U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Special
April 2000 Agent
Special Agents of
the U.S. Fish &
Wildlife Service have
challenging and
rewarding careers.
They are trained
criminal investigators
who enforce Federal
wildlife laws throughout
the United States.
Special Agents conduct
law enforcement
investigations that
may include activities
such as surveillance,
undercover work,
making arrests,
and preparing cases
for court.
They often work with
other Federal, tribal,
foreign, state, or local
law enforcement
authorities. Special
Agents enforce
traditional migratory
bird regulations and
investigate major
commercial activities
involving illegal trade
in protected wildlife.
Some agents work at
border ports where they
enforce Federal laws
protecting domestic
and foreign wildlife
species that enter
into interstate and
international commerce.
Position Requirements
To qualify for a Special Agent
position, applicants must meet strict
medical, physical, and psychological
requirements. They must also
participate in mandatory drug
testing and psychological screening
programs. The most highly qualified
applicants will be interviewed.
Academically, a four-year degree in
wildlife management, criminal justice,
or other related fields is preferred.
Those chosen will undergo an
extensive background investigation to
determine suitability for appointment
to a Special Agent position. All
appointees must be citizens of the
United States, at least 21 years of
age, but less than 37 years of age at
the time of entrance on duty. A
mobility agreement must be signed
which indicates a willingness to
accept a reassignment to any location
in the future.
Appointees must be in excellent
physical condition and pass a
comprehensive medical examination,
which is provided at no cost to the
applicant. The appointee must also
successfully pass a battery of tests to
determine physical fitness suitability.
Employment Opportunities
Only some 250 Special Agents work
for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Special Agent positions are extremely
competitive and highly sought after.
Consequently, only the most qualified
applicants are appointed. The
duties of all Special Agents involve
considerable travel with frequent
periods away from home. Newly
appointed Special Agents may be
assigned to duty stations anywhere
in the United States, including Guam
and Puerto Rico.
How to Apply
Every year the Service anticipates
hiring 10 to 15 new Special Agents.
To begin the recruitment effort,
the Service’s Personnel Office in
Arlington, Virginia issues vacancy
announcements describing available
positions. Individuals seeking
information about Special Agent
vacancies can check the Office of
Personnel Management’s web site at:
http://usajobs.opm.gov/.
Career Pattern and Pay
Starting salaries for Special Agents
begin at one of the GS-5/7/9 levels,
depending upon education and
experience. The full performance
level of pay is GS-12. In addition to
base pay, agents are compensated for
availability pay and those agents
stationed in high-cost geographical
areas receive additional locality pay.
Special Agents can expect to serve in
several locations during a typical
20-year career. With each transfer,
employees have the opportunity for a
more diversified career progressing
to their full potential. After gaining
experience in field investigations,
some agents may decide to enhance
their careers and move into
management positions. These
positions are found in the Senior
Resident Agent Offices, the Regional
Offices, and the Chief ’s Office in
Washington, D.C. The selection
process for management positions
is competitive and provides for
upward mobility at the GS-13, GS-14,
and GS-15 levels.
Benefits
Full retirement benefits are available
to Special Agents with 20 years of
Federal law enforcement service
at age 50. Retirement becomes
mandatory at age 57. Other benefits
are also attractive. Availability pay is
earned at the rate of 25% of base pay.
This pay is designed to compensate
the criminal investigator for at least
2 hours of unscheduled duty per
regular workday. In addition, low-cost
health and life insurance may be
obtained through Federal employee
programs. Insurance plans are
available to immediate family
members. Financial protection is
provided, without cost, in the event of
job-related injury or death. Annual
leave accrues at the rate of 13 to 26
days per year, based on length of
employment. Prior Federal civilian
or military service is creditable.
Sick leave is earned at the rate of
13 days per year and there are
10 paid Federal holidays per year.
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is
an equal opportunity employer. All
candidates will receive consideration
without regard to race, color, religion,
sex, national origin, age* (see
requirements), political affiliation or
any other nonmerit factor.
