FBI activity in Pennsylvania is usually handled through the FBI Pittsburgh Division, which is located on East Carson Street. The Pittsburgh Division oversees 25 counties in Pennsylvania, as well as the state of West Virginia.
In addition to the Division office, the FBI Pittsburgh Division oversees 11 Resident Agencies:
- Beckley, West Virginia
- Charleston, West Virginia
- Clarksburg, West Virginia
- Erie, Pennsylvania
- Huntington, West Virginia
- Laurel Highlands, Pennsylvania
- Martinsburg, West Virginia
- Mon Valley, Pennsylvania
- North Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Parkersburg, West Virginia
- Wheeling, West Virginia
Although the Bureau has been in Pittsburgh since 1914, the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, shed light on this FBI Division’s importance, as the United Airlines Flight 93 crash occurred in the Pittsburgh Division’s territory. FBI Pittsburgh was responsible for the investigation of the crash site and following up on leads that resulted from the investigation.
Career Paths for Special Agents in the Pittsburgh Division Office
FBI jobs in Pittsburgh include FBI Special Agents, as well as a number of other FBI Specialists who work as members of teams or units to provide a comprehensive approach to ensuring that collecting, analyzing, and sharing information is completed according to FBI standards:
- Paralegals
- Language Specialists
- Security Experts
- Electronics Technicians
- Investigative Specialists
- Support Services Technicians
- Financial Analysts
- Intelligence Analysts
The Specialized Units of the FBI Pittsburgh Division include:
- Pittsburgh Evidence Response Team – Includes FBI Agents from Pennsylvania and West Virginia
- Computer Analysis and Response Team – Includes Forensic Examiners skilled at retrieving evidence from digital devices
- Special Agent Bomb Technicians – Two Special Agent Bomb Technicians work within the FBI Pittsburgh Division.
- Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Response Team – Includes both agent and non-agent HAZMAT certified operators
- Language Specialists – FBI Linguists work in espionage, terrorism, and criminal cases.
Partnerships in the FBI Pittsburgh Division include:
- Western Pennsylvania/West Virginia Joint Terrorism Task Force
- Pittsburgh High Tech Computer Crimes Task Force
- InfraGard Pittsburgh
- Financial Crimes Task Force of Southwestern Pennsylvania
- Mortgage Fraud Task Force
- Erie Area Gang Law Enforcement (EAGLE) Task Force
- Southwest Pennsylvania Safe Streets Task Force
- Huntington Violent Crime/Drug Task Force
How to Become an FBI Agent in Pittsburgh: FBI Requirements in Pittsburgh
Individuals interested in learning how to become an FBI Agent in Pittsburgh may contact the FBI Pittsburgh Division office or one of the Pittsburgh Division Resident Agency offices for more information. Individuals may also learn about FBI requirements in Pittsburgh or job vacancies by visiting the FBI’s website.
Before individuals can be accepted to the FBI training program and begin training at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, they must first meet a number of FBI requirements for employment:
- Individuals must be U.S. citizens.
- Individuals must hold a four-year degree and have at least 2 years of professional work experience.
- Individuals must be between the ages of 23 and 36 (Veterans may be older than 36 and still qualify)
- Individuals must possess a valid U.S. driver’s license.
- Individuals must have no felony convictions or be in default on student loans.
- All male individuals must have registered with the Selective Services system.
- All individuals must be willing to relocate to any of the FBI’s jurisdictions.
- Individuals must pass an FBI Background Check.
- Individuals must pass a physical fitness evaluation and a medical evaluation.