Special Agent

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Cadillac (MI); On-site; USD 94,000 - 133,000; Full time

Job summary

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is seeking qualified individuals for Special Agent positions. Responsibilities include planning and conducting investigations into federal offenses, coordinating across agencies, and maintaining peak physical readiness.

Successful candidates will be prepared to carry firearms and pursue ongoing national security challenges. All applicants must meet stringent eligibility criteria, including citizenship, education, and clearance requirements, with

Qualifications

• U.S. citizen with a bachelor’s degree or higher.
• Must meet FBI employment eligibility and pass required fitness tests.
• Be eligible for Top‑Secret SCI clearance and legally possess a firearm.

Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct investigations of potential federal violations.
• Coordinate with federal, state, local, tribal, and international agencies.
• Maintain physical fitness and readiness to perform law enforcement duties.
• Carry a firearm and be prepared to use force, if necessary.
• Produce and present reports, briefs, and information for investigations.

Skills

U.S. Citizenship

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

As an FBI Special Agent, you will have the opportunity to channel your expertise to protect our nation from cyber-attacks, terrorism, fraud, and evolving threats. From conducting high-stakes investigations to leveraging your in-depth knowledge to uncover crucial information, your skills are essential to investigating crimes that threaten public safety. Your transition from a specialized career to a special agent role will be transformative, utilizing your expertise to tackle national security challenges in innovative ways.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• Be a U.S. Citizen
• Have a bachelor's degree or higher from a U.S. accredited college or university.
• Possess one (1) year of full-time sworn law enforcement (local, state, tribal, or federal) and a bachelor's degree or a master's or doctorate degree and no work experience. OR
• Possess two (2) years of full-time work experience and a bachelor's degree or one year of full-time work experience and a master's or doctorate degree. AND
• Be eligible for a Top-Secret SCI Clearance.
• Be able to legally possess / carry a firearm.
• Be at least 23 years old and not have reached your 37th birthday on appointment; exceptions may apply.
• Meet the FBI’s Employment Eligibility requirements.
• Must pass the Physical Fitness Test physical requirements.
• Meet the medical requirements of the position.
• Possess a valid driver's license with at least six months driving experience.
• Be available for assignment to any of the FBI’s 56 Field Offices.
• Travel may be required.

MAJOR DUTIES

Job Title: SPECIAL AGENT, GL-09/GL-10. Full Performance Level: GS-13. Location: U.S. Locations. Working Hours: Minimum of 50 hours per week. Job Type: Full Time/Permanent. Who May Apply: Open to ALL U.S. Citizens. Questions Email: [e-mail]. Salary: $93,749 - $133,200 per year (calculation is base + locality + availability pay).

• Plan and conduct investigations of potential violations of federal laws.
• Exercise judgement, resourcefulness, and versatility in meeting investigative demands.
• Create and maintain effective liaison relationships with federal, state, local, tribal, territorial and international law enforcement agencies.
• Coordinate and/or participate in searches, seizures, and arrests.
• Carry a firearm and be willing to use force, to include deadly force, if necessary.
• Maintain a level of physical fitness to ensure readiness required to perform law enforcement duties.

All applicants will be rated on the following Competencies:

• Collaboration
• Communication
• Flexibility/Adaptability
• Initiative
• Interpersonal Ability
• Leadership
• Organizing and Planning
• Problem Solving and Judgment

QUALIFICATIONS AND EVALUATIONS

GL-09 All applicants must have one year of full-time sworn law enforcement (local, state, tribal or federal) work experience and a bachelor's degree or no work experience required if you have an advanced degree (master's or doctorate degree). A sworn law enforcement officer is authorized under statute to enforce laws, carry a firearm, make arrests.

GL-10 All applicants must have two years of full-time work experience and a bachelor's degree or one year of full time work experience if you have an advanced degree (master's or doctorate degree).

All applicants should demonstrate Specialized Experience (SE).

SE is defined as:

• Gathering and analyzing information and data to make proper conclusions or decisions.
• Establishing solutions to problems, assessing vulnerabilities, considering risks, and choosing the best outcome.
• Organizing, planning, and prioritizing various and competing work assignments.
• Consistently navigating complex and/or evolving environments.
• Communicating orally and in writing to prepare and present reports, briefings, and/or exchange information.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

