Is lateral movement within agencies common?
how would the acceptance process differ in this instance?
I ask because I'm currently knee-deep in the Marshals
process, but might ultimately consider employment in
FBI.
Dear Swivel,
Been there, done it. The acceptance process is extreme. The FBI does not accept any one else's background check except for negative information which they will hold against you (even if it was over ten years ago and adjudicated by another agency).
Congress is hopping mad about the inability of federal agencies to accept other agencies' background checks. It does not seem to matter to the FBI and they insist that "no one does it better then us" type of justification.
Final conclusion, do not hold your breath.
Regards.
Swivel,
To answer your question
Yes, lateral movement among federal agencies is quite common. Fair Chance does make a point, however, that you will indeed have to go through another BI, regardless of the fact that you already have gone through one. Also, with any fed job you usually will go through a BI every 5 years until you retire.
Some agencies make the lateral process easy and even match your current pay if it exceeds the starting pay for the position you applied for, but some don't. I believe that the FBI is one of those, in that you start off as a GS-10 regardless of whether you were a GS-12 or GS-7 when they hire you.
If you do make it through the US Marshals process it will help you greatly in a lateral movement as their is this "mystique and prestige" that comes with that agency.
Either way good luck.
Thanks for the feedback, guys.
I'm still toiling away as an undergrad and am applying for the Marshals co-op program through school with the expectation of employment upon completion of the program. I'll pursue FBI as well, but given the order and timing of things, I may (hopefully) be employed by the Marshals at that time.
I've completed the medical, am awaiting the FIT, and the the BI is ongoing. With luck, I'll respond again soon with good news.
Until then, thanks again.