The FBI offers careers in several specializations.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is a national security organization dedicated to protecting and defending the United States against terrorist attacks, foreign intelligence operations, cyber-based attacks, public corruption and major white-collar crime. As of March 2011, the FBI employed more than 35,000 workers. If you're interested in joining the ranks of the FBI, you can choose among positions such as special agents, intelligence analysts, linguists and information technology specialists.
Special Agent
As of March 2011, the FBI employs more than 13,000 special agents who are responsible for conducting national security investigations and enforcing more than 300 federal laws. As a special agent, you could work in divisions such as cyber-crime, organized crime, foreign counterintelligence, public corruption, civil rights violations, financial crime, bank robbery and kidnapping. To apply to be a special agent, you need a four-year degree in accounting, computer science/information technology, language, law, or a four-year or postgraduate degree in any other discipline combined with three years of full-time work experience. The FBI prioritizes hiring based on critical skills such as intelligence experience, military experience, law enforcement and investigative experience and foreign language proficiency. To qualify, you must also meet the FBI's physical requirements which include a fitness test and medical review, and pass the background investigation. Salary is based on a government pay scale grade, and is determined by level of education and previous experience.
Intelligence Analyst
Intelligence analysts help to protect the country's national security by developing and evaluating information to form assessments about potential and actual threats. As an analyst, you will have access to local and national intelligence databases as well as intelligence and investigate reports from special agents working in the field. Analysts are critical to shaping intelligence policy through their evaluations and reports. To meet the minimum requirements for application, you must be a U.S. citizen able to pass the background investigation. You must also have a bachelor's degree in any discipline, or be a federal employee for a year, or possess previous experience in intelligence analysis or have served in the U.S. armed services in military intelligence. Critical skills that are advantageous include experience in analytical studies, computer science, history and law enforcement. Your salary will be dependent on the position for which you're applying, and your prior experience.
Linguist
As a linguist with the FBI, you will translate, transcript, report and analyze materials in different languages that are related to national security. You can work in divisions such as foreign counterintelligence, organized crime, air piracy, public corruption, civil rights violations and terrorism. There are four career options for an FBI linguist: contract language monitor, contract linguist, contract tester (which are all self-employed positions and paid hourly based on need), and special agent linguist. Contract language monitors translate voice recordings and text material, and contract linguists are responsible for document-to-document and audio-to-document translations. Contract testers perform speaking proficiency tests over the phone for the FBI. Special agent linguists work in the field and use their language skills to investigate terrorist activities, collect espionage evidence and work undercover assignments. In order to demonstrate proficiency, all applicants will have to undergo a foreign language test battery.
Information Technology Professional
An FBI information technology (IT) professional helps to maintain and develop the agency's IT systems and provides information and identification services to local, state, federal and international partners. As an IT professional, you have opportunities in the cyber division, IT operations division, office of IT policy and planning, office of IT program management, office of IT systems development and the criminal justice information services division. Job specializations span such fields as database management, operating systems, policy and planning, systems analysis and software engineering. Applicants should consult the FBI's jobs website to review the current job postings for the required qualifications for each position.