• Utilizing the Resume Builder, outline your relevant work experience and associated start and end dates. Uploaded resumes will not be reviewed or used for qualification purposes.
• Official or unofficial college transcript(s) that list your degree and the date conferred from a U.S. accredited college or university
• Former civilian Federal employees must submit a copy of your MOST RECENT SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing your tenure, grade and step, salary, and type of position occupied (i.e., Excepted or Competitive); or similar Notification of Personnel Action documentation, i.e., Transcript of Service, Form 1150, etc. This is a requirement to verify your Time in Grade (TIG). Actions such as promotion, within grade increase, or reassignment actions must be submitted as your most recent SF 50.
• Memorandum for Record: (if applicable) Work performed outside assigned duties (that would not normally be documented on an SF-50, i.e., back-up duties), has to be documented in detail by an immediate supervisor in order to receive full credit for amount of time worked in that position. If no documentation is furnished, no credit will be given for time worked in that position. The following notations must be specified in the documentation (Memorandum for Record):
• Percent of time worked in the position (cannot conflict with main duties)
• The month/year work began and ended
• Frequency worked (i.e., daily, monthly, etc.)
• Specific duties performed

Attach the Memorandum for Record to your application as type "Other" in the My Career Tools section on the Careers Home page.

Current or Former Members of the Armed Forces

• DD-214, Member 4 copy or Service 2 copy
• Statement of Service (if not yet separated)
• VA letter dated within one year (to include Disabled Veterans)
• SF-15, Veterans’ Preference form (optional)

Please Note:

• DO NOT attach a cover letter.
• Please make sure that all pages are readable when scanning and uploading your documents(s).
• DO NOT upload any picture files (JPEG, TIFF, PNG, BMP).

SPECIAL AGENT APPLICATION PROCESS

The application process includes the following steps, each of which must be successfully completed. Applicants who meet the initial screening criteria will receive an email invitation to take the Phase I exam.

• Step 1: Application and Screening
• Step 2: Phase I Test
• Step 3: Information Session
• Step 4: Official Physical Fitness Test (PFT) physical requirements / Phase II (a) Written
• Step 5: Phase II (b) Interview
• Step 6: Conditional Appointment Offer
• Step 7: Background Investigation
• Step 8: Fit for Duty Medical Review
• Step 9: Basic Field Training Course
• Finish: Career Placement

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Opportunity to 'opt in' to return to applicant's processing field office after accepting Final Job Offer
• You are strongly encouraged to review the Special Agent Application and Evaluation Process before beginning the application process. This guide provides helpful information about the application and selection for the Special Agent position.
• Probationary employees are typically precluded from being considered for all job opportunities until 12-months of their 24-month probationary period has concluded. Veterans’ preference may be subject to a one-year probationary period.
• Upon successful completion of the two- year probationary period, Special Agents will transition from the GL to the General Schedule (GS) pay scale.
• All FBI positions are in the excepted service.
• Positions with fitness-for-duty requirements or those requiring international travel may require proof of certain vaccinations.
• Failure to provide the required and relevant information as outlined in this vacancy announcement may disqualify you from consideration. Additional information will not be requested if your application is incomplete and will be evaluated solely on the information you provide.
• The identification of promotion potential in this announcement is not a guarantee of promotion. Advancement will depend on administrative approval, operational needs, and performance of higher-level duties.
• Applicants may be eligible for a waiver to the maximum entry age requirement. Those who qualify for veteran's preference may receive a no age-limit waiver. Starting August 17, 2026, applicants up to the age 38 at the time of application without veteran's preference may be eligible for an age-limit waiver. If you meet the age requirement or believe you may qualify for an age waiver, please select "Yes" when completing the application.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE

If you are entitled to veterans' preference, you should indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume and application. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency.

NEPOTISM

Nepotism is the act of favoring relatives in the hiring process and is prohibited by law. Public officials are prohibited from hiring or promoting relatives or relatives of officials in their chain of command, as well as actively or indirectly endorsing a relative’s appointment or promotion. During the hiring process, all selected candidates and FBI hiring managers will be required to certify they are not related to anyone involved in the hiring process.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUEST

The FBI provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application and/or hiring process, please contact the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Affairs (OEEOA) Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Program by email at [e-mail], phone at 202-324-2158, or fax at 202-324-3976. This email address is for reasonable accommodation requests only. Do not send applications or unrelated inquiries to this address, as they will not be considered.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The FBI is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for this vacancy. Unless explicitly authorized by law, selection will be made without regard to, and there will be no discrimination because of, color, race, religion, national origin, marital status, parental status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, age (40 or over), sex, pregnancy and related conditions, or on the basis of personal favoritism, or any other non-merit factors.

BENEFITS

The Bureau matches your dedication with a commitment to professional growth, a supportive work environment, and a robust benefits package that prioritizes you. As a member of our team, you’ll enjoy comprehensive health and life insurance benefits, paid vacation, sick leave, and federal holidays. For more details about benefits available to all federal employees, visit the Office of Personnel Management’s website.