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Special Agents Blog
Information & Guidance regarding the 1811 Criminal Investigator profession.
In History
DEA SA James Watson
DEA Special Agent James Terry Watson was assigned to the Cartagena, Columbia Office and on official travel in Bogota as part of a maritime drug smuggling investigation. On June 21, 2013, while leaving colleagues at a restaurant and returning to his hotel via a taxi, he was suddenly attacked by a robbery crew.
SA Watson was fatally stabbed and shocked with a stun gun during the robbery and fled the cab, however, he collapsed due his wounds and was pronounced dead at the hospital. The incident was caught on video camera and the resulting investigation led to the arrest and extradition of several involved suspects.
SA Watson was a 13 year DEA Veteran, a member of the FAST Team and a US Army Veteran. He was 43 years old and survived by his wife.
What is a Special Agent?
A Special Agent is a federal law enforcement criminal investigator. They are typically categorized in the GS-1811 job series. Special Agents have the statutory authority to carry firearms, conduct searches & seizures, and make arrests. Special Agents work for a number of federal agencies such as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (ATF), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), & Secret Service (USSS), etc.
The OPM 1811 Criminal Investigator position within the federal government is among the most prestigious & sought after law enforcement occupations in the country. SAs have been at the forefront of historical events and routinely make noteworthy contributions to society.
Hiring Updates Section
This section will be permanently dedicated to posting selectively highlighted hiring updates.
Check back here for release dates and other news.
There are now a number of regular entry level vacancies posted for agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), and U.S. Secret Service (USSS). Additionally, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) has already conducted a vacancy announcement and expects additional opportunities throughout the year.
Future applicants are urged to constantly check this amazing
consolidated 1811 Jobs List and
USA Jobs for updates. Pro Tip: A "Saved Search" on USA Jobs for "1811" positions will result in a weekly report of new postings delivered into your email inbox.
What is an 1811?
An "1811" is the federal Criminal Investigator classification series established by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. OPM defined this series to include positions that involve planning and conducting investigations relating to alleged or suspected violations of criminal laws. Criminal Investigators within the 1811 series typically use the job title of "Special Agent." However, within the federal law enforcement community, the shorthand "1811" is also commonly used to refer to these federal investigators
A Special Agent is a federal law enforcement criminal investigator. They are typically categorized in the GS-1811 job series. Special Agents have the statutory authority to carry firearms, conduct searches & seizures, and make arrests. Special Agents work for a number of federal agencies such as Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), and U.S. Secret Service (USSS), etc.
Federal Agencies With 1811 Special Agents
There are approximately 30+ federal law enforcement agencies and 70+ Inspector General Offices that have Special Agents/Criminal Investigators. Some of the major agencies such as DEA, ATF, FBI or HSI, primarily employ 1811 Series Special Agents. Others such as National Park Service are largely composed of Uniformed Officers (1801 Series) and are complimented by a small cadre of 1811 Special Agents for investigative support. Additionally, the Inspector General Offices are narrowly tasked with misconduct, employee safety or internal fraud and usually have a relatively small workforce of criminal investigators (in comparison to primary 1811 agencies such as FBI, HSI, USPIS, DSS, etc.).
1811 Corner
Designed to provide value for current and new special agents; explore this section to learn about news, gear, gift ideas, branding material, notable cases & events, resources, organizations and interesting information pertaining to 1811 Criminal Investigators.
For new applicants, half the battle is finding the correct entry level vacancies. This 1811 Hiring List link is an amazing resource and will take you to a summary of some of the SA positions that are currently available.
By popular request & recognizing that people learn in different ways; the Special Agent Blog YouTube Channel is now live. The YouTube site consolidates videos into agency Playlists. I have tried to select useful content.
Different Roles for Different Special Agents
Case Agent
The "Case Agent" is usually the lead special agent for an investigation and often represents the minority of special agents. A true case agent is hard-charging, independently motivated, technologically competent, diligent, and has superior writing skills.
S.W.A.T.
Although many images tend to show special agents in tactical gear; SWAT members represent a very small cadre of special agents. Typically, after 3+ years on the job, eligible special agents voluntarily submit to a selection process (interviews, firearms & fitness) in order to become SWAT special agents. Post selection, trainees attend a rigorous 2-3 week special training program to obtain certification. SWAT members tend to have higher firearms scores and fitness levels than your average special agents. This is where military experience and prior local law enforcement experience can come in handy. The larger agencies have very active SWAT teams with sometimes weekly high risk warrants.
Undercover Special Agent
Perhaps no role is more terrifying & challenging as that of the Undercover (UC) Special Agent. Expereinced SA's must volunteer for the UC program, typically complete a 2-3 week advanced course and undergo routine psychological exams. Federal UC's often repeatedly infiltrate the same criminal organization to collect evidence and build cases. This skill set requires quick thinking, self-awareness and nerves of steel. Few are selected and even fewer are ultimately successful as UCs.
Support Specialties
There are a number of additional support roles available to special agents, depending on their qualifications & education. Federal Agencies routinely have part-time & full-time support positions for their criminal investigators such as Polgraph Examiner, Evidence Technician/Custodian, Firearms Instructor, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Forensic Examiner, Pilot, & Aerial Observor. The larger agencies naturally have more support positions.
Management
After gaining experience as a field level special agent; criminal investigators have the opportunity to promote into leadership roles starting as GS-14's. These roles often involve managing investigative groups but can also support program areas at Headquarters. Most federal law enforcement agencies require special agents in leadership roles to complete at least one rotation in Washington, DC. The more time one spends in management, the less it involves traditional law enforcement functions.
Instructional Videos 1811 Special Agent
These instructional videos, developed by an employment consulting group, are direct Youtube links and provide accurate information about the Typical Day, Exact Role and Qualifications for the special agent position.
Special Agent Online
Blogs and Forums
There are four major online blogs in which users share information & advice about the law enforcement hiring process. Like anything in life, use your judgment in accepting this information. Unfortunately, there truly are a number of unstable personalities that regularly post junk information and endlessly quibble over stupid details. Oftentimes it is applicants or rejected candidates sharing "rumor intelligence." Additionally, I have noticed that most posters aren't even special agents and their advice is usually not credible.
