Researching Changing Career Field to Govt.

Hi – This thread is mainly going to be calling out to any of you might have previous or current knowledge and experience in Govt. jobs that might be able to give me helpful info, food for thought, etc. Maybe one day meet for lunch or coffee and further discuss my options or a plan of action to get from point A to point Z.

Please though keep in mind that I really don’t want to hear any nay say’ers or pessimistic comments. I am a doer, I am a go getter and don’t believe that nothing is out of reach. Especially since that is how I got my current job. J I am just looking for positive, honest, helpful advice and guidance.

Back on point, I currently work as a Project/Program Manager at a corporation doing something I enjoy for the most part. I do find that I don’t feel completely satisfied. I feel like there is still a need or hole in the fulfillment of my life for doing something worth while. I want to know that at my funeral I have a short or long list of things I did to better the greater good over a single wealthy CEO. I am going to be honest though, I am a picky individual so I understand I am limiting my options but still believe there is a position out there that will be a good fit for me. I don’t really want to walk away from a good career that I mostly enjoy for something much worse.

I want to make the jump to a government / federal law enforcement type of job if possible. Being that I don’t have LE or Military experience I understand the fact that it’s a long shot. But hey, being that I still have a job, I have time on my side to keep going for long shots, while starting to stack the deck to make it less of a long shot.

So to the point, I am looking for help in finding positions and job titles that those of you on the inside may be aware of that exist, but that on the outside, may not have high enough visibility for me to know they exist. I provide a list below of the types of things I am looking for:

• Govt. Job
• Taking action, to resolve issues or prevent issues to help people or save people.
• Something that doesn’t require relocating. I have a nice home and all my family here in the Denver Area.
• I don’t mind traveling a bit as I am single but am not going to sell my home or move out of it.
• I am not positive but leaning away from a street officer because I don’t think solving petty disputes, DV, and things like that aren’t for the greater good. If someone wants to argue with someone else about something like who owns a coffee pot or something is dumb.

To help draw a better picture, I have an example or two that some friends gave me of types of things I think I would enjoy. I’d list more but that is why I am posting this thread. I don’t know what exists out there.

·Federal Air marshal
·Maybe a US Marshal
·Maybe a field Project manager or something for security or something?
·I am computer/tech savvy so maybe something that is a hybrid of computer crap and field work?


Sorry this wasn’t written out as well as I had hoped while thinking about it over the past week. That’s what I get for trying to pound this out real quick while at work.

Being that some on here like their anonymity, I understand that you may prefer a PM or email off of the board. I also understand that you may not be willing to tell me who you work for or what you do. Honestly that is fine by me, It may not matter much what you do as much as it matters what your advice and suggestions are. J

Cheers.

You and I feel exactly the same way about law enforcement I think. Good luck.

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Originally Posted by Sturtle

You and I feel exactly the same way about law enforcement I think. Good luck.

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as to what specifically? Not wanting to deal with the petty stuff or what?

Yeah. For a while I was going to apply for the FBI, and I actually did apply for some local PD. I'm glad I wasn't selected for the PD though, because I don't think it would have been a good fit for me. Also, I can't really relocate (pretty much a given with the FBI).

Well, I don't know anything about Federal law enforcement work. I will say I wouldn't mind working for the government though. I have had a similar thought, but for more selfish reasons. I'm tired of being laid off.

One would think the government, on either the state or federal level would need competant, licensed plumbers for maintenence and repair of their facilities.

I'm not sure who to ask or how to apply. Maybe I should do some homework.

Good luck on your endevor. I hope you find something you enjoy which will have meaning.

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Originally Posted by GreenScoutII

Well, I don't know anything about Federal law enforcement work. I will say I wouldn't mind working for the government though. I have had a similar thought, but for more selfish reasons. I'm tired of being laid off.

One would think the government, on either the state or federal level would need competant, licensed plumbers for maintenence and repair of their facilities.

I'm not sure who to ask or how to apply. Maybe I should do some homework.

Good luck on your endevor. I hope you find something you enjoy which will have meaning.

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You'd be suprised, more often than not the government contracts that kind of work out....

your best bet is to find a contractor that gets alot of government work, or start your own contracting business, which is what I would suggest. Working for other people sucks.

www.usajobs.gov has a listing of federal job openings by state. That might a place to start to see what interests you. Perhaps something in Homeland Security.
I worked for the Federal government right out of college. One thing I will tell you is that there is a lot of politics throughout. In a lot of agencies you are rewarded for the processs and not the result. You are rewarded for making the boss look good and not have something uncomfortable or controversial to deal with.

