Federal Law Enforcement Jobs

If you're looking for a satisfying, rewarding job that allows you to really help people, consider the many available careers in federal law enforcement. You could become a Border Patrol agent, a member of the Customs service or even wear the badge of the United States Capitol Police.

As in many other fields, advanced education is helpful in finding a good job. Candidates with master's degrees in criminal justice can expect many more opportunities compared to those with lesser or no advanced training. A degree from an accredited school means you're committed and dedicated to becoming the best you can be, with up to date training in all aspects of law enforcement, crime investigation, surveillance and much more. Going past the basic level to the master's degree is a wise move for anyone who wishes to make the law and the protection of our citizens their life's work.

Federal police jobs are available throughout the country, and the range of potential employment is wide. You could become a Deputy U.S. Marshal and work in a courthouse, or join the Internal Revenue Service and participate in financial crime investigations. Graduates of criminal justice programs are Special Agents for the Secret Service, investigators for the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and Air Marshals for the Transportation Safety Administration. Your training, skills and experience can help you rise to the highest levels.

If you have a strong urge to be of service, to protect lives and property and make the country a safer place to live, consider a career in law enforcement. Top-quality educational programs are available at colleges and universities throughout the country, and are your portal to this exciting, valuable and useful field. Choose a career that makes a difference, and provides rewards both tangible and personal. With so many potential careers from which to choose, you are sure to find one which enriches your professional life.

Listed below are some of the more popular agencies and positions along with their job description.

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Special Agent

ATF is a principal law enforcement agency within the United States Department of Justice dedicated to preventing terrorism, reducing violent crime, and protecting our Nation. Special Agents are responsible for investigating violations of federal law relating to firearms, explosives, arson and alcohol and tobacco diversion. These investigations involve surveillance, participation in raids, interviewing suspects and witnesses, making arrests, obtaining search warrants, and searching for physical evidence. They prepare criminal investigative case reports and testify for the government in court or before grand juries.

Border Patrol - Agent

The priority mission of the Border Patrol is preventing terrorists and terrorists weapons, including weapons of mass destruction, from entering the United States. Their primary mission is the detection and apprehension of illegal aliens and smugglers of aliens at or near the land border. The Border Patrol is specifically responsible for patrolling nearly 6,000 miles of Mexican and Canadian international land borders and over 2,000 miles of coastal waters surrounding the Florida Peninsula and the island of Puerto Rico.

U.S. Capitol Police - Officer

The United States Capitol Police has the mission of providing security for the United States Capitol Building. Their main focus is in protecting life and property; preventing, detecting, and investigating criminal acts; and enforcing traffic regulations throughout a large complex of congressional buildings, parks, and thoroughfares. Additionally, they are responsible for protecting Members of Congress, Officers of the United States Senate, United States House of Representatives, and their families.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection - Officer

Customs and Border Protection Officers are on duty at our nations international airports, seaports or land border crossings. These ports of entry are the front line of defense against terrorist intrusion, as well as criminal activities, such as drug smuggling, money laundering, undocumented entry of individuals, weapons trafficking, smuggling of prohibited goods and a host of customs violations. CBP Officers interact with the traveling public arriving from overseas, as well as inspecting luggage and airborne cargo in international airports. This is an armed uniformed position.

Defense Criminal Investigative Service - Special Agent

DCIS Special Agents conduct investigations in the Department of Defense (including the military departments) as the Inspector General considers appropriate. They ensure U.S. warfighters have the best and safest equipment to accomplish their mission. Special agents combat terrorism by working with Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies as part of Joint Terrorism Task Forces throughout the United States. This is a civilian law enforcement position.

U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security - Special Agent

Diplomatic Security Special Agents are federal law enforcement officers who serve worldwide. Overseas, special agents advise ambassadors on all security issues and coordinate all of a mission's security programs. Special agents spend a substantial portion of their careers abroad serving at diplomatic posts. In the United States, agents investigate passport and visa fraud and protect the Secretary of State and visiting foreign dignitaries.

