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Special Agent - Psychology/Counseling Background

Department of Justice
Federal Bureau of Investigation
This job announcement has closed

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.

Overview

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Job closed
Open & closing dates
10/13/2021 to 10/12/2022
Salary
$62,556 to - $80,721 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 10
Location
Many vacancies in the following location:
Location Negotiable After Selection, United States
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 - GS-13. At level 11, pay scale converts from GL to GS.
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Top Secret
Drug test
Yes
Announcement number
DEST-10298438-19-CB
Control number
515489000

This job is open to

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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. This job requires selectees to be able to obtain a Top Secret Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) Clearance.

Videos

Duties

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You can expect continued specialized training once on board and opportunities to work on some of the Bureau's most complex cases. The scope and scale of our investigations provide unique challenges unlike anything you could work on in the private sector. Your ultimate mission: to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution of the United States. Being a Special Agent can be a lifelong career of uncommon days and amazing experiences.

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.

Requirements

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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. The selection process typically takes one year or more to complete. For more information about the 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

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.

How you will be evaluated

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.

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