The FBI is one of the first lines of defense against a future terrorist attack in the United States. The Las Vegas Division’s primary goal is just that, and in addition agents work to uphold civil rights, fight espionage operations on U.S. soil, prosecute white-collar crimes, and investigate public corruption on all levels.
With a regional headquarters in Las Vegas, the FBI’s jurisdiction in the area is contiguous throughout 16 surrounding counties, with an additional three satellite offices located in Elko, Reno, and Stateline in the region of South Lake Tahoe.
Because of the extensive entertainment and gambling industries located in Nevada, organized crime has long been a problem in the state, keeping FBI agents busy with many federal investigations. One interesting case FBI bomb experts encountered was in 1980, when three men dressed in white suits wheeled a large disguised bomb into a hotel in Stateline, leaving it behind along with a note demanding a $3 million ransom to diffuse the bomb. Agents were unable to diffuse the bomb properly and it exploded causing severe damage to the hotel.
FBI jobs in Las Vegas require professionals able to collaborate closely with other agencies at the local, state, and federal level. Partnerships between the Las Vegas division and other organizations include:
- FBI Counterintelligence Strategic Partnerships Program
- Las Vegas Joint Terrorism Task Force
- Las Vegas Field Intelligence Group
- Cyber Crimes Task Force
- Nevada Election Integrity Task Force
How to Become an FBI Agent in Las Vegas
The FBI requirements in Las Vegas are strict and stringent for potential applicants. Prospective special agents must first meet the initial qualifications, which include:
- A four year degree from an accredited institution
- Two years of professional work experience
- Between the ages of 23-36
- U.S. citizenship
- No felony convictions
- No use of marijuana or abuse of prescription drugs within the past three years
- No use of other illegal drugs within the past 10 years
- Be available for assignment anywhere within the FBI’s jurisdiction
Additional qualifications will be considered in related fields and prospective special agents will be ranked accordingly. After acceptance, the completion of a physical test and health check, and graduation from the FBI training academy, the special agent will receive training in one of the following fields:
- Computer forensics
- Evidence recovery and processing
- Bomb recovery and analysis
- Tactical support and crisis response
- Hazardous materials
FBI jobs in Las Vegas for professional staff are also available. These agents are experts in their fields, which include:
- Intelligence Analysis
- Linguistics
- FBI Police
- Business Management
- Investigative Support and Surveillance
- Information Technology