Special Agent Position

Created by Supervisory Special Agent Alexander Kelley on Sat Aug 31st, 2019 @ 3:43pm

work in progress, editing from: Becoming a Special Agent Takes Dedication The Special Agent Selection System (SASS) is a mentally and physically challenging process designed to find only the most capable applicants. Those who make it through the process become part of an elite team that keeps our country safe. Major Duties The FBI Special Agent (SA) position requires significant commitment and dedication. Special Agents must: Adhere to the highest standards of conduct, especially in maintaining honesty and integrity. Be available for worldwide assignment on either a temporary or a long-term basis. Not sure about the transfer process? Work a minimum of 50 hours a week (which may include irregular hours) and be on call 24/7, including holidays and weekends. Maintain a high level of fitness necessary to complete FBI Academy at Quantico training and throughout your career. Carry a firearm and be willing to use deadly force, if necessary. Be willing and able to participate in arrests, execution of search warrants and other dangerous assignments, all of which pose the risk of personal bodily harm. FBI Employment Requirements for All Positions Must be a U.S. Citizen. Must be able to obtain a Top Secret SCI (Sensitive Compartmented Information) clearance. Must be in compliance with the FBI Drug Policy. See more about FBI employment requirements. Employment Requirements for the Special Agent Position To be eligible for the FBI Special Agent position, applicants must meet the following minimum qualifications at the time of application: Be between 23 and 36 years of age. FBI Special Agents have a mandatory retirement age of 57. In order to achieve the required 20 years of service for retirement, Special Agents must enter on duty no later than the day before their 37th birthday. Applicants must apply for the Special Agent position prior to their 36th birthday to allow adequate time to complete the Special Agent Selection System. The FBI may disqualify applicants at any time if it is determined that they will reach age 37 before appointment. Current FBI employees must apply prior to their 39th birthday and must be appointed and assigned to the FBI Academy no later than the month of their 40th birthday. Have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from a U.S.-accredited college or university. Have at least two years of full-time professional work experience; or one year if you have earned an advanced degree (master’s or higher). Possess a valid driver’s license and have six months of driving experience. Meet the Special Agent physical fitness standards (see the Physical Requirements page). Be available to report to one of the FBI’s 56 Field Offices for interviews and testing several times throughout the application process. You are responsible for your own travel to and from the Field Office. Applicants who reside overseas must be available for travel to the United States for testing and processing at an FBI Field Office at your own expense; you may choose a Field Office that is most convenient for you. While travel from an overseas location to the Processing Field Office (PFO) is the responsibility of the applicant, any additional travel for Phase II testing from the PFO will be incurred by the FBI. If you are currently on active duty in the military, you must be within one year of completing your service before submitting your application. Core Compentencies FBI Core Competencies The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Core Competencies are the categories of knowledge, skills and abilities all FBI employees are expected to cultivate and use in their work. Collaboration Establish contacts and interact effectively with external agencies, government officials, the community and internal Bureau contacts; display professionalism while working with others to achieve common goals; and to proactively share information with others when appropriate. COLLABORATION 2 Initiative Willingness to begin projects/work or to address issues; be proactive and creatively respond to problems/issues/tasks. Interpersonal Ability Ability to deal effectively with others; establish and maintain rapport with management, colleagues and subordinates; recognize and show sensitivity to differences in the needs and concerns of others; and mediate concerns between individuals and groups, as well as settle disputes. Flexibility and Adaptability Change is inevitable. To succeed in an unpredictable law enforcement environment, you must be able to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances and quickly respond to urgent needs. Cultivating the quality of adaptability can make you more effective and help mitigate stress. Behaviors/Skills: » Adapt — Adapt to unanticipated problems or conflicts; respond positively and productively to work challenges. » Manage Change — Respond positively to and successfully manage change at work; support organizational change in a positive and productive manner; and willingly accept new priorities, procedures or goals. Behaviors/Skills: » Be Proactive — Take action in anticipation of future needs or opportunities; initiate activity to accomplish a task or goal; pursue participation in activities; and volunteer ideas, resources or efforts. » Develop Self — Continually strive to develop skills and abilities; learn from others. » Follow Through — Persist at a task despite setbacks; plan for and accomplish follow-up activities necessary to accomplish goals. Behaviors/Skills: » Establish Rapport — Put others at ease; engage others in conversation; and express empathy and genuine interest in others. » Be Sensitive to Differences — Keep an open mind; understand and appreciate the opinions of others; see things from a different point of view. » Resolve and Manage Conflict — Successfully mediate concerns between individuals and groups while considering organizational objectives; develop agreements and settle disputes equitably; and find common ground and obtain cooperation with minimum disruption. » Work with Others — Collaborate to identify and achieve common goals. FBI Core Competencies FLEXIBILITY / ADAPTABILITY INITIATIVE INTERPERSONAL ABILITY Behaviors/Skills: » Persuade — Influence others to accept an idea or point of view; provide compelling reasons to accept a change or course of action. » Listen and Interpret — Understand and identify key spoken information; be sensitive to verbal and non-verbal cues from others; ask probing questions to collect additional information or clarify a message; respond appropriately to questions; and paraphrase what has been said to ensure understanding. » Speak Clearly — Express yourself concisely and clearly; use appropriate tone in conversation; present information in a well-organized manner; and provide sufficient detail to ensure communication is understood. » Write Clearly — Write in a clear, concise manner appropriate for the audience. Communication Express thoughts and ideas clearly, concisely, persuasively and effectively both orally and in writing; interpret and understand verbal or written communications; tailor the communication to the experience, exposure or expertise of the recipient; and proactively share information with others when appropriate. COMMUNICATION 3 Organizing and Planning Establish priorities, timetables and goals/objectives; structure a plan of action for self and others; and develop both strategic and tactical plans. Problem Solving and Judgment Critically evaluate conditions, events and alternatives; identify problems, causes and relationships; base decisions or recommendations on data or sound reasoning; and formulate objective opinions. Behaviors/Skills: » Plan — Identify a goal and the resources and steps necessary to achieve it by attending to detail; identify potential problems and ways to overcome them; recognize consequences to actions; and establish necessary follow-up steps. » Prioritize — Determine the relative importance of tasks or goals; expend time and effort in proportion to the relative importance of a task; use time and resources efficiently; and avoid being distracted by irrelevant issues. Behaviors/Skills: » Identify Problems and Opportunities — Recognize when and where problems and opportunities exist; determine the causes of problems; accurately define and understand the nature of a problem; and capitalize on opportunities. » Make Decisions — Solve problems effectively; use appropriate information in determining solutions to problems; and evaluate strengths and weaknesses of potential solutions to problems. » Manage Risks — Identify and mitigate risk; take calculated and innovative risks. » Accept Responsibility — Take ownership of problems and the need to solve them; weigh risks of potential solutions and determine if they are appropriate; make decisions in a timely manner; and defend decisions when challenged. » Evaluate and Analyze — Evaluate data, conditions and events to support conclusions. FBI Special Agents are required to adhere to strict standards of conduct and exemplify the FBI’s Core Competencies listed above. Please explain how you have demonstrated these competencies in real-life situations within your resume. Provide as much information as possible. Use the Situation, Action, Result format to describe the situation, the actions you took and the resulting outcomes.