I am currently an FBI SOS (Staff Operations Specialist). I was offered the IA (Intelligence Analyst) but turned it down to keep my SOS position. The difference is that a SOS does TACTICAL analysis and research, whereas an IA reviews trends and other reporting in their Area of Responsibility (AOR). I am glad I chose the SOS position. (As a side note, I know of two other SOSs who declined the IA spot and chose to keep their SOS position).
The IA on my squad reads reporting all day and then compiles a report based on those reports. Snooze....zzzz....I would hate that. Now when you want a deep dive into a subject (where you get paid to be a cyber sleuth/stalker) you ask the SOS. The SOS is your social media researcher and general all purpose analyst.
Sadly, the SOS only goes to a grade 12 and an IA goes to a grade 13. There is talk of eventually moving the SOS up an additional grade, but that can be a ways off. The FBI field offices love the SOS position and collectively the FBI is asking for an additional 500 SOS positions to grow the SOS cadre. Its tough for some IAs, who thought they would be doing tactical analysis, to watch all the tactical inquiries being handed off to the SOS.
In the beginning, the intel positions were created post 9/11 to address the urgent need for organized intelligence collection with a structure that assured sharing with other law enforcement bodies. The SOS position was thought of as an entry level position, aka a stepping stone to the I
5.0
Computer Forensic Analyst | New York, NY | Sep 28, 2014
A day-to-day scenario
Over 2 decades of customer support experience. Which includes the United States Air Force and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Only a daily basis, my job entails meeting with customers to solve computer related problems which revolve around hard-ware and software issues. I also provide training and problem-solving situations to alleviate and satisfy internal customers trouble-tickets. I also provide telephone support as well as working on databases and Active Directory usage.
During my my tenure at the FBI, I have learned that everything must be balanced. Meaning, I am able to adjust the emergencies from my regular day-to-day activities. This has helped me to learn how to prioritize my job.
My management is a great source of inspiration. On a rotational basis, management allows myself and my co-workers to have the opportunity to supervise as their relief. I believe this is a great learning tool in helping anyone to grow as a potential supervisor.
Daily, I have the opportunity to work with some great co-workers. We have a great environment and assist each other with the day-to-day activities of the job.
The hardest part of the job is pulling myself away from my desk. There are so many computer related jobs that I enjoy learning it is sometimes difficult to pull myself away at the conclusion of my day.
The most enjoyable part of my job is working for the greatest law enforcement agency in the world. Knowing that even changing a password can make
ProsWe have a gym in the building in which we can exercise.
I was a Special Agent for over 27 years. I found the Bureau to be everything I could have asked for in a law enforcement career. It was often times stressful filled with long work hours and I was transferred 5 times all around the country. As a Special Agent who worked primarily criminal investigations, I really felt that I was able to help protect people and make a positive contribution to our country. Almost everyday was exciting and different. As long as you demonstrate you are competent, a self-starter, and are able to obtain results, management for the most part stays out of your way. There are downsides to the job which cannot be overlooked. The job can be very stressful from having so much responsibility and you can potentially get into a lot of trouble based on what you did or didn't do in an investigation. If you work criminal matters, you at some point will find yourself in a life threatening situation. You will work long hours and be on call every day dependent on what is happening in your investigations or in the investigations being conducted by your peers. More than likely you will be transferred at least 2x in your career. Mine included varied places like New Mexico, Michigan, Texas, and FBIHQ. Although tough on the family, I found being transferred to be one of the most rewarding aspects of the job. In conclusion, the Bureau is a great place to work and there is a niche for everyone from criminal investigators, intelligence agents, HRT operators, to pilots et
ProsExciting Work, Challenging Work, Meaningful Work
ConsLong Work Hours, Transfers, Dangerous Situations, Stressful
A typical day in the life of a Federal Bureau employee consits of having very technical databasing skills, handling life or death experiences in immediate time, maintaining composer when dealing with the community/ victims, and making sure important documents are complete, secure, and filed properly. I learned that in stressful situations, taking a deep breath and analyzing my strategy, will help me conduct professionalism in a timely manner.
There are different levels of management within the Bureau. My managers well very highly skilled when handling fairness and equality. I DO NOT have anything negative to say about my managers, and working with and for them was a great opportunity.
Working with different types of people within my workplace was a difficult experience at first, but once understanding was maintained, the worklife was great. Knowing boundries and keeping teamwork first, really makes achievement possible. The hardest part of the job was dealing with irate callers at all hours of the job. Alot of people think that the Government isn't out to help the public, but in actuality, we try to help the public as much as possible with integrity being a key factor.
