federal law enforcement support jobs

[pjb6282]

Hello everyone,

I have been applying for numerous support vacancies in Federal Law Enforcement. I have applied at the Immigrations and Customs, the DEA, and other agencies but I'm having no luck. The jobs I have applied for include-CIS clerk, CIS assistant, immigration information officer, and clerk positions. The person that is in charge of selecting applicants keeps on sending me back the same response for these jobs I applied for-you were qualified for the position but did not score high enough. I just don't get it! It seems I have the qualifications for the job but I keep getting this response. I have a bachelors and now a masters degree and work experience almost parallel to what these positions require but still no luck. I understand these agencies want you to know how to the job before you are hired but how is that possible? You eventually need to train new people.

What I'm getting at is how do people get in these agencies without knowing the job beforehand? How can I get into an organization without federal work experience? I was told that applying online isn't the way to go either. Is it best to go down to the closest cities federal building ask whether they have any support vacancies? I don't know what to do!?!?! It's frustrating me. Can anyone please give me some advice on what to do

Thanks

[Nole795]

This is just my 2 cents...you have a masters but are applying for a support position. I think management will look at your impressive resume and be under the impression that your main goal is to become a Special Agent/Criminal Investigator with said agency. So you don't really want the job based on the description but you are using it as a stepping stone to becoming a federal law enforcement officer.

That being said, as a manager, your faced with making a decision to hire a person such as yourself that would either:

A. leave the position when offered a criminal investigator position.

B. Quit the position and start a career in a different field besides support positions.

I think management will be more apt to hire someone who will maintain and stay in the support position.

Note: This is in no way a slam to people who work in support positions. They are as important to an investigation as the field agent.

[pjb6282]

Nole795 you are somewhat correct. I would love to work as a special agent but having 3 herniated discs might hold me back. That's why I'm looking for a support position. I'm 24 years old and figured out that this why might be the best way to move up the ranks/ chain of command.

[pjb6282]

Also, i'm just looking to start a career. I thought a support position would be a good start.

[Nole795]

Again this is my 2 cents...you have a masters degree, why not put it to use in the field that the degree serves. Work experience in a professional setting is an important asset when hiring applicants. You spent your life getting a higher education, put it to use.

Good luck to you and your endeavors.

[K-9MALY]

Nole is bang on the money my friend. Your education could be doing you more harm in a certain way. I bet you will be hard pressed to find an immediate supervisor who can match your academic level, and subsequently are getting passed over for fear of showing them up and eventually passing them up.
OR
What Nole stated in his first post about them believing you will leave once something better floats by. The government is fickle, and they love education over experience in certain situations. I am not knocking you at all, rather impressed actually with your age and amount of education. Heck in N.C. we have 24 year old highschoolers! j/k
Get on USAJOBS and look above support positions, your education can help you at least land an interview.
WHIPPERSNAPPER!!!

[K-9MALY]

For reference sake, I refer to my sweet state of North Carolina alot in everyday talk, despite being up here in the frozen tundra of Buffalo. Clicking my heels and saying Theres no place like home don't work for diddly!

[Group9]

A lot of people think the support positions are easier to get than special agent positions when exactly the opposite is true in my experience.

A lot more people make the best qualified list for Intelligence Ananlyst than do for Special Agent. So where as you may only be competing against a hundred people for a Special Agent slot, you may be competing against 1000 people for an Intelligence Analyst slot, or 10,000 people for a office assistant or clerk slot.

[pjb6282]

Ok, now if I'm fresh out of school with no experience and a masters in criminal justice what level jobs should I apply for. GS7-9? Don't these jobs require experience and knowledge of the job?

[fedhopeful]

Ok, now if I'm fresh out of school with no experience and a masters in criminal justice what level jobs should I apply for. GS7-9? Don't these jobs require experience and knowledge of the job?

OPM generally qualifys a masters degree as suitable for GS-9 employment. Another way to qualify is a year's experience as a GS-7 for the position you are seeking. How qualified/competitive you are will typically be determined by your KSAs. Spend time on them. However, once again having a master's degree is a qualifier for GS-9 employment. GS-7 typically is for Superior Academic Achievement or those with a year's experience as a GS-5.