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Originally Posted by 10x

www.usajobs.gov has a listing of federal job openings by state. That might a place to start to see what interests you. Perhaps something in Homeland Security.

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USAJobs is the best place to start. I will say that the Federal jobs process is COMPLETELY different than on the outside. Civ resume is 1 or 2 pages. Government resume is as long as it takes to show everything they want. I mean multiple pages, 6 - 8 or more is not uncommon. Also, you need to tailor the contents of what you did for each job to be as close as you can to what the job description is without BS'ing. You need to be able to support what you say you did, but you need to have them be able to see the same things in your resume as are in the job announcement position description/duties/KSA's. (Knowledge, skills, and abilities.) There are software filters that sort out the 'chaff', so if you don't have key words and phrases that match you'll wind up in the recycle bin. The closer, the better. If you can look at things you've done and match them up to what they want, match up the wording too.

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Originally Posted by KFinn

...I want to make the jump to a government / federal law enforcement type of job if possible. Being that I don’t have LE or Military experience I understand the fact that it’s a long shot. But hey, being that I still have a job, I have time on my side to keep going for long shots, while starting to stack the deck to make it less of a long shot.

So to the point, I am looking for help in finding positions and job titles that those of you on the inside may be aware of that exist, but that on the outside, may not have high enough visibility for me to know they exist. I provide a list below of the types of things I am looking for:

• Govt. Job
• Taking action, to resolve issues or prevent issues to help people or save people.
• Something that doesn’t require relocating. I have a nice home and all my family here in the Denver Area.
• I don’t mind traveling a bit as I am single but am not going to sell my home or move out of it.
• I am not positive but leaning away from a street officer because I don’t think solving petty disputes, DV, and things like that aren’t for the greater good. If someone wants to argue with someone else about something like who owns a coffee pot or something is dumb.

To help draw a better picture, I have an example or two that some friends gave me of types of things I think I would enjoy. I’d list more but that is why I am posting this thread. I don’t know what exists out there.

·Federal Air marshal
·Maybe a US Marshal
·Maybe a field Project manager or something for security or something?
·I am computer/tech savvy so maybe something that is a hybrid of computer crap and field work?

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Been working for Uncle Sam for more than 28 years, but I am not an expert in career management. With that said, I do know a few things, here are my observations based on your post. You did not mention your age, that is a factor when working for a Federal LE agency, but not for many state and local entities. You did not mention if you have a college degree, although not required for the majority of federal blue and white collar positions, it is for many of the Federal LE positions.

Working for the FBI: Must have a 4 year degree from an accredited college/university. Must be between 21 and 39 years of age. Must be in excellent physical condition, the FBI academy is no joke and they are looking for only the best, both physically and academically. Military vets are looked at favorably in the screening and selection process.

Working for the Federal Air Marshal Service/US Marshal Service/Other Federal LE Service/Agency: Must be between 21 and 39 years of age. They normally do not hire off the street, although it is not a written policy. If you are a current LEO at local/state level then you will be looked at, interviewed, and if you are what they are looking for, will be hired and processed in. The ATF and US Marshal Service is full of cops that moved up from local PDs and SOs. That is how it works.

Here is the bottom line: You do not have to be a college grad for many Federal LE positions, but they will not seriously consider you without it. You do not have to be a military Vet for any Federal LE position, but many of the current members are or serve in the reserves. It is an exclusive club you are trying to join, you need to talk the talk, but more importantly walk the walk. A successful tour with a branch of service speaks volumes about your character, commitment, and dedication to service.

How old are you?
What's your prior and current work experience?
What education do you have?

I ask these questions, because they are not provided in the above and are the three main factors that will impact your possibility of getting picked up by a Fed LE agency. If you are over 46 years of age, forget it without enough experience they want to do an age waiver and it has to be a lateral from another Fed LE agency. Past work experience and education are the only things that are going to get you an interview. If you have a bachelors degree in basket weaving and been a local sheriff for the last 10 years, they might talk to you. You have a bachelors degree in public accounting and no LE experience, they might interview you if they are looking for fraud agents. You have an associates degree in (insert anything here) and no LE experience, the computer review will denote your application as non-qualified and you will get a "you are not qualified" bulk email response. A BS in a non LE major and no LE experience? Nope. There are too many applicants out there right now that are better qualified and Fed LE agencies all have different hiring criteria. For example, the FBI won't even look at you unless you have a BS in a major they want, at least two years LE street experience, and other experiences in your background that are very impressive. They had 250,000 applicants for their last bulk hiring of 3,000 just this year. Most other Fed LE agencies hire experienced agents from other agencies, but do hire a small amount of agents as long as they have the right educational requirements. Crim Justice, Pre Law, Criminalistics, Political Science, Public Accounting, Counterintelligence; these are the BS majors they are looking for. Then you have to pass the background investigation and psychological aspects of the hiring process. You can have a 'too perfect' psychological profile to be an agent. Fed agencies look for the profile of criminals that have high enough morals to not acually commit a crime.

