258: Listener Q & A – SA and Analyst Positions, FBI Academy Training
Special Agent Cerena Coughlin, an FBI Applicant Coordinator and recruiter for the Philadelphia Division and first office agent Special Agent Cassandra Winkel, provide answers to over 40 questions sent in by FBI Retired Case File Review listeners.
This is part 2 of this two-part recruitment episode. Also check out Part 1 - 257: FBI Special Agent Hiring and Training Update, where Special Agents Coughlin and Winkle take us through all phases of the FBI special agent hiring process and the FBI Academy training program.
SA Coughlin has served with the FBI for 21 years. SA Winkel is a recent FBI Academy graduate.
Check out episode show notes, photos, and related articles. https://jerriwilliams.com/258-listener-q-a-fbi-academy-training-sa-and-ia-positions/
Buy me a coffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/JerriWilliams
Join my Reader Team to get the FBI Reading Resource - Books about the FBI, written by FBI agents, the 20 clichés about the FBI Reality Checklist, and keep up to date on the FBI in books, TV, and movies via my monthly email. Join here. http://eepurl.com/dzCCmL
Jerri Williams, a retired FBI agent, author and podcaster, attempts to relive her glory days by debunking FBI cliches. Visit her website to check out her books, available as audiobooks, ebooks and paperbacks wherever books are sold. https://jerriwilliams.com/books/
Episode 258: Audio Timestamps
00:02:56 - Would a kindergarten teacher be considered a serious candidate?
00:04:13 - How does the FBI treat misuse of prescription medication (i.e. taking a prescription that you are not personally prescribed to)? I read on a public forum thread that a candidate heard from his applicant coordinator that it would require no use within one year (similar to the new marijuana policy). Is this correct?
00:06:00 - Is it still the policy of the FBI that a new agent will not return to their applicant field office as their first assignment? For example, if you apply through the Tampa office, is there any chance you could be assigned Tampa (or a resident agency) as your first location?
00:07:11 - Is anyone permitted to be in your government issued vehicle (i.e. spouse or children)?
00:08:00 - Is it still true that the application process takes about one year, or has that increased or decreased?
00:08:27 - How do we find out who the applicant coordinator is for our local office? And what types of questions are appropriate for the AC prior to an application even being submitted?
00:11:13 - Does the FBI still, on occasion, assign new Special Agents to work applicant matters? Or has this function been turned over to the FBI's Background Investigations Contract Services (BICS) Unit?
00:12:58 - Which FBI Division and/or Office at headquarters is responsible for the tracking and analysis of women and minority Special Agent diversity statistics? And how have these numbers changed over the past 3-5 years?
00:17:02 - Are Special Agent job applications now all handled electronically on-line? Or are some still accepted by snail mail and/or hard copy drop-offs at the 56 field offices throughout the United States?
00:18:24 - What changes have been made to the FBI's formal recruitment process over the years in order to attract more women and minorities into the Special Agent ranks? Are there still more hurdles or are you encountering roadblocks?
00:23:13 - What kind of continuing training exists for agents, for tactical-related things learned at the academy? Not just firearms shooting at a static range, but also tactics/shoothouse, car stops, etc.
00:24:19 - What is the process for changing what squad and violations you're working on after entering?
00:27:53 - What is the work/life balance like these days? I've listened to quite a few episodes where the different agents worked 80-100 ish hours a week for months over the course of their careers, which often negatively impacted their family relationships, with some ending in divorces, etc.
00:31:00 - I am 27 years old; I work as the Director of Assessment at a psychiatric hospital. My master's degree is in Psychology. I have been with the hospital for almost 6 years, working in progressively higher positions until obtaining a director-level job. My goal has been to join the FBI at 30. Given the brief overview of my background, is there any general advice you all can give me as I look to apply within the next 2-3 years? Anything that would make me stand out even more as an applicant?
