Special agents for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigate violations of federal laws in connection with bank robberies, kidnappings, white-collar crime, and thefts of government property, organized crime, espionage, and sabotage. The FBI, which is part of the U.S. Department of Justice, has jurisdiction over many different federal investigative matters. Special agents, therefore, may be assigned to any type of case, although those with specialized training usually work on cases related to their background. Agents with an accounting background, for example, may investigate white-collar crimes such as bank embezzlements or fraudulent bankruptcies or land deals.
Because the FBI is a fact-gathering agency, its special agents function strictly as investigators, collecting evidence in cases in which the U.S. government is, or may be, an interested party. In their casework, special agents conduct interviews, examine records, observe the activities of suspects, and participate in raids. Because the FBI's work is highly confidential, special agents may not disclose any of the information gathered in the course of their official duties to unauthorized persons, including members of their families. Frequently, agents must testify in court about cases that they investigate.
Although they usually work alone on most assignments, two agents or more are assigned to work together when performing potentially dangerous duties such as arrests and raids. Agents communicate with their supervisors by radio or telephone as the circumstances dictate.
Places of Employment and Working Conditions
Most agents are assigned to the FBI's field offices located throughout the nation and in Puerto Rico. They work in cities where field office headquarters are located or in resident agencies (suboffices) established under field office supervision to provide prompt and efficient handling of investigative matters arising throughout the field office territory. Some agents are assigned to the bureau headquarters in Washington, DC, which supervises all FBI activities. Special agents are subject to call 24 hours a day and must be available for assignment at all times. Their duties call for some travel, for they are assigned wherever they are needed in the United States or Puerto Rico. They frequently work longer than the customary 40-hour week.
Qualifications, Education, and Training
To be considered for appointment as an FBI special agent, an applicant usually must be a graduate of a state-accredited law school; a college graduate with a major in accounting, engineering, or computer science; or be fluent in a foreign language.
Applicants for the position of FBI special agent must be citizens of the United States; between 23 and 35 years old; and willing to serve anywhere in the United States and Puerto Rico. They must be capable of strenuous physical exertion and have excellent hearing and vision, normal color perception, and no physical defects that would prevent their using firearms or participating in dangerous assignments. All applicants must pass a rigid physical examination as well as written and oral examinations testing their aptitude for meeting the public and conducting investigations. All of the tests except the physical examinations are given by the FBI at its facilities. Background and character investigations are made of all applicants. Appointments are made on a probationary basis and become permanent after one year of satisfactory service.
Each newly appointed special agent is given about 15 weeks of training at the FBI Academy at the U.S. Marine Corps base in Quantico, Virginia, before assignment to a field office. During this period, agents receive intensive training in defensive tactics and the use of firearms. In addition, they are thoroughly schooled in federal criminal law and procedures, FBI rules and regulations, fingerprinting, and investigative work. After assignment to a field office, the new agent usually works closely with an experienced agent for about two weeks before handling any assignments independently.
Potential and Advancement
The jurisdiction of the FBI has expanded greatly over the years. Although it is impossible to forecast personnel requirements, employment may be expected to increase with growing FBI responsibilities.
The FBI provides a career service and its rate of turnover is traditionally low. Nevertheless, the FBI is always interested in applications from qualified persons who would like to be considered for the position of Special Agent.
All administrative and supervisory jobs are filled from within the ranks by selection of those agents who have demonstrated the ability to assume more responsibility.