will also have guys that aren't taking supervisory roles and will hang out trying to work cases to their retirement date. Again, a double edge sword. For every 58 year old filling some management job, you will have 4 or 5 journeyman GS-13s trying to work cases in the field in their late 50s. Not a good idea the way I see it.

Now I will suggest that you hustle to apply to any job that interests you, and is a 6c covered job. Because once you in a 6c covered job, you can move to other jobs that are 6c covered after your 37th birthday. So look at other 1811 jobs (FBI, NCIS, DEA, ATF, AFOSI, ICE, the OIGs, USPIS, IRS-CI, etc) and non-1811 jobs that are still 6c covered, like Border Patrol, GS-082 DUSMs, AMU with ICE (but moving to CBP), etc. Once you're in one of those jobs, you can move to USSS later. So hedge your bets and apply to other agencies in addition to USSS.

Good luck.

[guzxe]

thanks BTFH1811 for the info. I'm looking into the DEA since they seem to get applications through faster then the rest.

[BTFH1811]

Well I've heard of DEA going quick, and I've also heard of DEA going slow. There is a guy on 911 Job Forums that was recently complaining of waiting on his BI to clear and he first applied over 3 years ago! How true that is I don't know. However, DEA uses OPM (more accurately USIS contracted by OPM) to do their BIs. OPM has taken over the military BIs (from the Defense Security Service), and does BIs for many other agencies.

So I'd say hit them all. Hopefully things will go quick with USSS and DEA, but again I recommend hedging your bets.

If you can find a job that interests you apply. At age 35 you can't afford to be too picky. Once you're on board, and "stop the clock" with regard to the age limit, then you can get picky.

Again, good luck.

[Group9]

Originally posted by guzxe
thanks BTFH1811 for the info. I'm looking into the DEA since they seem to get applications through faster then the rest.

Not neccessarily. I have a friend who just started at the DEA academy a week ago. It was two years and a day from the time he put in his application to the time he got a call to report in.

OPM and the length of time it is taking for them to complete security background checks is one of the biggest bottlenecks when applying for a federal agent position.