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. Thats the cap for anyone entering the Foreign Service., All those seeking a career as a DSS special agent must first serve 2 years in a US field office before bidding on an overseas diplomatic post. Personal Assessment Interview with Board of Examiners & DSS SA (Official Guide), 7. The Ambassador to the United Nations also has an ongoing protection detail. (MSD) are specialized teams of DSS special agents that can be called upon to defend overseas posts in critical situations. The DSS currently employs 2,500 special agents, diplomatic couriers, security technical specialists, and security engineering officers across the globe. The actions of the six DS agents throughout the attack prevented serious bodily harm and death to U.S. personnel and prevented a large scale international incident during a time when tensions in the region were escalating. The Bureau of Diplomatic Security is headed by the Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security, who in turn is served by several Deputy Assistant Secretaries (DAS). Around this time, the Chief Special Agent's office became known as SY (short for Office of Security), which in turn was under the Administration Bureau of the Management Undersecretary. 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. The subject was arrested without incident and turned over to the U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia for prosecution. 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. Marshals Service and DSS in Argentina led to his capture. [65] The division's prevailing goal is to "combat crime where it originates rather than waiting for it to cross U.S. 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. The work of the five ILEAs sponsored, funded, and administered by INL is an important part of the interagency U.S. effort to combat international crime. D057923. 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. This Reddit is dedicated to individuals seeking employment with the U.S. Foreign Service and are currently preparing, or wish to prepare for, the Foreign Service Officer written and oral . Thanks in advance for any help. Create a profile in the applicant portal to apply, view jobs, and . Click the links below for more information: An official website of the United States Government, Security Engineering Officer Careers (PDF), Security Technical Specialist Careers (PDF), Internships with the Bureau of Diplomatic Security (PDF), Office of the Special Envoy for Critical and Emerging Technology, Office of the U.S. Marshals for nearly eight years, was arrested. Twitter 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. On November 23, 2009, DSS Special Agents from the U.S. Embassy's Regional Security Office (RSO) worked closely with the U.S. actively seeking veterans to fill overseas positions, US report shows China taking steps toward space dominance, Biden to allow Afghans to stay longer in US, sources say, Michigan expands absentee voting for military members, Some companies charge hefty fees to help vets with disability claims, USS George Washington returning to Japan next year, Your next tech and incoming AI | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 4.28.2023, Home Improvement Loans What are my options? DSS is the lead law enforcement agency at every U.S. Embassy or Consulate throughout the world. [53], On February 3, 2011, Paul Eischeid, a fugitive and member of the Hells Angels who had eluded U.S. After completion of all initial training, agents are required to pass quarterly re-qualifications on their duty weapons, which include the Glock 19M, Colt Sub Machine Gun, the Mk18 rifle, and Remington 870 shotgun. Diplomatic Security Service - Wikipedia To be eligible, the U.S. Department of State requires that each candidate be: At the time of application, you must possess at least a bachelors degree from an accredited college or university and at least one year of work experience and/or academic achievements that reflect progressively increasing levels of responsibility. You get to travel the world on the governments dime, said Angela French, deputy director of public affairs for the Diplomatic Security Service. [1] As the operational division of State Department's Bureau of Diplomatic Security, its primary mission is to protect diplomatic assets, personnel, and information and to combat visa and passport fraud. MSD is highly capable & self sufficient in hostile environments. Please note: New candidates must create a web account before they can submit an application. ARSOs generally focus on managing the guard force, bodyguards, and Marine Security Detachment. "[5][6][7] An off-the-books adjunct to the Division of Information, the Bureau was also known as the Office of the Chief Special Agent, possibly to disguise its sensitive operations.[8][9]. ATF) has no bearing on your eligibility to apply to . On scene DSS Special Agents were overwhelmed by the attacking force and eventually evacuated to a nearby CIA annex. In addition, the office relies on a cadre of security engineers to deter, detect, and neutralize attempts by foreign intelligence services to technically penetrate U.S. office buildings and residences. 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). DSS is Perks include worldwide travel for you and your family, comfortable housing, as well as top-rated international schooling for children, student loan repayment, and employment opportunities in embassies and consulates for spouses and qualified dependents. Able to obtain/maintain a Top Secret Security Clearance and TS/SCI access. Able to obtain an appropriate Foreign Service Medical Clearance. 