The location of South Carolina- near the Atlantic Ocean and the Eastern Seaboard makes it a bustling area of activity for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI.) Agents are asked to perform many duties in the state rather than operate in a single, narrow focus, so the opportunity for advancement in South Carolina is very real.
The FBI regional headquarters is located in Columbia, the state capitol, which from its location in the middle of the state is situated perfectly to dispatch agents as needed throughout the rest of the state. There are also satellite office locations in the state, which are smaller in size and relegated to covering certain jurisdictions and counties. South Carolina has eight satellite offices located in the cities of Aiken, Charleston, Florence, Greenville, Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach, Rock Hill and Spartanburg.
FBI Job Requirements in South Carolina
In order to become an FBI agent in the state of South Carolina, an applicant must meet the following requirements:
- Must be between the ages of 23 and 36 (some exceptions may apply)
- Must be a citizen of the United States of America
- Must have a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four year school
- Must pass a physical fitness test
- Must have at least 2 years of applicable professional experience
The following is only a short list of some of the requirements needed to be an FBI agent in South Carolina. There are many more requirements that must be met before successfully becoming an FBI agent in the state.
Featured FBI Career Paths in South Carolina
FBI jobs in South Carolina revolve primarily around investigation techniques. Tasks involved in investigation includes interviewing witnesses and suspects of crimes, analyzing crime scenes, collecting and documenting evidence, making arrests and running undercover operations among many other things.
Special Agents: The special agents are asked to perform a large variety of tasks that span all areas of responsibility covered by the FBI. Special agents primarily work in the Evidence Recovery and Processing team. This team is responsible for collecting and analyzing evidence obtained at crime scenes. Evidence can include finger prints, blood samples, DNA, bullet trajectory mapping and many other laboratory procedures.
Specialized Weapons and Tactics (SWAT): This highly-trained team of agents are responsible for handling the most extreme and dangerous situations. SWAT team members can breach locks, enter barricaded structures, apprehend armed and dangerous criminals, handle negotiation and hostage situations and use special techniques to stop car chases among many other things.
Translation: South Carolina has a burgeoning Hispanic and Latino population, which means there is an even higher demand from Spanish speaking agents. These agents are responsible for translating written documents in foreign languages, as well as assisting agents with interviews and other tasks as needed.
Recent FBI Activity in South Carolina
The South Carolina FBI field office sees a flurry of activity than ranges from relatively minor operations to major nationwide initiatives. The following is a breakdown of some of their most recent activities:
Putting and End to an Extortion Plot: On Feb. 8, the FBI in South Carolina busted a Florida man who was attempting to bribe and extort money from state officials, including faculty members at the University of South Carolina.
Apprehension of Person Who Made a Bomb Threat: On Feb. 7, a South Carolina man was arrested after making threats to blow up a building. Upon searching the man’s home, FBI investigators also found child pornography on his home computer.
Drug Bust: On Jan. 18, members of a narcotics syndicate were sentenced to more than 100 years in prison for the distribution of significant amounts of cocaine in Lexington County, South Carolina.