The U.S. Secret Service is unique among federal law enforcement agencies: it is charged with two distinct missions -- investigation and protection.
The Secret Service was created in July 1865, as a bureau of the Department of the Treasury. At that time, approximately one-third of all currency in circulation was counterfeit and posed a threat to the nation's economy. President Abraham Lincoln recognized the seriousness of the problem and created the Secret Service to investigate and suppress the crime. The growth and complexity of the nation's monetary system has greatly expanded the Secret Service's investigative responsibilities.
Today, the agency investigates any offense against the nation's currency, obligations, or securities. This includes: the counterfeiting of currency; stolen or forged U.S. Government checks, bonds, and other Government obligations; fraud and related activity in connection with identification documents and food stamps; major fraud cases involving credit and debit cards, telecommunications, and fraud associated with the electronic fund transfer system of the U.S. Treasury; and investigations relating to financial institution fraud. Many of the financial crimes the Secret Service investigates today reflect the complex and highly technical nature of this nation's economy, such as telecommunications and telemarketing fraud.
After the assassination of President William McKinley in 1901, Congress directed the Secret Service to protect the President of the United States. This duty continues to be the primary responsibility of the Secret Service.
The number of people authorized Secret Service protection has also increased dramatically from the original mandate. The Secret Service provides protection for: the President, Vice President, and the immediate families of these officials; the President elect, Vice President-elect, and members of their immediate families; visiting heads of foreign states or governments and their spouses; former Presidents, their spouses and minor children; major Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates; and others at the direction of the President.
The Secret Service Uniformed Division was created by Congress in 1922 and was originally called the White House Police. Its purpose was to provide protection for the Executive Mansion and grounds. Today, the Uniformed Division of the Secret Service provides protective support for the President, Vice President, and their immediate families. In addition, they are responsible for providing security for the White House Complex, any building in which Presidential offices are located, the Main Treasury building and Annex, the temporary official residence of the Vice President in Washington, D.C., and approximately 450 foreign diplomatic missions in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.
The U.S. Secret Service offers a diverse Cooperative Education Program that provides an opportunity for students to engage in a work-study program consistent with their field of study. The goal of the program is to bring together classroom training with a participatory work environment to produce capable and productive employees.
Students may choose from numerous occupations related to their field of study such as:
- Accountant
- Budget Analyst
- Computer Specialist
- Criminal Research Specialist
- Electronic Engineer
- Intelligence Research Specialist
- Management Analyst
- Personnel Management Specialist
- Telecommunications Specialist
- Visual Information Specialist
Only students who attend institutions with established cooperative education programs and are recommended for employment by an appropriate faculty member are eligible for the work-study program. Students must meet the following eligibility requirements:
1. The student must be enrolled full-time in an accredited educational program.
2. The student must be enrolled in the school's cooperative education program.
3. The student must maintain a 3.0 average.
4. The student must be a U.S. citizen.
5. The student must be enrolled in a field of study related to the position for which they are applying.
6. All applicants tentatively selected for a position must submit to urinalysis screening for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Actual appointment to the position will be contingent upon the receipt of a negative drug test result.
7. All Secret Service positions require top secret security clearances. Students may be appointed based on the results of a preliminary background investigation; however, continued employment is contingent upon completion of the full field background investigation. Some positions require a polygraph examination.
8. The final goal is to bring the students into full time positions upon graduation. A signed working agreement between the educational institution and the Secret Service is required before the student is eligible for employment. The agreement documents the student's work schedule, program criteria, and requirements for future non-competitive conversion to full-time federal employment.
Cooperative education students are paid according to the General Schedule salary chart for federal employees. Upon initial appointment, cooperative education students are eligible for:
| GRADE | UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION |
| GS-3 | Completion of 1 academic year of post high school study |
| GS-4 | Completion of 2 academic years of post high school study, or Associate's Degree |
| GS-5 | Completion of 4 full years of post high school study leading to a Bachelor's Degree An equivalent combination of work experience and education may also be qualifying. |
Students work part-time (no less than 16 hours per week and no more than 32 hours per week). However, during the holidays and school breaks, the student is eligible to work full-time. Generally, students are involved in the program for a two-year period.
Retirement Life and Health Insurance Annual and Sick Leave Holiday Pay Awards Promotions
The Cooperative Education Program provides an excellent avenue for the Secret Service to identify and train highly motivated individuals. The student is given a chance to apply classroom learning in the workplace. The student gains job training, monetary responsibility, federal employee benefits, the potential for full-time employment after graduation, and an understanding and appreciation for the work environment at the federal level.
U.S. SECRET SERVICE
Personnel Division
1800 G Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20223
(202) 435-5800