The Supreme Court of the United States is accepting applications for a Police Officer position with the Residential Security Unit. This is a term job for eligible federal law enforcement retirees and certain current federal law enforcement officers who are eligible for retirement.
The application window is open from October 1, 2026, through October 31, 2026. The job is based in Washington, DC, with potential reporting locations in Montgomery County, Maryland, Prince George’s County, Maryland, Arlington, Virginia, and Fairfax County, Virginia.
Supreme Court Police Jobs 2026 Overview
The position is full-time and falls under the 0083 Police job series. The pay range is $86,530 to $147,928 per year. The position is in the Excepted Service, has no promotion potential, and is not represented by a union.
This is a one-year term appointment. The appointment has a possible extension of up to four years, with mandatory separation at age 60. Occasional travel is required, including possible domestic and international travel. The job does not offer telework or remote work, and relocation expenses are not reimbursed.
For applicants interested in the Supreme Court Police Officer role, the announcement number is SCUSPD-202610-RS and the control number is 886705100. The position is open to the public, including U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and people who owe allegiance to the United States.
What the Police Officer Will Do
The Supreme Court Police enforce federal and District of Columbia laws and regulations. Officers also enforce rules for the Supreme Court Building and grounds. The main purpose of the department is to protect the Supreme Court, the Justices, employees, guests, visitors, property, and other people under its protection.
Regular duties include security for the Supreme Court Building and grounds, dignitary protection for Supreme Court Justices, courtroom security, and residential security. Officers also help maintain order during demonstrations and large events.
Reports include incident reports, found property reports, accident reports, and arrest reports. Court testimony is also part of the work.
The Residential Security Unit provides security services at assigned residential locations. Work includes protective operations, protective intelligence, physical security, counter-surveillance, general law enforcement duties, risk identification, perimeter and roadway patrols, and response to incidents requiring police action.
Officers also work with internal and external groups to provide continuous residential security.
Requirements for the Position
A Supreme Court Police Officer applicant must meet the citizenship, experience, driving, firearm, medical, fitness, psychological, and background requirements listed in the announcement.
- The applicant must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or person who owes allegiance to the United States.
- A male applicant born after December 31, 1959, must certify Selective Service registration or an exemption under the law.
- The applicant must meet the required federal law enforcement experience and retirement conditions.
- The applicant must have held a valid driver’s license for at least one year and have an excellent driving record.
- The applicant must maintain proficiency in firearm use.
- A misdemeanor domestic violence conviction makes an applicant ineligible because the person cannot lawfully possess a firearm.
- The applicant must have no felony conviction record and no pending criminal charges.
- Prior military service must have ended under honorable conditions.
- The applicant must be at least 21 years old and under 60 years old.
There are also appearance standards. Visible body markings, including tattoos, body art, facial piercings, gauges, and brandings, are not allowed on the head or neck above the collar, hands, or fingers.
Female officers’ hair must not extend more than four inches below the top of the collar. Male officers’ hair must not extend more than half an inch below the collar. Hair must have a natural color. Neat, well-trimmed mustaches and beards are allowed up to one-quarter inch.
Education and Law Enforcement Training
A high school diploma is the minimum education requirement for applicants who meet the other eligibility rules.
Applicants must be current FERS law enforcement officers eligible for retirement or FERS-LEO retirees. A current federal law enforcement officer who is eligible to retire is eligible to apply with retirement taking effect before appointment.
The applicant must have completed the Uniformed Police Training Program, also called UPTP, or the Criminal Investigator Training Program, also called CITP. A FLETC certificate or transcript must be included with the application.
Other federal law enforcement academy programs are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The announcement gives the FBI, DEA, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service as examples. A certificate or transcript must be included for equivalent training.
The agency also looks for mature and reliable applicants with strong oral and written communication skills, good interpersonal skills, and a high standard of ethical conduct.
Medical, Psychological and Physical Tests
Employment depends on successful completion of several tests and reviews. The medical exam includes blood work, drug screening, height, weight, stress testing, EKG, vision, hearing, and body fat measurement.
For distance vision, corrected vision must be 20/20 or better binocularly, with at least 20/40 in each eye. Uncorrected distant vision must be 20/100 or better binocularly. Applicants must also pass the Ishihara color vision test and a hearing test without hearing aids.
The psychological exam includes a Personal History Questionnaire, Personality Assessment Inventory exam, Inwald Personality Inventory exam, and a structured interview with a clinical psychologist.
