Secret Service SA hiring process

[bayranger]

I was offered NY, NJ, CA and IL Chicago. I picked Chicago so I could live in Indiana

Newark?

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[justonslc]

............

[Hopeful Agent]

Yes. The reason why I did not choose NJ was because my wife likes to conceal carry. Its impossible to get a license there.

When are you shipping off? When does classes start?

[Spartan1371]

Yes. The reason why I did not choose NJ was because my wife likes to conceal carry. Its impossible to get a license there.

We're these areas you selected during the application or completely different?

Just curious....I'm dreading being put in any of those areas.

[SoutoXS]

We're these areas you selected during the application or completely different?

Just curious....I'm dreading being put in any of those areas.

You don't get much of a choice. You may have chosen all florida locations, and they'll offer you wherever they need people the most.

[justonslc]

.............

[bayranger]

The USSS could give a crap where you want to go, honestly. You'll get offered where they need someone. Mostly the big cities and rarely some random place like Birmingham or Tampa. They'll offer you a place you don't likely want to go and, if you really want to work for them (that's not a given), you'll take it.
They have such an issue with people getting their 1811 with USSS and immediately trying to get out to another 1811 agency that they want to know how serious you are about your willingness to move away from home comforts. You're essentially a liability if you're not willing to move around for mostly your whole career.
From what I gathered from the SAs I asked was it's tough on the family with the OT and travel, but a lot of them hang in there bc the cash is so good. They're one of the few agencies that get LEAP AND OT. You know you're raking in bank when you hit the salary max for GS scale and the year isn't over... (in the $150k range... Seems like it's $157k or something).

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[Hopeful Agent]

The USSS could give a crap where you want to go, honestly. You'll get offered where they need someone. Mostly the big cities and rarely some random place like Birmingham or Tampa. They'll offer you a place you don't likely want to go and, if you really want to work for them (that's not a given), you'll take it.
They have such an issue with people getting their 1811 with USSS and immediately trying to get out to another 1811 agency that they want to know how serious you are about your willingness to move away from home comforts. You're essentially a liability if you're not willing to move around for mostly your whole career.
From what I gathered from the SAs I asked was it's tough on the family with the OT and travel, but a lot of them hang in there bc the cash is so good. They're one of the few agencies that get LEAP AND OT. You know you're raking in bank when you hit the salary max for GS scale and the year isn't over... (in the $150k range... Seems like it's $157k or something).

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Can you please explain the 25% Leap Pay? What exactly is that? Is that on top of your base pay and does it include the overtime?

[ed_ss]

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-over...ilability-pay/

[Spartan1371]

You don't get much of a choice. You may have chosen all florida locations, and they'll offer you wherever they need people the most.

I'm tracking! Thank you!

[SoutoXS]

Does anyone know of any way to speed up the process, or check on the progress, of the Factor V being turned in from the security team? Took the SI/FactorV 4 months ago, and when I call 202-406-5271 they still haven't received it.

[Clint2069]

Shake some chicken bones, look at a magic eight ball, or sacrifice a goat probably your best bet

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[UtahAlumnus]

Shake some chicken bones, look at a magic eight ball, or sacrifice a goat probably your best bet

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I've come to the conclusion that only 2 possibilities exist with the USSS SA hiring process:

1. USSS does not have the capability and/or the desire to put together a coherent, organized, uniform, professional hiring process... OR (and if you think about it, just as likely)

2. The apparent unpredictability and disorder are actually an intentional part of the hiring process to see how we might deal with unpredictability and frustration as an SA (with schedules, events, crises, etc.) where patience will certainly be required.

[Spartan1371]

I can see their mindset, just interesting that they don't A) make you sign a 3 yr agreement like the FBI and B) have you select locations you'd like to work in the first place.

That being said I didn't expect any different, I did not know they made LEAP and OT. So thank you for that knowledge!

[bayranger]

Can you please explain the 25% Leap Pay? What exactly is that? Is that on top of your base pay and does it include the overtime?

Good thing about LEAP, is that the 25% on top of your base salary is included as your base salary. So all 125% of your salary is used to calculate your high 5 avg for retirement pension (FERS), as well as your 5% TSP (401k) fed contribution match. So it makes a huge difference in the end.
The OT you get on travel assignments etc is indeed on top of that 125% but isn't included (like any OT) as part of your base salary benefit calculations.
Also, AUO is up to 25% also but, as I understand, isn't considered part of your base like LEAP is. Someone correct me on that if I'm wrong.
Just remember to get that OT, you're working additional hours on top of your already additional 1811 LEAP hours, so you're sacrificing time away from (fill in the blank outside work activities) to earn that money at work. Not to say that's not fine, but be prepared to work a lot.
FTR, I only "know" these and other things bc I asked several agents from 13s to a 15 and they were all pretty open with me while I pinned them down during my 9 month process lol (I was ultimately dismissed based on a medical issue after completing all steps, but that's another story).

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