Does anyone know what the job of somone with a heavy science backgound woud be for the FBI.  I have seen on their website that they are looking for people with backgrounds in chemistry, physics, and biology, and I assume that people with these backgrounds would fill intelligence analyst positions but what exaclty would they do?

I'm very interested in working for the government but am wondering how useful my background would be, I have a BS in chemistry, with enough physcis to choke a horse, and will begin work on my Ph.D. in analytical chemistry next fall.  Specifically my research has been in instrument design, but if you can build them you can run them most definatly.  I have a very mild background into high explosives, I understand just enough organic chemistry to get myself killed.  I'm also fascinated by firearms, every aspect design, ballistics, you name it I've read about it.   

So I guess really the question is, is there a job for me working with chemical instruments, or would I be moving papers from one side of a desk to the other?

Thanks, hope this post wasnt too long for only being my second.

I think you can start as soon as you pass your background check and polygraph.  As soon as the HR people get the "go" they're likely to call you up.
You're at the very least GS-9 with the JD, but possibly higher (GS-11) with your military experience.
You must be a prime candidate to not have to interview, which is all to your advantage in the case you decide not to accept or decide to pursue intelligence work with another agency.

I noticed I wrote that I applied in March then later I wrote that I applied in February.  Don't remember the exact date but it was either late Feb. or early March, just in case anybody was thinking I couldn't keep track of time.

A few questions and comments regarding the Intelligence Analyst position that I hope some people may be able to elaborate on.

I applied in March, got a call in July asking if I was still interested, said yes, received all the papework to fill out and then didn't hear anything for over a month.  Then a friend who I used as a reference called me to say congratulations on getting the job.  Apparently the investigators told this friend that I had been offered the job contingent on the outcome of the background check and security screening.  I never had an interview, just filled out some online forms and other paperwork.  I called the person I sent my papers to who told me, after I expressed surprise about the possibility of being hired without being interviewed, "They don't have to interview you for this job."  I am scheduled to take a polygraph next week.

My comment is that this seems awkward and maybe a bit inefficient to go through an extensive background check and possibly hire me but not actually interview me.  Comments on this would be appreciated.

My questions are:

Is this true, that I can be hired even though not interviewed?

How soon after the polygraph/security interview could I expect to begin working?

If I DO decide to accept the position, will this hurt or hinder me if I decide to go to another intelligence agency in the future?

If I DO NOT decide to accept the position and stay in the private sector, will it hurt or hinder me if I look to other intelligence agencies instead, after the FBI spent considerable time on my application?

I applied for the position in February so I didn't save the posting and can't remember what pay grade I listed.  I have a JD and a Master's Degree, five years military experience, and some diverse civilian work experience, but nothing directly related to being an intelligence analyst.  Does anybody know what pay grade/step I might be in?

I appreciate any comments.

Also, the whole process took just over 3 months.

Yes.  My BI was almost complete before my poly and drug screening.

Triple X sorry - Intelligence Analyst position (IA)

Wagonbarn,

What exactly is an "IA" position? Is that a special agent or professional support position.?


triple x

Hello - I just applied for an IA position and I was wondering what types of background and experience is the FBI looking for with this position?

Fair Chance,

I agree with you regarding the FBI hiring process. I find it questionable at best, that the bureau would actually initiate a complete [full scope] TS background investigation for a candidate prior to the pre-employment polygraph and drug test. The time and effort would be worthless if the candidate failed the polygraph and/or drug test after the BI.

My personal experience was as follows:   

1) Conditional offer
2) Medical exam
3) Finger printing
4) Security interview
5) Drug test
6) Polygraph exam

The background investigation was not initiated until successful completion of the pre-employment polygraph exam.



Triple x

Dear DSM0507,

I have had posters recently stating that their background checks started before their polygraph and urinalysis.  Your posting agrees with what I have known to be true in the past that the background check will not begin until you successfully pass the polygraph and drug screening test.

As of this date, I do not know of anyone who has been successfully hired that did not go through the drug screening and polygraph in the FBI before their background checks.

Has anyone who has been successfully hired had the polygraph after their "full" background investigation?  I am just wondering because this would be a radical change from past hiring practices (and a welcome one!).

Regards and good luck.

I'm going thru the process now. I just had the PSI and drug test. I'm now waiting to be scheduled for the poly, which will be within a week or so. After I pass that, they will open up my background. The SA that interviewed me said they do not open up backgrounds unless you pass the poly. No sense in wasting the money because  they cost a lot. I got selected for the GS-11/1 but would prefer the GS12. ugg. I just want to get my foot in the door. My suggestion for anyone who is waiting on an application they submitted is to call the local applicant coordinator and leave a voice mail. They may not return your call but things may suddenly happen if you call them and ask about your application status. If you qualify and they want you in, they will push you thru the process.

pixie1276 wrote on Aug 17^th, 2004 at 10:33pm:



Pixie - did you start yet? How is it going, if so? I applied on the FBI site in June but just got a call for my first inteview. It didn't come from HQ - it came from the local office I had indicated as my preferred place of employment How is the polygraph test? Really hard? I really don't know if they have started my background check yet. The job sounds really interesting, and I really want it.

