dss special agent hiring processdss special agent hiring process

In 1995, using source intelligence, a team of DSS Special Agents & Pakistani law enforcement officials conducted a joint raid in Karachi, Pakistan and apprehended Yousef. However, by the mid-1990s, budget cutbacks were foisted on the U.S. State Department by Congress, and the department in turn trimmed the budget of DSS to the point where it had dwindled to a little over 600 agents. You must be in excellent physical condition when applying to be a Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) special agent. Following U.S. entry into the war, the Bureau also interned and exchanged diplomatic officials of enemy powers. Those who apply, pass the online test and pass the minimum qualifications review will be required to submit their undergraduate transcripts. Domestically, DSS also has significant responsibility in providing security for visiting heads of states at diplomatic events (. Be a U.S. citizen and available for worldwide service. about vacancies. [59], The method in which the RSO title is implemented also has the potential to create confusion when interacting with outside organizations. [66][67][68][69], In addition to being posted at U.S. missions around the world, DSS agents have worked closely with their foreign counterparts to secure such events as the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy; the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada,[70] 2010 World Cup Football Matches and a host of other special events. At Foreign Service posts, Diplomatic Security Special Agents are referred to as Regional Security Officers, and are responsible for the administration of a broad range of security services to protect Foreign Service personnel, facilities, operations, and information against foreign intelligence, criminal, and terrorist activities. [citation needed] This change stripped DSS out from under Administration Officers and placed the RSO directly under the Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) in the chain of command at an Embassy.[14]. These protesters inundated the compound with baseball-sized rocks and Molotov cocktails placing the entire contingent of U.S. personnel and third-country nationals under direct threat. Money Minute, What's next for experimental AI projects in the C4ISR sphere. These investigations provide information to help determine if a job candidate or current employee is suitable for employment and should have access to classified information, or Department of State resources and facilities. On December 31, 2019, the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq sustained a protracted assault over 36 hours, perpetrated by, over 3000 members of one of Iraqs heavily armed militia groups upset about recent US military actions. Applicants have six months to schedule an appointment for the gateway test, however due to required administrative processes, the appointment must be made within eight weeks of the desired testing date. The Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary (PDAS) is the Director for the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) and is always an active DSS Special Agent.[15]. Any time there is a threat or an attack against a U.S. Embassy or Consulate, DSS Special Agents are the first on the scene to investigate. Our Mission is to lead worldwide security and law enforcement efforts to advance U.S. foreign policy and safeguard national security interests. The ILEAs advance the anti-crime effort through building the capacity of foreign criminal justice partners of the United States. The head DSS Special Agent (Regional Security Officer) reports directly to the Ambassador and has the final say on all security related matters. However, Bokelman says DSS special agents can still be assigned temporary overseas assignments during their first two years, such as supporting security at the Olympics or working a protective detail for a senior State Department official, The special agent vacancy is open now for one week only, said Bokelman. Current available positions include Diplomatic Security Foreign Service special agent, security engineer officer, and security technical specialists. The April 1983 U.S. Embassy bombing was a catharsis for the State Department, which would transform SY into the newly created Diplomatic Security Service, part of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security. Potential applicants must apply to an open posted, on their website. %PDF-1.5 % Qualifications Questionnaire (20 minutes), 5. U.S. military community funding eligibility options, Do not sell my personal information and cookies. Fit for physical exertion and pass a pre-employment physical readiness test. Personal Assessment Interview with Board of Examiners & DSS SA (, This DSS Special Agent position is a 2501 Foreign Service position, The Foreign Service has a robust internship program with various placements, to include those with the Bureau of Diplomatic Security. The Diplomatic Security Service is the federal law enforcement branch of the U.S. Dept. Special Agent Hiring Process. [40] DSS Special Agent Terrance Lawrence was involved in returning Yaffe from Brazil. Failure to pass any of the steps below may