Physically, you have to be 100% also, no getting around this especially if you are looking at going through an academy. If you can't make a 3 mile run, 50 push ups, 50 sit ups, then you are not ready for the academy.


If you have the basic qualifications but no LE experience, your best bet is getting picked up by one of the MCIO's (Military Criminal Investigation Org's). They are willing to put an inexperienced applicant through the training. AFOSI, NCIS, Army CID, DCIS. Next is Dept of Homeland Security; BATF, ICE, and some other secret squirrel offices. Then Dept of Treasury, Secret Service. FBI, Postal Inspectors, BLM, and DoT IG offices; will not hire without prior LE experience and prefer prior Fed experience 1811 laterals.

Be as positive as you want and as literate as your first post, and you probably won't get a single call. It's professional HR and Agents that review your package. They both get lied to more than any other jobs in the world. They want to see you qualify right off the bat. If you don't, they go to the next applicant in the stack. Ths stack of applications is very thick.

Asking for advice, but only positive advice instead of the bare bones truth is NOT what Fed agencies are looking for. I know. I have helped review these packages for hire for AFOSI when I was stationed at their Headquarters. There is a difference between the power of positive thinking and refusing to accept fact because you may not like it. One of the core requirements for a good agent is having to deal with the truth no matter if you like the truth or not.

Wow... Thanks for all the replies so far. Let me try to cover a lot of them.

.....

Well here is the pisser.... mildly embarressing too but its just part of the course my life has taken.

:( I have no college degree, some college but life took an odd turn and didn't finish.

Now to the slightly better points. :-)
I am 26
I have worked at current company for 7.5 years in the corp envmt. Everything from Technical email response, CSC command center, Project manager for Software engineering dept.
Good Corp intrapersonal skills etc.
I have a tiny bit of well rounded things, some petty some not:
Hunters Ed/NRA basic pistol, CCW, grew up with guns
Amatuer radio license
Motorcycle Safety Foundation /MOST Certifications (Motorcycle instructor on the weekends)
Long ago in H.S. and college I completed all 4 semesters of the CISCO CCNA courses and passed. I however never went and tested to get the CISCO Cert that would have expired after 2 years anyway.

I plan to get CPR/First aid and PMP Certs in the next couple months as they are required for my two jobs.

....

As for USAJobs.gov..... Thanks, I've been looking there but again, if you don't know what types of positions exist that would fit the type of satisfaction I am looking for, its hard to search. But yes I was looking under Homeland and justice and such.

I had already ruled FBI due to req to relocate and Education. I think CIA has these reqs as well. But Whatever I do go for, I understand at best, it will be entry level.

Not sure what info I have left off or what questions I haven't replied but lets start with that.

Thanks again everyone, I really do appreciate this. Again I understand I am shooting long shots but that is why I am researching and gathering as much intel as I can before applying for anythign so I can present my best.

Ranger and I are in complete agreement in our posts. He just beat me to it.

Why is a political science degree something that the FBI is looking for? Not to take this thread off track.

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Originally Posted by KFinn

Wow... Thanks for all the replies so far. Let me try to cover a lot of them.

.....

Well here is the pisser.... mildly embarressing too but its just part of the course my life has taken.

:( I have no college degree, some college but life took an odd turn and didn't finish.

Now to the slightly better points. :-)
I am 26
I have worked at current company for 7.5 years in the corp envmt. Everything from Technical email response, CSC command center, Project manager for Software engineering dept.
Good Corp intrapersonal skills etc.
I have a tiny bit of well rounded things, some petty some not:
Hunters Ed/NRA basic pistol, CCW, grew up with guns
Amatuer radio license
Motorcycle Safety Foundation /MOST Certifications (Motorcycle instructor on the weekends)
Long ago in H.S. and college I completed all 4 semesters of the CISCO CCNA courses and passed. I however never went and tested to get the CISCO Cert that would have expired after 2 years anyway.

I plan to get CPR/First aid and PMP Certs in the next couple months as they are required for my two jobs.

....

As for USAJobs.gov..... Thanks, I've been looking there but again, if you don't know what types of positions exist that would fit the type of satisfaction I am looking for, its hard to search. But yes I was looking under Homeland and justice and such.

