South Dakota is one of the sparsely populated states in the US. Regardless of this sparse population, South Dakota makes for great FBI opportunities and experiences. FBI agents in South Dakota are comparatively smaller in number than in other states and this by extension means that; South Dakota FBI agents must be versatile and experienced in an array of fields as against their counterparts who are more specialized. If you are in South Dakota and you would like to know how to get into the FBI then this article is just for you.
FBI Agent Requirements in South Dakota
As with every other state in the USA, there are two main career options an applicant can choose with the FBI
- Special Agent
- Professional Staffer
Special agents are the backbone of the FBI and as such are required to undergo certain thorough and rigorous training and application regimens before they can be employed by the agency. This training is essential as it facilitates their ability to work as field experts on high profile crimes and several other investigations needing the FBI’s attention. Below is a list of requirements necessary to become an FBI Special Agent in South Dakota.
- Candidate must be a citizen of the United States of America or a citizen of Northern Marina Island
- Candidate must be at least 23 years old and not more than 37 years old at the time of employment
- Candidate must have a minimum of a Bachelors Degree from an accredited 4-year university or college.
- Candidate must be willing to relocate when necessary to any area under the FBI’s jurisdiction.
- Candidate must successfully pass a written exam, a drug test, a background check, a polygraph exam, an interview, and also a physical fitness test before getting hired.
- Candidates are required to have a valid US Drivers license
- Candidates are also required to have at least 3 years of full working experience excluding summer jobs, internships, temporary employment, seasonal positions, etc.
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Professional Staffers, on the other hand, do not have to undergo as much rigorous training as Special Agents. The professional staffing positions are reserved for FBI agents who do not want to or cannot be involved actively in the field or engage in FBI Special Agent Duties. While Professional Staffers are not exactly as prestigious as the special agents, Professional Staffers keep the agency running as they assist Special Agents via clerical, administrative, and maintenance services. The essential requirements to become an FBI Professional Staffer in South Dakota are;
- A high school diploma *Completion of a background check
- Previous work experience
From having to confront threats to acting as role models, the everyday life of an FBI agent in South Dakota is as dynamic as it gets. The FBI is tasked with handling a variety of situations ranging from criminal to counterintelligence and even cybercrimes; hence FBI jobs are quite extensive. However, here are a few FBI positions available to South Dakota.
Different Positions Within the FBI
INTELLIGENCE: Surveillance Specialist, Intelligence Analyst, Profiler, Behavioral analyst etc.
COUNTERINTELLIGENCE: A huge part of the FBI’s responsibility is to protect the USA from espionage and foreign intelligence operations. This duty is executed primarily by the counterintelligence division of the FBI in South Dakota.
CYBER CRIMES DIVISION: The cybercrimes division of the FBI is usually made up of Analysts, Computer Scientists, and Forensic Examiners. As with all other 55 FBI field offices, the Minneapolis Division which covers South Dakota, North Dakota, and the states of Minnesota offers candidates job opportunities in the cybercrimes unit of the FBI.
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIVE DIVISION: Statistically, the CID (Criminal Investigative Division) is the largest division within the United States FBI. The CID has over 4800 Field Special Agents, 300 Intelligence Analysts and 520 headquarter employees. The CID is in charge of addressing globalized criminal threats.
TACTICAL OPERATION: As a part/section of the FBI’s Critical Incident Response Group, the Tactical Operations Division has the following positions
- Hostage Rescue Team *Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT)
- Sniper/ Observer *Enhanced SWAT
- Tactical Mobility Team *Tactical Helicopter Teams
- Crisis Negotiation Unit *Special Agent Bomb Technician.
COUNTERTERRORISM DIVISION: Helps protect the United States from acts of terrorism.
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South Dakota FBI Agent Education
Candidates of the FBI (South Dakota Inclusive) are required to meet certain degree requirements. FBI Special Agent candidates must have at least a Bachelors Degree in a relevant field and from an accredited 4 year University.
FBI Special Agent degree requirements include but are not limited to
- Bachelor of Science in Criminology
- Master of Science in Criminology
FBI Professional Staff such as experienced linguists, financial analysts etc need a high school diploma in any of these relevant fields.
Major Cities in South Dakota
There are 4 resident agencies or satellite offices located in the state of South Dakota.
- Sioux Falls
- Pierre
- Aberdeen
- Rapid City
Sioux Falls: Located on the eastern side of South Dakota, Sioux Falls is the largest metropolitan area in South Dakota. This satellite office is in charge of supervising operations in 28 separate towns and rural county areas.
Pierre: Pierre is located at the center of South Dakota and handles operations for 7 towns (mostly rural)
Aberdeen: The Aberdeen office in South Dakota handles operations on the Northern border of the state.
Rapid City: Located on the western border of South Dakota, Rapid City is the second-largest jurisdiction in South Dakota
South Dakota FBI Agent Salary
FBI Agents have varying responsibilities for about 36,000 employees and with these varying responsibilities come varying salaries but most of the FBI agents, technicians and specialists are paid according to the Governments approved General Schedule System (GS). Hence the salary between FBI Special Agents and Professional Staffs range between
- Special Agents: $455771- $59505 (as GS-10 beginner pay grade salary) to peak earnings (GS-13 Agents) of $71674 – $93175.
- Professional Staff: $33979 – $44176 (as GS7 beginner pay grade salary) to a peak earning of $84697 – $110104.
It is important at this point to note that entering pay grade for professional staff is often influenced by advanced degrees such as Masters and Ph.D. as well as substantial professional achievement, high military rank, and a few other variables.
FBI Training Programs and Schools in South Dakota
Criminal Justice Programs and Schools in South Dakota
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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!