ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Dignitary Protection Jobs (NOW HIRING)

US Judicial Branch

MD

$86K/yr

When prompted, indicate that you are applying for the Dignitary Protection position. Lateral hires who sign a three-year service agreement will receive incentive payments totaling either $60,000 for ...

US Judicial Branch

VA

$86K/yr

When prompted, indicate that you are applying for the Dignitary Protection position. Lateral hires who sign a three-year service agreement will receive incentive payments totaling either $60,000 for ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsDignitary Protection Jobs

Dignitary Protection information

See salary details

$12

$19

$26

How much do dignitary protection jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for dignitary protection in the United States is $19.32, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.31 and $21.15 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a dignitary protection?

Dignitary protection jobs focus on helping protect dignitaries from various threats as they travel. In this context, dignitary usually refers to local and foreign public officials like prime ministers and ambassadors. Depending on who is involved, this job may be done as part of the secret service, a local police unit, or as an independent contractor. In this role, you escort dignitaries to and from predetermined areas, help manage local threats, and otherwise take steps to intercept security threats and ensure the physical safety of dignitaries. Dignitary protection frequently involves traveling or working on an inconsistent schedule.

What does a dignitary protection officer do?

Dignitary protection officers are specialized security professionals responsible for ensuring the safety of high-profile individuals, such as government officials, foreign diplomats, and visiting VIPs. Their duties include risk assessment, advance planning, close personal protection, and coordinating with law enforcement agencies to prevent and respond to potential threats. These officers are highly trained in defensive tactics, surveillance detection, and emergency response to safeguard dignitaries during public appearances, travel, and private activities.

What skills and qualifications are needed for dignitary protection?

To thrive in Dignitary Protection, you need expertise in security protocols, threat assessment, and defensive tactics, often supported by law enforcement or military backgrounds and specialized training certifications. Familiarity with surveillance technology, secure communications systems, and advanced driving techniques is typically required. Strong situational awareness, discretion, and excellent decision-making under pressure distinguish top professionals in this field. These skills and qualities are crucial to ensure the safety, privacy, and effective protection of high-profile individuals in potentially volatile environments.

What challenges do dignitary protection officers face and how are they addressed?

Professionals in Dignitary Protection often encounter challenges such as rapidly changing threat environments, maintaining discretion while ensuring security, and coordinating with local law enforcement or event organizers. Adapting to last-minute itinerary changes and managing public interactions without compromising safety are also common. These challenges are addressed through ongoing risk assessments, thorough advance work, regular training, strong communication skills, and teamwork within multi-disciplinary security teams.

What is the difference between Dignitary Protection vs Executive Protection?

AspectDignitary ProtectionExecutive Protection
CredentialsSecurity certifications, law enforcement or military backgroundSecurity certifications, law enforcement or military background
Work EnvironmentHigh-profile events, government officials, public appearancesCorporate executives, business leaders, high-net-worth individuals
Employer & IndustryGovernment agencies, private security firms, event organizersCorporations, private security firms, executive agencies

Both Dignitary Protection and Executive Protection require similar credentials and often overlap in work environments. Dignitary Protection typically involves safeguarding government officials and public figures during events, while Executive Protection focuses on protecting corporate executives and high-net-worth individuals in daily or travel settings. Understanding these distinctions helps clients choose the right security service for their needs.

More about Dignitary Protection jobs

What cities are hiring for Dignitary Protection jobs?

Cities with the most Dignitary Protection job openings:

What states have the most Dignitary Protection jobs?

States with the most job openings for Dignitary Protection jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Dignitary Protection jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Dignitary Protection jobs are:

Dignitary Protection jobs near you
Infographic showing various Dignitary Protection job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,194 per year, or $19.3 per hour.

Police Officer (Dignitary Protection) - Up to 60K Recruitment Incentive

Supreme Court of the United States

Washington, DC • On-site, Remote

$86K - $147K/yr

Full-time

PTO

Re-posted 19 days ago

Job description

Summary
To apply, please proceed to our Police Officer (Lateral/Certified) posting and click the Apply button. When prompted, indicate that you are applying for the Dignitary Protection position.
Lateral hires who sign a three-year service agreement will receive incentive payments totaling either $60,000 for those with at least two years of Dignitary Protection experience, or $50,000 for those who do not meet this standard. Incentive details for are set forth in the duties section of this announcement.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
Help
Recruitment Incentive Details for Dignitary Protection Hires
Lateral hires that sign a three-year service agreement will receive incentive payments at the following rate:
Those with at least two years of Dignitary Protection experience (totaling $60,000)
  • $25,000 upon completion of training
  • $20,000 one year after completing training
  • $15,000 two years after completing training

