Become a Secret Service Agent

Become a Secret tafelgeschirr AgentBecome a Secret tafelgeschirr AgentGreat pay, great benefits and fascinating work. All of these can be found with a career as a United States Secret Service werber. The Secret Service is the premier protective services agency, providing security services and dignitary protection to the President and Vice President of the United States as well high-ranking foreign visitors, from prime ministers to Popes. While probably best known for their vital role in protecting the leader of the free world, Secret Service agents play a huge part in ensuring the integrity of the nations financial infrastructure. Formerly part of the U.S. Treasury Department before their transfer to the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Secret Service investigates financial crimes, securities fraud and, perhaps most famously, counterfeit currency. With such interesting and important dual roles in the law enforcement community, its little wonder that secret service careers wo uld be a popular choice for those of you looking for work in law enforcement. If youre interested in this exciting career, youll want to know how to become a secret service agent. Minimum Requirements for Secret Service Agents Before you think about filling out the job application, youll want to make sure you meet the minimum qualifications. Heres what youll need to get anyone to even look at your application Candidates for the position of Secret Service agent mustBe a U.S. CitizenBe between the ages of 21 and 37 years oldHold a current, valid driver licenseHave 20/60 vision, correctable to 20/20Have registered with the Selective Service System or have proof of exemption Remember, thats just to get your application looked at. The U.S. Secret Service is highly competitive, and to make it through the hiring process and into the Academy, youll need to be the best possible candidate you can be. Secret Service Agents Qualities and Credentials If you meet the minimum qualification s, then your next step is to make sure you have the credentials and qualities to compete. To move forward in the hiring process, youll need to hold at least a bachelors degree from an accredited university and demonstrate superior academic achievement. The Secret Service expects you to have earned a GPA of 3.0 or higher, graduated in the top third of your class, or have been a member of a national academic honors society. If your undergraduate years werent the brightest time of your academic career, you can still qualify with at least 18 months of graduate coursework, a masters degree, or prior work experience relevant to the job youre applying for. Relevant experience for an aspiring secret service agent can include working as a detective or investigator or other jobs in which duties involved similar investigative and law enforcement work. Testing for Secret Service Agents If you have the credentials and qualifications the Secret Service is looking for the next step is to take a series of tests to see if you have what it takes to get the job done. The first test is the Treasury Enforcement Agent Exam. It is a basic abilities test that measures reading comprehension, reasoning, mathematical skills and investigative abilities. Youll also participate in a report writing assessment to measure your writing skills. In addition to the written exams and assessments, you need to prepare yourself for a series of oral interviews designed to assess your verbal communication skills and your ability and desire to succeed in your career. Physical Fitness Requirements for Secret Service Agents All law enforcement careers can be physically demanding, but the rigors associated with dignitary protection in particular demand that Secret Service agents are in excellent shape. If your goal is to become a Secret Service agent, you need to prepare for a physical fitness evaluation and work your hardest to get in top physical condition. The Secret Service physical fitness test co nsists of push-ups, sit-ups, chin-ups and a 1.5-mile run. Youll be scored based on the number of push-ups, sit-ups, and chin-ups you can knockout and how fehlte nicht viel youre able to complete the run. Its never too early to start training for the physical fitness test, so if this is a career youre serious about pursuing, check with your doctor and get started on a fitness routine that involves cardiovascular exercises, running and weight training. Background Investigation for Secret Service Agents The people responsible for protecting the president must be of impeccable character and able to qualify for a top-secret clearance. To make sure youre the best person for the job, youll undergo a thorough and extensive background check. The Secret Service background investigation includes a criminal history check, credit and financial status check, work history verification, and past employer interviews. If you have past-due debts, student loan defaults, prior felony arrests or past drug use, you may be disqualified from the employment process. Part of the background check will include a lgendetektor exam. During the polygraph, the most important thing to remember is, to be honest. If the polygraph examiner detects deception, you can be assured you wont get the job. Thats not a guarantee that honesty will get you hired, but dishonesty wont be tolerated. Medical Testingfor Secret Service Agents To make sure youre healthy enough for the job, the Secret Service will put you through a physical examination. Doctors will check your vision and your hearing, as well as your blood pressure and heart, among other things. The purpose is to avoid hiring someone that may be at-risk of getting hurt or worse on the job due to poor health. If everything checks out, youll be one step closer to the Academy. The Secret Service Academy If, after the lengthy hiring process, the Secret Service decides youre just the kind of person theyre looking for, youll be sent to the Academy. S ecret Service agents undergo an extensive training process, beginning with 17 weeks of special agent training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia. After special agent training, recruit agents are sent to the Secret Services James J. Rowley Training Center outside of Washington, D.C. Here, youll be pushed physically and mentally as you prepare for the specific duties associated with working as a Secret Service Agent. Becoming a Secret Service Agent It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to prepare yourself for a career as a Secret Service agent, but the rewards are well worth it if you can stick it out. Special agents may be called to work anywhere in the world, either providing protection to dignitaries or investigating financial crimes. As with most other special agent careers, the U.S. Secret Service offers very competitive pay, great health insurance benefits and, when its time to hang it all up, excellent retirement benefits. If youre willin g to put in the work required to become a Secret Service agent, you may soon find out that its the perfect criminology career for you.