My background:  BA English 2000; JD 2004
My application was for grade 9 (used the law degree to substitute for experience) and was for DC because I was told that there is more ability for promotion there (due to number of positions).  I also possess prof. level fluency in German and French.

I have been offered a position with the fbi as an intelligence analyst (if my poly and urinalysis are ok).  I applied online in early july, got a call from hq two weeks later to fill out the background employment app.  They have just concluded the background check (going to employers, neighbors, etc), and I have my personnel security interview tomorrow.  It looks as though I will be starting in Sept. or Oct.  The background process moves pretty quickly, so be prepared to make yourself available for interviews or actually starting on very short notice.

I checked the FBIjobs.com site today for the status of my application.  For both grade 9 & 11 it reads, "Basic requirements met; not referred for selection."  I am soooooo disappointed. Has anyone else heard? What exactly does this mean? I possess the basic requirements but they don't want to hire me?  Is there any benefit in applying for a similar position in Washington?

Does anyone have any additional news?  I called my Senator yesterday and his office told me that today a Senate committee was returning from summer break to address the issues raised in the 911 Commission report.  The chairman from the committee testified.  I'm not sure that this will affect the FBI's plans to hire intelligence analysts.  It looks like they'll need them no matter what.  I can't stand the waiting.

BTW - what does DQd mean?

1st Sgt,

  Sitting at a desk and analyzing information is simply more in tune with my training and personality.  The SSG position requires one to be a keen observer but from what I understand it has its undesirable aspects most notably, long rotating hours.  Quite simply,  I believe the IA position would be a better fit for me.  As one of the gentleman who interviewed me for the SSG said " I honestly see you doing something at a higher level than this".  I would like to note however that I have a great deal of respect for the men and women who perform this vital duty.

MasterTuner,

Why would you want the Intelligence Analyst instead of the SSG position?

Photograph,

  Good luck with the process.  I orignally applied for the field office and HQ announcements and was DQed for both.  I reapplied in May after they changed the system but haven't heard anything yet.  People are being interviewed and hired, very quickly in some cases.  I'm just hoping and praying that I get called for this position before I'm drafted by the SSG (Special Surveillance Group).

My Background:
MA Economics 2002
BA German 2000
Economics instructor 3 months
Financial Advisor 4 months

Very little work experience due to my region's dismal economy

I am wondering as well! I applied for an Intelligence Analyst position in the Chicago office at the end of May.  I haven't heard a thing.  Last week I e-mailed a woman in FBI's HQ in Washington, D.C.  She responded that she thought requests for interviews and/or replies to applications would be sent out by the end of the month (July).   I don't know if the 9/11 Commission report and recommendations will have any affect on this while hiring process.

Good luck! What is your background? I am currently an attorney with the federal government.  We'll see...

Dear MasterTuner,

I am sorry if my last posting came out of the gate being negative.  The FBI is going through a monumental change of culture and I did not want to paint the picture too rosy.  I would not hold my breath on any application in the FBI right now.  The system is taxed to the limit and a one year wait from start to finish seems to be the minimum time in limbo.  You will require alot of patience to go through the hoops.  I certainly would not get excited about any "conditional letters of appointment."  Only one of three conditional applicants actually gets the job so I would not let my employer or family know of any results until you get the final offer of employment and starting date.

Regards.

That doesn't sound very hopeful.  I really wanted to know if the FBI has started calling people in for interviews yet since they keep changing the announcement number, deadline dates, and general application system.  I applied for this position but your description doesn't make it sound promising.

Dear MasterTuner,

This position is definitely a new unknown field in the FBI.  If you research the CIA and NSA intelligence functions, I think you will have a better handle on it.  People in the FBI who were filling these positions have expressed alot of frustration (as documented in Staff Statement #12 of the 9/11 Commission Reports) that they do not get enough information to be of any value.

The FBI does not  how to properly use their expertise (they were "assigned reception telephone duty and emptying the waste baskets").  What a waste of resources!

Being the groundbreaker in any government field can be very frustrating.  This is a groundbreaking position in the FBI.  You can hit the GrandSlam home run ball and end up in the Hall of Fame or strike out and never be desired on any team.  It is a game of percentages.  If you are young, single, and have nothing to lose, go for it.  If you are married, have children, and a mortgage, think long and hard about leaving your present job.

Regards.

I was just curious if anyone has applied to the FBI intelligence analyst position or knows anything about the job.