By

Matthew Hunt

Career Out-Look

http://www.princetonreview.com/careers.aspx?cid=64

http://www.FBI.gov

Sources

Job Title----- FBI Agent

FBI agents investigate people suspected of violating federal law, including serial killers, kidnappers, bank robbers, bombers, and perpetrators of mail fraud.

Strong deductive skills, flexibility, and irreproachable moral character are key traits for those who want to succeed in the FBI.

The sensitive nature of the work requires a person with sound judgment and discretion.

Agents research and gather evidence on suspected criminals. Duties include surveillance, transcription, research, coordination with local authorities, and report-writing.

Nature Of Work

The application process is one of the most rigorous and selective in the nation

FBI agents have limited power to arrest and no power to punish those suspected of violating federal law. An FBI agent investigates and reports and when other government agencies make the arrest, they often invite the FBI agent or agents who were involved with the case, but merely as a courtesy.

Nature of Work (cont.)

Working ConditionsBeing an FBI agent you

may work a very flexible and a tiring schedule. Agents must be ready at all times for a possible assignment anywhere, anytime, and under any amount of danger. An agent must retire at the age of 55 years if they have served 25 years. Agents receive fringe benefits of paid vacations, sick leave, and annuities upon retirement.

There are many different jobs that the FBI can offer.

Special Agents, Linguists , and Hostage Rescue Team are just some of the few.

These jobs could place you anywhere in the United States.

Employment

The FBI Academy, our national training facility, is located on 385 wooded acres on a Marine Corps base in Quantico, Virginia—about 36 miles outside Washington, D.C.

To be an FBI Special Agent, an individual must: be a United States citizen; be at least 23 and not yet have reached his or her 37th

birthday on appointment; have at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited,

four-year resident program at a college or university; pass a written examination; complete several in-person interviews; and pass a comprehensive medical examination, including vision and hearing tests.

Training, Qualifications, and Advancement

Advancement varies from how long you have been an agent in the FBI.

Accomplishing certain tasks can also grant you an advancement.

Training, Qualifications, and Advancement (cont.)

Police work can be dangerous and stressful. Education requirements range from a high

school diploma to a college degree or higher. Job opportunities in most local police

departments will be excellent for qualified individuals, while competition is expected for jobs in State and Federal agencies.

Applicants with college training in police science or military police experience will have the best opportunities.

Job Outlook

FBI Special Agents enter as GS 10 employees on the law enforcement government pay scale and can advance to the GS 13 grade level in field, non-supervisory assignments. Promotions to supervisory, management, and executive positions are available in grades GS 14 and GS 15 as well as in the FBI Senior Executive Service. Agents also receive locality pay and availability pay - a 25% increase in adjusted salary (base salary + locality pay) due to overtime requirements. With locality and availability pay adjustments, new FBI agents currently earn between $61,100 and $69,900 a year.

Earnings

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