Entry Level Congressional Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Summary
The United States Capitol Police (USCP) safeguards the Congress, Members of Congress, employees, visitors, and Congressional buildings and grounds from crime, disruption, and terrorism. The USCP protects and secures Congress so it can fulfill its constitutional and legislative responsibilities in a safe, secure, and open environment.
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Duties
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Are you looking for a rewarding career in law enforcement? Join our team
of dedicated, mission-driven officers in protecting Congress and the
legislative process.
This position is located within the Protective Services Bureau (PSB), Assistant
Chief of Police for Protective and Intelligence Operations, United States
Capitol Police (USCP). The PSB collects and analyzes information to produce
intelligence, assess threats, enforce the law, identify risks, and develop and
employ risk mitigation, Member protection, and enforcement strategies.
Specialty Units include Investigations and Dignitary Protection.
A USCP Special Agent within the PSB performs a full range of protective and
investigative functions. Special Agents are assigned to PSB's Dignitary
Protection Division (DPD) or Investigations Division (ID). The PSB DPD is
responsible for carrying out protective functions and operations. The PSB ID is
responsible for investigating violations of the D.C. Code and Title 18 of the
U.S. Code, to include allegations of criminal activity, terroristic activity,
and threats or unusual interests against Members of Congress and other
statutory protectees of Congress that occur in the jurisdiction of the USCP as
defined by 2 USC § 1966(a) & (f).
Upon successful completion of training, you will be assigned to the DPD or ID.
Duties include but are not limited to:
DPD Special Agents -
Provide protection of congressional leadership, including the coordination of
security arrangements for domestic and international travel through advance
security surveys and on-the-ground protection. Provide personal security of
Members of Congress and their families; visiting officials of foreign, Federal,
state, and/or local governments; and other congressional visitors. Provide
protective coverage for congressional events such as congressional hearings and
sessions, official functions, and other events identified by the respective
Sergeant at Arms and/or Chief of Police.
ID Special Agents -
Investigate criminal and terroristic activity involving violations of the D.C.
Code and Title 18 of the U.S. Code. Collect, evaluate, interpret, and
disseminate information related to the mission of the ID. Prepare and
disseminate written reports, including reports of investigation, various
investigative assessments, and investigations bulletins. Perform a full range
of comprehensive investigative functions, to include planning, organizing,
fact-finding, and reporting results on cases ranging from routine to highly
complex. Perform protective intelligence operations, coordinating investigative
and operational efforts with other USCP sworn officers and outside agency
officials. Serve as a liaison with local, state, and Federal law enforcement
agencies. Conduct surveillance, surveillance detection, and counter
surveillance operations. Represent the USCP during investigative and law
enforcement meetings.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
You must obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance. Your completed application and required documents must be submitted by the closing date of this vacancy announcement to receive further consideration. Your online application and answers to the attached assessment questionnaire will be reviewed and evaluated. As a result of this initial review, qualified applicants will be required to submit additional biographical information and supporting documents. A list of these documents will be provided to you during the selection process. For further consideration, qualified candidates will be required to submit an Authorization for Release form and additional information via a Personal History Statement (PHS) for further pre-employment screening. The information provided, along with a review of a candidate's credit, criminal history, and their driving record, will be reviewed. ESOPH is an automated system used by investigators to efficiently manage background investigations. Candidates will receive an e-mail from ESOPH, where they will be instructed to provide their PHS.
Qualifications
The Initial Assessment
Phase consists of two components:
Orientation Session - An overview of the USCP mission, hiring
process, training, and employment opportunities.
Written Exam - The Police
Officer Selection Test (POST) will test the candidate's knowledge of basic
math, reading, and grammar. A passing score of at least 70% (seventy percent)
must be obtained in each section.
The Orientation and POST will require candidates to use a video conferencing
system.
Note: All online portions of the
hiring process require the use of a desktop or laptop computer. The use of cell
phones and tablets will NOT be allowed for video conferencing. It is highly
recommended that all candidates become familiar with the use of their
computer's webcam and microphone.
Applicants who successfully complete the Initial Assessment Phase will be
issued a Conditional Offer of Employment and will enter the Examination Phase
of the hiring process.
Examination Phase
The Examination Phase consists of psychological, medical and polygraph
examinations. This will be a candidate's first required visit to
our office in Washington, D.C. during the hiring process. Efforts will be made
to schedule these examinations consecutively to eliminate return visits to
complete the examinations.
• Psychological -
Candidates complete a battery of psychological assessments and a clinical
interview. The psychological examination will last approximately four to
six hours. Candidates are encouraged to be well-rested and eat prior to
the examination.
