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.
- 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?
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.