Summary

FBI Special Agents apply their professional experience and unique skill sets to their work. Many come from professional backgrounds such as psychology, forensic psychology, counseling and social work. Your social science background could significantly contribute to our work by analyzing motives and providing professional insight to help keep people safe. Join us and bring your understanding of human behavior to the FBI.

Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens.

Duties

You can expect continued specialized training once on board and opportunities to advance your career with leadership development and mentorships. You'll work complex investigations, each providing unique challenges that require innovation and new perspectives. Being a Special Agent can be a lifelong career of unconventional days and amazing experiences, all while creating a safer, more just future for America. Forge your path today.

Valued skills that can help you succeed at the FBI:

BA/BS degree (preferably in psychology, social work, counseling or similar fields).
An understanding of human behavior and motivations and the ability to communicate clearly to experts and nonexperts.
Ability to objectively evaluate nuanced information and make sound judgments.
Demonstrated expertise in analyzing interpersonal behavior and behavioral patterns, handling sensitive situations and predicting potential threats and risks.

In addition:

Exceptional problem-solving and analytical skills.
Be detail-oriented, yet able to keep a strategic focus.
Ability to objectively evaluate information and make sound judgments.
Honesty and integrity must be the foundation of who you are.
The drive and commitment to make a difference in the communities you serve.

Conditions of Employment

Adhere to strict standards of conduct.
Undergo a rigorous background investigation, credit checks and a polygraph in order to obtain a Top Secret Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) Clearance.
Pass all physical fitness requirements; must be physically fit to complete training at the FBI Academy at Quantico, VA, and maintain a high level of fitness throughout your career.
Pass a medical exam, which includes, but is not limited to, meeting visual and hearing standards.
Successfully complete approximately 19 weeks of employment as a Special Agent trainee, while housed at the FBI Academy at Quantico.
Upon graduation from the FBI Academy, be available to transfer to one of the FBI's 56 Field Offices, including San Juan, Puerto Rico or remote resident agencies (satellite offices) to meet the needs of the FBI. Special Agents rarely return to their processing office. Applicants should ensure that their families are prepared for and support this move.
Throughout your career, be available for temporary duty assignments anywhere in the world, on either a temporary or a long-term basis.
Work a minimum of a 50-hour workweek, which may include irregular hours, and be on-call 24/7, including holidays and weekends.
Be willing and able to participate in arrests, execute search warrants, raids and similar assignments.

For more information on eligibility requirements see: https://www.fbijobs.gov/working-at-FBI/eligibility.

Qualifications

You must:

Be a U.S. citizen.
Be at least 23 years old and not have reached your 37th birthday on appointment.
Have a bachelor's degree or higher from a U.S.-accredited college or university.
Be able to obtain a Top Secret SCI Clearance.
Have two years of full-time professional work experience (see work experience waiver for exceptions).
Meet the FBI's Employment Eligibility requirements.
Possess a valid driver's license with at least six months driving experience.

The Special Agent Selection System (SASS) is a mentally and physically challenging process designed to find only the most capable applicants. For more information about SASS, physical fitness requirements and work experience waivers, please visit: https://fbijobs.gov/career-paths/special-agents.

Education

BA/BS degree (preferably in psychology, social work, counseling or similar disciplines).

Additional information

Salary and Compensation: New Special Agents, called New Agent Trainees or NATs, are paid on the GL schedule for Federal Law Enforcement Officers (LEO), beginning as a GL-10, step 1 - 10, while in training at Quantico. The salary above reflects the NATs pay and includes locality pay for the Washington, D.C. area. Additionally, all Special Agents and NATs are paid availability pay (AVP), which is 25% of the base and locality pay (the calculation is 25% x [base + locality]).

Please see the 2023 Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) Salary Table and Locality Pay Tables. Pay will include AVP, NATs salary and locality pay.

Note: During NAT training at Quantico, AVP can result in a salary range of $92,395-$119,225, dependent on adherence to agency required criteria.

Upon successful graduation from NAT, Special Agent salaries are adjusted according to assigned field office and LEO availability pay. Please review the OPM Pay Calculator to determine locality pay for specific geographic areas. New Special Agent salaries plus AVP range from $81,243-$129,717.

As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.

The FBI is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for this vacancy. Except where otherwise provided by law, selection will be made without regard to, and there will be no discrimination because of color, race, religion, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, parental status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, age, sex, sexual orientation, membership or nonmembership in an employee organization, or on the basis of personal favoritism, or any other nonmerit factors.

Benefits

Review our benefits

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

All applicants are evaluated on core competencies of collaboration, communication, flexibility/adaptability, initiative, interpersonal ability, leadership, organizing/planning and problem solving/judgment.

Please see the Required Documents and Information tab on the Special Agents career page here: https://fbijobs.gov/career-paths/special-agents.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

See the full Special Agent career page here: https://fbijobs.gov/career-paths/special-agents.

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

Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Your application will be processed as soon as you have provided all required documentation. If you are missing any required documentation, please remember to attach additional documents to your profile when they become available and make sure to notify your Applicant Coordinator upon completion. For more information, please visit: https://fbijobs.gov/career-paths/special-agents.

Accepting applications

Open & closing dates

01/25/2024 to 01/24/2025
Salary

$73,916 - $95,380 per year
Base salary & Washington, DC locality pay. See below for further salary information.
Pay scale & grade

GL 10
Location

Many vacancies in the following location:
- Location Negotiable After Selection,
Remote job

No
Telework eligible

No
Travel Required

Occasional travel - Travel is dependent on position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed

Yes— You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type

Permanent - Must work a minimum of a 50-hour workweek, which may include irregular hours, and be on call 24/7, including holidays and weekends.
Work schedule

Full-time -
Service

Excepted
Promotion potential

13
Job family (Series)

1811 Criminal Investigation
Supervisory status

No
Security clearance

Top Secret
Drug test

Yes
Announcement number

DESTIMP-12288646-24-AZ
Control number

772594800

Special Agent - Psychology/Counseling Background Job in Location Negotiable After Selection,

Summary

This job is open to

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees - Competitive service

Federal employees - Excepted service

Individuals with disabilities

Internal to an agency

Military spouses

The public

Veterans