eliminate you from the hiring process. As members of the Foreign Service, agents are expected to spend most of their career living and working overseas, often in hazardous environments or less developed countries throughout the world. And that's only if it's a well designed program. All training programs enhance the understanding of both foreign intelligence and espionage threats and countermeasures, and educate employees on the foreign intelligence environment. DSS SAs, depending upon assignment, are responsible for Department of State security policies, provision of a range of security services, management of security operations, supervision of subordinate staff, and the performance of some, or all, of the following functions: [45] A year after his capture, Yaffe pled guilty to several counts and was sentenced to 45 years to life in prison,[44][46] while a babysitter who had provided a child to him also pled guilty and was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison. The DSS is best identified with its protection assignments around the globe. Agency contact information DS Recruitment The Rewards for Justice Program (RFJ) is the counterterrorism rewards program of DSS. [79], Since the establishment of the Diplomatic Security Service, four Special Agents have died in the line of duty. Carlos Matus, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary and Director, Basic Special Agent Course (BSAC) (including FLETC): 6 months, Basic Regional Security Office Course (RSO School): 3 months, Language Training: 212 months per language, Basic Field Firearms Officer Course (BFFOC): 2 weeks, High Risk Environment Firearms Course (HREFC): 3 days, Joseph Nye (19171920), first Chief Special Agent, David A. Boling (SY Special Agent and diplomatic officer), 2006: "The Path to 9/11" DSS Special Agents Jeff Riner and Bill Miller, the RSOs assigned to the U.S. embassy in Pakistan, along with Pakistani police and, This page was last edited on 26 April 2023, at 18:22. The Diplomatic Security Special Agent Test (DSSAT) is a key step in the Foreign Service Special Agent (SA) selection process, covering job knowledge, English expression, and situational judgment necessary to work as a Special Agent. over 3000 members of one of Iraqs heavily armed militia groups upset about recent US military actions. Also known as Office of the Chief Special Agent. Click here to find a test center near you. The secondary law enforcement mission is severely limited in scope to, . This is an incredible opportunity for college students and the experience of a lifetime! PD programs are set up with the hope of planting a seed in an exchange participant that will bear fruit in a decade when that person has more influence. This usage sometimes appears in DOS press releases, although recently multi-agency press releases from the Department of Justice distinguish between DSS and its umbrella organization. Able to obtain an appropriate Foreign Service Medical Clearance. The selection process is complex to some, but its laid out clearly in in seven steps. Twitter Originating from diplomatic security measures enacted during the First World War, DSS was formally established in 1985 following the deadly 1983 bombings of the U.S. embassy and Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon. The appointment of Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State raised questions about whether DSS would serve its usual protective role, since, as a former First Lady, she received Secret Service protection. 3941(b)). 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Ive read about the format and the sample questions but Id like to get a better idea about it from personal experiences. As the day progressed, the protesters threw combustible material over the wall landing at the bottom of the watch towers which smoked U.S. personnel out of the towers. The Diplomatic Security Specialist selection process, including the Qualifications Evaluation Panel (QEP) and Oral Assessment, is an employment selection tool used by the Department of State to identify the most qualified candidates for Diplomatic Security Foreign Service positions. The DSS also places a strong emphasis on what they refer to as the 12 dimensions, the criteria for all Foreign Service Specialist candidates. The performance of these agents is rated by the RSO or the Deputy RSO and is reviewed by the Consul General. 1811 Hiring in 2021. Starting sometime after World War II, SY began regularly protecting visiting heads of state, but it had done so sporadically since the 1930s. Some U.S. ambassadors receive protection from DSS in addition to security provided overseas by the host countries, depending on their post. All Special Agent applicants are required to meet. [82], Many former DSS agents have become authors and written works of fiction and non-fiction about their experiences.[83]. When his suggestion failed to gain support, on April 4, 1916, Secretary Lansing, with the authorization of President Woodrow Wilson, created his own task force, the Bureau of Secret Intelligence, which he dubbed "the Secret Service of the Department of State. Myers arrest is the culmination of a three-year joint DSS/FBI investigation.