In the end, the most enjoyable part of the job was working as one of the highest and most respectable branches of Government in the United States of America. Being able to help the community, save lives, and make sure keeping bad guys off the streets made me feel honored to work for such a great establishmen
I really feel/felt fortunate to work for this organization that I consider my second family. A typical day always involved being able to learn and/or apply something new to enhance both the organization or yourself personally. A win-win situation. The biggest learning occurred objective I personally accomplished is how to relate with people..in which I consider to be a main attribute in intelligence collection. Each day, there are opportunities to enhance this skill sets that supports the mission as well as personal objectives as well. As mentioned, because of the association with co-workers, you have the opportunity to develop meaningful professional relationships that will last throughout your lifetime. To that end, the hardest part of the job would involve convincing those who have lost their vision of what truly matters within the organization of how fortunate they are to be member of one of the finest law enforcement entities in the world. By providing example after example and getting these individuals to focus on how their accomplishments enhanced the capabilities of the organization can be tough. However, what is equally enjoyable is when the proverbial light bulb pops back on for these same people based off of past conversations had. Thus, the mentoring aspect of seeing both younger....and in some cases older employees positively change their thought processes is probably the most enjoyable and rewarding overall.
ProsMission objective, benefits, prestige
ConsMandatory retirement at age 57 for Special Agents
Well-paid job, poor communication, too much nepotism/buddy promotion
I have been a Legal Instruments Examiner with the FBI since 2000 in the NICS Operations Unit and in the NICS Appeal Services Team. There is a great deal of research and analysis of criminal records involved in this job including research of NCIC records, FBI records, internal scanned document files (DDF), and Westlaw. I must apply ten federal prohibitors and multiple state prohibitors to each transaction's criminal history to determine if a potential gun purchaser is prohibited from possessing or purchasing a firearm in his state of residence, state of purchase, and state of criminal record.
The most difficult part of this job is applying the ever-changing legal statutes accurately to diverse transactions while keeping in mind the state of the potentially prohibiting record, the state of purchase and the state of residence, all of which can affect the final decision of denial or approval for a firearm purchase.
The most enjoyable parts of the job are my relationships with my fellow employees and the camaraderie we share, helping each other, giving guidance to less experienced examiners, and accomplishing the necessary workload while supporting and caring about each other.
ProsPaid leave and holidays, 401k, healthcare, variety of schedules which makes it easier to plan family life.
ConsInconsistent upper management, glossing over and/or rewarding bad management decisions and wasteful spending, promoting friends and family of upper management (nepotism).
Corporate Brand Manager, Management and Program Analyst
Was a very exciting position as I worked in the Directors Office of Public Affairs. I created many first time projects and led teams of designers, writers on top level projects. Worked in the Chicago Field Office for 4 years and Corporate Headquarters in Washington, DC for two years. I unfortunately had to leave DC as there was a medical issue at my home in Chicago.
My typical day included about 30% meetings, 30% production, 20% leadership and 20% administration.
I worked with top management on projects which was a great learning opportunity. I held a top secret clearance which afforded me access to all FBI projects.
The hardest part of my job was since I was in public affairs I was the team lead in a group of writers and designers and my immediate boss was a writer with no background in in design or communications. Many co-workers were unhappy with this situation. I had been hired by a very supportive manager who unfortunately left our division.
The most enjoyable part of my job was the exciting projects I was either the lead on or a major contributor and many are shown on my portfolio website.
ProsCompensation, benefits, working with fellow colleagues across multiple divisions, knowing what what happening in the world at all times
ConsSome large company red tape, not very good attitudes from fellow support employees who had been there over 25 years, they didn't like new technology
1.0
salary and funding scapegoat | San Juan, PR | Sep 18, 2018
the police state praetorians
full of paranoid often abusive of national security letters agents,the FBI is perfect for personalities that lack a sense of own personality,sense of self and accomplishment.most of the agents feel an adrenaline rush of superiority investigating cases that never lead to any conviction. color of law is common and group thinking while investigating potential "threats". the FBI agent lacks a sense of individuality regarding ethical issues dealing with a civilians privacy or civil rights. a common joke is this one " you gotta crack some eggs to make an omelette" most of the "preventive" surveillance done on "lone wolf" profiles are highly antagonistic and at the end,they criminalize this character trait that in essence may be just lonely people who have done nothing wrong but having a traumatic life that these privileged agents have never experienced. if you just graduated college and are looking for a place where "justice" is dealt with,the FBI is note the place!, study law and specialize in injury law,that practice is more ethical and fair that these band of "hero and action" guys.or better yet,start a small business,there is more honor in that that working for this ever watchful in paranoia, ego trippers!
