Summary

This vacancy is for a Executive Protection Agent in the Office of the Secretary within the Department of Commerce.

This is an open and continuous announcement. Eligible and qualified applicants who apply through the first cut-off date, November 24, 2025, will be on the initial certificate referred to the hiring manager. Eligible applications received thereafter will be referred at 30-day intervals, or as requested by management on an as-needed basis, until the closing date of the announcement.

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.

Military spouses

Military spouses of active duty service members or whose spouse is 100 percent disabled or died on active duty.

Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens

Duties

As a Executive Protection Agent, you will perform the following duties:

Develop and implement comprehensive protective service strategies to safeguard Department of Commerce (DOC) personnel, facilities, and critical infrastructure from potential threats and vulnerabilities.
Enforce DOC security policies, conduct inspections, and ensure compliance with applicable regulations, particularly those governing the protection of high-ranking officials and sensitive operations.
Monitor ongoing security operations, conduct investigations into security incidents, threats, or suspicious activities involving DOC personnel, assets, or programs, and prepare detailed analytical reports with recommended corrective actions. Provide guidance to senior officials on physical security risks, operational protective measures, and policy development.
Execute investigative and operational activities. Conducts physical surveillance and threat assessments, and utilize intelligence-driven methodologies to neutralize risks before or during events.
Coordinate interagency protective efforts by working with internal bureaus, federal law enforcement agencies, and intelligence and emergency response partners. Collaborates with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to develop actionable intelligence and facilitate joint apprehension operations when required.

This position is also advertised under OS-IO-ST-26-12829501, which is open to Merit Promotion eligible applicants for this grade level. You must apply to both announcements to be considered for both.

This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other Executive Protection Agent GS-1801-12, FPL 13 positions within the Department of Commerce in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
This position requires a TOP SECRET/SCI CLEARANCE: Any required investigations and clearances must be completed before the selectee can be placed in the position.
You must successfully pass a background investigation. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.
A probationary period may be required.
Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/).
If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application.
All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
Bargaining Unit Position: No
Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE form 450): Yes
Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expense: Will not be paid
License Required: Yes - this position requires operating a motor vehicle, and you must possess a current, active state-issued Driver's license.
Drug Test Required: Yes - this position is subject to pre-employment drug testing and random drug testing thereafter.
Pre-employment Medical/Physical Required: Yes - All applicants tentatively selected for this position must successfully pass all required physical/medical examinations prior to appointment. Selectee must be able to successfully pass, as applicable, annual and periodic physical/medical examinations, and psychological screenings to maintain a level of physical fitness in accordance with the standards and policies of this agency.

Qualifications

Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=Occupational-Series

Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations e.g., professional; philanthropic, religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies; knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

To qualify at the GS-12 level, applicants must meet mandatory training AND specialized experience.

MANDATORY COMPLETION OF BASIC TRAINING: Applicants who have satisfactorily completed a basic law enforcement training program provided by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, or an equivalent training program that provided instruction in the laws of arrest, search, and seizure as they relate to investigating offenses against the United States, must provide a copy of your certification with your application. NOTE: Selectee may be required to successfully complete division-specific basic agent training.

-AND-

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: You must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 (or equivalent pay band) level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as:

Developing protective services strategies to safeguard (i.e., executive-level, high-ranking, etc.) personnel, facilities, and infrastructure. AND
Monitoring and conducting investigations of security operations (i.e., security incidents, threats, suspicious activity). AND
Collaborating with federal law enforcement agencies and emergency preparedness partners. AND
Executing investigative and operational activities (i.e., surveillance, threat assessment, etc.) and preparing reports.

LISTED BELOW IS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION THAT IS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION:

MAXIMUM ENTRY AGE LIMIT: The maximum entry age for this position shall not exceed age 37, unless you have sufficient prior Federal civilian law enforcement experience or you are a preference eligible veteran. If you are a preference-eligible veteran, you may be eligible for this position after your 37th birthday. You must supply a copy of your Defense Department Form 214 (DD-214) along with Standard Form 15 (if applicable) and any associated documentation in accordance with the instructions in this vacancy announcement. Failure to provide this documentation with your application will result in the loss of eligibility to receive a waiver of the maximum entry age requirement. If you have an approved age waiver, please submit that with your application.

If you have current or prior Federal Law Enforcement Officer coverage, you must submit appropriate SF-50s that document the period of coverage. Failure to provide proof of Federal LEO coverage may result in removal from consideration.

NOTE: LAUTENBERG AMENDMENT - This position authorizes the incumbent to carry a firearm. Any person who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition (Title 18, USC Section 992(g)). A felony or misdemeanor crime of domestic violence is generally defined under the statute as any offense involving the use or attempted use of physical force, or the threatened use of a deadly weapon, committed by the victim's current or former domestic partner, parent, or guardian. The term convicted, as defined in the statute, excludes any person whose conviction has been expunged, set aside, or pardoned, or any person whose civil rights have been restored, so long as such restoration does not restrict the shipping, transport, possession, or receipt of firearms or ammunition. Candidates who have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor crime of domestic violence within the meaning of the referenced statutes are not eligible for this position.

