Working for the Federal Bureau of Investigation is a noble pursuit. The FBI is one of six agencies within the United States Justice Department and is concerned with protecting citizens and enforcing federal laws.
The state of Arizona’s main FBI field office is in Phoenix. There are also seven resident agencies which can be found in Flagstaff, Gallup, Lake Havasu, Lakeside, Sierra Vista, Tucson and Yuma. If you are interested in becoming an agent in the state, there is a very extensive application process you must first successfully complete.
FBI Agent Requirements in Arizona
Basic Requirements
- You must be a U.S. citizen.
- You should be between 23 and 37 years old.
- A valid driver’s license is required.
- Must hold a bachelor’s degree from a four-year institution.
- Three years of related experience is needed.
- A willingness to relocate to anywhere in the FBI’s jurisdiction is also necessary.
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Additional Requirements
In addition to the basic requirements, you will be expected to pass an in-depth background check which covers your medical and personal history. The application process can take anywhere from several months to several years.
Being an FBI agent can be a very demanding position. Because of this, individuals are expected to pass a fitness test to be considered. Drug use is also strictly prohibited.
Different Positions with the FBI in Arizona
Special agents are expected to work to protect the citizens of the United States from terrorism and other threats. This can be achieved by working within one of five departments reserved for special agents. These include intelligence, counterintelligence, counterterrorism, cyber, and criminal. Depending on your training and department, you may be nominated to handle matters involving weapons of mass destruction as well.
Arizona FBI Agent Education
You do not have to have a criminal justice degree to be considered as an FBI agent. The bureau accepts applicants with a variety of different educational backgrounds. For example, possessing a degree in any of the STEM subject fields, law enforcement, forensics, psychology or legal studies will provide candidates with a strong educational foundation to apply.
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Major Cities in Arizona
- Phoenix, the location of the FBI’s main field office in the state, has a population of approximately 1.513 million people.
- At 526,116 residents, Tucson is the second-largest city in the state.
- Mesa has the third-largest population in Arizona with 457,587 residents.
Specific Duties of FBI Agents in Arizona
Every day is different as an FBI agent in Arizona. You will be expected to take on a variety of different roles and will often work well over 40 hours a week. Although this job can be both physically and mentally demanding, it is an extremely rewarding and highly respected field.
Agents will often investigate crimes and perform enforcement tasks like making arrests. Sometimes FBI agents are expected to work undercover in Arizona to investigate a specific case and perform field research. Crimes under investigation may relate to one or more of 200-plus categories in federal law.
Interesting Facts
- The FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services Division has the largest fingerprint database on the planet with information on over 47 million people.
- The FBI was still using physical files until 2012 when it went digital.
Arizona FBI Agent Salary
The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not provide salary information for the FBI. However, agents are paid salaries based on the federal government’s General Schedule (GS) scale. In Arizona, FBI agents are paid on the range of GS-10 to GS-13. This results in pay between $55,231 and $112,440.
FBI Training Programs and Schools in Arizona
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Choose your area of study and receive free information about programs you are interested in. FBI agents are dedicated to America’s defense and security. There are a number of careers you can pursue within the FBI with current activities focusing heavily on anit-terrorism. No matter which career you pursue becoming an FBI agent requires deep commitment and dedication. Request information from multiple schools to find the best program and educational opportunity for you!