Some FBI employees serve as field agents who investigate various crimes.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, or FBI, is the domestic law enforcement agency of the federal government. The FBI investigates and prosecutes various domestic crimes ranging from drug trafficking to domestic terrorism. Various career positions can be pursued within this agency, which accepts applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds and areas of expertise.
Special Agent
The special agent job with the FBI is the entry-level position with the agency for most people. Special agents are the field agents in the bureau who investigate crimes and enforce federal laws. The FBI jobs website notes that special agents may serve in a variety of capacities, working as counter-terrorism experts, cybercrime investigators, investigating civil rights violations and even looking into white-collar crime. This position gives many people an opportunity to complete investigative field work in an area that interests them. The bureau accepts applications for this position from people between the ages of 23 and 37 who have a 4-year college or university degree. Candidates must also have 3 years of professional work experience. All applicants must have a background in one of five basic categories: accounting, law, language, computer science or information technology. After being accepted based on these background qualifications, applicants are then placed into a pool of candidates and prioritized for further employment based on the current needs of the bureau. So, an applicant with an accounting background who is deemed qualified may or may not be hired immediately, depending on whether or not the bureau currently needs accountants. Applicants must also pass a background check and meet the physical requirements for the position. Pay varies according to which government scale category you qualify for, but the website PayScale.com notes that the average salary for an FBI agent was between $52,770 and $105,140 as of September 2010.
Linguist Positions
Another field in which the FBI regularly hires applicants is that of linguistics. Applicants with backgrounds in various foreign languages can obtain employment with the FBI to translate sensitive material that may have ramifications for national security. Linguist careers with the FBI are not limited to terrorism-monitoring activity, however. The bureau notes that linguists may work in foreign counter-intelligence, drug trafficking and other interstate criminal activity. Linguists must hold a professional level of proficiency in both English and one of more than 100 other possible foreign languages. Linguists can serve as special agents who work in counter-terrorism initiatives or work on a contract basis simply translating for the bureau as needed. Applicants must be able to pass a foreign language proficiency exam and be able to pass all FBI background and security clearance checks. Pay can vary by position. Contract linguists are paid by the hour, according to their level of expertise. Linguists who work as special agents are paid according to special agent salary ranges.
Hostage Rescue Team
Another important field of employment in the FBI is in the area of hostage rescue. The hostage rescue team within the FBI provides counter-terrorism measures for the bureau, and members are trained specifically in the area of hostage rescue in the event that a hostage situation should arise. To be admitted to the hostage rescue team, applicants must first meet all of the requirements of the special agent position and be hired as such. Applicants must be recommended for the position by the agent in charge of their supervision. Those with 3 or more years of tactical team experience as SWAT team members or with military experience are the most likely to be hired for this type of position. The program is highly selective and requires an additional physical fitness test beyond the special agent physical requirements.
