FBI seeks to hire hundreds of agents with counterterrorism skills
The FBI is seeking to hire more than 900 new special agents by the end of September to help the agency fight terrorism. The FBI plans to hire 966 special agents with experience in such areas as engineering, information technology and science, according to an agency statement . The country's top law enforcement agency is also seeking applicants proficient in Middle Eastern or Asian languages and experience in foreign counterintelligence and counterterrorism. Although the criteria for the new hires was tailored to fit the FBI's role in homeland security, the agency had been planning to recruit more special agents prior to Sept. 11, according to FBI spokesman Paul Bresson. The agency has a particular need for special agents who can read, write and speak languages such as Arabic, Farsi and Pashtu. Shortly after Sept. 11, the FBI hired contractors to fill its critical shortage of translators in those languages. "We have had a language shortage for a period of time," said FBI Director Robert Mueller on Sept. 17. "And we feel at this point in time we can use the additional manpower helping us with the language issues." Individuals applying for special agent positions must have four-year college degrees, at least three years of professional work experience, and must be U.S. citizens between the ages of 23 and 36. Applicants, who must pass a background check, must be willing to carry a firearm and relocate to any of the agency's 56 field offices. Although the recruiting effort is aimed at attracting people with skills related to homeland security, the FBI is also encouraging candidates with experience in accounting, law, business and health care to apply for positions as special agents. Special agents earn starting salaries of $43,705 during their 16-week training program at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Va. Upon graduation, their pay ranges from $53,743 to $58,335, depending on where the agents are assigned. People interested in applying for special agent positions at the FBI should contact their local FBI office or visit the agency's Web site.