Special Agent - Psychology/Counseling Background

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.

Duties

You can expect continued specialized training once on board and opportunities to advance your career with leadership development and mentorships. You'll work complex investigations, each providing unique challenges that require innovation and new perspectives. Being a Special Agent can be a lifelong career of unconventional days and amazing experiences, all while creating a safer, more just future for America. Forge your path today.

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.

Salary

• $77,840 - $100,435/year

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 18 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. For more information about 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). Other Information

Salary and Compensation: New Special Agents, called New Agent Trainees or NATs, are paid on the GL schedule for Federal Law Enforcement Officers (LEO), beginning as a GL-10, step 1 - 10, while in training at Quantico. The salary above reflects the NATs pay and includes locality pay for the Washington, D.C. area. Additionally, all Special Agents and NATs are paid availability pay (AVP), which is 25% of the base and locality pay (the calculation is 25% x [base + locality]).

Please see the 2024 Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) Salary Table and Locality Pay Tables. Pay will include AVP, NATs salary and locality pay.

Note: During NAT training at Quantico, AVP can result in a salary range of $97,300-$125,543 dependent on adherence to agency required criteria.

Upon successful graduation from NAT, Special Agent salaries are adjusted according to assigned field office and LEO availability pay. Please review the OPM Pay Calculator to determine locality pay for specific geographic areas. New Special Agent salaries plus AVP range from $85,296-$136,991.

As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.

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.

Required Documents

Please see the Required Documents and Information tab on the Special Agents career page here: https://fbijobs.gov/career-paths/special-agents.

How to Apply

See the full Special Agent career page here: https://fbijobs.gov/career-paths/special-agents.

Benefits

Review our benefits