00:32:57 - My grand daughter is 28 and has BA and MA degree in Accounting and four years with a major accounting firm. She has researched FBIJOBS.gov and realizes she meets the basic educational and experience for the SA position but is more interested in the Accounting /Financial Analyst position. Are professional Accounting/Financial Analysts able to choose their office assignments? Are they subject to transfers as are the SA's? Do they receive location pay for high-cost areas? Do they receive overtime (AUO) as do
This is part 2 of this two-part recruitment episode. Also check out Part 1 - 257: FBI Special Agent Hiring and Training Update, where Special Agents Coughlin and Winkle take us through all phases of the FBI special agent hiring process and the FBI Academy training program.
SA Coughlin has served with the FBI for 21 years. SA Winkel is a recent FBI Academy graduate.
Check out episode show notes, photos, and related articles. https://jerriwilliams.com/258-listener-q-a-fbi-academy-training-sa-and-ia-positions/
Buy me a coffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/JerriWilliams
Join my Reader Team to get the FBI Reading Resource - Books about the FBI, written by FBI agents, the 20 clichés about the FBI Reality Checklist, and keep up to date on the FBI in books, TV, and movies via my monthly email. Join here. http://eepurl.com/dzCCmL
Jerri Williams, a retired FBI agent, author and podcaster, attempts to relive her glory days by debunking FBI cliches. Visit her website to check out her books, available as audiobooks, ebooks and paperbacks wherever books are sold. https://jerriwilliams.com/books/
Episode 258: Audio Timestamps
00:02:56 - Would a kindergarten teacher be considered a serious candidate?
00:04:13 - How does the FBI treat misuse of prescription medication (i.e. taking a prescription that you are not personally prescribed to)? I read on a public forum thread that a candidate heard from his applicant coordinator that it would require no use within one year (similar to the new marijuana policy). Is this correct?
00:06:00 - Is it still the policy of the FBI that a new agent will not return to their applicant field office as their first assignment? For example, if you apply through the Tampa office, is there any chance you could be assigned Tampa (or a resident agency) as your first location?
00:07:11 - Is anyone permitted to be in your government issued vehicle (i.e. spouse or children)?
00:08:00 - Is it still true that the application process takes about one year, or has that increased or decreased?
00:08:27 - How do we find out who the applicant coordinator is for our local office? And what types of questions are appropriate for the AC prior to an application even being submitted?
00:11:13 - Does the FBI still, on occasion, assign new Special Agents to work applicant matters? Or has this function been turned over to the FBI's Background Investigations Contract Services (BICS) Unit?
00:12:58 - Which FBI Division and/or Office at headquarters is responsible for the tracking and analysis of women and minority Special Agent diversity statistics? And how have these numbers changed over the past 3-5 years?
00:17:02 - Are Special Agent job applications now all handled electronically on-line? Or are some still accepted by snail mail and/or hard copy drop-offs at the 56 field offices throughout the United States?
00:18:24 - What changes have been made to the FBI's formal recruitment process over the years in order to attract more women and minorities into the Special Agent ranks? Are there still more hurdles or are you encountering roadblocks?
00:23:13 - What kind of continuing training exists for agents, for tactical-related things learned at the academy? Not just firearms shooting at a static range, but also tactics/shoothouse, car stops, etc.
00:24:19 - What is the process for changing what squad and violations you're working on after entering?
00:27:53 - What is the work/life balance like these days? I've listened to quite a few episodes where the different agents worked 80-100 ish hours a week for months over the course of their careers, which often negatively impacted their family relationships, with some ending in divorces, etc.
00:31:00 - I am 27 years old; I work as the Director of Assessment at a psychiatric hospital. My master's degree is in Psychology. I have been with the hospital for almost 6 years, working in progressively higher positions until obtaining a director-level job. My goal has been to join the FBI at 30. Given the brief overview of my background, is there any general advice you all can give me as I look to apply within the next 2-3 years? Anything that would make me stand out even more as an applicant?
00:32:57 - My grand daughter is 28 and has BA and MA degree in Accounting and four years with a major accounting firm. She has researched FBIJOBS.gov and realizes she meets the basic educational and experience for the SA position but is more interested in the Accounting /Financial Analyst position. Are professional Accounting/Financial Analysts able to choose their office assignments? Are they subject to transfers as are the SA's? Do they receive location pay for high-cost areas? Do they receive overtime (AUO) as do