Prosyou get a shiny badge to show off to mom and pops and your friends
Consyou get to work with stupid guys with a lot of power, sounds temptinmg right? you may be the one!
Totally stupid and incompetent people worked at FBI
Many agents are lazy, many of the office administration workers are high school graduates with no work ethics. Support workers are vindictive, cliquish, ignorant, totally inept, and immature. There is definite bullying and office politics to the max. Agents use BS, physical conditioning to add time to the their work. Some are absolute cowards, yet they carry a gun!!
Nepotism is rampant in San Fran branch. I think FBI motto is 'stupidity and incompetence'. They support people are cheaters of federal tax payers, they game the hours, they have zero morals or ethics. They are rumor mongers because they have so little to do at times. 75% of support people are completely lazy or incompetent at San Fran branch...that includes most idiots in San Jose. They hire support workers, some people who can barely speak English, let alone know their job.
FBI nickles and dimes you to death for everything...you have to pay for every little snack, coffee, or even filtered water you drink!!!
Now, I see whyour government is going down the toilet.
Most employees are paranoid of being on constant watch. They're basically in a police state. These employees don't dare blink wrong, but they will steal and cheat their weekly time sheets like a pro!!!
ProsNone
ConsIgnorant idiots, cowards, nepotism, and high school popularity games
INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS DIVISION
The International Operations Division oversees the FBI's Legal Attaché Program, whose mission is to establish and maintain liaison with principal law enforcement and intelligence/security services in designated foreign countries.
This program enables the FBI to effectively and expeditiously meet its international responsibilities in investigating and stopping organized crime, international terrorism, foreign counterintelligence, and general criminal matters. The liaison activities performed by the Legal Attachés are essential to the successful fulfillment of the international responsibilities of the FBI and to the interests of the United States.
Liaison is carried out in accordance with executive order, statute, Attorney General Guidelines, and FBI policies. The Legal Attaché Program provides for a prompt and continuous exchange of information with foreign law enforcement and intelligence agencies. Our foreign-based personnel assist foreign agencies with legitimate investigative requests in the United States to encourage reciprocal assistance in criminal and other matters.
Questions And Answers about Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
If you were in charge, what would you do to make Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) a better place to work?
Asked Oct 20, 2016
First off who am I to advise someone at this point without knowing all the details. Too much of this Society runs on what they heard,not what they saw or investigated themselves. Working as a team with employee engagement.is a good place to start.
Answered Sep 11, 2019
Delegate among faculty and work together to run a tighter ship. Hold board meetings as much as possible to increase team unification and hold up the standard for what the bureau stands for. Assuming that this question would actually be taken serious
Answered Jul 23, 2019
My dream career has always been an FBI Surveillance Specialist. Do I need a bachelor degree for this career?
I looked into the FBI and wasn't sure if college education was a must for this position specifically.
Asked Mar 17, 2017
The majority of positions require a bs degree with a major in a specified area of forensics, analyst's, computer specialists etc...And experience in the field.
Answered Nov 8, 2019
Educational qualification is must need .because every day every thing is going to improve by methodically so educated person can easily follow up these thing day by day.
Answered Mar 24, 2018
To be considered as a special agent applicant, is there a specific education requirement?
Asked Apr 3, 2017
My dad worked as an analyst and forensic tech from 81-99. He went to college for 7 years and majored in Criminal Forensic science. One of his best friends from the bureau was a SSA. He went to college for 4 years majored in Criminal Science. I’d assume the standards then are the same or higher nowadays so yes, I would say if you’re serious about it, go to at least a 4 year university and keep your major broad in criminal justice. That way, if you change your mind about being an agent, you can stay and the bureau and do something else.
Answered Nov 10, 2019
I would like to work for the fbi, I've been a safetyman for 19 years , would I have a chance to work with the fbi
Answered Dec 26, 2017
What questions did they ask during your interview at Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)?
Asked Sep 19, 2016
13 years more
Answered Dec 17, 2020
My general work background. What was my clearance level. Did I hold a CI POLY and I do hold a CI POLY. Where do I live.
Answered Dec 31, 2019
What benefits does Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) offer?
Asked Sep 19, 2016
Non as a summer high school student
Answered Mar 20, 2019
Accumulation of annual and paid sick leave. They pay a portion of the cost for health insurance premium.