FIREARMS REQUIREMENT: This position requires that the incumbent meet initial and continuing qualifications in the use of firearms as outlined in the Gun Control Act of 1968, amended by the Lautenberg Amendment of 1996. An applicant whose background includes any of the following will be ineligible for consideration: 1) convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year; 2) has any outstanding warrants or is a fugitive from justice; 3) unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance; 4) adjudicated as a mental defective or has been committed to a mental institution; 5) illegally or unlawfully in the United States; 6) renounced U. S. citizenship; 7) subject to a court-ordered restraining order from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner or child; or 8) convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

MEDICAL REQUIREMENT: The duties of this position require moderate to arduous physical exertion involving walking and standing, the use of firearms, and exposure to inclement weather. Manual dexterity with comparatively free motion of fingers, wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip, and knee joints is required. Arms, hands, legs, and feet must be sufficiently intact and functioning in order that applicants may perform the duties satisfactorily. Sufficiently good vision in each eye, with or without correction, is required to perform duties satisfactorily. Near vision, corrective lenses permitted, must be sufficient to read printed material the size of typewritten characters. Hearing loss, as measured by an audiometer, must not exceed 35 decibels at 1000, 2000, and 3000 Hz levels. Since the duties of these positions are exacting and responsible, and involve activities under trying conditions, applicants must possess emotional and mental stability. Any physical condition that would cause the applicant to be a hazard too himself/herself, or others is disqualifying.

Education

There is no positive education requirement for this position.

Additional information

The following links provide information on various hiring authorities that do not fall under competitive examining procedures; however, they may enable you to apply through merit assignment procedures, or be eligible for a non-competitive appointment.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)

Military Spouse Non-Competitive Hiring Authority

ICTAP and CTAP Eligibles: CTAP and ICTAP candidates will be eligible if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a rating of 85 out of 100. Information about ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Career Transition Resources website at: Employee Guide to Career Transition

Military Spouse The spouse of a member of the armed forces seeking eligibility under the non-competitive hiring authority of certain military spouse MUST submit various required documentation by the closing date of the announcement in accordance with one of the three below eligibilities:

1.) Spouse of a member of the armed forces serving on active duty,
2.) Spouse of service member who incurred a 100% disability, or
3.) Un-remarried widow or widower of a service member killed while performing active duty.

Please review the "Required Documents" Section for specific documents pertaining to each of the above eligibilities that MUST be included with your application, if you are applying as a Military Spouse.

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Reasonable Accommodations (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.

Telework: Executive Protection Agents in the Office of the Secretary, Immediate Office, Executive Protection Unit are not eligible for telework.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., two-page resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, the result of the USA Hire assessment, and the Structured Resume Review required for this position.

Structured Resume Review: Subject matter experts (SMEs) will review your resume to determine your technical qualifications for this position based on the required specialized experience. SMEs will not review additional information beyond your resume (e.g., cover letter, links embedded in your resume). Applicants passing the structured resume review will move forward in the recruitment process.

If you meet the minimum qualifications stated in the vacancy announcement, you will be placed in one of the three pre-defined categories. The categories are "gold", "silver", and "bronze". Candidates placed in the "gold" category will be identified for referral to the hiring manager.

How you will be evaluated for preference eligibility: Within each category, those entitled to veterans' preference will be listed at the top of the pre-defined category for which they are placed. Preference eligible with a service-connected disability of 10% or more will be listed at the top of the highest quality category (gold) depending on the position and grade level of the job. For more information on Category Rating, please go to Category Rating.

For Certain Military Spouses: All applicants who meet the qualification requirements and military spouse noncompetitive eligibility requirements (see "Additional Information" section above) will be forwarded to the Selecting Official for consideration on a separate referral list. While veterans' preference is not a consideration when filling positions under the military spouse non-competitive hiring authority, preference eligibles are encouraged to submit their supporting documentation (DD-214, stating disposition of discharge or character of service, VA letter, SF-15, etc.).

All:

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.

The assessments will evaluate you on the following general/technical competencies required to perform the job; please do not provide a separate written response:

Attention to Detail, Customer Service, Flexibility, Integrity/Honesty, Interpersonal Skills, Learning, Reading, Reasoning, Self-Management, Stress Tolerance, and Teamwork.

To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment.

Do NOT include the following types of information in your resume/application. If any are included, you will be deemed INELIGIBLE for consideration.

Classified or government-sensitive information
Social Security Number (SSN)
Photos of yourself
Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.

