How To Be Part Of The Federal Protective Service
Federal Protective Service Is Called in For Emergencies
There are about 8800 buildings that the US government leases or owns throughout the country, and they have a special force dedicated to their protection. The federal protective service, a division of Homeland Security and a sector of US customs and immigration, was designed to oversee the security of the employees and/or residents of those buildings. They will respond to emergency situations regarding missing children, hazardous materials and weapons of mass destruction and serve as an increased defense for federal buildings. It is an exciting but dangerous job that can take you anywhere across the country, so learn more to see if you have what it takes.
Daily Responsibilities
Consider the daily tasks of a state sheriff and then eliminate all the minor civilian responsibilities, and you have the role of a federal protective service agent. They will interview suspects, conduct investigations and make arrests, but they are called in mainly to help local law enforcement in extreme emergency situations. They are also in charge of all federal security guards, and there are separate divisions of special units, such as a plain clothes force, support services and physical security. They use high end communication technology and dispatching as well as canine and emergency response centers to be as efficient and effective as possible.
Training
Being a federal position, you need to be a US citizen and at least 21 years old to apply. There are additional tests and checks to endure, but the one thing you can control is your education. A 4 year bachelors degree is the minimum necessity, but all government positions prefer candidates with a masters at least. Preferably it should be a criminal justice degree, but within the degree, there are many areas of specialization you can take, like special populations or law enforcement. You can also get a bachelors degree in public safety, again with varied concentrations in subjects like emergency management or security management. All these degrees can be obtained online at places like Capella University or American Intercontinental University, so you don't need to go far to study.
Career Outlook
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn't predict a lot of growth in this field compared unlike other careers in criminal justice, but at least 10-11% can be expected until 2018. Pay levels are determined by the ranking you earn based on education and experience when hired, so a GS-4 level can start at around $24,000 a year, while being hired at a GS-7 or GS-8 level will earn you around $33,000-$37,000 for starters. In general, around $74,000 tends to be the average earnings for a full time worker with experience on the job, but the amount can vary drastically. The best way to ensure your stability in the federal protective service is really to pursue as much education as you can and get relevant experience that you can put on the table to make yourself known.
Criminal Justice Degree |
|
