dss special agent hiring process
The Office of Protective Intelligence and Investigations (PII) in the Threat Intelligence and Analysis division has DSS Special Agents who travel all over the world investigating threats to the Secretary of State and U.S. Embassies and Consulates. If you have questions about the DS SA Selection Process, please email us at DSRecruitment@state.gov. [12] However, DSS is the federal law enforcement agency, and not the Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS). Within the next two decades major passport fraud activities were detected and neutralized worldwide, often involving both Communists and Nazis. Some U.S. ambassadors receive protection from DSS in addition to security provided overseas by the host countries, depending on their post. According to U.S. law, the title "security officer" is legally defined as someone who is employed by a private entity and is not a law enforcement officer. [1] As the operational division of State Department's Bureau of Diplomatic Security, its primary mission is to protect diplomatic assets, personnel, and information and to combat visa and passport fraud. They also have field offices in 33 U.S. cities. A four-year degree is required to become a DSS special agent or security engineering officer, while diplomatic couriers must have an associate degree or 60 credit hours from an accredited. At the same time, the protestors pulled down the Embassys cameras around the perimeter. The Foreign Service Specialist selection and hiring process includes an oral interview, a written test, and security clearance. 247 0 obj <>stream The largest permanent dignitary protection detail carried out by DSS agents is on the United States Secretary of State. And that's only if it's a well designed program. It is a must read for all those interested in DSS! The DSS currently employs 2,500 special agents, diplomatic couriers, security technical specialists, and security engineering officers across the globe. LinkedIn According to a current DSS Special Agent: Overseas work for DSS special agents is primarily security management." No matter which professional, academic or personal path you have taken in life, you can turn your unique perspectives and law enforcement, technical, or engineering skills into an exciting public service career. The test consists of doing push-ups, sit-ups and a 1.5 mile run. We encourage applicants to apply for special agent positions with the Secret Service electronically by submitting an application online via USAJOBS. personnel; including then U.S. While serving overseas as a Regional Security Officer, a DS Special Agent advises the U.S. These efforts range from detecting a simple listening device in the wall to countering the most sophisticated electronic eavesdropping devices and systems. These and other weapons systems may be employed by DSS Special Agents assigned to high-threat locations. Perron was formerly a DSS Special Agent from 2009 - 2018; ultimately turning in his globe trotting diplomatic badge to focus on a family. Be at least 21 years of age at the time of application, and younger than 37 upon receipt of a conditional offer of employment, to continue in the application process*. Army Special Ops Command welcomes first female command sergeant major. The DSSAT is offered for free. However, agents may be called overseas much earlier depending on the needs of DSS. Bureau of Diplomatic Security - United States Department of State DSS' most visible activity is providing security to the U.S. Secretary of State, the U.S. DS has approximately 34,000 employees, of whom roughly 2,400 are U.S. federal agents within DSS. The DS Memorial honors employees, contractors, and military support personnel U.S. citizens and foreign nationals who lost their lives supporting the DS mission of providing a secure environment for the conduct of American diplomacy. Final selection for SA position is made only from among candidates possessing the best qualifications. [10] The agents were overseen by a junior Foreign Service Officer, Leland Harrison. 30 users here now. A secondary coordinated attack on the CIA Annex resulted in the death & injury of additional US personnel. All DSS special agents have at least a four-year bachelor's degree, and most have graduate and/or post-graduate degrees. Military Criminal Investigative Organizations. DS does hire agents who have retired from the military and are in their early 40s. | 20120104048", "DSS Agents help locate a fugitive from justice in Guatemala", "Foreign Service Act of 1980 Public Law 96-465 Sec.504", "Security Officer Law and Legal Definition", "The Overseas Criminal Investigations Division", "State's Security Bureau Takes on Expanded Role, Washington Post article by Robin Wright", "Rewards For Justice Millions of dollars for Information Leading to the capture of Terrorists DSS", "U.S. Unlike investigations conducted in the United States by other federal agencies, DSS Agents have to work jointly with their foreign counterparts in often hostile areas of the world. Video). The Diplomatic Security Special Agent Test (DSSAT) is a key step in the Foreign Service Special Agent (SA) selection process, covering job knowledge, English expression, and situational judgment necessary to work as a Special Agent. DSS SA Announcement 2022 - Police Forums & Law Enforcement Forums A four-year degree is required to become a DSS special agent or security engineering officer, while diplomatic couriers must have an associate degree or 60 credit hours from an