[28][29][30][31][32][33][34]. Like the military, the DSS administers language proficiency tests and Specialists required to speak a specific language or dialect attend the Foreign Service Institute for a year of school in Arlington, Virginia. It takes anywhere from a year to eighteen months to complete the hiring process. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), which had the best forensic laboratory in the country. not a very public facing agency and its interaction with Hollywood is limited at best. Usually after two back-to-back overseas tours, agents will be encouraged to return to the U.S. and serve in a headquarters position before returning overseas as a Regional Security Officer. Selected applicants will be notified of an Oral Assessment (OA) requirement in Washington D.C. or select alternate sites within the U.S. You get to travel the world on the governments dime, said Angela French, deputy director of public affairs for the Diplomatic Security Service. This changed in 1999, as fallout from the East Africa embassy bombings of 1998. The Diplomatic Security Service maintains agents in dozens of Joint Terrorism Task Force operations around the country. The vast majority of DSS casualties had taken place within the five years in Iraq, where DSS continued to conduct its most critical and dangerous protective missions. Be advised, its not easy, and almost no one passes the first time. Several areas are addressed including motivation for the position; cross-cultural experiences; objectivity and integrity; inter-personal skills and breath of knowledge. Usually this means an alien in the U.S. trying to establish a false U.S. identity, or stealing the identity from an American, often one who has died. 229 0 obj <> endobj Even some more seasoned agents have taken to referring to themselves as Special Agent-in-Charge/Regional Security Officer on their official biographies. DS has approximately 34,000 employees, of whom roughly 2,400 are U.S. federal agents within DSS. All employees who work for Bureau of Diplomatic Security, including those of DSS, are referred to as DS employees. Coordinator for the Arctic Region, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security, Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance, Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, Office of International Religious Freedom, Office of the Special Envoy To Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Office of the Science and Technology Adviser, Bureau of the Comptroller and Global Financial Services, Bureau of Information Resource Management, Office of Management Strategy and Solutions, Bureau of International Organization Affairs, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, U.S. DSS SA Announcement 2022 01-06-2022, 01:59 PM For any and all interested, the Department of State has sent out an email informing the DSS will be posting a Special Agent announcement in the. Special agents have a different path but are frequently posted to overseas missions in their first two years. Whereas most U.S. federal law enforcement agents are members of the Federal Civil Service, the majority of DSS special agents are both Foreign Service specialists and law enforcement officers. You can view complete information on the DSSA Selection Process. It is common for domestically assigned DS agents to serve temporary duty (TDY) at Embassies overseas. Tasked primarily with counterespionage and counterintelligence, the team also investigated passport fraud, protected U.S. and foreign diplomats on U.S. soil, and processed threat reports from overseas posts. [65] The division's prevailing goal is to "combat crime where it originates rather than waiting for it to cross U.S. The Diplomatic Security Service (DSS or DS) is the principal security and law enforcement agency of the United States Department of State. This is my first time doing any federal hiring process so any advice is appreciated. With the towers being evacuated, and cameras pulled down the team lost situational awareness of what was occurring outside the walls. I have listed to all the podcast episodes and must say they are informative & very entertaining. [53], On February 3, 2011, Paul Eischeid, a fugitive and member of the Hells Angels who had eluded U.S. [57] Once assigned overseas, a DSS agent will typically serve first as a Special Agent called an Assistant Regional Security Officer (ARSO) in a Regional Security Office. The DSS currently employs 2,500 special agents, diplomatic couriers, security technical specialists, and security engineering officers across the globe. passport & visa fraud . [41] On February 11, 2009, the United States District Court, Southern District of California issued a federal arrest warrant for Yaffe, and on April 11, Yaffe was profiled on the television show America's Most Wanted. The benefits of working as a Foreign Service Specialist may outweigh what some might perceive as a moderate starting salary, which ranges from $52,000 to $84,000 according to the USAJobs federal employment website. On January 28, 2009, CIA station chief Andrew Warren in Algiers, Algeria was reportedly under investigation by DSS for having allegedly raped two local Muslim women. Engineers are also in high demand., For special agents and security engineering