Departmental Administration

Summary
This position is located in the Office of Safety, Security and Protection, Executive Protective Operations Division. The primary purpose of this position is to serve as an Executive Protection Agent on the team responsible for providing executive-level personal protection to the Secretary, Deputy Secretary and other designees. This is an open-continuous announcement with an initial cut-off date of 07/31/2026 and then every 3 weeks thereafter. Please see the "How You Will Be Evaluated" section.
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Duties
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• Participates in the full range of executive personal security protection policies, practices, and requirements attending to the daily functions and long-term planning of the office.
• Performs the duties of a Detail Leader of the Executive Protection Detail.
• Assists in investigations concerning threats to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Agriculture.
• Assists the Special Agent in Charge (SAIC) and Assistant Specialist Agent-in-Charge (ASAIC) in planning the full range of programs and functions of executive protection.
• Coordinates with appropriate offices/agencies to ensure that all telecommunications systems are in place to include constant secure telephone services and other electronic communication systems with the Department of Agriculture and the White House.
• Ensures full compliance with procedures, regulatory and statutory aspects of personal security and all logistics support is maintained.
• Coordinates the myriad details of security, logistics, and related administrative matters with senior USDA staff as assigned.
• Plans and carries out logistical support to the Secretary and her immediate staff in critical official matters as directed by the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, SAIC/ASAIC, which may be time sensitive.

Requirements
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Conditions of employment

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• If selected, you may be required to serve a probationary or trial period as applicable to appointment type. More information in Next Steps section.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• Medical Requirement - This position is subject to successful completion of pre-employment medical examination.
• Physical Requirement - This position is subject to successful completion of pre-employment physical assessment.
• This position is designated as Emergency Essential and may require the incumbent to work during weather related closures.
• Shift Work - The USDA operates 7 days per week and 24 hours per day. Special Agents will be required to work any assigned shift. Duty hours are subject to change to accommodate the needs of the department.
• Applicants must be willing and able to work nights, weekends, and holidays.
• See "Qualifications" section for Special Position Requirements.

Qualifications
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the applicant cut-off including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.
Time in grade: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled.
Minimum Qualification Requirements: Applicants must meet the specialized experience requirements and selective placement factors shown below. If qualifying based on experience, your application or resume must clearly show that you possess the specialized experience requirements. Specialized experience is defined as experience that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled and has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.
For the GS-11
Specialized Experience: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-9 level) which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience performing executive personal protection operations, including security, communications, transportation, and logistics requirements; and experience researching new or revised security and law enforcement rules, regulations, or legislation -OR- Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in criminology, criminal justice, or homeland security, or LL.M., if related. Graduate education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level.
For the GS-12
Specialized Experience: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience coordinating executive personal protection operations, including security, communications, transportation, and logistics requirements; and experience planning protective coverage during all executive travel.
Selective Placement Factor: Successful completion of an accredited basic law enforcement training program (civilian or military). In order to qualify for this position you must meet this selective placement factor. A copy of your official law enforcement training certification (civilian or military) is required at the time of application. If you do not meet this requirement, you will be rated ineligible for this position.
Maximum Entry Age: Applicants for this position must be at least 21 years of age, AND have not reached their 37th birthday by the date of appointment to this position. These positions are covered by the special retirement provisions for Federal Law Enforcement Officers and have a mandatory retirement age of 57. Selectees for these positions who are over age 37 must have been or currently be covered by the special retirement provisions and be able to complete at least 20 years of covered service by age 57. You must submit proof of your status in the Law Enforcement retirement system.
Exceptions:
(1) This age restriction does not apply to those who have sufficient creditable service in a Federal civilian (not military) law enforcement position covered by 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or 5 U.S.C. 8412(d) to permit retirement on or before the mandatory retirement age of 57.
(2) If you are a veteran who is eligible for veterans preference ("preference eligible"), you may be eligible for a waiver of the maximum entry age for this position if you are otherwise qualified and meet medical and fitness requirements. If you are claiming veterans preference, you must submit proof of your veterans' preference. Please be advised that if you do not submit this required documentation of your service, you will not be eligible for consideration of this limited waiver of the maximum entry age.
SPECIAL POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• Physical Demands: Due to the physical and vigorous requirements of this position, the incumbent must meet the established medical and physical standards/requirements set forth by USDA as it's considered essential to perform the duties of this position. The work requires a person with good physical health and stamina to work under pressure, along with the ability to lift and carry heavy objects of 180 lbs or more and have the physical agility and dexterity to work in confined spaces. Agents must be prepared to protect themselves or others from physical attacks at any time and without warning, and to use firearms, as required by the position, only as a last resort.
• Lautenberg Amendment: This position is covered by the 1996 Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968. A person convicted of a misdemeanor or felony crime of domestic violence are not eligible for the position. False or fraudulent information provided by candidates is criminally punishable by fine or imprisonment (Title 18 USC Section 1001).
• Training Requirement: The incumbent must, at minimum, have: successfully completed an accredited basic law enforcement training program (civilian or military); at least one year of previous law enforcement experience; not have a break in service in Law Enforcement for over 5 years; and not have been convicted of a crime of domestic violence as defined in Title 18 USC Section 922(g)(9) Lautenberg Amendment.
• Firearms Requirement: The incumbent is required to carry a firearm while performing duties of this position so they must meet initial and continuing qualifications in the use of firearms as outlined in the Gun Control Act of 1968, amended by the Lautenberg Amendment of 1996. The incumbent must qualify semiannually with all weapons issued by the USDA and maintain proficiency.
• Drivers License Requirement: This position requires the incumbent to operate a motor vehicle. Must have or be able to obtain a valid driver's license.
• LEO Retirement Coverage: Incumbent is entitled to Law Enforcement Officer Retirement Coverage and this position is FLSA Non-Exempt and eligible for Administratively Uncontrollable Overtime.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Education
Graduate education may be substituted for specialized experience at the GS-11 level as described above; education is not qualifying for the GS-12 level.
If qualifying based on education at the GS-11 level, you must submit a complete, legible copy of your college or university transcript(s) with your application to document academic achievements and receive credit.
Additional information
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.
Veterans who are preference eligible or who have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after three years or more of continuous active service are eligible for consideration under the Veteran's Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA).
Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Employees: Permanent County employees without prior Federal tenure who are selected for a Civil Service position under Public Law 105-277 will be given a career-conditional appointment and must serve a 1-year probationary period.
For more information on applying under special hiring authorities such as 30 percent disabled veterans, certain military spouses, Schedule A Disabled, etc., explore the different Hiring Paths on the USAJOBS website.
Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) provides current or former temporary or term employees of federal land management agencies opportunity to compete for permanent competitive service positions. Individuals must have more than 24 months of service without a break between appointments of two or more years. Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better. Refer to PUBLIC LAW 114-47-AUG. 7, 2015 for more information.
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire CompetencyBased Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (https://appsupport-usastaffing.opm.gov/hc/en-us/sections/45063131363475-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information)
This is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use.
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