The main field office for the New Jersey FBI is in Newark, and there are five other satellite office, or resident agencies, throughout the state. The Newark division has been in operation since the early 1900’s, but it’s been the most active since the 9/11 terrorist attacks since the United Airlines Flight 93 took off from the Newark airport.
Becoming an FBI agent means dedicating your life to defending your nation and protecting your fellow citizens from harm. Agents are expected to display exemplary leadership, initiative, problem solving, communication, collaboration and adaptability. If this describes you, here is how you can begin the process of becoming an FBI agent in New Jersey.
FBI Agent Requirements in New Jersey
Basic Requirements:
- Age: Applicants are required to be at least 23; however, due to the long registration process, if you reach 37 before finding work, you’ll need to fill out an age waiver.
- Degree: You need to have at least an accredited bachelor’s degree.
- Experience: Applicants must have at least three years of experience working in the law enforcement field.
- Citizenship: Applicants need to be citizens of the United States or one of its territories.
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Additional Requirements:
- You must meet the FBI medical and physical health requirements.
- Applicants are required to pass a background check and a drug test.
- A valid driver’s license is required for application.
- Applicants may need to relocate as required.
Application Process
In order to become an FBI agent in New Jersey, the first step is to complete the online application. Next, you’ll participate in a three-hour-long exam to gauge your cognitive, behavioral and reasoning abilities. If you pass, you’ll be invited to your local Newark office. Next, you’ll complete a 90-minute-long writing exam and a one-hour-long oral interview.
If you succeed in making it this far, the FBI will give you a Conditional Job Offer. Now it’s time for the background check, physical fitness test, and your basic field training, which takes 21 weeks and is located in Quantico, Virginia. Completing all these steps means that you are now a probationary FBI agent and you’ll be assigned to a field office for an 18-month-long probationary period during which you’ll receive hands-on experience as an agent.
New Jersey FBI Agent Education
Degrees that are useful to FBI agents include criminology, accounting, finance, computer science, psychology, and foreign languages. The FBI doesn’t require that their agents obtain a specific degree, so you should choose your degree based on what you want to do within the FBI. For example, those wishing to be linguists could major in a foreign language, or those interested in cybercrime could major in computer science.
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Major Cities in New Jersey
- Newark is where the primary FBI field office in the state is located, and also has the largest amount of cherry blossom trees in the entire country.
- Elizabeth was the first English-speaking city in the state, and its 2,000 acre marina is now the largest foreign trade area in the country.
- Trenton has many Revolutionary War-era historic sites, including Washington Crossing State Park, the location where General George Washington crossed the Delaware River.
What Does an FBI Agent do in New Jersey?
FBI agents in New Jersey have the opportunity to specialize in a variety of areas, including Evidence Response Teams, Specialized Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT), computer forensics, intelligence analysis, applied science, engineering and technology, and investigative support and surveillance.
As an agent of the FBI, your daily duties will differ every day. Since the 9/11 terrorist attacks led to a greater emphasis on national security, you may be contributing to counterterrorism or counterintelligence efforts. You may also investigate cybercrime, fraud, and other high profile crimes. You may conduct undercover operations, raids, surveillance, and arrests. You could also be called upon to appear and possibly testify in court.
New Jersey FBI Agent Salary
Agents generally start out at the GS-10, step 1 level on the federal schedule of pay. For New Jersey agents, this equates to a base pay of $60,928 per year.
FBI Training Programs and Schools in New Jersey
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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!