The Physical Abilities Test has four events. All four are completed as one continuously timed test. The maximum time is 3 minutes and 45 seconds, regardless of age or gender.
- A slalom run between two sets of cones placed 75 feet apart, for an overall distance of 375 feet.
- Going down and up one flight of steps for five down-and-up series.
- Dragging a 165-pound rescue dummy for 40 feet.
- Fifteen single-handed trigger pulls with each hand while the arm is extended. The timer stops after the 30th pull.
A comprehensive background investigation is also required. Giving incorrect information or leaving out information during the application process is grounds for removal from the hiring process.
Salary and Benefits
The salary is $86,530 to $147,928 per year. A dual compensation offset waiver is provided, allowing eligible reemployed annuitants to receive full salary and full annuity without a penalty.
Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, life insurance, health insurance, and premium pay. Sick leave is earned at 104 hours per year and accrues without a limit.
Annual leave is earned at 13 days per year during the first three years, 20 days after three years, and 26 days each year after 15 years of service. Up to 240 hours, or 30 days, of annual leave is allowed to be carried from one calendar year to the next.
Overtime is paid at 1.5 times the derived hourly pay, or compensatory time is available. Work between 6:00 PM and 6:00 AM qualifies for a 10% night differential. Sunday work receives a 25% premium.
The Court provides up to 12 administrative workweeks of paid parental leave during the 12 months following the birth or new placement of a child. Other benefits listed in the announcement include flexible spending accounts, long-term care insurance, and the SmartBenefits transit subsidy.
Educational assistance is available up to $5,000 per calendar year, subject to budget approval and the connection between the course and job performance. A repayment agreement is required if the employee leaves Court service within one year after completing the course.
Hiring Process for the Supreme Court Police Officer Position
Applications and answers to the pre-screening questionnaire are reviewed and evaluated. Employment is subject to an oral interview, background investigation interview, medical exam, Physical Abilities Test, psychological exam, and comprehensive background investigation.
Oral board interviews are currently being held virtually. Applicants who reach the background investigation stage must travel to the Washington, DC area. The Supreme Court does not pay travel per diem, hotel costs, or travel expenses for applicants taking part in the hiring process.
Passing every stage does not guarantee a job offer. The announcement states an offer is not guaranteed when better-qualified applicants are identified.
Documents Needed to Apply
Every applicant must provide the following documents:
- A resume of no more than two pages.
- OF-306, Declaration for Federal Employment.
- Police Applicant Pre-Screening Questionnaire.
- SF-50 showing FERS or CSRS retirement as a federal law enforcement officer, or current LEO employment for applicants who are not yet retired.
- FLETC diploma and/or transcript showing completion of UPTP or CITP.
Additional documents are required when applicable. These include a cover letter, which is optional but encouraged, DD-214 or Statement of Service showing character of service, and a diploma or transcript from an equivalent federal law enforcement training program for case-by-case review.
How to Apply for the Supreme Court Police Officer Position
Applications are reviewed in the order received. Missing application materials will result in denial. All application information must be complete and legible.
Applicants must complete, print, and sign the OF-306 and Pre-Screening Questionnaire. These documents must be uploaded with the two-page resume. SF-50 documents, or equivalent records showing the required federal retirement and law enforcement status, must also be included.
The announcement asks applicants to submit these required documents. A cover letter is optional.
To apply, create or sign in to a USAJOBS account. Select the resume and supporting documents, complete the occupational questionnaire, and select the Submit My Answers button.
Applicants are responsible for making sure all answers and documents are submitted before the October 31, 2026 closing date. After submission, the application status section in the USAJOBS account shows received documents, processed documents, and agency correspondence.
Uploaded documents might take several hours to clear the virus scan.
If an application is incomplete, applicants should use Update Application in the vacancy announcement and select the resume and supporting documents again.
Supreme Court Police Officer Contact Information
The agency contact listed in the announcement is the Supreme Court Police Department.
Email: JoinSCUSPD@supremecourt.gov
Address:
Supreme Court Police Department
1 First Street NE
Washington, DC 20543
United States
After an application is submitted, an email is sent to confirm receipt. An application is not considered complete until all required documents have been received. Best-qualified applicants are invited by email to an oral board interview. The date and time are provided later.
For applicants looking for federal law enforcement work with the Supreme Court, the announcement provides a detailed path from eligibility and required training through testing, background review, and application submission.
Reading each requirement carefully and submitting every required document before the closing date is important.