officer applicants, they must have the college degree in hand by the time they apply, said Supervisory Special Agent Kala Bokelman, DSS recruitment unit. The Bureau of Diplomatic Security the arm of the U.S. Department of State tasked with securing diplomacy is actively seeking veterans to fill overseas positions. When assigned to domestic field offices, DSS special agents investigate passport fraud and visa fraud, and protect visiting foreign dignitaries. Once an application is submitted it cannot be changed until the six months have passed. [43][44] He initially pled not guilty, and his bail was set at $5 million. The major agencies are either continuously hiring or routinely posting vacancy announcements. Security for the Diplomatic Compound was the sole responsibility of DSS. Marshals Service and our law enforcement counterparts (INTERPOL) in Peru to locate Viste, said Jeffrey W. Culver, Director of the Diplomatic Security Service. He traveled under his real name with his own passport and was chased by U.S. Active-duty personnel can begin early by planning and studying to take the Foreign Service Exam before they separate. MSD is highly capable & self sufficient in hostile environments. The U.S. Department of State is developing a rank-ordered list of eligible hires for a limited number of Diplomatic Security Service Special Agent (DSSSA) vacancies based on the needs of the Department. Tomas was assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Seoul as a Customs and Border Protection Officer. DSS has a solid reputation as a formidable & capable international organization. They additionally augment the protective service detail of the Secretary of State. The terse message from the then Undersecretary for Management announcing the immediate change made it clear that this action was against his best judgment and insinuated that it was done because then Secretary of State Madeleine Albright ordered it. [40] When police took note, Yaffe fled to North Carolina, Germany, Romania or Bulgaria, and finally Brazil. Applicants must pass the PRT in order to advance in the DSS Special Agent application process. ATF) has no bearing on your eligibility to apply to . In the case of DSS agents, the RSO (senior special agent at post) is rated by the Deputy Chief of Mission and reviewed by the Chief of Mission (Ambassador). The U.S. Parole Commission issued an arrest warrant for Gorham on Oct. 17, regarding the subject's original conviction of sodomy, kidnapping and assault with the intent to commit sodomy. Online Application. DSS also assists foreign diplomatic missions in the United States on all security-related matters. D057923. The agency employs over 2,000 special agents, sometimes referred to as "DSS agents" or "DS agents". Applicants with 18 credit hours of graduate level study may substitute that academic achievement for a year of work experience. Every diplomatic mission in the world operates under a security program designed and maintained by Diplomatic Security. When assigned to the United States special agents are authorized to carry firearms both on and off duty and when assigned overseas are authorized to carry firearms when approved by the chief of mission. Among the many benefits you will receive are: paid housing or a housing allowance, when serving overseas, health and medical coverage, federal retirement benefits, paid education for dependent children in K-12 overseas, generous paid leave, and an unprecedented chance to see the world and experience different cultures. You will be scored differently depending on your age and gender. Such duty can range from various types of protection duties to RSO support or security training for an overseas post, and may last for as little as a few days to multiple months. However, please note that Department of State requires that candidates provide credit/debit card information to Pearson VUE (the test administrator) in order to complete the registration process. That means if you are graduating on February 1, but the position closes on January 31, you do not meet the basic requirements, and your application will not be considered.. AUTHORITIES: The information is sought pursuant to 301(b) of the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as amended (22 U.S.C. of State. Applicants who do not have a minimum of 18 credit hours of graduate study may substitute the following educational achievements for one year of work experience: 2.75 GPA (or above) for the bachelors degree and two internships totaling at least four months duration. Diplomatic Security at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Canada", "US Department of State Mobile Security Division", "Leadership Bureau of Diplomatic Security", http://www.diplomaticsecuritywiki.com/index.php?title=DS_Authors, Federal law enforcement agencies of the United States, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - Fisheries: Office of Law Enforcement, Marine Corps Criminal Investigation Division, United States Food and Drug Administration, Office of Law Enforcement/Federal Air Marshal Service, Bureau of Land Management: Office of Law Enforcement, Fish and Wildlife Service: Office of Law Enforcement, National Wildlife Refuge System: Division of Refuge Law