Overview
The federal government offers a wide range of careers in security and protection that help maintain public safety. Professionals in these careers work across many areas of government, helping agencies maintain safe operations, conduct investigations, enforce laws and regulations, and respond to emerging threats and public safety challenges.
Individuals in these roles come from educational and professional backgrounds such as criminal justice, law enforcement, emergency management, homeland security and public administration. Federal employees working in this field often possess strong analytical, communication, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
What You Might Work On
In the federal government, professionals in this field often:
- Provide direct protection of federal personnel, facilities and information
- Conduct security assessments, inspections and reviews
- Coordinate protective measures and emergency responses across federal, state and international agencies
- Use technology and intelligence to detect and mitigate threats across geographic and functional focus areas
Is This a Good Fit?
While roles and responsibilities vary, you might enjoy this field if you:
- Want to use your analytical skills to solve problems
- Provide care to vulnerable populations
- Enjoy thinking on your feet
- Like being more physically active in a professional role
Job series codes
What are job series codes?
In the federal government, most jobs are grouped into “job series” based on the type of work. Each series has a four-digit code (for example, Criminal Investigator, 1811).
How to use them:
You can use job series codes to narrow your search on USAJOBS. Start with a keyword (like “program analyst”), then add a series code for more targeted results. Here are a few examples to get you started — there are hundreds of job series codes across the federal government!
| Code | Series / category name | Common keywords | What you’ll do |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1801 | General Inspection, Investigation, and Enforcement | Law Enforcement Officer, Law Enforcement Specialist, Investigative Analyst, Safety Examiner, Inspection Program Manager | Perform inspection, investigation, enforcement and compliance work not covered by another series |
| 1802 | Compliance Investigation and Support | Transportation Security Officer, Compliance Technician, Investigative Assistant, Inspection Technician | Conduct inspection and technical work to support compliance and enforcement activities |
| 1811 | Criminal Investigator | Criminal Investigator, Special Agent | Investigate federal crimes and develop evidence for prosecution |
| 1895 | Customs and Border Protection | Customs and Border Protection Officer | Screen people and goods at U.S. borders to enforce immigration and trade laws |
| 1896 | Border Patrol Enforcement | Border Patrol Agent, Resident Agent, Intelligence, Special Operations | Detect and apprehend individuals and contraband crossing U.S. borders |
Where You Could Work
The federal government is big — so where do you start?
One approach is to focus on a type of role. Another is to focus on a mission area, or the kind of impact you want to have (i.e., in public health, education, transportation or elsewhere).
Keep in mind: mission areas often span multiple agencies, so you may find relevant roles in places you wouldn’t expect!
Professionals in this field work across many federal agencies depending on mission area, including:
- Threat prevention: Department of Homeland Security
- Physical security: U.S. Secret Service
- National security investigations: Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency
Sample positions
Investigations Coordinator (1811)
Employer / agency | Pentagon Force Protection Agency |
|---|---|
| Location(s) | Arlington, Virginia |
| Mission context | This role leads investigative operations to protect Pentagon personnel, facilities and assets. |
In this role, you may:
- Serve as an integral member of investigative teams providing support during the conduct of criminal administrative, inspections and assessment. Duties include investigative and crime prevention matters involving the full range of criminal allegations including larceny of government services and equipment, contract fraud, rape, robbery, fraud and contract employee misconduct
- Identify elements of proof, develop investigate plans and strategies, identify and collects evidence, and conduct witness and subject interviews
Law Enforcement Specialist (1801)
| Employer / agency | Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers |
|---|---|
| Location(s) | Multiple Locations |
| Mission context | Law enforcement specialists deliver training and instruction to upskill law enforcement professionals at all levels of government. |
In this role, you may:
- Serve as an instructor in the assigned PT program/course areas of law enforcement such as arrest procedures, defensive tactics, ground fighting tactics, intermediate weapons (baton, oleoresin capsicum, etc.), crowd control techniques, close quarters combat, basic first aid, trauma management, CPR, AED, officer survival afloat and physical conditioning
- Monitor the progress of students, documenting their results, and/or recommending remedial and corrective action
Top 10 agencies for this Field
Top 10 Most Common Jobs in this Field
Positions Currently Open on USAJOBS
Browse current federal job openings on USAJOBS and explore opportunities across agencies and career fields. Use the filters to find positions that match your skills, review requirements, and understand how to apply.
183 Results
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Permanent
Airport Compliance Specialist
Federal Aviation Administration
- Closes Jul 15, 2026
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Permanent
Correctional Officer (Correctional Counselor)
Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System
- Closes Jul 15, 2026
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Permanent
Supervisory Correctional Officer (Lieutenant)
Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System
- Closes Jul 15, 2026
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Permanent
Chief, Personnel Security, S2
United States Space Force Components
- Closes Jul 15, 2026
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Permanent
SECURITY GUARD
Commander, Navy Installations Command
- Closes Jul 15, 2026
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Permanent
SECURITY GUARD
Commander, Navy Installations Command
- Closes Jul 15, 2026
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Permanent
Supervisory Criminal Investigator (Special Agent In Charge) – WRO
Small Business Administration
- Closes Jul 15, 2026
-
Permanent
CBP Officer (SRT Operator)
Customs and Border Protection
- Closes Jul 15, 2026
-
Permanent
CBP Officer (SRT Operator)
Customs and Border Protection
- Closes Jul 15, 2026
-
Permanent
Immigration Officer
Citizenship and Immigration Services
- Closes Jul 16, 2026
