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Federal Bureau of Investigation (F.B.I.) Agents, also known as special agents, examine alleged or suspected criminal violations of federal laws to determine whether or not evidence is sufficient to recommend prosecution. They also collect information concerning the internal security of the United States and give the information to interested agencies in the executive branch of the federal government.

Job Duties

F.B.I. Agents may:

Analyze charges and allegations of law violations to identify issues involved and types of evidence needed

Help to decide the scope, timing, and direction of an investigation

Obtain evidence or establish facts by interviewing, observing and questioning suspects or witnesses

Examine records to determine links in a chain of evidence or information

Use cameras and photocopy machines to record evidence and documents

Verify information to establish accuracy of facts and evidence

Maintain surveillances (watch activities of individuals or groups) and perform undercover work

Present findings in clear, logical, accurate, and impartial reports

Report critical information to, and coordinate activities with other agencies

Testify before grand juries and in courts

Serve subpoenas and use search and arrest warrants

Carry firearms and make arrests

The equipment and work aids used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

375.167-042 SPECIAL AGENTS may specialize according to their education and experience. These may include field investigation, law, accounting,

engineering, metallurgy, physics, chemistry, biology, geology, pharmacology, toxicology, or mathematics. All F.B.I. Special Agents work for the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the U.S. Department of Justice. Other Special Agents may be designated according to the agency for which they work such as IRS Special Agents or Secret Service Special Agents.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

F.B.I. Agents may work alone or as members of a team, depending on their assignment. They may supervise or be supervised by other Agents.

F.B.I. Agents may work indoors conducting research, filling out reports or questioning witnesses or suspects. Agents also work outdoors conducting interviews or surveillance. Agents' duties might be dangerous. An under cover assignment may require a special type of dress. All Agents carry firearms as a condition of employment.

F.B.I. Agents often work longer than a 40-hour week. They are subject to be on call 24 hours a day, 12 months a year, and must be available for assignments at all times. Even on vacation, they must report for duty if the Bureau calls them. In addition, Agents must always be available to travel anywhere in the United States and Puerto Rico. Agents relocate frequently.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities concerned with people and the communication of ideas

• Activities of a scientific and technical nature

• Activities which bring recognition or appreciation by others

You Should Be Able To:

• Reason logically, know meanings and relationships of words

• Use spoken/written language effectively

• Perform arithmetical operations quickly and accurately

• Visualize 3-dimensional objects from drawings and pictures

• Make decisions based on personal judgment and measurable facts

• Perform a variety of duties which may change often

• Deal effectively with people beyond giving and receiving instructions

• Work well under pressure when facing critical/unexpected situations

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

If you travel 80 miles an hour to a crime scene, how long will it take you if the scene is 20 miles away?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Investigating related activities to assure compliance with federal, state an municipal laws involves locating and interviewing plaintiffs, witnesses and representatives of government to gather facts regarding alleged violations.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to write reports explaining the happenings at a given crime scene.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You should be able to decide the best way to deal with an emotionally disturbed person who is threatening a group of tourists at a national monument with a firearm.

Applicants for the position of F.B.I. Agent must be U.S. citizens at least 23 years old but less than 35 and must pass rigorous physical requirements. Applicants must be willing to serve anywhere in the U.S. or Puerto Rico. Federal law requires drug screening of all applicants, as well as random testing of Special Agents.

Applicants must have uncorrected vision of not less than 20/200 in each eye, corrected to at least 20/40 in one eye and 20/20 in the other; pass a hearing test; be in excellent physical condition; and have no defects which would interfere with their use of firearms, participation in assignments, or defensive tactics. An applicant's physical condition is determined by a rigorous exam conducted at a government examining facility. Applicants must have a bachelor's, masters, or professional degree in a specified field. In addition, they must have a valid driver's license.

Applicants who meet these qualifications are allowed to take a battery of tests. The most highly ranked individuals are then interviewed and reranked according to test scores and the interview. Individuals are thoroughly investigated by the F.B.I. before going to work.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: A Bachelor's Degree (four years of study beyond High School) or a Master's Degree (five to six years of study beyond High School) or a Professional Degree or Doctorate (seven to ten years of study beyond High School) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1700 GOVERNMENT , 2200 MATH , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this MOIScript

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

091 LAW ENFORCEMENT & CORRECTIONS

Programs in Law Enforcement and Corrections provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills needed for employment in protective services, local police forces, county sheriff departments, Michigan State Police, the Michigan Department of Corrections, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Courses within this program vary but may include:

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

            Please check the Military web site at http://www.myfuture.com

INTELLIGENCE SPECIALISTS

Military intelligence is information needed to plan for our national defense. Knowledge of the number, location, and tactics of enemy forces and potential battle areas is needed to develop military plans. To gather information, the services rely on aerial photographs, electronic monitoring using radar and sensitive radios, and human observation. Intelligence specialists gather and study the information required to design defense plans and tactics.

