Special Agent - Law/Legal Background Job in Location Negotiable After Selection

Vacancy No. DEST-12815163-26-VL Department Federal Bureau of Investigation
Salary $99,461.00 to $128,329.00 Grade 10 to 10
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 10/10/2025 Close Date 10/9/2026
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Location Negotiable After Selection


Summary

FBI Special Agents apply their professional expertise and unique skill sets to their work every day. Many come from legal/criminal investigation backgrounds, advising on law enforcement and intelligence operations, investigations and policies. Your expertise could apply to matters of national security, litigation and support, administrative, investigative, technology, contract law, information law, legal instruction, counterterrorism, counterintelligence, cyber matters and foreign intelligence.

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 full-time professional work experience.
  • 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.
  • Meet the medical and physical 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.

Qualifications

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

he position advertised has been exempted from the federal civilian hiring freeze.

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.

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.

Benefits

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: Meet and Greet Information Session
Step 4: Official Physical Fitness Test (PFT)
Step 5: Phase II Test
Step 6: Conditional Appointment Offer
Step 7: Background Investigation
Step 8: Fit for Duty Medical Review
Step 9: Pre-Quantico Physical Fitness Test (PFT) (if applicable)
Step 10: 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

  • A two-page resume that outlines relevant work experience and associated start and end dates.Resumes exceeding two pages will not be considered.
  • Official or unofficial college transcript(s) that list your degree and the date conferred from a U.S. accredited college or university.
  • Notification of Personnel Action SF-50 (current or former federal employees)
  • 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
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
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.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


© 2006-2025, exclusive of U. S. government job opportunity announcements