The psychological exam
will occur online and require the use of a desktop or laptop computer, camera,
and microphone.
• Medical - The medical examination will determine if a candidate is medically
qualified to perform the functional requirements of the job. Candidates
will be required to fast (abstain from food) prior to the medical examination.
• Polygraph - The polygraph examination is used to confirm information obtained
through the selection process.
• Physical Readiness Test (PRT) - The PRT consists of three events: a timed
300-meter run, push-up test, and a 1.5-mile run.
• Background Investigation
The final phase of the selection process requires candidates to undergo a full
background investigation that will include a thorough review and verification
of the candidate's employment history, employer, residential, and personal
references, in depth criminal and credit history, and academic records.
Must be a United States citizen.
Must meet position age requirements.
Must possess and maintain a valid REAL ID U.S. driver's license.
Must show evidence of responsible driving in the past one (1) year.
Male applicants must be registered for Selective Service.
Travel for hiring assessments and training is at applicant's expense.
Must successfully complete a full field background investigation.
Polygraph, medical assessment, criminal, credit, and tax check required.
Must successfully complete all required training.
Must successfully complete a probationary period.
Candidates must meet the following requirements to be minimally qualified for
this position:
U.S. Citizenship Only
United States Citizens will receive consideration. Qualified applicants will be
required to provide proof of citizenship early in the selection process.
Naturalized citizens must be able to participate and complete a holistic and
verifiable background investigation of their personal and professional
background.
Age
Requirements - Sworn officer positions with the USCP are subject to the
mandatory retirement provisions of the Capitol Police Retirement Act, which
requires an officer to separate/retire from the USCP by age 57, but as the
result of current critical mission requirement, the age has been increased to
59.
Applicants must be at least 21 years old at time of
appointment and ordinarily not older than 37. However, the maximum entry age
has been increased to 39 years of age at the time of appointment (or 40 years
of age if the individual turns 40 in the same month of their initial
appointment), with required mandatory retirement after 20 years of Federal law
enforcement service (e.g., employed at 39 years of age and retire at 59 years
of age).
Education 4-year college degree or 4 years of military
experience is required.
Valid Driver's License
Applicants must possess a valid U.S. driver's license that has not been revoked
or under suspension for the past one (1) year.
Criminal History Check Must
successfully pass a comprehensive criminal history check of the past 10 years.
• A
criminal history check will be performed on all qualified applicants.
• USCP Police Officers are
required to possess a firearm and ammunition. Applicants who have been convicted of
a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence
cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition and are ineligible for the
position.
• Credit Check Must
successfully pass a credit check. Applicants must not be in default or
delinquent on any Federal guaranteed student loans.
• Selective Service Registration Male applicants must provide verification
of registration with the Selective Service System or must verify exemption from
the Selective Service System registration because of age or military status.
Female applicants are exempt from Selective Service System registration. https://www.sss.gov/verify
• Fingerprint Check
Applicants' fingerprints will be submitted to the Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI) for a check of the criminal history record.
• Background Investigation
Must successfully complete all components of the USCP full field background
investigation.
There are few automatic grounds for rejection in the USCP background
investigation process. Issues of misconduct, such as illegal drug use, arrests,
or convictions may not be automatically disqualifying. However, deliberate
misstatements, omissions, or intentionally withholding required information at
any phase of the hiring process will result in a candidate's disqualification
regardless of the nature or reason for the misstatement or omission. The
primary reason candidates fail a background investigation is due to
deliberately withholding or omitting material facts. Providing false and/or
misleading information may be grounds for removal from the application and
selection process.
Education
High School diploma or GED certificate is required.
Additional information
The USCP offers a competitive starting salary of $90,853. Benefits Highlights: Our comprehensive benefits package includes health insurance, dental insurance, vision care, life and long-term care insurance, Thrift Savings Plan, flexible spending accounts, and an employee assistance program. USCP employees are covered under the law enforcement provisions of the Federal Employees Retirement System. A Student Loan Repayment Program Incentive up to $10,000 annually with a maximum of $80,000 per employee is available, subject to budget availability. Upon receipt of proper certification, sick leave balances will be transferred from other branches of the Federal Government. While previous creditable Federal service is used to determine the appropriate leave accrual category, annual leave balances are transferable only from other Legislative Branch organizations. Transit subsidy benefits for your commuting costs may be provided to you as a tax-free benefit. The USCP has several on-site state of the art fitness centers with access to personal trainer consultants and locker room facilities. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: The USCP is an equal opportunity employer in accordance with applicable federal laws, rules, and regulations. FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT: This position is non-exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act provisions.
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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
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.