Secret Service

About this Agency

The U.S. Secret Service is a federal law enforcement agency that is part of the United States Department of Homeland Security. Members of this agency are divided into two groups: the Uniformed Division and Special Agents.

The U.S. Secret Service came into existence in 1865 in Washington, D.C. The agency has changed many times over the years. Most recently, it was transitioned from the United States Department of Treasury to the United States Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

There are two roles that the U.S. Secret Service is responsible for:

  1. Treasury responsibilities including the investigation of counterfeit currency and the investigation of fraud related cases.
  2. Protective roles. It is the job of the U.S. Secret Service to ensure the safety of the President, Vice President, past Presidents, presidential candidates, and all of their families.

    3. Hiring Process and Eligibility

    There are many job opportunities within the U.S. Secret Service including: special agent, uniformed division officer, and many administrative positions. The steps for becoming an employee differ greatly based on the position. For example, to become a special agent the following eligibility requirements must be met:

    1. Be a United States citizen.
    2. Be between the ages of 21 and 37 at the time of hire.
    3. Have a current valid driver’s license.
    4. Have visual acuity no worse than 20/60 uncorrected, correctable to 20/20 in each eye.
    5. Pass a physical examination.
    6. Pass the Treasury Enforcement Agent Examination.
    7. Pass a series of in-depth interviews.
    8. The ability to obtain top secret clearance.
    9. Pass a drug screening and background investigation.

    The U.S. Secret Service is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and there are 150 satellite offices throughout the United States and the rest of the world.

    Contact Information

    U.S. Secret Service
    Recruitment and Hiring Coordination Center (RHCC)
    245 Murray Drive, Building 410
    Washington, DC 20223
    202-406-5830
    http://www.secretservice.gov/