Enforcement, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, US Forest Service: Law Enforcement & Investigations, United States Merchant Marine Academy Department of Public Safety, Sergeant at Arms of the House of Representatives, U.S. Work is excellent, challenging and ranges from federal investigations, to diplomatic liaison while protecting personnel, property and information. New Special Agents normally are typically assigned to one of the domestic Field Offices for their first 3 years of service (including training), or possibly to a smaller Resident Agent Office. This is a comprehensive and in-depth historical analysis of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security. DSS traces its origins to World War I when, on April 4, 1916, U.S. Secretary of State Robert Lansing formally established the Department of States first security office. a very public facing agency and its interaction with Hollywood is limited at best. DS Special Agents are sworn federal law enforcement officers and specially trained Foreign Service security professionals. India, for example, has an RSO position at the embassy at the Senior Foreign Service level and 4 other RSOs at the consulates at the significantly lower grade 3 level yet all of these agents have the same job title. The Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) has more than 2,500 special agents, security engineering officers, security technical specialists, and diplomatic couriers working and traveling worldwide. Must have a current, valid U.S. Drivers License. (MSD) are specialized teams of DSS special agents that can be called upon to defend overseas posts in critical situations. Senators and not backing down, Secretary Rusk removed Otepka from his position and ultimately unceremoniously fired him.[11]. My application has made it through the initial stage and is on the way to the QEP. [48][49], On July 30, 2010, special agents from DSS located fugitive George Alvin Viste in Peru. Application Process. security of embassies , ambassadors, visiting heads of state, and diplomatic personnel are of the utmost national importance and take up significant resources within DSS. Since there is not a lot of communication between DS and applicants I would like to start a thread to share information. DSS also conducts tens of thousands of background investigations per year not just for the Department of State, but for other federal agencies as well. For construction at posts where there is a critical counterintelligence (CI) threat, agents will also serve as CI investigators dedicated to preventing compromise of the most sensitive spaces within the new embassy. On November 23, 2009, DSS Special Agents from the U.S. Embassy's Regional Security Office (RSO) worked closely with the U.S. U.S. Department of State - United States Department of State With the creation of DS and DSS, its ranks grew to well over 1,000 agents. Viste was wanted in Clark County, Washington on seven different criminal charges including the rape of a child, child molestation, and incest. Course are taught by special agents. The Secretary of State is currently offering rewards for information that prevents or favorably resolves acts of international terrorism against U.S. persons or property worldwide. DSS additionally manages a comprehensive Domestic assignments include criminal investigations related primarily to the enforcement of statutes protecting the integrity of U.S. passports and entry visa documents. Ambassador. Be at least 21 years of age at the time of application, and younger than 37 upon receipt of a conditional offer of employment, to continue in the application process*. Have a passport you want to fill? After the initial duty assignment, Special Agents are expected to serve a substantial portion of their careers living and working abroad and can expect to rotate every few years between an overseas assignment and a domestic office/Washington DC. At the same time, the protestors pulled down the Embassys cameras around the perimeter. No matter which professional, academic or personal path you have taken in life, you can turn your unique perspectives and law enforcement, technical, or engineering skills into an exciting public service career. Follow Us: These efforts range from detecting a simple listening device in the wall to countering the most sophisticated electronic eavesdropping devices and systems. PURPOSE: The information solicited on this form will be used to determine eligibility to take the DSSA Test, to register for the DSSA Test, to assess qualifications for selection as a Diplomatic Security Special Agent, and to ensure the integrity of the examination process. DSS Special Agents also investigate such cases as human and sex trafficking, document fraud, international parental kidnapping, violations of the Protect Act, assaults on federally protected persons, fugitive arrests overseas (with host nation assistance), counterterrorism and counterintelligence (CI) investigations and international organized crime cases. Once the announcement is closed, applicants are In recent years, DSS has expanded its overseas investigations program with ARSO-I's (Assistant Regional Security Officer-Investigators), also known as "Overseas Criminal Investigators."