FBI Special Agent Career

The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) was founded in early 1900s and has become one of the premiere crime solving and investigative agencies in the world. Hollywood has made the Special Agent a household term in all corners of the world. Special agents work on a wide-ranging matters ranging from drug trafficking to counter terrorism. The agents job is not restricted to on field assignments, they do a lot of research and analysis from their office space as well. All Special Agents go through a training program in Quantico, Virginia which lasts for 20 weeks. Although the FBI doesn't have recruitment drives they do enlist new agents occasionally. Selected candidates upon completion of their training are assigned to specific investigative divisions, for example, counterintelligence, cyber crime, etc. Unlike other jobs the work timings aren't fixed for special agents and most times they work long hours.

To apply for the post of a special agent, you will need at least a 4 year degree from a government recognized college or university. Having the degree isn't enough you need at least 3 years of work experience. Aspirants will also be subjected to thorough background checks before being inducted in to the special agents training program. You will also be put through a polygraph and fitness test.

One of the other pre-requisites is to have a valid driving license. Only US citizens can hope to become special agents and join the FBI; as of now foreign nationals aren't inducted in the FBI. There is also an age criteria for applicants, eligibility criteria dictates that applicants can't be older than 37 years of age and less than 23 years of age at the time of applying. Candidates should also showcase a willingness to work from any place that the investigative agency deems fit.

Job Description

Once you complete the training program you will be assigned to a department according to your primary skills observed during the training program. There are different departments within the FBI which deal with a plethora of crime related activities. You might get to work on organized crime, public corruption, espionage, bank robbery, kidnapping, etc. Special agents are also required to use firearms while doing their job as a law enforcement officer. They will also have to go through criminal databases during their investigations.

The job profile includes inspecting the crime scene and collecting vital clues that will help solve the crime. Interviewing witnesses also forms a major part of their job description. They also need to interact and share information with other law enforcement agencies like local police department and Interpol. Interrogating suspects and getting statements from them is one of the things that a Special Agents undertakes during the job. Maintaining records related to crimes and criminals is also a part of their job.

The job is very demanding and the agents are on call 24×7 due to the nature of work. As there are different departments dedicated to solving a specific category of crime, salary for agents depends on the department they work. FBI agents having specialized skills will earn more, as their contribution to the agency is far greater than their counterparts. The pay also depends on the experience of the candidate and the level of education they have.

During their training in Quantico, Virginia, FBI special agents get salaries that average around USD 51,000 per year. FBI agents who undergo training in the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia also get around USD 51,000 annually. Upon completion of the training the agents are assigned to a filed office. The annual wages for agents after their posting ranges anywhere between USD 60,000 to USD 70,000 annually. As agents have to work 24×7 shifts and put in overtime, they are financially compensated for this extra effort. This compensation comes in the form of a fixed annual bonus.

Federal special agent careers are one of the most sought after amongst all the law enforcement agencies. There are several benefits to choosing this career and one of them is financial security even after retirement as most retired agents are hired by other government agencies like the National Security Agency (NSA) and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).