I had already ruled FBI due to req to relocate and Education. I think CIA has these reqs as well. But Whatever I do go for, I understand at best, it will be entry level.

Not sure what info I have left off or what questions I haven't replied but lets start with that.

Thanks again everyone, I really do appreciate this. Again I understand I am shooting long shots but that is why I am researching and gathering as much intel as I can before applying for anythign so I can present my best.

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Everything I underlined will benefit you. Everything in bold is irrelevent. The technical services aspect of LE is huge right now and degrees in computer sciences get looked at hard. Cyber crime is new and growing. The LE agencies are playing catch up in some aspects. The top of the heap in this area right now is AFOSI. The FBI and CIA came to us to figure cyber aspects out in their investigations a lot. A BS in computer security would get your foot in the door.

You will have to be willing to move. No getting around that and I forgot to post that before. The LE positions in the front range are limited and highly saught after in every agency. I worked as a Fed at both Buckley and Peterson and had contact with almost every Fed agency on the front range. Trust me here, the positions in every office are HIGHLY fought over.

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Originally Posted by Sturtle

Why is a political science degree something that the FBI is looking for? Not to take this thread off track.

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Counterintelligence and Counterterrorism offices within agencies. Politics is the heart of both of these aspects of Fed LE.

A few other BS's they might look that I just remembered are psychology and sociology, although they prefer psych degrees to be masters or PHD's.

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Originally Posted by SA Friday

Everything I put in itallics will benefit you. Everything in bold is irrelevent.

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When you quote someone it looks like it makes the entire quote in italics. I got the bold part as that did work. So did you really mean that every single thing not bolded is important?

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Originally Posted by KFinn

When you quote someone it looks like it makes the entire quote in italics. I got the bold part as that did work. So did you really mean that every single thing not bolded is important?

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Oops, fixed.

Ahh, that looks better. Thanks.

Also it is good to hear some others out there, have once or are having the same thoughts as I.

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Originally Posted by SA Friday

Ranger and I are in complete agreement in our posts. He just beat me to it.

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Great minds think alike. [Beer]

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Originally Posted by KFinn

Also it is good to hear some others out there, have once or are having the same thoughts as I.

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I've got a BA in Economics and printed off the FBI physical requirements list off their website to train with. When I applied with Jeffco I did 55 push-ups, 50 sit-ups, and ran the 1.5 mile in 10 minutes. I was also practicing the 300 meter sprint and I think got my lowest time to 49 seconds. I never applied to the FBI because I didn't really feel like I had anything to offer them and had a general lack of confidence. I went ahead and assumed that I was not what they are looking for and opted not to waste their time.

I'm in a similar mind set as you, in that I want to serve my country (and not for some boyhood fantasy of ultimate glory and choking enemy soldiers with my bare hands either), but I have a budding family that is too fragile to handle my deployment, or a move out of town. In fact, last week, I nearly started an identical thread, only geared more towards reserves. Again, good luck.

You are young enough. Get a degree completed and apply. Considering your background, I would recommend computer security systems (or something similar). The cyber crimes sections of many Fed LE dept's are small and growing. Cyber crimes crosses every aspect of LE. I never left a computer behind from a search regardless of the crime, and regularly grabbed one of the geek squad before heading out on a search. There was always evidence in that magical box.

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Originally Posted by Sturtle

I've got a BA in Economics and printed off the FBI physical requirements list off their website to train with. When I applied with Jeffco I did 55 push-ups, 50 sit-ups, and ran the 1.5 mile in 10 minutes. I was also practicing the 300 meter sprint and I think got my lowest time to 49 seconds. I never applied to the FBI because I didn't really feel like I had anything to offer them and had a general lack of confidence. I went ahead and assumed that I was not what they are looking for and opted not to waste their time.

I'm in a similar mind set as you, in that I want to serve my country (and not for some boyhood fantasy of ultimate glory and choking enemy soldiers with my bare hands either), but I have a budding family that is too fragile to handle my deployment, or a move out of town. In fact, last week, I nearly started an identical thread, only geared more towards reserves. Again, good luck.

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You should have applied, they probably would have taken you.

As for the military and families, back in 1983 I was newly married and was concerned about an upcoming deployment. In fact I think I saw my wife a total of 3 months combined that year. But, she coped and we got through it. Looking back now, I think the homecomings were worth it.[Awesom]

look into Probation positions. Juvenile or Adult Probation, you can help people get back on track. State jobs are in a crunch though right now, budgets are a mess. It will be a year or more before they start hiring again, but there are many positions in waiting across the state in all jurisdictions.