Those without two years of Dignitary Protection experience (totaling $50,000)
  • $20,000 upon completion of training
  • $15,000 one year after completing training
  • $15,000 two years after completing training

The repayment amount for officers that separate from Court employment prior to completing their service requirement will be the full amount of the incentives covering the period of the most recent installment payment.
Duties of the Position
The Supreme Court of the United States Police is a Federal law enforcement agency that derives its authority from United States Code 40 U.S.C. 6121. The Supreme Court Police enforce Federal and District of Columbia laws and regulations, as well as enforce regulations governing the Supreme Court Building and grounds prescribed by the Marshal and approved by the Chief Justice of the United States. The department's mission is to ensure the integrity of the Constitutional Mission of the Supreme Court of the United States by protecting the Supreme Court, the Justices, employees, guests, and visitors.
The Supreme Court Police are responsible for providing a full range of police services, to include:
  • Protection of the Supreme Court Building and grounds, and persons and property therein;
  • Dignitary Protection for the Supreme Court Justices, both domestically and internationally;
  • Maintain suitable order and decorum within the Supreme Court Building and grounds, to include policing demonstrations and large-scale events;
  • Provide Courtroom security;
  • Provide residential security for the protectees of the Supreme Court of the United States;
  • Prepare numerous reports to include incident, found property, accident, and arrest reports, as well as testify in court.

The Supreme Court Police Dignitary Protection Unit is responsible for providing a full range of protective security services, to include:
  • Utilize expert knowledge of protective operations, countermeasures, protective intelligence, and general law enforcement duties to safeguard protectees of the Supreme Court of the United States;
  • Provide Courtroom security;
  • Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to build operational plans;
  • Travel domestically and internationally, as required;
  • Conduct threat research and assessment support;
  • Conduct additional responsibilities as assigned in support of the Dignitary Protection Unit and police operations, as primary duties permit.

Requirements
Help
Conditions of employment
  • Status as a U.S. Citizen, National, or one who owes allegiance to the United States
  • If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See: www.sss.gov
  • Meet Experience Requirements (see Qualifications)
  • Applicants must be licensed to drive for at least one year at the time of application, and have an excellent driving record.
  • A Supreme Court Police Officer must be able to maintain proficiency in the use of a firearm. Applicants who have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm and are ineligible for the position.
  • Officers are prohibited from having visible body markings (including, but not limited to: tattoos, body art, facial piercings, gauges, and brandings) on the head or neck (above the collar), hands, and fingers (any area from wrist bone to fingertips).
  • Hair of female officers shall not exceed more than four (4) inches (to include being restrained by hair restraints) below the top of the collar. Hair color shall consist of only natural hair colors.
  • Hair of male officers shall not extend more than half an inch below the top of the collar. Hair color shall consist of only natural hair colors.
  • Well-trimmed, neat mustaches and beards are permitted. The length and bulk of the mustache or beard shall not exceed more than a quarter of an inch.
  • Employment is subject to successful completion of a medical exam, which includes rigorous fitness standards. Medical exam consists of blood work, drug screening, height, weight, stress test, EKG, vision, hearing, and body fat.
  • Body fat will be measured using a body composition analyzer at the time of the medical exam.
  • Vision requirements: For distance, corrected 20/20 or better binocularly with at least 20/40 in each eye. Uncorrected distant visual acuity should be 20/100 or better binocularly.
  • Colorblindness: Applicant must be able to pass the Ishihara Test for Color Deficiency.
  • Hearing Requirements: Applicant must be able to pass the hearing test without the use of hearing aids.
  • Police Officer Selection Test (POST): The Police Officer Selection Test requirement is waived for approved lateral/certified candidates.
  • Completion of a psychological exam, which includes a Personal History Questionnaire, the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) Exam, the Inwald Personality Inventory (IPI) Exam, and a structured psychological interview with a clinical psychologist.
  • Successful completion of a Physical Abilities Test (PAT): The PAT will consist of four events, completed as one continuously timed exam. The maximum allowable time (regardless of age or gender) is three minutes and forty-five seconds (3:45).
  • Successful completion of a comprehensive background investigation, which will include employment references dating back 10 years, personal references, driving history, credit history, criminal history, drug history, and academic records.
  • Failure to provide correct information, or omitting information, at any point during your application will be grounds for termination from the hiring process.

