Wisconsin is the 20th most populous state in the United States with an estimated population of 5.7 million people as of 2016. While Madison is the capital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee is its largest city and home to the FBI field office in Wisconsin.
Along with the Milwaukee Field office, the FBI in Wisconsin has four satellite offices – all tasked with the responsibility of carrying out all operations requiring the attention of the FBI in the state.
If you are in Wisconsin and you would like to know how to get into the FBI then this article is just for you.
FBI Agent Requirements in Wisconsin
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 regimen 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 Wisconsin.
- Candidate must be a citizen of the United States of America or Northern Mariana Islands.
- 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.
- Has at least three years of work experience in a professional setting
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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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin is as dynamic as it gets. Here are a few FBI positions available to Wisconsin.
Different Positions Within The FBI in Wisconsin
Opportunities to work with the FBI in Wisconsin may be available for Special Agents, translators, cyber security experts, scientists, engineers and accountants.
Wisconsin FBI Agent Education
Candidates of the FBI (Wisconsin 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.
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Major Cities in Wisconsin
The state of Wisconsin in the United States has 72 counties, all of which are covered by the Wisconsin FBI Division headquarters and its four satellite offices.
- Division Headquarters:
- Milwaukee: The FBI field office in Wisconsin is located in Milwaukee. Covering 8 counties, this field office has been in existence since the early 1900s. One of the most recent and laudable achievements of the FBI in Milwaukee is the 2012 investigation and subsequent conviction and sentencing to 40 years in prison of a former Milwaukee County sheriff on the grounds of child pornography.
- Satellite Offices:
- Madison: The Madison satellite office is actually located in Middleton. FBI agents in this satellite office are saddled with the responsibility of attending to any potentially threatening cases in 12 Wisconsin counties. In July 2012, this satellite office successfully apprehended serial bank robbers responsible for six bank robberies in the state.
- La Crosse: FBI agents in La Crosse, Wisconsin are saddled with the responsibility of attending to any potentially threatening cases in 10 counties in the state. Thanks to the FBI agents in the La Crosse satellite office, a man was sentenced to 21 months in prison for Bank Fraud in 2010.
- Green Bay: FBI agents in Green Bay, Wisconsin are saddled with the responsibility of attending to any potentially threatening cases in 19 Wisconsin counties. Alongside the Special Agents assigned to this satellite office, the Green Bay office is one of the few FBI offices which offer jobs for Victim Specialists. A notable case from this satellite office took place in June 2010; this involved federal violations of insurance embezzlement, mail fraud, and bank fraud.
- Eau Clair: FBI agents in Eau Clair, Wisconsin are saddled with the responsibility of attending to any potentially threatening cases in 23 counties in Wisconsin. In 2009, the Eau Clair offices completed the investigation of drug dealing on St. Croix tribal lands. This led to the arrest of six people for the distribution of cocaine in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin 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 Master’s and Ph.D. as well as substantial professional achievement, high military rank, and a few other variables.
FBI Training Programs and Schools in Wisconsin
Criminal Justice Programs and Schools in Wisconsin
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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!