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. As part of its duty to provide a safe and secure environment for U.S. diplomacy, DSS also protects foreign dignitaries, advises U.S. ambassadors on security matters, and manages security programs for international events, often in cooperation with domestic and foreign counterparts. Bureau of Diplomatic Security - United States Department of State However, agents may be called overseas much earlier depending on the needs of DSS. This is my first time doing any federal hiring process so any advice is appreciated. [58] Additionally, it is noted that RSOs no longer cover multiple countries and are thus not regional. This is because the host country will not investigate or prosecute diplomats, who are considered to have immunity from their laws. Click here to find a test center near you. 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. Final selection for SA position is made only from among candidates possessing the best qualifications. 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. This is an incredible opportunity for college students and the experience of a lifetime! The DSS hierarchy has no input on the agent's evaluation, though it does provide instructions to the agent. The DSSAT is offered for free. [21][22][23][24][25] Military Criminal Investigative Organizations. You must be in excellent physical condition when applying to be a Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) special agent. These and other weapons systems may be employed by DSS Special Agents assigned to high-threat locations. These positions are referred to as I positions as in Investigator and they are commonly referred to as ARSO-Is. Agents Candidates must successfully pass an intensive multi-stage evaluation process that includes a series of written exams, knowledge-based exams, writing samples, panel interviews, and situational judgment exercises; a physical fitness test (PFT); a comprehensive medical examination granting worldwide availability; and an exhaustive background investigation for security clearance at the level of Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI). over 3000 members of one of Iraqs heavily armed militia groups upset about recent US military actions. This process continued in the late 1940s, with a number of RSO positions being created. DSS investigates crimes against State Department personnel and other U.S. Government personnel and families assigned under Chief of Mission authority at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad. It has never been a better time to apply for an 1811 Special Agent (SA) vacancy. Army Special Ops Command welcomes first female command sergeant major. YouTube. The ranking DSS special agent at an embassy or consulate holds the title Regional Security Officer (RSO) and is often known as the "security attach". [27], On June 4, 2009, DSS and the FBI arrested former Department of State employee Walter Kendall Myers on charges of serving as an illegal agent of the Cuban government for nearly 30 years and conspiring to provide classified U.S. information to the Cuban government. Ambassador Christopher Stevens. 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. Positions may have unique application procedures. I may be wrong, but I feel my background is fairly common so any advice to give me an edge would be appreciated. They also have field offices in 33 U.S. cities. Despite multiple awards, appeals from multiple U.S. 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. 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. DSS worked with Philippine officials to apprehend Tomas, who was wanted in South Korea on charges that he defrauded an individual there of more than $200,000. 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. The division conducts numerous counterintelligence and security awareness training programs for all U.S. Government personnel requesting or having access to sensitive Department of State facilities and information. Senators and not backing down, Secretary Rusk removed Otepka from his position and ultimately unceremoniously fired him.[11]. 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. to learn more. The actions of the six DS agents throughout the attack prevented serious bodily harm and death to U.S. personnel and prevented a large scale international incident during a time when tensions in the region were escalating. Diplomatic Security Special Agent - Careers 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. DSS is located in 30 U.S. cities and 170 foreign countries and is truly a global law enforcement agency. Ive wanted to do this for a long time so I want to be as prepared as possible. ? Potential applicants must apply to an open posted Read More. The bureau currently has numerous open specialist slots, and qualified applicants are in demand. 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. However, older eligible veterans can still apply as long as they are able to pass the physical test and maintained the applicable security clearances. 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. Positions currently available span educational backgrounds ranging from high school equivalency to specific degrees in engineering and physics. [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. When assigned to domestic field offices, DSS special agents investigate passport fraud and visa fraud, and protect visiting foreign dignitaries. generally evaluated as follows: 2. Must be willing to use and carry firearms throughout your career. Starting sometime after World War II, SY began regularly protecting visiting heads of state, but it had done so sporadically since the 1930s. 