Drug Enforcement Administration - Special Agent

DEA Special Agents enforce the controlled substances laws and regulations of the United States of America. They bring to justice organizations - including those with ties to terrorism - and their principal members, who are involved in the growing, manufacture or distribution of illegal drugs. This is often done by infiltrating these criminal organizations.

Federal Bureau of Investigation - Special Agent

FBI Special Agents are responsible for conducting sensitive national security investigations and for enforcing over 300 federal statutes. Agents work on matters including terrorism, foreign counterintelligence, cyber crime, organized crime, white-collar crime, public corruption, civil rights violations, financial crime, bribery, bank robbery, extortion, kidnapping, air piracy, interstate criminal activity, fugitive and drug-trafficking matters, and other violations of federal statutes.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Special Agent and Refuge Officer

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plays a pivotal role in safeguarding some of this nation's rich natural resources such as fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats. Special Agents are trained criminal investigators who enforce wildlife laws throughout the United States. They conduct investigations which may include activities such as surveillance, undercover work, seizing contraband, making arrests, and preparing cases for court. They often work with other law enforcement authorities. Refuge law enforcement officers protect wildlife from poaching and ensure the safety of visitors to the national wildlife refuges.

Internal Revenue Service - Special Agent

The law enforcement branch of the IRS has the mission to serve the American public by investigating potential criminal violations of the Internal Revenue Code and related financial crimes. Special Agents find criminals or crimes by tracking money. They are first and foremost investigative accountants. No matter what the source, all income earned, both legal and illegal, has the potential of becoming involved in crimes which fall within the investigative jurisdiction of the IRS Criminal Investigation.

U.S. Marshals Service - Deputy U.S. Marshal

The primary mission of Deputy U.S. Marshals is to ensure the safe conduct of judicial proceedings and protecting federal judges, jurors and other members of the federal judiciary. The Marshals Service is the federal government's lead agency for conducting investigations involving: escaped federal prisoners; probation, parole and bond default violators; and fugitives based on warrants generated during drug investigations.

Naval Criminal Investigative Service - Special Agent

NCIS is the primary law enforcement and counterintelligence arm of the United States Department of the Navy. Special Agents works closely with other local, state, federal, and foreign agencies to counter and investigate the most serious crimes: terrorism, espionage, homicide, rape, child abuse, arson, and more. NCIS is the Navy's primary source of security for the men, women, ships, planes, and resources of America's seagoing forces. Special agents travel the world and may even be stationed aboard a ship. This is a civilian position that does not require you to join the Navy.

Postal Service - Postal Inspector

Postal Inspectors are federal law enforcement agents with investigative jurisdiction in all criminal matters involving the integrity and security of the U.S. Postal Service. Postal Inspectors investigate criminal, civil, and administrative violations of postal-related laws, often using forensics and cutting-edge technologies. They execute search warrants, prepare comprehensive reports and testify in court proceedings.

U.S. Secret Service - Special Agent

Secret Service Agents are charged with two missions: protection and investigation. They are authorized by law to protect the President and the Vice President along with their immediate families. They also protect former Presidents, their spouses and children of former presidents until age 16. In addition, they will protect visiting heads of foreign states and their spouses traveling with them and major Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates and their spouses. Their primary investigative mission is to safeguard the payment and financial systems of the United States. This includes investigating the counterfeiting of U.S. currency, credit card fraud, stolen government checks and crimes that involve financial institution fraud.

U.S. Secret Service - Uniformed Officer

Uniformed Division Officers provide protection for the White House Complex, the Vice-President's residence, the Main Treasury Building and Annex, and foreign diplomatic missions and embassies in the Washington, DC area. Uniformed Division Officers also travel in support of the Presidential, Vice-Presidential, and foreign heads of state missions. They have specialized divisions such as counter snipers and canine.

Transportation Security Administration - Air Marshal

Federal Air Marshals serve as the primary law enforcement entity within the Transportation Security Administration and are deployed on flights around the world and in the United States. Their primary mission is to protect air passengers and they closely with other law enforcement agencies to accomplish their mission. Air Marshals also staff several positions at different organizations such as the National Counterterrorism Center, the National Targeting Center, and the FBIs Joint Terrorism Task Forces.