Dod

[PittAJ]

Does anybody know if DOD is going to be hiring and investigators in the near future?

[erosado]

The US Army has vacancy announcements open at this time. Besides that, Defense Security Servce has a vacancy announcement for fed employees to transfer over as 1811.

ed

[nsedet]

You're going to have to be more specific...even excluding the Military Criminal Investigative Organizations like NCIS and AFOSI, there are several different "investigator" positions within DOD, including special agents (criminal investigators) within the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), background investigators (also known as "special agents") within the Defense Security Service, and a whole bunch of criminal and general investigator positions within other DOD components.

[PittAJ]

Sorry about that. I am looking for the Investigators who do the background investigations. I think they are 1810's.

[nsedet]

Originally posted by PittAJ
Sorry about that. I am looking for the Investigators who do the background investigations. I think they are 1810's.

Defense Security Service (DSS), www.dss.mil. They are usually hiring: you can check either the OPM website at www.usajobs.opm.gov, which has most of their announcements (including, at least in the past, a nationwide announcement). Many individual DSS announcement are also posted on the SecDef Human Resources page at http://persec.whs.mil/hrsc/index.html.

[SenorGG]

All:

My wife has been a SA 1810 with DSS for 14 years. A great job for those who don't require 1811.

Email me if you have some questions and I will try to help.

SenorGG

[PittAJ]

I saw a job post on opm but they said you need to know Spanish. So if anybody knows any that dont require Spanish let me know.

Thanks

[ARMY BRAT]

I saw that announcement too? It says its open indefinitely as well. I couldn't find any info on whether or not 1810's have arresting powers or carry firearms?

[SenorGG]

ARMY BRAT:

That's a negative on the arresting powers and carrying of firearms. I am told they have toyed with the idea of firearms.

SenorGG

[nsedet]

Originally posted by ARMY BRAT
I saw that announcement too? It says its open indefinitely as well. I couldn't find any info on whether or not 1810's have arresting powers or carry firearms?

Are you asking about 1810's in general, or specific to DSS? As mentioned already, DSS is not law enforcement (ie, they don't need to arrest people), and not currently armed (although that may change in the future to allow them to carry on duty for personal protection). However, there are a few 1810 positions with certain agencies that are armed and/or have arrest authority.

[ARMY BRAT]

really? what postions would have it? sounds interesting.

[nsedet]

Originally posted by ARMY BRAT
really? what postions would have it? sounds interesting.

NCIS has some 1810 investigators who are armed and designated with the same authority as special agents. Some military commands (including some Army, Navy, and Air Force installations) have 1810 investigators who are authorized to carry weapons and effect apprehensions. I believe, although I'm not 100% certain, that I have heard of at least one IG that has a few 1810 investigators who can carry firearms (no arrest authority). None of these, to my knowledge, is considered to be "law enforcement" for retirement purposes.

[Newbie Agent]

Senor GG,

What kind of training do these 1810's get? FLETC? What about overtime? I am assuming they don't get leap? Do they travel alot for there job?

Sorry for all the questions, I am always interested in learning about agencies I don't know.

Thanks

[SenorGG]

Hi Newbie:

I'll try my best to answer your questions. When my wife went to DSS agent training 13 years ago it was a month long course in DC. As far as what is involved now - I would contact DSS or checkout the website. The training is definitely not at FLETC. The training involves how to do background investigations of DOD personnel and DOD contractors who require security clearances. FYI - there is no training in weapons or self defense. My wife heard a rumor a few years ago that they may get sidearms but nothing has happened. Before we moved to our current location I wished she did have a weapon as she was working in some bad areas (knocking on the doors of subject’s neighbors).

As far as overtime the DSS 1810s get straight time for overtime. There is no LEAP as far as I know for the 1810s. Travel involves TDY (temporary duty) on average of once every 6 months for a period of 2-3 weeks where they go help another office (usually in another state) with backlog. This will vary by office and time. Lately there has been more and more TDY – likely influenced by recent events. 2-3 days a week my wife spends the day out chasing leads, doing interviews, etc.

The bottom line is it’s a great job and a lot of my wife’s coworkers have gone on to 1811 positions so it is a decent stepping stone for a younger person. You get a government car and are largely on your own (my wife works out of our house). You are doing a lot of interacting with people. It is hard work and you have to keep up your “numbers” which are associated with leads and completed cases, etc. You definitely have to be a self motivated individual.

Hope this helps.

SenorGG