Secret Service Special Agents

Employers

The U.S. Secret Service employs about 7,200 people, about 3,600 of whom are special agents. The Secret Service warns that because they have many well-qualified applicants and few anticipated vacancies, the chance that you will be hired is limited. On top of that, the hiring process can take up to a year or more because of the thoroughness of the selection process.

Starting Out

If you are ready to apply for a special agent job, you can visit the application page on the Secret Service's Web site, at https://www.secretservice.gov/careers. Be sure to check with the Secret Service field office nearest you before submitting your forms, though; the application process can be complicated, and you'll want to make sure you have completed the required paperwork. You can also find the field office in your area on the Secret Service's Web site.

New special agents usually begin work at the field offices where they first applied. Their initial work is investigative in nature and is closely supervised. After six to eight years, agents are usually transferred to a protection assignment.