Dss

[tomasurii]

This is directed towards anyone with firsthand knowledge of DSS's hiring process.

I successfully completed the DSS examination battery about a week ago. While I wait for a letter confirming that I'm on the list of eligibles, I'm very curious as to what the process is like from here on in.

I'm former USBP, and hope that the process isn't as drawn out. It felt like being in limbo after receiving my score and tentative selection letter; in purgatory during the BI: and then in hell, having hot pokers stuck into my eyeballs as I waited about six months (after receiving a 60-day letter) for "the call" with a duty station offer.

I would greatly appreciate any experience or knowledge that anyone could share.

Thanks,
T'su

[tomasurii]

I was afraid of that. I'm settling in for a long wait.

Thanks.

[gijoeyl33]

just curious what the other three agencies were if you dont mind saying.

Hate to tell you, but all federal LE hiring processes run about the same way. I applied for four federal LE agencies at the same time. This one made me a final offer with 8 days notice to report to orientation. The other three all made final offers within the next two weeks, two of them actually calling me at FLETC.

[JudgeDredd]

The only thing I know is that you be sent to Maryland for a one week orientation once you get the job. Since you won't be armed, you won't have to go through alot of training. Have you loked at applying to DCIS under ICTAP?

[gijoeyl33]

why the hell wouldnt he be armed as a DSS agent?? Are we talkin state department or defense security service ????? two DSS's but i KNOW state is armed but what about defense security service???? thats a good question

The only thing I know is that you be sent to Maryland for a one week orientation once you get the job. Since you won't be armed, you won't have to go through alot of training. Have you loked at applying to DCIS under ICTAP?

[cecilVA]

Good point, is this for Defense Security Service or Diplomatic Security Service? The first isn't armed and the second certainly is.

[JudgeDredd]

gi: I'm assuming he's talking about Defense Security Service. They are series 1810 investigators; as opposed to 1811's. I used to deal with these guys all the time at NARA and ARPERSCOM, and that's what they told me. That's why I recommended the DCIS.

[tomasurii]

Sorry about the ambiguity: I meant Diplomatic Security.

Diplo-Sec is the reason I sought a career in the FLEO field. I'm ready and willing, just waiting for the call to be able.

Although, depending on my score on the exam battery, I may be waiting upwards of a year. I'll know more once I get that confirmation letter.

So I wait ... (prepping the hot pokers again)

[SR-25]

"Salary and Benefits
Starting salaries range from $35,332 to $48,908, depending on qualifications, location of assignment, and related specialized experience. Satisfactory performance earns employees automatic grade and pay increases during the first 3 years. Thereafter, promotions are competitive based on the recommendations of annual selection panels.

An excellent benefits package includes:


Group life and health insurance
Annual and sick leave accrual; retirement plan
Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP)
Government-provided quarters or housing allowance overseas
Home leave to the United States between overseas assignments
Rest and recuperation leave, with transportation partially paid, when employees and their dependents are assigned to designated hardship posts
Cost of living allowance
Educational allowance for dependents under certain circumstances
Danger pay at designated posts
Moving expenses for assignments"

This is from their website. Does anyone have any idea how much they make a year after LEAP and everything else is factored in?

[Kimble]

This is from their website. Does anyone have any idea how much they make a year after LEAP and everything else is factored in?

I'm not aware of any DS agents on this board. You may want to go over to 911jobforums.com and do a search of the posts they have. There are a number of DS SA's that are members of that site.

[SR-25]

I'm not aware of any DS agents on this board. You may want to go over to 911jobforums.com and do a search of the posts they have. There are a number of DS SA's that are members of that site.

Thanks a lot ROS

[SR-25]

I looked it up, you have to pay and have a credit card to be a member. I really dont feel like putting that info through right now. So anyone with any salary,benifits, or any other information on this agency, feel free to pass it along. Thanks in advance.

[chewy]

Border Patrol, Capitol Police, and TSA.

But before I told any of them "no", I talked to several FLETC instructors who had come from those agencies and asked them for their opinions. Every one of them without exception said that for law enforcement work, my agency is the best one. They all recommended that I stay here, so I did. And they were right.

TSA?? Were you high at the time? :D

[2501]

I successfully completed the DSS examination battery about a week ago. While I wait for a letter confirming that I'm on the list of eligibles, I'm very curious as to what the process is like from here on in.

First off, congrats on passing the BEX. You've handled the most difficult step in the process already, now it's just primarily a waiting game.

Because I'm a newbie to this site, before I answer your question let me explain that I am NOT a DS agent, but an applicant in the pipeline, like you. I'm currently in the BI stage hoping for a spot in the April FLETC class. So if anyone else notices a mistake in the info in my post, feel free to call me out on it.

Now, back to business. These are the basic steps:

1) Online assessment
2) BEX (Board of Examiners)
3) LEH (List of Eligible Hires)
4) Conditional Offer
5) Medical Examination
6) Background Investigation
7) Final Review Board
8) Register
9) Final Offer

As for a timeline, this varies greatly depending on the applicant. If you did well on the BEX, you'll land a good spot on the LEH, and you won't have to wait long for a CO. When I BEX'd I landed about #150 out of 450 people on the list, but I took a foreign language assessment over the phone which gave me two bonus points and brought me spot up to #50 out of 450. The agents at your BEX should have given you the info about lining up a language assessment. This, and vet pref, are the two ways to move up your position after the BEX. Eitherwise you just wait until enough applicants are hired or drop out until you're at the top of the list.

You're allowed to stay on the LEH for a a max of 2 years, although if you haven’t received a conditional offer after 1 year many recommend reapplying to the next vacancy announcement and taking the BEX again to shoot for a higher score.

Once you reach the top of the LEH, you will be given a Conditional Offer. At this time you will arrange to have all of your medical testing done, and you will submit all of the info needed to complete the background investigation. State has cut BI time in half and now they usually get them done cradle-to-grave in 4 months, which is very fast for the G. If you schedule it correctly you should have your medical clearance before that 4 months is up, barring any medical difficulties.

When the BI and Medical are cleared your file goes to a final review board, and if you pass you then take a spot on the Register, which is like the LEH only with less names. When you reach the top of the Register you are given a Final Offer and a class date.

You will be trained for approx 7 months, beginning with an orientation at the Foreign Service Institute which is about 3 weeks, then 10 weeks at FLETC, and then another 4 months at the DS training facility in VA.

That’s the basic rundown, if anyone wishes to correct any of my info feel free to chime in, I was just trying to answer his question to the best of my knowledge.

[Kimble]

=Because I'm a newbie to this site, before I answer your question let me explain that I am NOT a DS agent, but an applicant in the pipeline, like you.

2501,

I hate to step off topic on this thread, but I need to make you aware that having a username that suggests you are a LEO when you are not one is a violation of this site's Terms of Service. Since "2501" is the job series for a Special Agent with Diplomatic Security, your username could easily confuse others in leading them to believe you hold a position with DS that you currently do not have.