FBI Investigative Specialist GS-1801

[MakeItHappen]

This is in reference to Accouncement # 05-2005-0101

Just walked into my place and heard "such and such from the FBI" on my answering machine, I damn near broke my big toe as I scrambled to my desk. They are conducting interviews in the first week of August in Philadelphia for the above-mentioned position.

Good luck to everyone who applied for the position.

[seco]

Ask a lot of questions about the position. It 99% surveillance. And, it's not a stepping stone (although they'll probably tell you it is - *recruiting*). If you want an 1811 or another type of investigative position, look elsewhere. With a two year contract, you're committed for some time. Also, these positions are mostly in New York, Philly, Los Angeles, and Chicago type places. High cost of living for a GS5/7 with no LEAP. Just some FYI type stuff for ya...

But, the bureau needs good people for this position. So, if it sounds like something you want, then good luck in the process...

[Balz161]

Ask a lot of questions about the position. It 99% surveillance. And, it's not a stepping stone (although they'll probably tell you it is - *recruiting*). If you want an 1811 or another type of investigative position, look elsewhere. With a two year contract, you're committed for some time. Also, these positions are mostly in New York, Philly, Los Angeles, and Chicago type places. High cost of living for a GS5/7 with no LEAP. Just some FYI type stuff for ya...

But, the bureau needs good people for this position. So, if it sounds like something you want, then good luck in the process...

The Special Agent part of the FBIjobs.com website specifically names the Investigative Specialist position as a qualifying critical skill (Intelligence).

[techlotl]

And, it's not a stepping stone (although they'll probably tell you it is - *recruiting*). If you want an 1811 or another type of investigative position, look elsewhere... Also, these positions are mostly in New York, Philly, Los Angeles, and Chicago type places. High cost of living for a GS5/7 with no LEAP.

First, I personally know a lot of agents that came up from IS. It may not help you much with any other agency (although I know people who have gone to DEA and USMS), but it definitely qualifies as CI/CT experience. The job is not as "investigative" as it sounds, but the job description given in the vacancy announcement is accurate. As far as location, the biggest concentrations are in the big cities, but there are teams in a lot of smaller cities and they're adding new teams often these days. As far as grade level, you'll be 7/9 with an automatic 11 when the time comes. There's also chatter about creating a non-supervisory 12 (but that kind of thing takes quite a while with any gov't agency). There is a lot of turnover as people move on to bigger, better things, but there are also a lot of people who stay on for the long haul and are very happy with it.

[MakeItHappen]

First, I'd lke to thank everybody for taking the time out to post within this thread as well as those who have PMed me. Your input is very much appreciated.

I'll be doing some homework over the next two weeks in reference to the IS position. It appears that there is a large amount of IS applicants within this forum. I've been reading every IS and SSG thread that I was able to locate.

Can anyone in the application process share their timeline?

[bobvila]

hey all,
I have made it through most of the process for the Investigative Specialist position, and am waiting for the medical work to be looked at. I am physically fine except that my eye sight is 20/200. Does anyone know if this would kill my chances for the position? Or do I still have a chance. I have wanted to get Lasic done for the past year, but I didn't want it to effect my application. Any information would be great.

[JCMC219]

Hi all. I am curently in the process for an SSG position. To be more accurate, I have completed all of the steps of my application process and am awaiting final word from the Bureau (which I HOPE comes any day now). In any case, here are a few of my thoughts on some of the posts in this thread:

First, the SSG is a very important entity within the FBI, especially now given the Bureau's emphasis on counter-terrorism/counter-intelligence. Many of the Special Agents rely a great deal on the surveillance work done by SSGs in putting together their cases, and see the "Gs" as team members when it comes to investigations (or so I am told by a few SAs that I have spoken with). I am sure that SSGs gain a lot of experience in areas that would make them attractive candidates for Special Agent positions if that is something that one aspires to. On the other hand, this idea of "using" the SSG as a stepping stone to an 1811 position should not overshadow the validity of the SSG as a career path in and of itself.

I will admit that I, too, am hoping to be an 1811 some day. Nevertheless, IF I do get the SSG position, I will view it as an invaluable experience. Hopefully the Bureau will agree that the position has prepared me well to perform the duties of a Criminal Investigator.

A word of caution: Apparently due to high attrition rates applicants now sign a document stating that she/he understands that there is a 2-year commitment to the SSG position if accepted. If I remember correctly, there is a clause in the statement that says something to the effect that if you decide to leave prior to the end of your 2-year gig you MAY be required to re-imburse the Bureau for any training expenses. Now, and this is pure conjecture on my part (I'm sure someone will correct me if I am wrong), I doubt that the Bureau would penalize you if you decided to apply for an FBI SA before the 2-years had passed. I would be curious to know what others here think about that.

As for where SSG teams are located, well that is clearly OPSEC (not that I even know for sure), but I can tell you, as was mentioned in a previous post, that teams are popping up all over the place these days...and not just in major cities. When I received the call asking if I was interested in pursuing the application, the Supervisory SSG mentioned that they were actively recruiting for five different cities in states as varied as HI, LA, AK, OR and NC.

So, good luck to you in your discernment! I hope you choose the career path that will bring you the greatest happiness and challenge in life.

[H. Schoolboy]

You can get out of the 2 year agreement if you become an FBI SA. There are more than a few people on these boards who are in both application processes. The 2 year rule really comes into play if you leave the FBI for another job, fed or not.

[JCMC219]

I am physically fine except that my eye sight is 20/200. Does anyone know if this would kill my chances for the position? Or do I still have a chance.

Just completed the SSG application here and had to submit medical follow-up from a board certified Ophthalmologist stating that my uncorrected vision was 20/20 in one eye and 20/40 in the other. They seem pretty strict on this. I had LASIK done in Sept. 2004, and thankfully everything turned out just fine. In fact, it was WITHOUT A DOUBT the best $2,500 I have ever spent! If you can handle it financially, I would go for it...no matter what. Just be aware that you may be held up a bit in your timeline to account for your vision several months post surgery.

My timeline:

Online Application: May 2004 (I think...lol)
Initial Call: December 2004
Initial Interview/Submit Paperwork: January 2005
BI Began: February 2005
PSI, Poly: February 2005
Medical Exam: May 2005
BI Completed: June 2005
Follow-up Medical: July 2005
Currently Awaiting Final Decision