Training
Special Agents begin their careers
with 18 weeks of formal training in
criminal investigative and wildlife
law enforcement techniques at the
Federal Law Enforcement Training
Center at Glynco, Georgia. Basic
Training includes comprehensive
courses in protective techniques,
criminal law, use of special
investigative equipment, use of
firearms, and defensive measures.
Rules of evidence, surveillance
techniques, undercover operations,
and courtroom demeanor are also
studied. Classroom study is
supplemented with on-the-job
training when agents report to their
assigned field stations. As agents in
training, they assist in carrying out
surveillance activities, participating
in raids, interviewing witnesses and
suspects, searching for physical
evidence and clues, seizing
contraband, and serving search
warrants. The emphasis on training
and the vast experience they
gain make U.S. Fish & Wildlife
Service Special Agents among the
best wildlife law enforcement
professionals in the world.
CO, KS, MT, NE,
ND, SD, UT, WY
AK
Headquarters
Assistant Regional Director
for Law Enforcement,
Region 6
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
P.O. Box 25486-DFC
Denver, Colorado 80225
Telephone: 303/236 7540
Assistant Regional Director
for Law Enforcement,
Region 7
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
1011 E. Tudor Road, Suite 155
Anchorage, Alaska 99503
Telephone: 907/786 3311
Chief
Office of Law Enforcement
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 520
Arlington, Virginia 22203
Telephone: 703/358 1949
You may also obtain additional
information about the U.S. Fish &
Wildlife Service from our web
site at www.fws.gov.
For More Information
For more information about career
opportunities for Special Agents,
position requirements, and Federal
wildlife law enforcement, write to
the Assistant Regional Director for
Law Enforcement of the U.S. Fish &
Wildlife Service Office nearest
your home.
Assistant Regional Director
for Law Enforcement,
Region 1
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
911 N.E. 11th Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97232
Telephone: 503/231 6125
Assistant Regional Director
for Law Enforcement,
Region 2
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
P.O. Box 329
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87103
Telephone: 505/248 7889
Assistant Regional Director
for Law Enforcement,
Region 3
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
P.O. Box 45, Federal Building
Fort Snelling, Minnesota 55111
Telephone: 612/713 5320
Assistant Regional Director
for Law Enforcement,
Region 4
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
P.O. Box 49226
Atlanta, Georgia 30359
Telephone: 404/679 7057
Assistant Regional Director
for Law Enforcement,
Region 5
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
300 Westgate Center Drive
Hadley, Massachusetts 01035
Telephone: 413/253 8274
State/Territories
CA, HI, ID, NV,
OR, WA, GU,
AS, CM
AZ, NM, OK, TX
IL, IN, IA, MI,
MN, MO, OH,
WI
AL, AR, FL, GA,
KY, LA, MS, NC,
SC, TN, PR, VI
CT, DE, DC, ME,
MD, MA, NH,
NJ, NY, PA, RI,
VT, VA, WV
Anchorage
Portland
Atlanta
Albuquerque
Denver
Ft. Snelling
Hadley
Arlington
Florida
New Mexico
Delaware
Maryland
Texas
Oklahoma
Kansas
Nebraska
South Dakota
Montana North Dakota
Wyoming
Colorado
Utah
Idaho
Arizona
Nevada
Alaska
Hawaii
Puerto Rico
Washington
California
Oregon
Kentucky
Maine
New York
Pennsylvania
Michigan
Vermont
New
Hampshire
Massachusetts
Rhode Island
Connecticut
Virginia
West
Virginia
Ohio
Indiana
Illinois
North Carolina
Tennessee
South Carolina
Alabama
Mississippi
Arkansas
Louisiana
Missouri
Iowa
Minnesota
Wisconsin
New Jersey
Georgia
Region 5
Region 6
Region 7
Region 1
Region 2
Region 3
Region 4
