Good Enough?

[Warrior_one]

Aloha guys. I want to apply to some federal 1811 positions, like im thinking the NCIS. By the time I apply I'll have a double major in history and political science, as well as about a year experience as a security guard and about 4 years of part time in the TSA. I will also minor in spanish as a second language. Will that be enough to make me competative when I apply? Will the TSA job count as professional experience? Thanks.

[Piggy]

Not sure about NCIS, but most agencies just require a clean background and a 4 year degree. No LE experience necessary. I don't know if NCIS is hiring, but I do know that DEA, Secret Service and the Federal Air Marshals are hiring. You could always put in for the position after you're in the federal system.........just a thought.

Good luck to you. Are you looking to stay in Hawaii?

[Warrior_one]

Thanks for the info Piggy, I understand the requirements but from what I've read there is some stiff competition on the federal level. Plus I wont be applying for another 3 1/2 years so I'll see who is hiring then. As for hawaii, Im just here for school. Im from Southern California originally but I got a scholarship at hawaii so here I am. I'm more than willing to move around the U.S.

[Nole795]

Part time work is not really considered as "professional work." What it comes down to is that your college graduate looking for a federal agent job. Unfortunately, you are competing with 10,000 other applicants with the same qualities as you. Put in your application but dont be too discouraged if your not selected. Get some years of full time experience and keep trying. I know college educated police officers/detectives who have waited for years to become 1811 investigators...and are still waiting.

Good luck.

[Pacman1]

Part time work is not really considered as "professional work." What it comes down to is that your college graduate looking for a federal agent job. Unfortunately, you are competing with 10,000 other applicants with the same qualities as you. Put in your application but dont be too discouraged if your not selected. Get some years of full time experience and keep trying. I know college educated police officers/detectives who have waited for years to become 1811 investigators...and are still waiting.

Good luck.

Good advice.....

[Warrior_one]

Thanks for the advice. What can I do to really stand out? Would an internship or full time work help me much? Does the fact that the TSA is D.H.S. work to my advantage at all? Would that be better than experience in a city police department?

[Pacman1]

Thanks for the advice. What can I do to really stand out? Would an internship or full time work help me much? Does the fact that the TSA is D.H.S. work to my advantage at all? Would that be better than experience in a city police department?

yeah, there you go kid push a black&white beat car and you'll never get out. Keep your eye on the ring and get that big federal money you'll be alright......

[Kimble]

Thanks for the advice. What can I do to really stand out? Would an internship or full time work help me much? Does the fact that the TSA is D.H.S. work to my advantage at all? Would that be better than experience in a city police department?

I've applied to NCIS twice. First time I got a "thanks but no thanks" letter a month or so after applying. The second time I was processed further and took the SA test (about a month or so ago... haven't gotten my score back as of yet). Here's what I had each time:

First application to NCIS: a BS in psychology, an internship with the local sheriff's office, less than 9 months away from graduating with a MS in CJ.

Second application to NCIS: all the above, but had graduated with my MS, had another internship with USSS, worked as a reserve LEO for the same sheriff's office, and had a management job in the private sector.

Now, what addition or change that was made between the two applications that made NCIS want to process me further is unknown to me, but I have been told that NCIS likes to hire those with an advanced degree, military experience, supervisory/managerial experience and investigative law enforcement experience. Like you, I'm just an applicant, so I can really only share what little I know of their hiring preferences from an outsider's perspective.

[Warrior_one]

Thanks guys, that helps a lot. Now I know a little more about what I need to shoot for. Any other input would be greatly appreciated.

[Kimble]

Thanks guys, that helps a lot. Now I know a little more about what I need to shoot for. Any other input would be greatly appreciated.

The only thing I'll add is don't limit yourself to just one agency, unless there truly is only one agency you wish to work for. I would love to travel the world, work alongside military components, and do investigations that are varied in nature. This was my initial reason for applying to NCIS, as well as AFOSI and Diplomatic Security. If NCIS interests you, more power to you, but explore other agencies that are hiring too, as it will only increase your chances of getting onboard with an agency you'll enjoy working for, be it NCIS, ATF, DEA, USSS, ICE or whomever (notice I didn't mention FBI... j/k, Eff-bee-eye :D ).

[Warrior_one]

explore other agencies that are hiring too, as it will only increase your chances of getting onboard with an agency you'll enjoy working for, be it NCIS, ATF, DEA, USSS, ICE or whomever

Thanks Ros, thats a good point. Ill do some research into other agencies that may interest me. Would you happen to know how valuable a JD is on the federal level? I would rather get a law degree than a masters. BTW, good luck with the whole NCIS bit, let me know if you hear anything else that can help me out. Thanks again!

[Switchback]

I would not really suggest someone to look to the FAMs unless they are approaching the 37 year old age limit cut-off for 6c covered positions. That is, of course, unless the FAM job is an 1811 slot. Otherwise, it hardly does much for your package as an 1811 applicant.

FYI, most guys in my class had military, degrees and LE experience. To give you a little more hope, I did not have any LE experience when I was hired.

[Warrior_one]

Yea, I dont have any plans of joining the FAM; nothing against them, I just dont like flying more than I have to. Do you think (for hiring purposes) that a federal agency would take TSA as law enforcement? Otherwise it's a local PD for me until I get a job offer from an Agency. I was thinking maybe of working as a police officer while I got a JD part time, despite your warnings pacman (sorry, I dont have much of a choice because of the cost of tuition). But in 3-4 years thats an advanced degree and 3 years of LE experience on my resume. Let me know what you think.
Thanks for the input switch!

[Switchback]

I know, for us, LE experience meant making arrests.... without that, it did not count.

[eff-bee-eye]

Yea, I dont have any plans of joining the FAM; nothing against them, I just dont like flying more than I have to. Do you think (for hiring purposes) that a federal agency would take TSA as law enforcement? Otherwise it's a local PD for me until I get a job offer from an Agency. I was thinking maybe of working as a police officer while I got a JD part time, despite your warnings pacman (sorry, I dont have much of a choice because of the cost of tuition). But in 3-4 years thats an advanced degree and 3 years of LE experience on my resume. Let me know what you think.
Thanks for the input switch!

If you are truly interested in becoming a police officer, then go for it. I wouldn't say to do it just to land an 1811 position though. A JD will help, but any advanced degree will help you look good on paper. And there are plenty of federal agencies, police agencies, and private companies that will pay for you to get your Masters, JD, etc....and even help you pay off you undergrad student loans. But it is going to be VERY tough for you to start as a new police officer, AND be taking part-time JD classes around your new work schedule. Just something to think about.