We recommend that you preview the online questions for this announcement before you start the application process. To preview the questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12829500

Required Documents

A complete application consists of the following:

Resume which shows relevant experience; cover letter optional. Your resume should list your educational and work experience, including the dates (mm/dd/yy) of each employment, along with the number of hours worked per week, if less than 40. Your resume may be used to validate your responses to the qualifications/assessments. Your resume should also indicate your citizenship and whether you are registered with the Selective Service System if you are a male born after 12/31/59. Refer to the "How you will be Evaluated' section for types of information not to include in your resume/application.
Veterans' Preference documentation. Please provide the appropriate supporting documentation (DD-214 stating disposition of discharge or character of service, VA letter, SF-15, etc.) to validate your claim. For more information regarding eligibility requirements, please go to: https://www.opm.gov/fedshirevets/veteran-job-seekers/vets/
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) documentation, if applicable. CTAP or ICTAP applicant(s), MUST submit the following documents:
- A copy of your specific RIF notice; notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate; or a Certificate of Expected Separation (CES); or certification that you are in a surplus organization or occupation (this could be a position abolishment letter, a notice eligibility for discontinued service retirement, or similar notice); or notice of disability annuity termination; or certification from your former agency that it cannot place you after your recovery from a compensable injury; or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement; or a copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action" documenting your RIF separation, noting your positions, grade level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to place you through RPL, etc;
- Any documentation from your agency that shows your latest performance appraisal rating; AND
- Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.
Certain Military Spouses:
- Spouse of a member of the armed forces serving on active duty: A copy of the service member's active-duty orders specifying they are currently on active duty, AND documentation verifying marriage to the member of the armed forces.
- Spouse of service member who incurred a 100% disability:A copy of the service member's DD-214 showing the service member retired or was released or discharged from active duty, a copy of a VA letter indicating the service member has a disability rating of 100 percent or more due to a service-connected disability, AND documentation verifying marriage to the member of the armed forces.
- Un-remarried widow or widower of a service member killed while performing active duty: A copy of the service member's DD-214 showing the service member was released or discharged from active duty due to their death while on active duty; documentation verifying the service member was killed performing active duty (DD 1300); documentation verifying marriage to the service member at the time the service member is killed while on active duty; AND a statement certifying you are the un-married widow or widower of the service member.
Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:
- Position title;
- Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee);
- Agency; and
- Beginning and ending dates of appointment.

You are not required to submit official documents at this time; copies are sufficient. Failure to provide such documents when requested may result in lost consideration.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include the initial online assessment and submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section above. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.

The application process is as follows:

To begin the application process, click the Apply Online button.

Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.

Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.
- Note: To update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account (https://usajobs.gov). There you will find a record of your application, the application status, and an option to Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.

If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice.

Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials.

Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.

Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link.

Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused.

Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources at https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us.

To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.

To view the announcement status or your application status: Visit https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/howto/application/status/. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.

Agency contact information

Shawn Blain

sblain1@doc.gov

Address

Office of the Secretary
1401 Constitution Ave NW
Washington, DC 20230
US

Next steps

Based on your application and your responses to the application questionnaire, you may be presented with instructions on how to access the USA Hire system to complete the online assessments.

You will be notified of your application status through USAJOBS at four points during the hiring process, as applicable. You can check the status of your application by accessing the USAJOBS website at http://www.usajobs.gov and clicking on "Track Your Online Application." The four points of notification are:

Application Received or Application Incomplete

Minimum Qualification Requirement Met or Minimum Qualification Not Met;

Eligible (Application Referred to the Selecting Official) or Ineligible (Application Not Referred to the Selecting Official); and

Selected or Not Selected.

By submitting your application, you are certifying the accuracy of the information contained in your application. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be terminated after you begin work; or, you may be fined or jailed. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.

You will be required to submit official documentation prior to appointment. The agency will then verify the information provided on your application (i.e., degree, veterans' preference, disability, etc.).

Overview

Accepting applications

Open & closing dates

11/14/2025 to 11/13/2026

Salary

$101,401 to - $131,826 per year

Pay scale & grade

GS 12

Location

MANY vacancies in the following location:

Washington, DC

Remote job

Telework eligible

Travel Required

50% or less - You are required to travel for this position.

Relocation expenses reimbursed

Appointment type

Permanent

Work schedule

Full-time

Service

Competitive

Promotion potential

Job family (Series)

1801 General Inspection, Investigation, Enforcement, And Compliance Series

Supervisory status

Security clearance

Top Secret

Drug test

Yes

Position sensitivity and risk

Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk

Trust determination process

Credentialing
Suitability/Fitness
National security

Financial disclosure

Yes

Bargaining unit status

Announcement number

OS-IO-DE-26-12829500

Control number

850136800

US Office of the Secretary

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