CIA Agent

Job Description

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) agents fulfill the US government agency’s mission of providing foreign intelligence information to the president, senior US policymakers, US military and other intelligence consumers, so that they can make the most informed decisions about national security. The CIA is made up of highly-skilled professionals, who are well versed in science, engineering, economics, mathematics, computer science and other relevant fields. In one way or another, they are all involved in the research, development, evaluation and operation of technology for intelligence purposes. According to the CIA’s official Web site, CIA agents address many pressing issues, such as nonproliferation, counterterrorism, international organized crime and narcotics trafficking. Workers spend much of their time conducting research and writing reports that will be used in political
policymaking and security affairs. Although the CIA serves as an independent source of analysis, the agency works closely with other US Intelligence organizations to gather the most informative and applicable information possible.

Educational Requirements

The educational requirements for CIA workers varies by position, however, a college degree with a minimum grade point average if 3.0 is highly recommended for applicants. To qualify for any position within the CIA, applicants must be at least 18 years old, a US citizen and hold a high school diploma. College students, who are interested in working for the CIA one day, should strongly consider their chosen major and courses. While the CIA hires individuals from many educational backgrounds and career fields, those skilled in criminal justice, science, engineering, technology, analysis and have knowledge of one or more foreign languages may find more favorable job opportunities within the agency. An advanced college degree is a standard requirement for agents who want to work overseas or in more advanced investigative work. All applicants will be required to complete a polygraph and medical examination, as well as a thorough background check to determine a candidate’s eligibility to enter the agency. In addition, applicants must be willing to relocate to the Washington, D.C. area to report to the CIA’s headquarters.

Career Outlook and Salary

The CIA will continue to have positive career and salary outlooks, as long as Americans are involved in collecting and disseminating foreign intelligence information. The agency may experience increased employment in certain areas and decreased employment in less pressing areas of research or investigation. For security purposes, much of the CIA’s employment, salary and budget information remains classified. Neither the number of employees, nor their average salaries are disclosed to the public. Despite the limited employee information, the agency does have a CIA Careers page< /a>that lists available career openings, detailed job descriptions and salaries for each open position. For example, a special agent position is open to applicants with a bachelor’s degree and a strong academic background, as well as five years of investigative or equivalent work in complex criminal or administrative matters. This is a full time job in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, and has a prospective salary range of $73,100 to $153,000 per year.