Wanted by the FBI: Job Seekers

With turbulent economic times and an onslaught of news about job cuts in the corporate world, there is word out today that the FBI is hiring 2,100 people for staff positions and is seeking to fill 850 special agent slots.

With turbulent economic times and an onslaught of news about job cuts in the corporate world, the word out of Washington today is that the FBI is hiring 2,100 people for staff positions, and is seeking to fill 850 special agent slots.

(AP/FBI)

The Bureau is looking for people who can obtain a security clearance to fill a wide array of jobs, including accountants, analysts, automotive mechanics, nursing specialists, physical surveillance experts, scientists.

"The FBI is like no other career choice you've ever considered. Whatever your background or expertise, you will find the FBI exceptionally rewarding," said Assistant Director John Raucci, the head of the FBI Human Resources Division.

According to FBI officials, the hiring effort is coming as a result of job attrition and retirements; the FBI currently employees about 30,000 people.

Related

Mueller: As FBI Turns 100, 'Threat Is Real'

Don't Ask, Don't Tell... If You're a Felon?

Report: How FBI Tracks Terrorist Threats

Aside from the wide range of professional jobs the FBI will also be seeking to recruit 850 agents. This year the FBI has hired nearly 180 agents, the most recent class of agents graduated from Quantico Dec. 23, 2008. The training program for special agents is now 20 weeks.

This is the Bureau's second-largest hiring push since after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, when the FBI began a major transformation, looking especially to hire individuals with expertise in the Middle East and Asia. In 2003, the Bureau made a large push to hire linguists.

The FBI's clearance process bars convicted felons from employment and requires polygraphs and drug screenings, though in recent years the FBI has relaxed its policy on previous use of illegal drugs. The FBI now asks applicants if they have used marijuana in the past three years, and other illegal drugs, including anabolic steroids, in the past 10 years.

Most of the open posts will close applications by Jan. 16. The Bureau said it hopes to have the positions filled by Sept. 30. Job application information is on the FBI's Web site: http://www.fbijobs.gov/