Department of Homeland Security

Visual Information Specialist (Graphic Designer)

Washington, District of Columbia Full time

Visual Information Specialist (Graphic Designer)

Department: Department of Homeland Security

Location(s): Washington, District of Columbia

Salary Range: $85447 - $133142 Per Year

Job Summary: Joining the Secret Service, Office of Field Operations, Forensics Services Division will allow you to transform data and information into compelling formats to be used as detailed diagrams, geospatial maps, forensic charts, engineering drawings, and web designs. For definitions of terms found in this announcement, please click here.

Major Duties:

  • The selectee will serve as a Visual Information Specialist (Graphic Designer) in the Office of Field Operations, Forensic Services Division. Typical work assignments include: Analyzing and interpreting information required to design and develop visual information resources and formulating ideas, plans, and designs that produces visual material. Producing layouts, templates, and correlates text and graphics by integrating illustrations, photos, etc. with typography. Developing information necessary to portray in an artistic, innovative, and professional manner information required for the successful completion of investigative cases and to support protective events. Contacting local area, state and federal sources to obtain information such as aerial photographs, maps, charts, floor plants, etc. to produce investigative and protective graphic arts products. Apply for this exciting opportunity to impact the Secret Service's dual investigative and protective mission by providing full graphic design support services for both internal and external law enforcement agencies. This Visual Information Specialist (Graphic Designer) position starts at a salary of $85,447.00, GS-11 step 1, with promotion potential to $158,322.00 GS-13 step 10.

Qualifications: To be considered qualified for this position you must meet the following qualification requirements for the respective grade level in which you are applying. You qualify for the GS-11 level (starting salary $85,447.00) if you possess one of the following: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level performing duties such as: Producing visual materials such as brochures, posters, infographics and digital graphics using industry-standard software. Assisting in designing layouts of print and web publications, ensuring compliance with organization branding guidelines. Assisting in selecting appropriate materials and making routine adjustments to color, lighting, size, and placement to enhance the appearance and effectiveness of visual materials. Preparing files for print production and digital distribution. OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, LL.M., or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. OR A combination of specialized experience may be used to qualify for this position if the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent). Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours 36) by 18. Add the two percentages. You qualify for the GS-12 level (starting salary $102,415.00) if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level performing duties such as: Designing visual information products, such as multimedia presentations, interactive graphics and large-scale print materials. Assisting with the preparation of geo-referenced maps using specialized mapping and catalogue software to include ArcGIS, Adobe Illustrator, and Map Publisher. Creating visualizations from a diverse range of data inputs to convey geographical information to communicate information to targeted audiences. Designing training aids and information material on various subjects for a wide variety of personnel. Time-in-Grade Requirements: Under competitive merit promotion procedures, any individual who is currently holding, or who has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under a non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet "time-in-grade" requirements (have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade of the grade for which you are applying). Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to current competitive service employees applying for a Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. NOTE: All current or former Federal employees must provide a copy of their SF-50, "Notice of Personnel Action" that indicates proof of status and time-in-grade eligibility. The SF-50 must include your position, title, series, grade, step, tenure (1 or 2), and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). You may need to submit more than one SF-50 to comply. The qualification requirements listed above must be met by the closing date of this announcement. 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. 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.

How to Apply: To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above. PLEASE NOTE: Only resumes up to a total of two pages will be accepted. Applicants with resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 03/25/2026 to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: To begin your online application, click the Apply Online button and follow the prompts to register or sign into USAJOBS, Complete the online questionnaire and submit the required documents. See Required Documents section for more detail. You must complete the application process and submit any required documents no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on 03/25/2026. To view the required online questionnaire please visit https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12915910 To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account. All of your applications will appear on the Welcome page. The application record in your USAJOBS account provides the Announcement Status and a "You applied on" date. This information does not confirm the agency application status. Use the "Track this Application" link for additional information regarding the agency application status, the documentation you submitted, and any correspondence sent related to this application. The Announcement Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. We strongly encourage you to apply online. If you cannot apply online, you may contact the APT Talent Management Division at HRSupport@usss.dhs.gov OR by calling (202) 406-6420 between the hours of 9:00 am and 5:30 pm EST (excluding Federal holidays) prior to the closing date of this announcement to receive assistance. The Secret Service provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities, on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us if you require this for any part of the application and hiring process.

Application Deadline: 2026-03-25