2013 FBI Special Agent Application READ BEFORE APPLYING THIS INFORMATION IS NOT ON THE CURRENT FBIJOBS.GOV WEBSITE. The FBI is in the process of updating its website. This packet provides updates on Eligibility, Current FBI Needs, the Special Agent Selection System, your Online Application and more. Last updated: 1/31/2013 1 FIDELITY – BRAVERY - INTEGRITY S P E C I A L A G E N T The strength of the FBI is its people – Individuals from different backgrounds, each possessing a myriad of skills, working together to ensure the safety of our communities and the nation. A unique, challenging and life-changing experience The Special Agent position is more than a job – it is a calling to protect and defend our country against terrorists and foreign intelligence threats, uphold and enforce the criminal laws of the United States, and to render assistance to federal, state, municipal, and international law enforcement and intelligence partners worldwide. The FBI seeks talented and motivated individuals to accept the challenging and rewarding role of Special Agent. Specific skills/backgrounds being sought for Fiscal Year 2013 Cyber Security Computer Engineering Scientists Computer Science Electrical Engineering Certified Public Accountants Information Technology Military Bar Certified Attorneys Computer Forensics Intelligence Detectives Network Administration Pilots Foreign Language Speakers 2 Special Agent Preliminary Requirements S P E C I A L A G E N T • • U.S. citizen Between 23 and 361/2 years of age – – Federal law requires FBI Special Agents be hired by their 37th birthday. The Special Agent hiring process may take six months to a year or more. Therefore, applicants who are 36 1/2 years old may be discontinued at any time if it is found they will not be hired by their 37th birthday. Exceptions to Age Requirement: • • • • • • Current federal law enforcement officers (1811s) Preference-eligible veterans Minimum of a bachelor’s degree from a college or university accredited and recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education U.S. residency for three out of the last five years unless directly employed or deployed [overseas] by the US government and/or military (includes spouses of deployed military) Valid driver's license and at least six months of driving experience At least three years of full-time professional work experience – – – Full time is defined as 36+ hours per week Professional Work Experience is defined as specialized work of a high level of difficulty and responsibility Exceptions to the three-year work experience requirement: • • • • • Applicants with Masters and/or Doctorate degrees require only two years work experience Applicants with JDs require waives the work experience requirement Applicants with CS/IT backgrounds waives the work experience requirement Applicants fluent in a foreign language who score 3 or more on an FBI language test waives the work experience requirement Former FBI Honors or Volunteer Interns with a 3.0 GPA waives the work experience requirement 3 Special Agent Willingness and Ability S P E C I A L • If hired, Special Agents must be willing and able to: – Transfer to any of the FBI’s 56 field offices, including San Juan, PR and remote Resident Agencies based on the FBI’s current staffing needs – Serve the FBI for a minimum of three years in order to meet the FBI’s agent service agreement – Successfully complete the 20-week New Agent’s Training at the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA – A G E N T Carry a firearm 24/7 and be willing to use deadly force when necessary – Engage in strenuous and potentially dangerous activities and possibly witness heinous crime scenes – Work an average of ten hours per day, to include overtime and/or irregular work shifts 4 Special Agent Selection System (SASS) S P E C I A L In order to meet minimum qualifications, applicants must complete and pass every stage of the SASS, which includes: A G E N T Steps 6 through 9 are only afforded to those applicants deemed “Most Competitive.” 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Online Application: Your resume, application and supporting documents are reviewed to ensure you meet the SA preliminary requirements (SEE SLIDE #3) Phase I: Everyone who meets preliminary requirements will be invited to a 3-hour automated exam measuring Cognitive, Behavioral, and Logical Reasoning abilities. Testing is held at local testing centers throughout the country Meet and Greet: Those applicants who pass Phase I, and provide a self-PFT, will be invited to your local field office to meet Special Agents and learn about New Agent Training, FBI’s policies, and the Special Agent position Language Test: Only for applicants claiming a language ability Headquarter Review: Resume packages from across the country are submitted for FBI Headquarters Review. Candidates will be reviewed and ranked into three categories: Most Competitive, Competitive and Least Competitive. Only those candidates deemed “Most Competitive” will continue through the process. Phase II - Written and Oral Exams : A 90-minute written exam and a 1-hour panel interview Physical Fitness Test (PFT): Must pass at least two PFTs prior to hire and three at the Academy Polygraph /Background: A security background investigation will be conducted Medical Exam: Thorough medical review to ensure you are fit for duty Completion of the SASS could take anywhere from six (6) months to a year or more. 5 Applicants with Cyber Backgrounds S P E C I A L A G E N T In the FY2013 hiring year, the FBI’s top priority are Special Agent applicants with degrees and/or experiences in one of the following fields: Computer Science, Computer Forensics, Cyber Investigations, Information Assurance, Information Technology, Ethical Hacking, Cyber Security, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, and/or Network Administration