Special Agent Job in Location Negotiable After Selection

Vacancy No. DESTIMP-13001354-26-VL Department Federal Bureau of Investigation
Salary $93,749.00 to $133,200.00 Grade 9 to 10
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 7/8/2026 Close Date 7/6/2027
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Location Negotiable After Selection


Special Agent

Department of Justice
Federal Bureau of Investigation

Summary

As an FBI Special Agent, you will use your expertise to protect the nation from cyber threats, terrorism, fraud, and evolving risks. You'll conduct high-stakes investigations, apply your specialized knowledge to uncover critical information, and help safeguard public safety. Your transition into this role will be transformative, using your skills to tackle national security challenges in innovative ways.

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Federal employees - Competitive service

Current federal employees whose agencies follow the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's hiring rules and pay scales.

Federal employees - Excepted service

Current federal employees whose agencies have their own hiring rules, pay scales and evaluation criteria.

Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of the hiring agency that posted the job announcement.

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.

Veterans

Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference

Military spouses

Military spouses of active duty service members or whose spouse is 100 percent disabled or died on active duty.

Individuals with disabilities

Individuals who are eligible under Schedule A.

Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens.

Duties

  • Plan and conduct investigations of potential violations of federal laws.
  • Exercise judgement, resourcefulness, and versatility in meeting investigative demands.
  • Create and maintain effective liaison relationships with federal, state, local, tribal, territorial and international law enforcement agencies.
  • Coordinate and/or participate in searches, seizures, and arrests.
  • Carry a firearm and be willing to use force, to include deadly force, if necessary.
  • Maintain a level of physical fitness to ensure readiness required to perform law enforcement duties.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

  • Be a U.S. Citizen
  • Have a bachelor's degree or higher from a U.S. accredited college or university.
  • Possess one (1) year of full-time sworn law enforcement (local, state, tribal, or federal) and a bachelor's degree or master's or doctorate degree, and no work experience. OR
  • Possess two (2) years of full-time work experience and a bachelor's degree or one year of full-time work experience and a master's or doctorate degree. AND
  • Be eligible for a Top-Secret SCI Clearance.
  • Be able to legally possess / carry a firearm.
  • Be at least 23 years old and not have reached your 37th birthday on appointment; exceptions may apply.
  • Meet the FBI's Employment Eligibility requirements.
  • Must pass the Physical Fitness Test physical requirements.
  • Meet the medical requirements of the position.
  • Possess a valid driver's license with at least six months driving experience.
  • Be available for assignment to any of the FBI's 56 Field Offices.
  • Travel may be required.
Please note: Applicants must be U.S. citizens and consent to a complete background investigation, urinalysis, and polygraph. You must be suitable for federal employment as determined by a background investigation. All applicants should be prepared to take the PFT immediately upon submission of the application.

Qualifications

GL-09 All applicants must have one year of full-time sworn law enforcement (local, state, tribal or federal) work experience and a bachelor's degree or master's or doctorate degree, no work experience is required. A sworn law enforcement officer is authorized under statute to enforce laws, carry a firearm, make arrests.

GL-10 All applicants must have two years of full-time work experience and a bachelor's degree or one year of full time work experience if you have an advanced degree (master's or doctorate degree).

All applicants should demonstrate Specialized Experience (SE).SE is defined as:

  • Gathering and analyzing information and data to make proper conclusions or decisions.
  • Establishing solutions to problems, assessing vulnerabilities, considering risks, and choosing the best outcome.
  • Organizing, planning, and prioritizing various and competing work assignments.
  • Consistently navigating complex and/or evolving environments.
  • Communicating orally and in writing to prepare and present reports, briefings, and/or exchange information.

Education

Must have a bachelor's degree or higher from a U.S. accredited college or university.

