The strenuous training regimen that Secret Service personnel must endure ensures that they are properly equipped to protect the President and his associates during any kind of emergency, regardless of the threat or endangerment. The maintenance of proper training not only allows the Secret Service to retain its tradition of integrity and prestige, but it also prepares members for the possibilities they may be required to encounter once on the job.

After being accepted into one of the many Secret Service jobs, one is likely to find themselves in within the confines of the James J. Rowley Training Center, or JJRTC. It is a massive facility, consisting of nearly 500 acres of land, 31 unique buildings and facilities, and nearly six miles of road. Within its confines, a new member of the Secret Service will be trained regardless of the nature of their position.

The JJRTC is where new members of the Secret Service “learn the ropes” of their new career. Whether one’s new job entails protective, specialized tactical, executive, managerial or investigative obligations, the Rowley Center instructs one in the functioning and responsibilities of their Secret Service job.

Although the JJRTC is located in Washington, D.C., its technological implements allow it to instruct its constituents in international affairs and tactics. While at the facility, one will learn of both domestic and international affairs, as both are requirements of Secret Service personnel, often entailing a fair amount of traveling abroad and throughout the United States. Secret Service jobs often take one overseas, and therefore one must be made ready to encounter other countries and ministries.

As a member of the Secret Service, one must endure a strict and strenuous regimen of specified training at the James J. Rowley Training Center in D.C., one of the most technologically adept and professional training facilities in the country. Because of the uniqueness and specificity of the training programs at the JJRTC, many law enforcement agencies other than the Secret Service even train their members within the facility.

A Secret Service applicant must be a citizen of the United States with no exceptions. The applicant also must be between the ages of 21 and 37, although there is generally no restriction of age for those applying to non-law enforcement positions within the Service. These are the only strict requirements, but many other factors influence whether or not one will be accepted into the job they desire.

A bachelor’s degree from a credible college or university is preferred of applicants. Foreign language skills are extremely sought after, and applicants who can speak a foreign language well can receive a higher salary than others. Experience within the field of law enforcement can replace a bachelor’s degree in terms of preference.

Because Secret Service jobs often entail quick thinking and physical stress, applicants must be proportionate between height and weight, as this ensures optimum physical ability in times of danger. One also must possess the ability to overcome one’s natural survival instincts in case of an emergency by protecting the target with one’s own body.

Because of the intense requirements of Secret Service jobs, only about five percent of all applicants actually receive a job within the department. As a law enforcement agent, one must retain their career for 20 years in order to receive the Secret Service pension plan at the maximum age of 57. A career within the Secret Service, although grueling, is rewarding and prestigious, and is an accomplishment anyone can be proud of.

Secret Service salary generally correlates positively with the amount of risk that is entailed by an individual job. Law enforcement and protective agents, for example, are paid very well (starting salary in 2010 range is $44K – $75K) because of the risks they must cope with while carrying out their duties. Specialized careers that require many years of training and school also pay well, as adequately qualified people often are scarce for these kinds of Secret Service jobs.

There are also certain qualifications that can increase an agent’s pay. For example, several years ago the Secret Service offered a 25% raise to applicants who were fluent in a foreign language, as this is highly sought after among international agents. Because few American people are fluent in another language other than English, this qualification pays off quite well within the Secret Service.

A retirement pension plan is also guaranteed within the Secret Service. A law enforcement agent must serve at least 20 years to incur a pension plan, and must retire at the maximum age of 57. This is why the maximum age of applicants to many Secret Service jobs is set at 37. Because of the high salary paid by the federal government for the Secret Service’s protection and service, it is a great field to work within.

A Secret Service salary may sound great, especially with the pension plan after only 20 years in service. However, only about five percent of applicants are actually accepted into the program, and even fewer make it through training. Secret Service jobs are demanding and should only be sought after by the most qualified and willing persons.

The secret service jobs available for Students in a program named Secret Service Temporary Education Employment Program (STEP). Another program available for students is the Student Career Experience Program (SCEP). The Student Volunteer Service Program (Internship) is another student job that is available.

Veterans also have the ability to apply for jobs with the Secret Service. The Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) is the program set up to help veterans.

Individuals looking for administrative and clerical jobs have several to choose from. Administrative jobs include Administrative Officer, Support Coordinator, Administrative Manager, Agency Administrator, Administrative Specialist, Support Coordinator, and Support Specialist. Clerical jobs include Accounting Technician, Administrative Support Assistant, Human Resources Assistant, Intelligence Research Assistant, Investigative Support Assistant, Office Automation Clerk, and Time and Leave Clerk.

There are secret service jobs available in the administrative, professional, and technical fields. These jobs include Specialist in Criminal Research, Financial Management, Fingerprint, Intelligence Research, Personnel Security, Public Affairs, Contract, Operations Research, Information Technology, Protective Support, Telecommunications, Physical Security and Human Resources fields.

The Secret Service also has jobs for special and uniformed officers. Jobs within this field feature the Canine Unit, Emergency Response Team, Countersniper, Motorcade Support Unit, Crime Scene Search Unit, Positions in Office of Human Resources and Training and the Special Operations Section.

One of the most advertised jobs is Secret Agent. This job does have overseas assignments, liaison opportunities in foreign countries and various duty stations throughout the world. The new agents will be assigned to a field office in the US but after 8 to 10 years foreign country assignments will be possible.

Being in the secret service and being able to qualify for the secret service jobs that are available whether it is a clerical assignment or a secret agent is a fulfilling, exciting job opportunity. Check into it today and get started on the career path that is right for you.

Because the Secret Service conducts such encompassing affairs, there are many areas of expertise that must be addressed with varying jobs. Secret Service jobs thus consist of everything from telecommunication work to actual law enforcement and executive protection. The primary duties of Service personnel thus equally vary, as they depend upon which occupation is taken.

The primary duty of one of the most important branches of the Secret Service is to protect the President of the United States of America. The Service agents who attend to this need also protect foreign embassy members and their spouses, as well as ex-president’s children until the age of 16. Protective Secret Service agents have very important primary duties.

Other duties of Secret Service jobs depend largely on the occupation. Those with excellent foreign language skills, for example, might be asked to translate for a large portion of their career. Communications members must manage the communications between domestic and international agents. These are just several examples of the many primary duties of Secret Service members.

Secret Service jobs are incredibly demanding and challenging, and thus require rigorous primary duties of its members, agents and other employees. The Secret Service has very important obligations, not the least of which is protecting the life of the President of the United States and his immediate family. Other obligations of the Service include fraud and murder investigations and international affairs. Primary duties thus vary wildly, as each employee of the Secret Service has an individual occupation to fulfill. Bottom line – you can always expect an exciting day at work.