USSS Special Officer

[swatoperator]

Can anyone give me some insight as to what the job is like as a Special Officer with USSS? Is this position 6c covered? Can it be a good start towards an 1811 position? Is it a typical 9-5 type job or lots of long hours?

I checked the USSS website I can't find much on their website.

Thanks in advance.

[Kimble]

Can anyone give me some insight as to what the job is like as a Special Officer with USSS? Is this position 6c covered? Can it be a good start towards an 1811 position? Is it a typical 9-5 type job or lots of long hours?

I checked the USSS website I can't find much on their website.

Thanks in advance.

My grandfather was one of these guys, but retired around 20 years ago, so I don't have any "most current" info on the position. Like many LE support positions in the USG, it is not granted 6c/12d LE retirement (good for those over 37 who want to do the job, not good for those doing the job that want to do just 20 and retire). In USSS, agents do protection operations and criminal investigations. SO's, as FP/security specialists vice LEOs, work on protection details and assist agents with the protection aspects of the mission. You won't be working cases as a SO, but if you like doing protection work, this may be a good fit (some former presidents have SO's assigned to their full-time details, along with a rotation of agents every few years).

As far as being a good "start" for a 1811 job, special officer positions are not typically entry-level jobs, as you need to have protection-related skill sets to get the job. Probably not a problem for a local LEO with tactical/SWAT experience (which your username seems to suggest is the case for you), but not really a job that is highly recruiting college grads. However, if you did the SO job for a while, as long as you otherwise qualify for a 1811 position (i.e. under 37 and meet the requirements in the annoucement), it could be something that could help your chances with agencies that have missions requiring protection details (ex: USSS, Diplomatic Security, military FLE agencies like OSI and NCIS, agencies protecting cabinet-level secretaries, etc.). Can't speak to whether being a USSS SO would help you become a USSS SA/1811 down the road, but I certainly would ask or bring it up during interviews (they'll be looking for a good fit for the SO job, vice someone to do the SO work for a few years only to lose a body for the 1811 corps).

Sorry I don't have more up-to-date info on the job, but as I understand it from talking to USSS SA's, this should still be fairly accurate.

[swatoperator]

Kimble,

Thanks for the info. I do have SWAT/tactical training and experience. Which is the only reason I think I may qualify for the job. Still debating on whether I want to pursue it or not.

[Joeyd6]

I know a guy assigned here just outside NYC. A lot of standing post, perimeter, gate house and occasional driving or a task. As he put it, great for a retired guy, not a young operator looking to make noise and get dirty.

[swatoperator]

Joeyd6,

Thanks for the info. I will take that into consideration.

[Piggy]

I remember a fed posting years ago that was something along the same lines. The duties were guarding the residence of Lady Bird Johnson. Is this the same type of position?

[Kimble]

I remember a fed posting years ago that was something along the same lines. The duties were guarding the residence of Lady Bird Johnson. Is this the same type of position?

Sounds like it. SO's are full-time protection detail guys (not for POTUS or VPOTUS, but for other VIPs like former presidents and others granted protection by statute).

[USSSMatt]

I know a guy assigned here just outside NYC. A lot of standing post, perimeter, gate house and occasional driving or a task. As he put it, great for a retired guy, not a young operator looking to make noise and get dirty.

+1

If you're a young person, becoming an SO is *not* what you'd like to do. If you work in DC, you're sitting at a desk securing the USSS HQ building, or one of the other USSS facilities (not the White House or the VP's residence). If you work for one of the former Presidents or First Ladies, you sit in a chair securing the residence, get the cars washed, do car maintenance, and depending on the SAIC, you may be bale to drive the follow-up vehicle if the protectee leaves the residence and remains in-town.

As far as it being a "stepping stone" to be hired as an 1811, any federal job could offer that "stone".