FBI Choices

[unidos]

If one had to choose b/w the Investigative Specialist position and SA position, which would be a better choice (money and retirement aside) and most importantly WHY?

[eff-bee-eye]

I would definitely say the SA position. An SA will still do surveillance from time to time, but an IS does it ALL the time, and pretty much nothing else. The IS usually only goes to a GS-11, unless you want to be a team leader as a GS-12. The SA goes to a GS-13, with a good chance of advancing to an SSA position as a GS-14 or even higher. The IS job is MUCH easier to get, and is a great stepping stone if you want to be an agent.

[unidos]

I would definitely say the SA position. An SA will still do surveillance from time to time, but an IS does it ALL the time, and pretty much nothing else. The IS usually only goes to a GS-11, unless you want to be a team leader as a GS-12. The SA goes to a GS-13, with a good chance of advancing to an SSA position as a GS-14 or even higher. The IS job is MUCH easier to get, and is a great stepping stone if you want to be an agent.

Have you had any experience working for or w/ IS folks?

If so could you give some insight as to why folks either like or dislike the job?

I am really wanting to have a good perspective before I make the final decision. Money isn't an issue, I just want to weigh all +'s and -'s as best I can before jumping into one of the pools sort of speak.

Thanks,

[eff-bee-eye]

Yes, I have worked with them.
A major advantage to the IS job is you can pretty much stay in one area/office location. Many times after you apply they will ask you what office/area you are interested in. Once you are in that office, you can pretty much stay there if you want, or put your name on a transfer list to denote your office of preference.

Benefits of the IS job is you get a lot of independence. You will get your own vehicle, and you can wear street clothes on most days, don't have to shave everyday, stuff like that....a lot of people like this part. There IS shift work, by the way.

Now, you are talking about the Invest. Specialist job now, right? Or the Surveillance Specialist job? Last time I checked, the only one we have open now is the Surv. Spec. job, which goes to a GS-10, and is all stationary surveillance, like in an apartment, etc....for this job you do not get a car.

[unidos]

I am talking about the Investigative Specialist.

From your dealings w/ the IS, are folks pretty happy w/ the job itself?

I am sure there are things, like in any job, that folks will dislike. Could you elaborate on those as well to get a good well rounded perspective (as best that can be disclosed in a public forum) of the job.

Thanks again,

[eff-bee-eye]

Well, where do you work now? The last time I checked the IS job was only open to current Bureau employees.

What do they dislike? Some things may be, sitting in a car all day, some of them joke that it is easy to gain some weight watching people and snacking all day. But for real, it is a different job from the typical desk job, so if you are a "want to get out of the office and move around" type of person, you may like it.

[unidos]

I have been in the hiring process for about a year now and have to make a decision here pretty soon. All I need for the IS is adjudication and for the SA is PFT, but I will have to decide before I can go further in the SA position. It has to be one or the other.

I know alot about the SA position, that is why I was asking about the ups and downs of the IS position since there is not much out there. So any additional information you could provide would be wonderful.

You can PM some info if you feel it more adequate as well.

Thanks again for any additional insight you can provide.

[eff-bee-eye]

In that case I don't know why you would take the IS job over the SA job if you could get both, but that is just my $.02
Unless you don't want to move around, then I could understand the IS job.

[Group9]

There is no comparison pay wise. 1811's get LEAP and can retire after twenty years at 50 or at any age after 25 years. Investigative Specialist are on regular FERS retirement.

[unidos]

Moving around is a huge issue b/c of partners employement situation. It is my understanding that w/ the SA relocation policy in place now, after Q you go to a small field office then after about 3 years one gets moved to a bigger office. Chances of staying there are good if one does not want to be "promoted" or experience different aspects or types of investigations.

So one can assume that w/in the first 10 years or so of ones career as an SA one plan to move at least 3 times and more if moving up the FBI organizational chart is the aspiration.

Money and retirement is not an issue at all in trying to decide by the way. My partner will always make more money than me.

[unidos]

Money and retirement is not an issue at all in trying to decide by the way. My partner will always make more money than me.

[eff-bee-eye]

Are you a male or female? Why have that attitude that they will always make more than you? I don't know your situation, so I guess I won't probe.
Yeah, you are right about that new policy. You will basically be stuck in that second big (Top 15) office, unless you want to go into management (most likely back to HQ in DC). To move up in the FBI as an agent, you have to be bounced around like a ping-pong ball. So if your partner cannot/doesn't want to move, the SA option is out the window I guess.

[unidos]

...Why have that attitude that they will always make more than you? ...

It is just the field my partner is in. Believe me, I have NO problem at w/ my partner making more money. I can bring home some bacon, but my partner is able to bring home the prosciutto or apple smoked bacon depending on what the taste bud are in the mood for :D .

[eff-bee-eye]

Ok I get the hint that you do not like personal questions.