accredited college or university by the time of appointment. DSS also investigates other alleged improper or illegal behavior by Department of State personnel, to include incidents of espionage. In addition, the office relies on a cadre of security engineers to deter, detect, and neutralize attempts by foreign intelligence services to technically penetrate U.S. office buildings and residences. Be able to meet the minimum medical qualification standard and pass supplemental medical requirements. The U.S. Department of State is developing a rank-ordered list of eligible hires for a limited number of Diplomatic Security Service Special Agent (DSSSA) vacancies based on the needs of the Department. Personal Assessment Interview with Board of Examiners & DSS SA (, This DSS Special Agent position is a 2501 Foreign Service position, The Foreign Service has a robust internship program with various placements, to include those with the Bureau of Diplomatic Security. generally evaluated as follows: 2. DSS SA Announcement 2022 01-06-2022, 01:59 PM For any and all interested, the Department of State has sent out an email informing the DSS will be posting a Special Agent announcement in the. United States Secret Service PDF Guide to the Diplomatic Security Specialist Selection Processes - Careers The entire process can take 12 months or longer from start to finish. The agency employs over 2,000 special agents, sometimes referred to as "DSS agents" or "DS agents". Are walking blood banks coming to a field hospital near you? Click the links below for more information: An official website of the United States Government, Security Engineering Officer Careers (PDF), Security Technical Specialist Careers (PDF), Internships with the Bureau of Diplomatic Security (PDF), Office of the Special Envoy for Critical and Emerging Technology, Office of the U.S. Although the former is technically correct, both terms are used interchangeably within the agency and other organizations. The origins of DSS go back to the early stages of the First World War, when the United States, which sought to maintain its neutrality, found itself the target of espionage, sabotage and passport fraud. I would also like to know more about the hiring process in general if anyone has any info or advice. about vacancies. Facebook In the United States, DSS personnel protect the Secretary of State and high-ranking foreign dignitaries & officials visiting the United States; investigate passport and visa fraud; and conduct personnel security investigations. Has anyone received an email form state yet and how many other people are still waiting? Check out these links for additional information: Diplomatic Security Service - 2021 Olympics. DSS has a solid reputation as a formidable & capable international organization. If they qualify, theyre getting hired immediately. You can view complete information on the DSSA Selection Process. [2] It is the leading U.S. law enforcement agency abroad and the most widely deployed in the world, protecting 275 U.S. diplomatic missions in over 170 countries and 29 U.S. The DSS presence overseas is led at each embassy by a DSS Special Agent known as a Regional Security Officer (RSO), who is in charge of a Regional Security Office and serves as the senior law enforcement advisor and security attach to the U.S. Tomas was arrested by law enforcement officials from the Philippine National Bureau of Investigations and National Police. Active-duty personnel can begin early by planning and studying to take the Foreign Service Exam before they separate. The agents put out fires which prevented fuel tanks from going ablaze, evacuated the guard force and other employees just in time before the building they were in was engulfed in flames, and fortified the gates preventing additional intruders from gaining access to the compound. DSS agents are uniquely required to serve multiple-year tours abroad as a condition of employment. MSD is highly capable & self sufficient in hostile environments. Secretary of State . Like the military, the DSS administers language proficiency tests and Specialists required to speak a specific language or dialect attend the Foreign Service Institute for a year of school in Arlington, Virginia. Agents who enjoy the overseas lifestyle will try to get a second tour in a Special Agent slot at a large embassy, or possibly serve as a Regional Security Officer (RSO) at a small post or as a Deputy Regional Security Officer (DRSO) at a medium-sized post. I know there are several people in this community who applied for the diplomatic special security agent position this last month, and there should start being some emails being sent out here soon for interviews. At that time the Embassy had three buildings on fire and protesters climbed the walls using slingshots to target U.S. personnel with marbles and rocks complicating any response. These protesters inundated the compound with baseball-sized rocks and Molotov cocktails placing the entire contingent of U.S. personnel and third-country nationals under direct threat. Diplomatic Security Special Agent careers - All Criminal Justice Schools Course are taught by special agents. [58] Additionally, it is noted that RSOs no longer cover multiple countries and are thus not regional. Security Clearance program for the U.S. State Department. Foreign Service: Diplomatic Security Service Special Agent (DSSSA) (FP-2501-06) Department of State Department of State - Agency Wide . The incident became a political firestorm & changed DSS forever.