Bureau of Reclamation Special Agents are trained Criminal Investigators
who work for the Office of Security, Safety, and Law Enforcement. Special
Agents enforce Federal laws and regulations within a Reclamation project
or on Reclamation property. There are over 350 Reclamation dams and other
power/water delivery facilities throughout the western United States, five
of which are designated National Critical Infrastructures.
- Where do Special Agents Work?
- What do Special Agents do?
- How do I become a Special Agent?
- Are there any special requirements?
- What opportunities exist for training and career advancement?
- What benefits do Special Agents earn?
1. Where do Special Agents Work?
Bureau of Reclamation Special Agents are located at duty stations in Boise,
ID, Sacramento, CA, Boulder City, NV, Salt Lake City, UT, and Billings, MT. The
duties of Special Agents involve considerable travel with frequent periods
away from home. The Special Agents report to the Law Enforcement Administrator
in Denver, Colorado.
2. What do Special Agents do?
Reclamation Special Agents are highly trained and experienced criminal investigators. They
play an important role in the protection of Reclamation facilities, its employees,
and the public. One of the Special Agents’ primary responsibilities
is to investigate criminal violations and suspicious incidents that occur
on Reclamation lands, waters, or facilities.
The investigations which Special Agents conduct may include surveillances,
gathering and processing of intelligence, conducting threat assessments,
interviewing of witnesses and defendants, working with prosecutors to file
charges in Federal or State courts, and testifying in court.
In addition, Reclamation Special Agents coordinate, work with, and/or assist
other Federal, State, local and Tribal law enforcement agencies with investigations
involving Reclamation facilities. An important function of Special Agents
is to develop and coordinate law enforcement memorandums of understanding
and interagency agreements. Special Agents are members of regionally based Joint Terrorism
Task Forces.
3. How do I become a Special Agent?
Special Agent positions occur periodically and are filled based on vacancies
and consistent with funding. Reclamation works closely with other DOI
law enforcement agencies to recruit and fill Special Agent Positions. In
order to become a Reclamation Special Agent, the individual must first be
a qualified Criminal Investigator with another Federal law enforcement agency.
When there is a need to fill a vacancy, Reclamation will initiate recruitment
for the position. Positions are announced on USAJOBS. The individual selected
is then formally detailed to Reclamation as a Special Agent.
4. Are there any special requirements?
Special Agents must be in excellent physical condition and pass a comprehensive
pre-employment and annual medical examination, including a vision requirement,
which are provided at no cost to the individual. The Special Agent
must also successfully pass a pre-employment and annual battery of tests
to determine physical fitness suitability. The Special Agent is
subject to a drug test prior to entrance on duty, and random drug testing
while occupying the position. A Top Secret background security clearance
will be required for the position. The applicant will participate in an
oral interview during the hiring process. The position
requires the operation of a motor vehicle and therefore a valid state driver’s
license is required. Special Agents are required to qualify with and use
firearms and other weapons as part of their assigned duties, and to maintain
such qualification. Applicants may not have been convicted of a misdemeanor
or felony crime of domestic violence. The Special Agents must be
citizens of the United States and at least 21 years of age. Applicants
must certify being registered with the Selective Service System or are
exempt from having to do so. A high school diploma or equivalent certification
is required. The Special Agents are required to file a Confidential Financial
Disclosure Report, OGE-450, within thirty days of entrance on duty.
5. What opportunities exist for training and career advancement?
Opportunities for career advancement are limited as Bureau of Reclamation
Special Agents enter duty at the journeyman level. Special Agents
are normally detailed to Reclamation at the grade of a GS-13. This
can vary depending on their qualifications, experience, and job requirements.
Once detailed to Reclamation, the Special Agents will receive additional
specialized classroom or on-the-job training. This will include information about the
various types of dams and how the facilities operate, their vulnerabilities,
and methods of protecting Reclamation facilities, its employees, and the public
against criminal activity and terrorist acts.
6. What benefits do Special Agents earn?
Special Agents are covered under the enhanced annuity retirement provisions
of 5 U.S.C. 8336 (c). Retirement benefits are available with 20 years
of Federal law enforcement service at age 50. Retirement becomes
mandatory at age 57. Therefore, the Special Agent must have reached
his/her 37th birthday prior to receiving the appointment, unless previously
covered under the Federal Law Enforcement Retirement System. In addition
to their base salary, Special Agents receive Law Enforcement Availability
Pay, which is 25% above their base salary. This pay is
designed to compensate the criminal investigator for at least 2 hours
of unscheduled duty per regular work day. Those individuals stationed
in high-cost geographical areas also receive additional locality pay. In
addition, health and life insurance may be obtained through the Federal
employee programs and are available to immediate family members. Financial
protection is provided, without cost, in the event of a 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 credible. Sick leave is earned at the
rate of 13 days per year and there are 10 paid Federal holidays per
year.
