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Special Agent - Law Enforcement/ Military Background

Department of Justice
Federal Bureau of Investigation

Summary

As an FBI Special Agent, you will channel your expertise to protect our nation from cyberattacks, terrorism, fraud, and evolving threats. From conducting high-stakes investigations to leveraging your in-depth knowledge to uncover crucial information, your skills are essential to investigating crimes that threaten public safety. Your transition from a specialized career to special agent will be transformative, utilizing your expertise to tackle national security challenges in innovative ways.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
12/31/2025 to 12/30/2026
Salary
$99,461 to - $128,329 per year

(Calculation is base + locality + availability pay.) Please see additional information below for more details.

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 - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
13
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Drug test
Yes
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
DESTIMP-12815070-26-VL
Control number
847970200

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.

Duties

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  • 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

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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

The 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.

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

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