Additional information

Salary information: In addition to base salary, Agent Trainees receive locality pay for the Washington, D.C. area plus availability pay, which is 25% of the base and locality pay (the calculation is 25% x (base + locality). Upon graduation from training, your salary will be adjusted according to the locality of your office assignment and Law Enforcement Officers' availability pay.

Opportunity to 'opt in' to return to applicant's processing field office after accepting Final Job Offer

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

SPECIAL AGENT APPLICATION PROCESS

The application process includes the following steps, each of which must be successfully completed. Applicants who meet the initial screening criteria will receive an email invitation to take the Phase I exam.

  • Step 1: Application and Screening
  • Step 2: Phase I Test
  • Step 3: Information Session
  • Step 4: Official Physical Fitness Test (PFT) physical requirements / Phase II (a) Written
  • Step 5: Phase II (b) Interview
  • Step 6: Conditional Appointment OfferStep
  • Step 7: Background Investigation
  • Step 8: Fit for Duty Medical Review
  • Step 9: Basic Field Training Course
  • Finish: Career Placement
All applicants will be rated on the following Competencies:
  • Collaboration
  • Communication
  • Flexibility/Adaptability
  • Initiative
  • Interpersonal Ability
  • Leadership
  • Organizing and Planning
  • Problem Solving and Judgment

Required Documents

Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the qualifications outlined in the job announcement and to validate your responses to the online assessment questionnaire. If applying online is a hardship, please email SAINFO@FBI.gov before the closing date for assistance. If you do not submit all required documents, your application will not be processed and will be discontinued.

  • Utilizing the Resume Builder, outline your relevant work experience and associated start and end dates. Uploaded resumes will not be reviewed or used for qualification purposes.
  • Official or unofficial college transcript(s) that list your degree and the date conferred from a U.S. accredited college or univeristy
  • Former civilian Federal employees must submit a copy of your MOST RECENT SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing your tenure, grade and step, salary, and type of position occupied (i.e., Excepted or Competitive); or similar Notification of Personnel Action documentation, i.e., Transcript of Service, Form 1150, etc. This is a requirement to verify your Time in Grade (TIG). Actions such as promotion, within grade increase, or reassignment actions must be submitted as your most recent SF 50.
  • Memorandum for Record: (if applicable) Work performed outside assigned duties (that would not normally be documented on an SF-50, i.e., back-up duties), has to be documented in detail by an immediate supervisor in order to receive full credit for amount of time worked in that position. If no documentation is furnished, no credit will be given for time worked in that position. The following notations must be specified in the documentation (Memorandum for Record):
    • Percent of time worked in the position (cannot conflict with main duties)
    • The month/year work began and ended
    • Frequency worked (i.e., daily, monthly, etc.)
    • Specific duties performed

Attach the Memorandum for Record to your application as type "Other" in the My Career Tools section on the Careers Home page.

Current or Former Members of the Armed Forces

  • DD-214, Member 4 copy or Service 2 copy
  • Statement of Service (if not yet separated)
  • VA letter dated within one year (to include Disabled Veterans)
  • SF-15, Veterans' Preference form (optional)

How to Apply

To apply for the Special Agent position, please click here.

Agency contact information

Human Resources New Agent Staffing
Email
SAINFO@fbi.gov
Address
Federal Bureau of Investigation
935 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20535
US

Next steps

You are strongly encouraged to review the Special Agent Selection Process: All You Need to Know to Apply guide before beginning the application process. This guide provides helpful information about the application and selection for the Special Agent position.

Federal Bureau of Investigation

The FBI's mission is to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution of the United States. We employ 38,000 people at locations around the globe. In addition to our Headquarters in Washington, D.C., we have 56 Field Offices in major U.S. cities, plus more than 350 satellite offices, called resident agencies, in cities and towns across the nation. In addition, we have more than 60 international offices, called legal attaches (legats), in U.S. embassies worldwide.

Agency contact information

Human Resources New Agent Staffing
Email
SAINFO@fbi.gov
Address
Federal Bureau of Investigation
935 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20535
US