The FBI’s number one goal is the prevention of another terrorist attack like the one that occurred on September 11th, 2001. With 56 regional headquarters and another 380 smaller offices located throughout the United States, the FBI pursues this goal with over 36,000 employees.
Since 1908 the agency has grown to be the blanket security force for the United States, with an additional 60 offices open abroad. The FBI uses a combination of specialized professionals and Special Agents to gather evidence, investigate, prosecute, and prevent crimes.
FBI jobs in Nevada are primarily located in the main office in Las Vegas. There are also three other smaller satellite offices spread throughout the state in Elko, Reno, and Stateline, near Lake Tahoe. Special Agents work in teams such as SWAT, Evidence Response, Computer Analysis and Response, Hostage Rescue, as well as in specialized positions such as Bomb Recovery and Analysis and Hazardous Materials. Specialized professionals work with these agents in their fields, which include accounting, legal, linguistic, computer science/information technology, finance, physical sciences, and law enforcement-investigation.
How to Become an FBI Agent in Nevada
Careers in the FBI can follow several paths, depending on the prospective agent’s skills and training. FBI requirements in Nevada have some basic elements in common, such as passing a background check, a successful medical physical, and not being disqualified based on automatic rejection criteria including illegal drug use within the past 10 years (within the past three years for marijuana and prescription drug abuse), default on a federally-insured student loan, or having been convicted of a felony. Additional basic requirements for FBI jobs in Nevada are:
- Being between the ages of 23-36 (with some exceptions for those with military careers)
- Being a U.S. citizen
- Possessing a four-year college degree from an accredited institution
- Valid driver’s license
- Two years of professional work experience
- Ability to move and work anywhere in the FBI’s jurisdiction
Career Paths for Special Agents in Nevada
Once the prospective agent has successfully made it over the initial application hurdle, there are several career paths to choose from. The agent will be placed into a New Agent Class, where he or she will choose between the fields of Cyber, Intelligence, Criminal, Counter-intelligence, or Counter-terrorism. Once the choice is made agents commence with a 21-week intensive training course that includes physical fitness tests, firearms training, defensive tactics, and classroom study. Upon completion new FBI Agents will receive their first assignment at one of the 56 local headquarters located throughout the United States, with consideration given to a ranking of location choice by the agent.
FBI Partnerships in Nevada
One of the key factors of success for the FBI is its close collaboration and cooperation with state and local agencies. A re-emphasis on an integration of forces has occurred since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, leading to the creating of several new partnerships. Some of these joint-agency organizations are:
- Nevada Election Integrity Task Force
- Las Vegas Joint Terrorism Task Force
- Las Vegas Field Intelligence Group
- FBI Counterintelligence Strategic Partnership Program
- Cyber Crime Task Force
- Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force
- Endoscopy Task Force
The Endoscopy Task Force focuses on combating health care fraud. One often-overlooked role the FBI plays is the investigation of corruption and fraud in elected officials and government programs, respectively. Also addressed are mortgage and corporate fraud. The FBI in Nevada also has a program to combat underage child sex trafficking as well as underage pornography rings.