What They Do

Intelligence specialists in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Study aerial photographs of foreign ships, bases, and missile sites

• Study foreign troop movements

• Operates sensitive radios to intercept foreign military communications

• Study land and sea areas that could become battle grounds in time war

• Store and retrieve intelligence data using computers

• Study foreign military codes

• Prepare intelligence reports, maps, and charts

Training Provided

Job training consists of 9 to 24 weeks of classroom instruction, including practice in intelligence gathering. Training length varies depending on specialty. Course content typically includes:

• Planning aerial and satellite observations

• Preparing maps and charts

• Analyzing aerial photographs

• Preparing intelligence reports

• Using computer systems

Further training occurs on the job and through advanced courses.

Helpful Attributes

Helpful school subjects include typing, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and geography. Helpful attributes include:

• Interest in reading maps and charts

• Interest in gathering information and studying its meaning

• Ability to organize information

• Ability to think and write clearly

Physical Demands

Normal color vision is required for some specialties in order to work with color coded maps.

Work Environment

Intelligence specialists work in offices on land and aboard ships, and in tents when in the field.

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian intelligence specialists generally work for federal government agencies such as the Central Intelligence Agency or the National Security Agency. Their duties are similar to those performed by military intelligence specialists. The analytical skills of intelligence specialists are also useful in other fields, such as research or business planning.

Opportunities

The services have about 16,250 intelligence specialists. On average, they need about 1,250 new specialists each year. After job training, intelligence specialists collect information and prepare maps and charts under close supervision. With experience, they are given more responsibility for organizing and studying intelligence data. Eventually, they may become chiefs of intelligence units.

E-Learning Courses and Programs

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Investigative work in police or sheriff departments is an example of the work of F.B.I. Agents. Related training in military service as well as postsecondary study in law enforcement and corrections could be helpful.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local F.B.I. Agent employer

internships

volunteer work with a F.B.I. Agent employer

community service work with an agency

To obtain employment as an F.B.I. Agent, apply to the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington, DC or any F.B.I. field office. You may also refer to the FBI Employment web site at http://www.fbi.gov/employment/employ.htm In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

Michigan Talent Bank

America's Job Bank

Classifieds Employment

Yahoo! Careers

MONSTER.COM

Michigan Works!

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of F.B.I. Agents depend on their duties and level of responsibility as well as the amount of overtime they work.

The entry-level (GS-10) salary for F.B.I. Agents was $34,353 per year in 1999. Agents with 7 years of experience can earn as much as $69,930 per year (GS-13). Management level begins at GS-14 or $63,567 per year. Many Agents in supervisory positions receive even higher salaries. Agents also receive overtime pay and might earn up to 25% of base pay per year from these extra hours. The salaries of these federal government workers may be higher in some urban areas.

F.B.I. Agents receive such fringe benefits as comprehensive life and accident insurance, long-term disability income, accident and health insurance, paid sick leave, and a retirement plan that permits retirement at age 50 after 20 years of service. Most of the benefits continue after retirement.

Since all promotions are based on proven merit rather than seniority, there are excellent opportunities for advancement to supervisory administrative jobs. A career ladder may be: agent; supervisor; administrator.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

There were about 11,300 F.B.I. Agents employed nationally in early 1999. Of these about 9,550 were men and 1,750 were women. Although it is difficult to forecast F.B.I. personnel needs, employment may be expected to increase with F.B.I. responsibilities, which have expanded greatly over the years, especially with the increase in cyberspace crimes on the Internet. The rate of turnover is low in this career and competition for openings is very keen. Openings will be due both to growth and replacement of those who retire, die, or transfer to other occupations. About 11.6% of all F.B.I. Agents were women and 5% were Black.

About 425 F.B.I. Agents are employed in Michigan. The employment of F.B.I. agents is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations in Michigan. An average of 20 annual openings is expected, mostly due to replacement of those who retire, die, or leave the labor force for other reasons. Additional openings will l occur as workers change jobs or occupations. Most of those working in Michigan are employed in or near large cities, such as Detroit, Lansing, and Grand Rapids, but they may have assignments in other areas. Good opportunities exist for qualified women and minority persons.

F.B.I. Agents may be assigned to any of the 63 field offices throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Since the turnover rate is relatively low, most openings will be due to growth of the bureau and to replacing those who retire, die, or transfer to other occupations.

Some may be permanently stationed in Michigan, but most must be ready for transfer to other areas. Therefore, it is impossible to predict annual openings in Michigan.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2000

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.

SUMMARY PROFILE

The occupation of F.B.I Agent can be summarized by the following:

MOISCRIPTS are Copyright 2003, Michigan Department of Career Development