2015 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: 7/31/2014

FIDELITY BRAVERY - INTEGRITY

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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, to 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 2014
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

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Special Agent Preliminary Requirements

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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 bachelors 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

Special Agent Willingness and Ability

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If hired, Special Agents must be willing and able to:

Transfer to any of the FBIs 56 field offices, including San Juan, PR and remote
Resident Agencies, based on the FBIs current staffing needs
Serve the FBI for a minimum of three years in order to meet the FBIs Special
Agent service agreement
Successfully complete approximately 18 weeks of New Agent Training at the FBI
Academy in Quantico, VA

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Carry a firearm 24/7 and be willing to use deadly force when necessary

Engage in strenuous and potentially dangerous activities and potentially witness

disturbing crime scenes
Work an average of ten hours per day, to include overtime and/or irregular work
shifts
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Special Agent Selection System (SASS)

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In order to meet minimum qualifications, applicants must complete and pass every stage of
the SASS, which includes:
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5.

Online Application: Resume, application and supporting documents are reviewed to ensure
applicants meet the SA preliminary requirements (SEE SLIDE #3)
Phase I: Everyone who meets preliminary requirements will be invited to a 3-hour automated
exam that measures 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 conduct a qualifying self-PFT, will be
invited to your local field office to meet Special Agents and learn about New Agent Training, FBIs
policies, and the Special Agent position
Language Test: Applicants who are claiming to have a language skill must take an FBI-approved
language test
Headquarter Review: Resume packages from across the country are submitted for FBI
Headquarters Review. Candidates will be reviewed and will be ranked into one of three
categories: Most Competitive, Competitive or Least Competitive. Only those candidates deemed
Most Competitive will continue through the process.

Steps 6 through 9 are afforded only to those applicants deemed Most Competitive.

6.
7.
8.
9.

Phase II - Written and Oral Exams : A 90-minute written exam and a 1-hour panel interview
Physical Fitness Test (PFT): A minimum of two PFTs
Polygraph /Background: A security background investigation & polygraph
Medical Exam: Thorough medical review to ensure you are fit for duty

Completion of the SASS can take anywhere from six (6) months to a year or more.
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Applicants with Cyber Backgrounds

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In the FY2014 hiring year, the FBIs top priority is 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

Applicants With Military Backgrounds

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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

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Applicants With Foreign Language Abilities

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Proof of proficiency in any foreign language is an asset to your application

Languages most sought for FY2014:
Spanish, Somali 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.

Your Resume and Additional Documents

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In drafting your resume:

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 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
Head or SAC via their Field Office Applicant Coordinator
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Things to Note
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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
Candidates who meet the preliminary standard requirements of the Special Agent
position, may be eligible to take the 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 dont 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; contact your
local field office applicant coordinator regarding eligibility for reactivation.
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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

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