Qualifications
The following criteria must be met in order to be eligible to apply:
  • Successful completion of (or willingness to complete) the Uniformed Police Training Program (UPTP) or the Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP) at FLETC. Your certificate or FLETC transcript must be included with your application. If you need a copy of your FLETC transcript, you can request it through email at fletc-transcripts@dhs.gov, by calling (912) 267-2457, or by visiting the following URL: https://www.fletc.gov/request-your-transcript.
    • Completion of other Federal law enforcement academy programs will be considered on a case-by-case basis. For example, Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP) or equivalent training program from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), or U.S. Postal Inspection Service. A certificate or transcript of completion must be included with your application.
  • Currently employed as a federal, state, or municipal law enforcement officer with at least one year of full duty service after training.
  • Applicants must be mature, reliable, skilled in oral and written communication, and have excellent interpersonal skills.
  • Must have the ability to display a high standard of ethical conduct and be trusted in all work situations.
  • Applicants must have no record of felony convictions and must not currently be involved in any pending criminal charges.
  • Applicants must be licensed to drive for at least one year at the time of application and have an excellent driving record.
  • Applicants must have the ability to receive and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance.
  • Applicants who possess prior military service must have been separated under honorable conditions (honorable discharge).
  • Prior dignitary protection experience is preferred, but not required.
  • Status as a U.S. Citizen, National, or one who owes allegiance to the United States.
  • Applicants must be at least within six months of turning 21 years of age, but not yet 39 years of age at the date of application, with some exceptions as noted below:
    • Applicants over the age of 39 may still be considered if they can demonstrate sufficient prior coverage under the federal law enforcement retirement system special provision to allow them to achieve at least 20 years of total service before reaching age 60. See 5 U.S. Code 8425(d) for details on the special provision.

Education
A high school diploma is the minimum educational requirement for applicants meeting the other eligibility criteria.
Additional information
Working for the Supreme Court Police offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes the following:
  • Sick Leave - Employees earn 104 hours of sick leave per year that accrues without limit. Sick leave not utilized at the time of retirement will be added to the annuitant's length of service when calculating their retirement benefit.
  • Annual Leave - Employees earn annual leave at the following rates: 13 days per year for the first three years of service, 20 days after three years of service, and 26 days every year after 15 years of service. Employees may carry over a maximum of 240 hours (30 days) of annual leave from one calendar year to the next;
  • Overtime - Supreme Court Police Officers working overtime are eligible to earn monetary pay or compensatory time at a rate of 1.5 times their derived hourly pay;
  • Premium Pay - Supreme Court Police Officers working the hours between 6:00 PM and 6:00 AM are eligible to earn Night Differential at a rate of 10% of their derived hourly pay. Sunday premium is earned at a rate of 25% of their derived hourly pay;
  • Student Loan Repayment - The Court offers up to $10,000 per year, subject to budget availability and applicable limits;
  • Paid Parental Leave - The Court provides up to 12 administrative workweeks of paid parental leave during the 12-month period following the birth or new placement of a child (available after you have been in service for a minimum of 12 months);
  • Retirement - The Federal Law Enforcement Retirement System offered by the Supreme Court of the United States is a special variant of the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS) offered to most U.S. government employees. Law Enforcement FERS is a three-part retirement program:
    • The first part is a defined-benefit plan (annuity) calculated by applying the average of the highest three years of earnings (high-3) to the length of service of an employee. Police annuitants receive 1.7% of their high-3 for the first 20 years of their service, and 1% for each additional year. This translates to 34% of the high-3 for police officers retiring after 20 years of service, and 39% if retiring after 25 years.
    • The second part is the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), which is a defined-contribution pension (savings account). Employees may contribute up to the IRS maximum, and the Court will match any contributions up to 5% of base salary;
    • The third part of the FERS benefit is access to social security. As Supreme Court Police Officers are able (and required) to retire before they are eligible to apply for social security, a FERS supplement is paid to compensate until age 62;
    • Employees with prior military service may buy back their active duty military time to be added to their length of service for the purposes of the annuity calculation. Military time cannot, however, be added to the length of service for determining retirement eligibility;
  • Educational Assistance - Up to $5,000 per calendar year is available for eligible employees based on budget approval and the relevance of the requested courses to enhance job performance. A signed agreement committing the employee to repaying any amounts paid by the Court if the employee discontinues service from the Court within one year of completing the course is required.
  • Additional Benefits include flexible spending accounts, long-term care insurance, and the SmartBenefits transit subsidy.

Expand Hide additional information
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
Help
Review our benefits

Apply