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Get a Homeland Security Job

What You Need to Know

The Department of Homeland Security has unique career opportunities that will challenge your mind and reward your skills and talents. As a Homeland Security employee, you will help secure our borders, airports, seaports and waterways; research and develop the latest security technologies; respond to natural disasters or terrorists acts; and analyze intelligence reports.

Next Steps  

  1. Find the Job Right for You. Find DHS jobs at dhs.usajobs.gov.

    You can also use USAJOBS through an Interactive Voice Response Telephone System
    phone: 703-724-1850
    TDD:  978-461-8404.

    From general mission support to law enforcement to immigration and travel security to prevention and response, exciting professional growth opportunities exist throughout the Department.

  • Mission support careers involve the following fields: medical, human resources, facilities, budget, procurement, science and technology, training, intelligence, planning and coordination, detection, civil rights, fraud detection and more.
  • Law enforcement careers offer positions in protection of the President, Vice President, their families, heads of state and other designated individuals; securing the nation’s borders and enforcing immigration laws; interagency law enforcement training; and enforcing economic, transportation and infrastructure security.
  • Immigration and travel security careers involve protecting the nation’s transportation systems, as well as overseeing lawful immigration to the U.S.
  • Prevention and response careers protect the public, environment and U.S. economic and security interests in any maritime region, as well as provide preparedness, protection, response, recovery and mitigation to reduce loss of life and property and protect the nation from all hazards are what these careers are all about.
  1. Read the Job Announcement. The announcement will provide you with information about job qualifications, duties, salary, duty location, benefits, and security requirements. Here you will be able to determine if your interests, education, and professional background make you a good candidate for the job.

A list of common terms is available to assist you in understanding Department job announcements.

Most Homeland Security jobs require U.S. citizenship and successful completion of a full background investigation and drug screening.

  1. Apply for the Job. Follow the instructions in the “How to Apply” section of each USAJOBS announcement (upper right tab). Instructions will guide you through the application process, providing you detailed information on the questions, forms, and format that must be addressed and used to capture your qualifications for the job. Submit all required documents and pay close attention to the application due date and application procedures, which will vary by job and the Department component.

    During the application process, veterans may be asked to identify Veterans Preference status.

    To post your resume online, apply to certain federal jobs, check on the status of your application, and receive automated job alerts, you must create a USAJOBS member account.

  2. Interview for the Job. The names of best-qualified candidates will be forwarded to the supervisor or hiring official. If you are one of the best-qualified candidates, the supervisor or hiring official may interview you in person or by telephone, or in rare cases may hire you based solely on your application materials. Selection procedures are subject to Federal Civil Service laws, which ensure that all applicants receive fair and equal treatment in the hiring process.

Tips

No matter where you are in your career - at the very beginning, transitioning to the federal government mid-career, or another stage in your professional life - the Department of Homeland Security has a place for you.

  • Student and Recent Graduate Job Opportunities - Learn about internships, fellowships and training programs available across the Department.
  • Experienced Professionals - Use your technical skills and management experience to contribute to the homeland security mission. Explore meaningful career opportunities today.
  • Retirees - The Department offers retirees meaningful work opportunities, including short- and long-term projects, on a part-time or flexible schedule.
  • Veterans - The Department is committed to recruiting and employing eligible veterans for suitable jobs.

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