FCIP Region 1 Info session

[J-mar]

Thank you Switchback! I appreciate the info provided. 2/3 is kind of a steep failure rate. I will be prepaired. Good luck to you and all the others as well.

[J-mar]

Hey Switchback, or anyone that can help.

I noticed on other forums on peoples time lines some state " passed interview and written test" and others simply, "passed interview" Is there a written exam I should be aware of? I dont recall seeing/reading anywhere about any sory of "written exam" And I want to be as prepaired as possible. Thank you in advance!

[Switchback]

Nope... no more written test. The TEA was deemed unfair and racist years ago. The only thing we have written is a written narrative at the interview. You will be instructed to write about something. Trust me, a lot of people fail the written communications portion, but you could do it with a fat crayon and some napkins. The thing is that people try to write in such a way that they would attempt to make themselves look smarter. They end up writing above their abilities and come off sounding like Archie Bunker, using the wrong words and having terrible sentence structure. Write in simple, succinct statements, using only those words that you know the meaning. If you dso that, you will be just fine.

[J-mar]

Thank you Switch. I still dont understand why some applicants were subjected to any writing portion of the interview at all, and others not. Do they pick and choose who needs a writing evaluation?

[AEF215]

You only get to the writing portion if you pass the interview.

[Switchback]

you only get to the writing portion if you pass the interview.

exactly!

[J-mar]

Thanks for the info folks. however, you/s mentioned "you only take the writing portion if you pass the interview," Does this all take place at the same time/room/date as the oral interview? seperate time/place? or do they determine this on progress a person is making/not making during the oral interview? if a person has completed their oral and are told they are done without any mention of a writing portion, does this automatically mean he/she failed and is finished? Sorry for all the questions, theres just alot to be ask'd. Thanks again.

[Switchback]

Thanks for the info folks. however, you/s mentioned "you only take the writing portion if you pass the interview," Does this all take place at the same time/room/date as the oral interview? seperate time/place? or do they determine this on progress a person is making/not making during the oral interview? if a person has completed their oral and are told they are done without any mention of a writing portion, does this automatically mean he/she failed and is finished? Sorry for all the questions, theres just alot to be ask'd. Thanks again.

The written portion is done immediately after the oral interview. Should you be told that you are done with the interview and sent on your way without having to take the written portion, expect the thin envelope.

[chief2009]

I have an appointment to attend an FCIP session. I have a combination of college, some military, and law enforcement experience. As a Chief I have interviewed many L.E. applicants; however, that does not seem to put my mind at ease with my own interview. I have participated in many fugitive operations with the USMS, such as Operation Falcon, and I believe I have the qualities that the USMS is looking for; however, I am concerned about how to best express that during the interview process. Do you have any suggestions for me in this regard? I also live outside the region for which session I am attending. Do you think this will lower my chances? I certainly appreciate any advice that you can provide.

[Switchback]

Having exerperience working Falcon has no bearing on your marketability for the job. In fact, that is part of the stereotype that people wrongly believe all too often. People think that they are going to get hired and head right off to working fugitive operations. We are like a federal sheriff department. As a new guy, be ready to work some court and do transport. In some offices, you should be prepared to do that for many years... if not forever (manyoffices do not have full time warrant/task force positions).

I hope, as a former "Chief" you have no problems understanding that you will be a rookie. If you are hired, no one will care what you were before. You will be an 082 and will be taking orders from guys younger than you (assuming you are no spring chicken having been a Chief. Just be ready.

...and no one cares where you live. This region thing is nice and only matters in the sense that you know what region you will be hired to. Also know, as a move will be necessary, you are paying for it.


At least it looks like they are actually doing the regional thing this time. When I was hired, they had a list of 7 major cities where they intended to hire everyone into. I never heard of that list again and they stuck in office across the country, with no regard to what you chose on that list (or that list, for that matter).

[chief2009]

Thanks for the info. I work at a fairly large sheriff's office now. I was able to make rank of Chief of Corrections fairly early (25 now) and I act as the Chief Deputy while he is out. I am a certified L.E.O and a certified C.O. I understand the deal with fugitive operations being few and far between with court ops and transports being a primary function. I have no problem going from chief to entry level officer, federal employment is my main objective and to advance professionally in L.E. With this info considered, do you have any suggestions on how I should present myself?

[DarcKnight]

J-mar during my board interview I was also told that if you pass (that portion) then you move to the written test. It was explained to me as a way of seeing how well you can effectively communicate. I did both on the same day and was told that only a small handful had gotten that far.

Switchback, I was wondering if that test that everyone is talking about (that the Marshals no longer administer) is the same TEA that the Secret Service gives to applicants? Anyway my background investigation is done for the region for which I applied now its back to waiting and training.
Good luck to all of you.

D. Knight

[Switchback]

Yeah, the TEA is the same one. It used to be like an SAT and people hated it. Then, some time later, they made it a lot easier and I think that that is the same (or a very similar varient) as the one used today.

Treasury still uses it, but DOJ decided it was unfair.

[DarcKnight]

Thanks for the input. I know of a few people out this way that have asked me countless times if I had to take the TEA. Many of them are jumping on the Secret Service hiring drive that is about to take place out here. All I could say is "no, its probably like the SAT's or so I've heard.". Thanks for the info.