LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Special Agents of the Bureau of Land Management work in partnership with BLM Rangers to protect our public lands.  They are criminal investigators who enforce Federal laws throughout the United States.

BLM Special Agents conduct criminal and civil investigations into many different types of crimes committed on public lands or involving public resources.  Special Agents actively pursue investigations for cultivation of marijuana, arson, theft of archaeological and paleontological resources, fraud, assault on BLM employees, and a variety of other crimes.

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?

The public lands managed by the BLM are predominantly located in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Montana and the Dakotas, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.  Generally speaking, BLM Special Agents are assigned investigative responsibility for specific public lands within one or more of these states.  However, because public lands crime can be broad in scope (such as the interstate transport of archeological artifacts stolen from public lands), investigations may require Special Agents to periodically work outside their assigned areas.  In addition, Special Agents may be involved in a variety of activities such as task force investigations, inter-agency operations, security details, or emergency support efforts requiring temporary duty away from their assigned duty station.

2. What do Special Agents do?

BLM Special Agents are responsible for conducting long term criminal investigations that may require the use of undercover officers, informants, surveillance and travel to various locations throughout the United States.  BLM Special Agents are plain clothes officers that do not normally wear the BLM law enforcement uniform.  BLM Special Agents conduct search warrants and arrest warrants for individuals or businesses that conduct illegal activity on public lands.  BLM Special Agents also provide a working liaison with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, other federal and state law enforcement agencies, and assist BLM Law Enforcement Rangers investigating illegal activity on public lands.  BLM Special Agents are supervised and report to the various State BLM Special Agents-in-Charge.

BLM Special Agents utilize a range of investigative tools and techniques to resolve a variety of crimes affecting public lands resources.  The nature of these investigations can vary considerably depending upon the geographic area in which a Special Agent is assigned.  For example, in the southwestern desert a considerable amount of time may be spent investigating archaeological resources theft and trafficking; along the southern border, investigations may focus on the impacts of illegal border crossing and drug smuggling; in urban interface areas, trespass crimes such as hazardous materials dumping are an issue; and, in the northern states, public safety concerns and environmental impacts stemming from large scale marijuana cultivation is a significant problem.

3. How do I become a Special Agent?

The BLM only has approximately 70 Special Agents, which means that the positions are extremely competitive and highly sought after.  Only the most qualified applicants are appointed.  Special Agent positions are announced locally as vacancies occur.  Individuals seeking information about Special Agent vacancies can check the Office of Personnel Management's web site at USAJOBS.

4. Are there any special requirements?

The qualifications for Special Agent positions are quite rigorous.  You must be able to meet all of the following:

• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Pass an extensive background investigation, drug test, physical fitness test, and medical exam.
• Hold a valid state driver’s license and be capable of operating motor vehicles, or special purpose law enforcement vehicles of various types including four-wheel drives, all terrain vehicles, motorcycles, and small watercraft. 
• Not have reached your 37th birthday at the time of your appointment or, if older than 37, have prior experience in a qualifying Federal law enforcement position.
• Be able to safely utilize firearms, non-lethal weapons, and control tactics in the conduct of your law enforcement duties.

If selected, you will be required to:

• Successfully complete the 11 week Criminal Investigator Training Program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC).
• Successfully complete a minimum of 40 hours of BLM law enforcement in-service training annually.
• Meet recurring firearms and control tactics training and qualification standards.
• Complete periodic medical and physical fitness testing.
• Maintain a favorable background investigation.
• Maintain a delegation of law enforcement authority. 

Special Agent positions are drug-testing designated positions and are subject to random testing.  Special Agent work may involve working nights, weekends, and holidays, and extended shifts during unplanned or special events or operations. 

5. What opportunities exist for training and career advancement?

Special Agents attend the Criminal Investigator Training Program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC).  This training includes comprehensive instruction in protective techniques, criminal law, rules of evidence, use of special investigative equipment, surveillance techniques, undercover operations, courtroom testimony, use of firearms, and defensive tactics. 

A variety of advanced training is also available to Special Agents in such areas as: wildland fire investigations; archaeological resource investigations; surveillance operations; and instructor training in firearms, control tactics, and physical fitness training.

Starting salaries for Special Agents begin at either the GS-11 or GS-12 levels, depending upon education and experience.  The full performance level is GS-12.  BLM Special Agents may seek promotion to GS-13 Senior or Lead Special Agent positions, as well as GS-13 and GS- 14 Special Agent in Charge positions. 

6. What benefits do Special Agents earn?

BLM Special Agents enjoy all the benefits of Federal employment.  They are covered by the special retirement provisions for Federal law enforcement (“6c” retirement) and can receive retirement benefits with 20 years of Federal law enforcement service at age 50.  Retirement becomes mandatory at age 57.

In addition to base pay, agents are compensated for availability pay at 25 percent of base pay Availability pay is designed to compensate the criminal investigator for at least two hours of unscheduled duty per regular workday.  In addition to availability pay, those agents stationed in high-cost geographical areas receive supplemental locality pay. 

A variety of reasonably priced group health insurance plans including long term care, and basic life insurance coverage with low-cost options for additional coverage are available.  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.  Prior Federal civilian or military service is creditable.  Sick leave is earned at the rate of 13 days per year and there are 10 paid Federal holidays per year.

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