LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Special Agents with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement are plainclothes criminal investigators who enforce Federal wildlife laws throughout the United States.  They target criminal activities, such as wildlife trafficking and habitat destruction, that undermine U.S. efforts to conserve wildlife resources.

Service Special Agents work to protect threatened and endangered species, migratory birds, marine mammals, and imperiled animals and plants around the world.  Their investigations document violations of wildlife laws (such as the Endangered Species Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and Lacey Act) as well as such crimes as smuggling, conspiracy, money laundering, mail and wire fraud, and false statements.

1. Where do Special Agents Work?
2. What do Special Agents do?
3. How do I become a Special Agent?
4. Are there any special requirements?
5. What opportunities exist for training and career advancement?
6. What benefits do Special Agents earn?

1. Where do Special Agents Work?

Service Special Agents investigate wildlife crimes wherever they occur in the United States.  They work in settings that range from major cities to more rural duty stations near some of the few remaining wilderness areas in this country.   Some are based in multi-agent offices in locations such as New York City, Los Angeles, and Miami while others are responsible for wildlife law enforcement in entire States.  The duties of all Special Agents involve considerable travel with frequent periods away from home.

2. What do Special Agents do?

Service Special Agents investigate crimes that range from international wildlife smuggling to unlawful migratory game bird hunting.  Like all criminal investigators, they collect evidence, interview witnesses, interrogate subjects, conduct surveillance, plan raids, make arrests, and prepare cases for court.

Special Agents often work undercover to infiltrate wildlife trafficking rings, illegal guiding operations, and other criminal groups to document violations from the “inside.”  Covert investigations can range from simple “buy-bust” transactions where agents arrange to purchase illegal wildlife from subjects to multi-year probes in which agents establish false identities and even run wildlife businesses to gain the confidence of the criminals they hope to expose.

Special Agents investigate the killing of endangered species and other protected wildlife, such as eagles, migratory birds, and marine mammals.  They support species reintroduction programs and pursue cases involving the destruction or contamination of wildlife habitat.  They investigate oil or chemical spills and poisoning incidents that kill wildlife.  They also work with industry groups and individual companies to reduce hazards to migratory birds and other wildlife caused by oil pits, powerlines, communication towers, wind farms, and mining operations.

Special Agents often work closely with other Federal, State, Tribal, or foreign law enforcement authorities.  They help Service Refuge Officers conduct investigations of crimes that occur on refuge lands.  Other examples of common Federal partnerships include work with U.S. Customs and Border Patrol or Immigration and Customs Enforcement on wildlife smuggling cases and cooperative investigations with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency involving oil spills, industrial contaminants or pesticides.  Special Agents team with State counterparts to enforce regulations that govern the hunting of waterfowl and other migratory birds and assist the States in detecting and deterring the interstate exploitation of State-protected species, including big game animals and fishery resources.  They also assist Tribal enforcement officers when crimes involve violations of both Federal and Tribal laws and regulations.  Work with enforcement authorities in other nations ranges from sharing intelligence to conducting joint or parallel investigations of international wildlife trafficking. 

Special Agents conduct training on wildlife law enforcement for State and Tribal officers as well as for enforcement officers overseas.  They also respond to citizen complaints and conduct public outreach to secure voluntary compliance with Federal wildlife laws.

3. How do I become a Special Agent?

Only some 250 Special Agents work for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Special Agent positions are extremely competitive and highly sought after. Consequently, only the most qualified applicants are appointed. The Service usually hires Special Agents as a “class” of 20 or so. To begin the recruitment process, the Service's Human Resources Office in Arlington, Virginia, issues vacancy announcements describing available positions. Individuals seeking information about Special Agent vacancies can check the Office of Personnel Management's USAJobs website.

4. Are there any special requirements?

To qualify for a Special Agent position, applicants must meet strict medical, physical, and psychological requirements. They must also participate in mandatory drug testing and psychological screening programs. The most highly qualified applicants will be interviewed. Academically, a four-year degree in wildlife management, criminal justice, or other related fields is preferred. Those chosen will undergo an extensive background investigation to determine suitability for appointment to a Special Agent position.

All appointees must be citizens of the United States, at least 21 years of age, but less than 37 years of age at the time of entrance on duty. Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must certify that they have registered with the Selective Service System or that they are exempt from doing so.  Appointees must have a valid state driver’s license, and they must sign a mobility agreement indicating a willingness to accept a reassignment to any location in the future.

Appointees must be in excellent physical condition and pass a comprehensive medical examination, which is provided at no cost to the applicant. The appointee must also successfully pass a battery of tests to determine physical fitness suitability.

Once employed, Special Agents must meet firearms qualification standards and re-qualify each year.  Periodic medical examinations are also required along with fitness testing.  Some agents are required to complete yearly financial disclosure reports.

5. What opportunities exist for training and career advancement?

Special Agents begin their careers with 18 weeks of formal training in criminal investigative and wildlife law enforcement techniques at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center at Glynco, Georgia. Basic training includes comprehensive courses in protective techniques, criminal law, use of special investigative equipment, use of firearms, and defensive measures. Rules of evidence, surveillance techniques, undercover operations, and courtroom demeanor are also studied. When agents report to their first duty stations, they complete a yearlong Field Training and Evaluation Program; they work closely under the supervision of an experienced training officer to hone their investigative skills and enhance their mastery of wildlife laws.

Starting salaries for Special Agents begin at one of the GS-7/9/11 levels, depending upon education and experience. The full performance level of pay is GS-12. In addition to base pay, agents are compensated for availability pay and those agents stationed in high-cost geographical areas receive additional locality pay. Special Agents can expect to serve in several locations during a typical 20-year career. With each transfer, employees have the opportunity for a more diversified career progressing to their full potential. After gaining experience in field investigations, some agents may decide to enhance their careers and move into management positions. These positions are found in the Resident Agent-In-Charge Offices, the Regional Offices, and the Chief's Office in Washington, D.C. The selection process for management positions is competitive and provides for upward mobility to positions up to the GS-15 level.

6. What benefits do Special Agents earn?

Special Agents with 20 years of Federal law enforcement service are eligible to retire at age 50. Retirement becomes mandatory at age 57.  Availability pay is earned at the rate of 25% of base pay. This pay is designed to compensate the criminal investigator for at least 2 hours of unscheduled duty per regular workday.  The Service often pays relocation expenses when agents move to new duty stations.  Low-cost health, dental, vision, long-term care and life insurance may be obtained through Federal employee programs. Financial protection is provided, without cost, in the event of job-related injury or death. Annual leave accrues at the rate of 13 to 26 days per year, based on length of employment. Sick leave is earned at the rate of 13 days per year and there are 10 paid Federal holidays per year.