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Originally Posted by gnihcraes

look into Probation positions. Juvenile or Adult Probation, you can help people get back on track. State jobs are in a crunch though right now, budgets are a mess. It will be a year or more before they start hiring again, but there are many positions in waiting across the state in all jurisdictions.

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I talked to a probation officer when I was more interested in law enforcement, and he recommended the same thing.

I think the title is Community Parole Officer, they are listed as peace officers in the state statutes and are employed by the Dept. of Corrections. I think they may be hiring because the DOC has their own budget.

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Originally Posted by KFinn

Hi – This thread is mainly going to be calling out to any of you might have previous or current knowledge and experience in Govt. jobs that might be able to give me helpful info, food for thought, etc. Maybe one day meet for lunch or coffee and further discuss my options or a plan of action to get from point A to point Z.

Please though keep in mind that I really don’t want to hear any nay say’ers or pessimistic comments. I am a doer, I am a go getter and don’t believe that nothing is out of reach. Especially since that is how I got my current job. J I am just looking for positive, honest, helpful advice and guidance.

Back on point, I currently work as a Project/Program Manager at a corporation doing something I enjoy for the most part. I do find that I don’t feel completely satisfied. I feel like there is still a need or hole in the fulfillment of my life for doing something worth while. I want to know that at my funeral I have a short or long list of things I did to better the greater good over a single wealthy CEO. I am going to be honest though, I am a picky individual so I understand I am limiting my options but still believe there is a position out there that will be a good fit for me. I don’t really want to walk away from a good career that I mostly enjoy for something much worse.

I want to make the jump to a government / federal law enforcement type of job if possible. Being that I don’t have LE or Military experience I understand the fact that it’s a long shot. But hey, being that I still have a job, I have time on my side to keep going for long shots, while starting to stack the deck to make it less of a long shot.

So to the point, I am looking for help in finding positions and job titles that those of you on the inside may be aware of that exist, but that on the outside, may not have high enough visibility for me to know they exist. I provide a list below of the types of things I am looking for:

• Govt. Job
• Taking action, to resolve issues or prevent issues to help people or save people.
• Something that doesn’t require relocating. I have a nice home and all my family here in the Denver Area.
• I don’t mind traveling a bit as I am single but am not going to sell my home or move out of it.
• I am not positive but leaning away from a street officer because I don’t think solving petty disputes, DV, and things like that aren’t for the greater good. If someone wants to argue with someone else about something like who owns a coffee pot or something is dumb.

To help draw a better picture, I have an example or two that some friends gave me of types of things I think I would enjoy. I’d list more but that is why I am posting this thread. I don’t know what exists out there.

·Federal Air marshal
·Maybe a US Marshal
·Maybe a field Project manager or something for security or something?
·I am computer/tech savvy so maybe something that is a hybrid of computer crap and field work?


Sorry this wasn’t written out as well as I had hoped while thinking about it over the past week. That’s what I get for trying to pound this out real quick while at work.

Being that some on here like their anonymity, I understand that you may prefer a PM or email off of the board. I also understand that you may not be willing to tell me who you work for or what you do. Honestly that is fine by me, It may not matter much what you do as much as it matters what your advice and suggestions are. J

Cheers.

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I do know federal air marshal is a relatively boring job. you do get cool training though and could be a good lead to future .gov jobs. you will spend some time away from home.
you will not get paid all that much.
while on the job your ass is going to hurt from sitting in tight airplane seats next to fat people. you will also be bored as very very little happens.

I might have a link to a security job but it is up in ft. collins. not sure if it has been filled yet. supposed to talk with that guy today and I will post back with info.

I figure you'd get a lot of reading done being an air marshal. Isn't that job all but extinct though?

Think this may help me at all since nothing in my personal situation hasn't changed in the last few weeks?

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/air-ma...9493323&page=1

Again I understand that generally yes, it is an elite job. Boring, yes. Cool training, yes.

But it is a federal job to get a foot in the door right?

I would apply anyway, what I gathered from the article is that they are mainly using other federal agents to fill in the empty slots needed as FAMs. I think applying couldn't hurt, eventually those other agents are going to have to go back to their duty positions.

For most if not all .fed LE jobs you need to be 35 years old or less. No old goats like me. And most, even if they don't say it, want a college education and some competency in a foreign language.

And waiting lists are long.

My neighbor is a fed cop. triple dipper, milit. fbi and fed cop... cool guy.
Sig lover.

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Originally Posted by Mtn.man

My neighbor... cool guy.
Sig lover.

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hehe.... Theres something to be said about those Sig guys and their taste and coolness.

[ROFL1]