FBI Agent
How to Become an FBI Agent
FBI Agent Job Duties
Skills and Qualities To Become an FBI Agent
FBI Agent Salaries
Influential Professionals in this field
Leading Organizations for FBI Agents
Top Cities for FBI Agent Jobs
Other Careers of Interest
How to become an FBI Agent
To be considered for appointment as an FBI agent, applicants must be college graduates with at least three years of work experience or have an advanced degree and at least two years of work experience. All FBI agents must also have at least one of the following: a degree in accounting, electrical engineering, information technology, or computer science, fluency in a foreign language, a law degree from an accredited law school, or three years of full time work experience in the law enforcement field. All newly hired FBI agents go to the FBI Academy on the United States Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Virginia for eighteen weeks of training.
What does an FBI Agent do?
FBI agents work in many areas of law enforcement and are the Federal government's principle investigators. Agents are responsible for the investigation of more than 200 types of Federal crimes and conducting investigations into matters of national security. The wide range of crime investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation includes cybercrime, kidnapping, drug trafficking, terrorism, espionage, financial crime, bank robbery, and organized crime. Specific activities an agent might engage in include participation in undercover assignments, conducting surveillance, monitoring wire taps, investigating white collar crime, and the examination of business records.
What skills or qualities do I need to become an FBI Agent?
Civil service regulations govern the appointment of FBI agents. Individuals must be citizens of the United States and meet strict physical and personal standards. Physical exams usually include tests of vision and hearing as well as strength and agility. Personal characteristics of honesty, integrity, judgment, and responsibility are vitally important among law enforcement professionals. Aspiring FBI agents should enjoy meeting and working with people.
How much does an FBI Agent make?
Total earnings often exceed stated salaries due to significant overtime payments. Within the Federal government, law enforcement availability pay (LEAP) can equal twenty-five percent of an employee's grade and pay. In 2007 GS-10 agents received a base salary of $48,159, GS-13 agents received a base salary of $75,414, and GS-14 agents received a base salary of $89,115.
Who are some influential professionals in this field?
Stanley Finch (1872-1951) was the first director of the agency that would later become the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Finch worked on and off for the United States Department of Justice for more than forty years, initially as a clerk. By 1908, Finch had risen to the position of Chief Examiner and earned an LL.B degree from the National University Law School. As Chief Examiner, Finch was a strong advocate of the creation of a Federal investigative squad within the Department of Justice. When the Attorney General created such a force, initially called the Special Services, the responsibility of oversight was given to Finch. From 1913 to the 1930s, Finch alternated between working in the private sector and working in various positions within the Department of Justice. He retired from the Department of Justice for the final time in 1940.
Robert S. Mueller III has been the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation since 2001. After college, Mueller joined the United States Marine Corps and served as an officer for three years. During his military service, Mueller received several awards including two Navy Commendation Medals and the Purple Heart. Mueller earned a law degree in 1973 from the University of Virginia, and practiced law in San Francisco, California for three years. He then began his career in law enforcement for the Federal government, working for twelve years for the United States Attorney's Office. Mueller held the position of United States Attorney in San Francisco from 1998 until his appointment as director of the FBI in 2001.
Robert S. Mueller III has been the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation since 2001. After college, Mueller joined the United States Marine Corps and served as an officer for three years. During his military service, Mueller received several awards including two Navy Commendation Medals and the Purple Heart. Mueller earned a law degree in 1973 from the University of Virginia, and practiced law in San Francisco, California for three years. He then began his career in law enforcement for the Federal government, working for twelve years for the United States Attorney's Office. Mueller held the position of United States Attorney in San Francisco from 1998 until his appointment as director of the FBI in 2001.
What are some leading organizations in this field?
The mission of the Federal Bureau of Investigation is to "protect and defend the United States against terrorist and foreign intelligence threats, the uphold and enforce the criminal laws of the United States and to provide leadership and criminal justice services to federal, state, municipal, and international agencies and partners." This branch of the government was established in 1908 during the Presidency of Theodore Roosevelt. As of June 2008, the FBI employed 30,847 individuals including special agents and support professionals. Although headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Bureau has fifty-six field offices in major cities located around the United States, over 400 agencies in smaller cities and towns, and sixty international offices in U.S. embassies around the world. The heart of FBI operations is in the investigations it carries out. There are currently more than 200 categories of Federal law over which the FBI claims jurisdiction. National security priorities fall into the categories of counter terrorism, counterintelligence, or cybercrime. Criminal priorities fall into the six categories of white collar crime, organized crime, public corruption, civil rights, major thefts, and violent crimes.
What are the top cities for FBI Agent jobs?
Although the FBI is headquartered in Washington, D.C., it operates fifty-six field offices in major cities throughout the United States and over 400 agencies in smaller towns and cities. Currently, one of the top cities for aspiring FBI agents to find work is Dulles, Virginia. It is followed closely by Chicago, Illinois, Cleveland, Ohio, and Columbus, Ohio.
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