Law Enforcement

Government Expansion

The federal sector is still hiring nationwide and overseas. The Affordable Health Care Act includes over 100 new regulatory agencies and commissions and more federal regulators will be needed to administer new EPA and OSHA regulations and to manage the many other federal programs that have been expanded over the past 5 years. The federal government now owns all of Fanny Mae and Freddie Mac plus they took over 100% of the student loan program. There will be bumps along the way and many agencies may experience some downsizing to address budget shortfalls.

There is considerable competition for anyone seeking federal employment and those interested in working for Uncle Sam must develop a professional federal style resume and application to remain competitive and start the process early to improve their chances of success.

Investigators, Police Officers, Secret Service,  FBI, CIA, Special Agents, Prison Guards, and Others

Law Enforcement Menu

• Law Enforcement Jobs Introduction
• Law Enforcement Jobs
  •   Agency Listing (Number employed by job title with links to job lists)
  • CIA Jobs
  • FBI Jobs
  • Airport Security Screeners
  • Customs & Border Patrol Agents
  • IRS Agents
  • Private sector law enforcement jobs
  • Investigation jobs - Private & government sectors
  • Investigative group job listings
  • Police, Park Ranger and Correctional Officer job listings
  • Hiring Agencies and Job Listings - Includes employment numbers
  • State law enforcement jobs - State Police & ALL occupations and areas
  • Jobs requiring a security clearance - All occupations listed

• Earnings (Pay & Benefits)
• Federal Resume Guide - How to successfully apply for law enforcement jobs
  • Federal Resume Writing Service (Assistance)
• Online Criminal Justice Degree - Is this right for you?
• Additional Information (Working conditions, training, outlook)
• Hiring Agencies - Includes number employed
• Qualification Standards
• Career & Job Search resources
• Clearance Jobs Career Center - For those with active or current security clearances.
• Agency Information (All agencies)
• 141 Agency Web Sites
• Post Your Resume for FREE at HotResumes.com - Explore ALL job options

Introduction

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It's important to understand the impact that Homeland Security has had on federal law enforcement careers. Many functions were transferred to this agency and those functions are listed below along with links to their recruiting sites. The federal government employs over 188,000 law enforcement personnel in more than 40 job series (see table 11-1 from The Book of U.S. Government Jobs). Most federal agencies employ law enforcement specialists in some capacity or another. It’s important to realize that work in law enforcement is not limited to investigative, police, compliance and security positions. There are tens of thousands of federal employees working in occupations that provide direct support to these groups.

The Department of Homeland Security transferred functions from the Department of the Treasury, Justice, HHS, Defense, FBI, Secret Service, GSA, Energy, Agriculture, Transportation and the U.S. Coast Guard. The new organization is comprised of five major Directorates and the losing agency is listed in parentheses.

Border and Transportation Security

U.S. Custom Service (Treasury)
Immigration& Naturalization Service (Justice)
Federal Protective Service
Transportation Security (Transportation)
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (Justice)
Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (Agriculture)
Office for Domestic Preparedness (Justice)

Emergency Preparedness and Response

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Strategic National Stockpile & National Disaster Medical System (HHS)
Nuclear Incident Response Team (Energy)
Domestic Emergency Support Team (Justice)
National Domestic Preparedness Office (FBI)

Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection

Federal Computer Incident Response Center (GSA)
National Communications System (Defense)
National Infrastructure Protection Center (FBI)
Energy Security and Assurance Program (Energy)

Science and Technology

CBRN Countermeasures Program (Energy)
Environmental Measurement Laboratory (Energy)
National BW Defense Analysis Center (Defense)
Plum Island Animal Disease Center (Agriculture)

Management

The Secret Service and the Coast Guard are also with the DHS. They will remain intact and report directly to the Secretary. In addition, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) adjudications and benefits programs report direct to the Deputy Secretary as the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service.

The Book of U.S. Government Jobs describes the federal law enforcement field in depth with contact information, job descriptions, and internet links to agency recruiters. You will find information about specific organizations like Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (ATF), U.S. Marshals, Investigators, the U.S. Secrete Service, Diplomatic Security, the National Park Service, US Border patrol, Federal Protective Services, CIA & FBI, and many more. 

Earnings

Median annual wages were $73,170 in Federal Government, $53,910 in State government, and $55,930 in local government. Median annual wages of detectives and criminal investigators exceeds $60,910. The middle 50 percent earned between $45,930 and $81,490. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $36,500, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $97,870.

Median annual wages were $48,960 in Federal Government, $50,440 in State government, and $35,810 in local government. Median annual wages of fish and game wardens exceeds $48,930. The middle 50 percent earned between $37,500 and $61,290. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $30,400, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $81,710.

Median annual wages of transit and railroad police exceeds $46,670. The middle 50 percent earned between $37,640 and $57,830. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $31,300, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $72,700. Median annual wages were $49,370 in State government, $43,720 in local government, and $56,300 in rail transportation.

Federal law provides special salary rates to Federal employees who serve in law enforcement. Additionally, Federal special agents and inspectors receive law enforcement availability pay (LEAP)—equal to 25 percent of the agent's grade and step—awarded because of the large amount of overtime that these agents are expected to work. Salaries were slightly higher in selected areas where the prevailing local pay level was higher. Because Federal agents may be eligible for a special law enforcement benefits package, applicants should ask their recruiter for more information.

In addition to the common benefits—paid vacation, sick leave, and medical and life insurance—most law enforcement occupations provide officers with special allowances for uniforms an early 20 year retirement.

Police Jobs

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