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. When assigned to U.S. embassies and consulates abroad, DSS special agents perform law enforcement duties at U.S. missions, provide security assistance, protect senior diplomats and perform other roles as needed. The secondary law enforcement mission is severely limited in scope to, . [65] Embedded in 120 diplomatic posts across 85 countries, there are roughly 130 ARSO-Is who conduct criminal investigations and work with foreign governments to build a global law enforcement network; they maintain formal partnerships and training programs with foreign police, immigration, and customs officials to target a wide range of criminals, including forgers, smugglers, and terrorists. My application has made it through the initial stage and is on the way to the QEP. 3941(b)). Please visit our website at Counterespionage investigations are conducted in coordination with the FBI in accordance with their legal mandates. Domestically, DSS also has significant responsibility in providing security for visiting heads of states at diplomatic events (ie UN General Assembly). You can apply to some or all of them; disqualification or lack of a response from one (i.e. DSS agent hiring thread. endstream endobj 230 0 obj <. Becoming a Special Agent | Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Responsible for the Protection of Overseas. The Office of Protective Intelligence and Investigations (PII) in the Threat Intelligence and Analysis division has DSS Special Agents who travel all over the world investigating threats to the Secretary of State and U.S. Embassies and Consulates. Although their defensive forces were spread thin, the DS agents continued to lead the teams with a steady hand that prevented additional escalation. The U.S. Department of State is the United States premier diplomatic institution, with opportunities for law enforcement professionals to serve our country overseas and domestically. Less than 2% of applicants successfully completes and passes the hiring process. The Foreign Service Specialist selection and hiring process includes an oral interview, a written test, and security clearance. Special Agent Application and Eligibility | FBIJOBS The resultant Inman Report recommended that security at the State Department needed to be elevated to a higher priority. The core hours are 0600-1400, 1400-2200, 2200-0600. DSS agents are uniquely required to serve multiple-year tours abroad as a condition of employment. Gorham was arrested for being drunk in public and for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old female at a Chantilly High School football game. If, however, a candidate either does not take the test or does not cancel an appointment at least 48 hours in advance, the card will be charged an additional $40 for a total no-show fee assessment of $45. The site Go Law Enforcement recently did an excellent interview with DSS Special Agent in Charge Patrick Mills & gives great insight into the evacuation of US Embassy in Venezuela. Visa fraud can also include participating in sham marriages in order to allow an unentitled foreigner to become a U.S. From that time and through the early 1970s, the number of agents remained relatively small, hovering around 300, with more than half of these serving overseas at any given time. New DSS SA Application Process : r/foreignservice - Reddit USAJOBS - Job Announcement Domestically, DSS also has significant responsibility in providing security for visiting heads of states at diplomatic events (. Should I get invited to the Oral Assessment, what should I expect and does anyone have any tips or advice etc. To learn more about the Department of State and a career in the Foreign Service, please visit us at careers.state.gov. DS Special Agents protect the U.S . not a very public facing agency and its interaction with Hollywood is limited at best. Special Agent Selection System. For events with a large U.S. presence, such as the Olympics, an Olympic Security Coordinator always a DSS agent will be named to manage all of the security and liaison with the host government. Within a couple of years, you could be living and working in London, Rio de Janeiro, Pretoria, Istanbul, Prague.. The operation is 24/7 and the incumbent is expected to work nights/weekends/holidays and overtime (OT), as needed. Secretary of State . [36][37], The Diplomatic Security Service is tasked with tracking and capturing fugitives who have fled U.S. jurisdiction to avoid prosecution. The Director of the DSS is also the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, reporting to an Assistant Secretary of State. This DSS Special Agent position is a 2501 Foreign Service position Domestic assignments include criminal investigations related primarily to the enforcement of statutes protecting the integrity of U.S. passports and entry visa documents. Nevertheless, the DSS has expanded its protection mission, including providing security to the heads of Afghanistan, Haiti and Liberia in their respective home countries.[19][20]. At the same time, the protestors pulled down the Embassys cameras around the perimeter. Fitness Test (DSS Fitness Guide/ Some test centers offer testing Monday through Sunday with some evening hours. a very public facing agency and its interaction with Hollywood is limited at best. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for any part of the application or hiring process should advise the Department at OAA@state . The secondary law enforcement mission is severely limited in scope to SAs may be required to travel to locations of civil unrest, where conditions are potentially hostile, and where performance of duties are conducted under hazardous circumstances. Active-duty personnel can begin early by planning and studying to take the Foreign Service Exam before they separate. America's Most Wanted featured the capture of Robert Snyder in Belize DSS Special Agent (RSO) Rob Kelty was interviewed by John Walsh. 1811 Hiring in 2021. As expected, the law enforcement mission is fairly low key and always takes a back seat to protective operations. It takes anywhere from a year to eighteen months to complete the hiring process. DS Special Agents are sworn federal law enforcement officers and specially trained Foreign Service security professionals. [38], In 1995 DSS Special Agents Jeff Riner and Bill Miller, the RSOs assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Pakistan, along with Pakistani police and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), arrested Ramzi Yousef, who was wanted in connection with the 1993 World Trade Center bombing in New York City.[39].