Preferred Degrees Preferred Work Experiences Applied & Computational Mathematics Digital Investigations Management Computer Programming Network Security Auditing Computer & Digital Forensics Enterprise Computing Computer Network Design Network Traffic Analysis Computer and Information Security Information Assurance and Security Computer or Network Penetration Testing Non-Introductory teaching of the aforementioned at the college level or in industry Computer Forensics and/or Digital Investigations Information Science Computer Security Operating Systems Enterprise Administration Computer Information Systems Information Management Computer Software Development Working with SCADA/ICS Systems Computer Information Technology Education Information Security Cyber Investigations Computer Security Information Technology Management Database Development Computer Science Management Information Systems Digital Forensics Computer, Electrical, or Software Engineering Mathematics Ethical Hacking Computer Technician Network and Telecommunications Management Internetworking Technologies (Routers/Bridges/Gateways/Fi rewalls/Hubs/LANS/WANS) Cyber Security Programming/Networking Malware Analysis Database Development Web Development Network Administration 6 Applicants With Military Backgrounds S P E C I A L A G E N T • Preference eligible veterans beyond the age of 37, may be eligible for an age waiver to comply with federal mandatory retirement laws • Entitlement to Veterans’ Preference will be verified by DD-214 Member 4 Copy, SF15, VA letter, receipt of Purple Heart, expeditionary medals, and other various documents and forms • All applicants, including preference-eligible veterans, will be assessed to determine individual competitiveness (i.e., critical skills) and their ability to meet the current needs of the Bureau • Preference eligible veterans are given preference over non-veterans, both in hiring from competitive lists of eligible applicants and in retention during reductions in force OPM Vet Guide 7 Applicants With Foreign Language Abilities S P E C I A L A G E N T Proficiency in any foreign language is an asset to your application Languages most sought for FY2013: Spanish, Chinese (all dialects), Korean, Arabic, Urdu, Pashto, Punjabi, Russian and Farsi • Requirements for applicants with foreign language(s) proficiency: – The three-year work experience requirement is waived for applicants who score a 3 or higher on their FBI language test – Language applicants must still meet all other requirements of the Special Agent position • If a language is your only critical skill, you must have a passing score on both the listening and reading portions of the Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT) plus a three (3) or higher score on the Speaking Proficiency Test (SPT) are required • If you possess other critical skills in addition to speaking a foreign language, you can qualify for the foreign language critical skill enhancement by passing the listening portion of the DLPT and obtaining a score of “2” or higher on the SPT in a critical foreign language. 8 Your Resume and Additional Documents S P E C I A L A G E N T In drafting your resume, be sure to include: • Whether your position(s) were full-time, part-time (include the number of hours), or in a volunteer capacity (full-time often includes benefits and/or designation as a full-time employee) • Include the location(s) in which you worked, ex., Juneau, Alaska, or Qandahar Province, Afghanistan • Do not list responsibilities of your position, but rather, what you specifically did [accomplished] in those positions. • Be sure that your experiences, i.e. work or school accomplishments, explain your mastery of the Special Agent Core competencies: – – – – – – – – Leadership Oral Communication Initiative and Motivation Adaptability and Flexibility Organizing, Planning and Prioritizing Interpersonal Skills Evaluating Information and Making Decisions Writing Additional documents required – – Your college transcripts (unofficial copy), military documents (DD-214 Member 4 Copy, SF15, VA letter, etc.), degree evaluation (if necessary), SF-50, etc., should be uploaded to your USAJOBS.gov profile and submitted with your resume/application Onboard FBI applicants must submit a letter of recommendation from their Department 9 Head via their Field Office Applicant Coordinator Things to Note S P E C I A L A G E N T • Applications will be evaluated solely on the information provided by the applicant through the resume, application, and supporting documents • All information submitted in the Special Agent application must be as accurate and supported in your resume. All information provided, i.e., cover letter, resume, USAJOBS.gov resume, unofficial transcripts, military records [copies], etc., will be verified for accuracy. Applicants providing false or embellished information on their resumes will be discontinued. • Phase I If a candidate meets the preliminary standard requirements of the Special Agent position, they will be eligible to Phase I test. Your invitation will arrive by email from the Performance Assessment Network (pan). – Be sure to check your junk email regularly to ensure you don’t miss the invitation – You will have 21 days from receipt of your invitation to Phase I test – Failure to Phase I test in the aforementioned timeframe may result in the deactivation of your application for a minimum of six (6) months • Only the Most Competitive applicants will be afforded an interview • If you have already taken Phase I and/or Phase II, do not reapply online. Please contact your local field office applicant coordinator regarding [eligible] reactivation 10 S P E C I A L A G E N T Thank You for your interest in the Special Agent position with the FBI Should you require additional information, please contact the Applicant Coordinator or Recruiter in your local FBI office 11