We admire the work of FBI agents as they serve our country. Their elite jobs and prime importance in our country’s security are astonishing. Therefore, if you are gifted with firm mental, physical, academic pursuits and want to serve the country, you should apply for jobs under FBI BAU. To become a part of the FBI behavioral analysis unit (BAU) as an analyst, the FBI requires the applicant to have a minimum bachelor’s degree. FBI does not specify the bachelor’s degree required. However, according to the job description provided by the FBI for the BAU analyst suggests that a degree in law enforcement, criminal justice, psychology, or forensics with solid research in criminology will give an edge to handle the nitty-gritty of the job. Here, we’ll discuss ‘How to Get a Job Under FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit’.
Despite having a suitable degree, an applicant has to go through rigorous training and first-hand experience and pass various tests to become a special agent, general agent, crime analyst, or intelligence researcher under BAU. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you guide through the process of becoming an FBI BAU analyst.
Steps to Become an FBI BAU Agent
- Step 1: Have an Advanced Degree in a Relevant Field
- Step 2: Get Internships and Necessary Projects
- Step 3: Earn Working Experience
- Step 4: Apply For the Position of Agent
- Step 5: Undertake the Basic Training
- Step 6: Take Training in Intelligence
- Step 7: Get Assignments for New Agents
- Step 8: Apply For BAU
The specific requirement and procedures for each step to pursue this elite job are mentioned in detail below.
Have An Advanced Degree In A Relevant Field
Any bachelor’s degree is eligible for applying under the BAU, but the degree should be relevant to the job profile described by the FBI. For example, the FBI BAU analyst has a primary duty to study and analyze criminal behavior to prevent crimes. Moreover, under the FBI, there are three separate behavior analysis units:
- BAU-Crimes Against Adults
- BAU-Crimes Against Children
- BAU-Counterterrorism/Threat Assessment
Thus the applicant’s subjects must be related to psychology, law enforcement, criminal justice, or related courses. The applicant should also be active in research related to criminology and learn an advanced degree in criminal justice.
Get Internships And Necessary Projects
Internships are a vital part of academia. An aspiring agent must endure relevant and exponential internships for hands-on experience. FBI also provides various internships programs for interested students in graduate, undergraduate and post-graduate programs. The moto of these internships is to understand the operations undertaken by different bureaus under the FBI.
The FBI provides for four types of the internship program:
- Volunteer Internship Program
- Honors Internship Program
- Cyber Internship Program
- Visiting Science Program
These programs are a mixture of paid and unpaid internships employing multiple students from diverse educational backgrounds irrespective of their courses. The primary eligibility is that the interns must be U.S citizens. The eligibility for honors, cyber, and visiting science internship programs differ according to the demand of the profile. However, for a volunteer internship program, any individual with any degree can apply. Rest depends on the series of tasks and tests conducted by the FBI to shortlist candidates. Undergoing an FBI internship program is a step towards the dream job, where you can have first-hand experience about the FBI work.
Earn Working Experience
After acquiring academic credits through advanced courses and internships, gaining work experience should be your next step. An analyst for FBI BAU requires years of experience in criminal justice, law enforcement, and psychology. Hence working and gaining experience under criminal lawyers or local law enforcement agencies would give you practical skills to deal with criminals. FBI requires a candidate to be a general agent or special agent before moving forward into other branches.
Hence, for starting as an FBI agent, you require a minimum of 3-2 years of work experience if applying after a bachelor’s degree and 1-year if applying after a master’s or higher degree. The only requirement is that the incident should acquire the candidate with competencies like leadership, Problem Solving/Judgment, Collaboration, Interpersonal Ability, and Communication.
Apply For The Position Of Agent
The FBI has a rigorous procedure to select candidates for the position of an agent. The applicant has to satisfy the eligibility criteria that are:
- The applicant should be between 23-37 years old at the time of appointment.
- The applicant should be a US citizen.
- The applicant must have four years accredited US University or college degree.
- The applicant should have a valid US driving license
- The applicant should pass the drug and fitness tests.
- The applicant must have the required work experience.
Once the candidate fulfills the eligibility criteria, the selected candidates will be moving forward with training.
Undertake The Training
Once you have cleared the selection process, the next step is training. Here, the FBI will send newly elected agents to FBI National Training Academy in Quantico, Virginia. It is a 20 week and 850 hours of instruction related to Physical Training, Case Exercises., Firearms Training, and Operational Skills. And academics.
The academy also provides high-level training for an intelligence analyst to prevent attacks like 9/11. The training is for special agents, but every selected FBI professional must go through the National Academy training. The training is a cumulative catalyst for intelligence in law enforcement, physical fitness, behavioral science, forensic science, and the wrongdoer mindset.
Take Training In Intelligence
While you are at the National Training Academy in Quantico, try to indulge in intelligence special agent training. The basic training for every special agent is the same. However, based on your preference and interest, you can take varied training as an addition. The BAU is broadly under the intelligence branch of the FBI. Hence, a well-equipped and trained special agent specifically in intelligence will give an upper hand in the BAU competencies.
Assignments For New Agents.
After graduating from the National Training Academy, the candidates will now be called new agents. According to the training and skills, you will be assigned “orders” to work in a specific FBI field office. The field office will not necessarily be in or close to your home state. Hence, you should be willing to relocate yourself.
This is an essential step as a new agent; you will be assigned operational work and tasks to assist the respective department. While being appointed and assigned various tasks, you will be a part of “Squad.” In the squad, you will have to conduct and assist various investigations in intelligence, cybercrime, counterterrorism, tactical operations, and violent crimes.
Apply For BAU
Lastly, working for the FBI alone is a great success, but you will be close to your ultimate goal. Analyst in BAU is an elite job. Thus you have to keep applying once you have completed a minimum of 3 years or more as a special agent. The more you gain experience in intelligence and investigation units, the higher competencies you will attain. The analyst working for BAU have seven to ten years of experience before they apply to BAU’s elite job. However, it’s not impossible and, talent can get its way.
The aspiring BAU analyst can undertake assignments in BAU on request. The request can be made for projects in the FBI’s National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime (NCAVC), the umbrella department for BAU. Once you get into the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit as a profiler or analyst, you can choose your department according to your interest.
What is the work of an FBI BAU analyst?
A profiler or analyst under the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit is an elite job due to the job description and relevance of the skill they pursue. The analyst has to seep into the minds of criminals. Hence the responsibility and duty to prevent crimes makes it an elite job. The core function of an analyst in BAU is to work alongside the domestic and international law enforcement agencies to prevent crimes.
Here is a list of principle tasks every analyst has to go through during their employment:
- They use the available and collected data received at crime scenes to recreate them.
- They make criminal behavioral profiles used to counter criminals and prevent offenders.
- Interrogate/ observe criminals study patterns
- Create criminal behavior pattern database used to resolve violent crimes, cybercrime, etc.
- Make threat assessments on suspected individuals and organizations both, domestic and international.
- Contribute to investigations by valuable insights.
Further work depends on the department the analyst is appointed to. If you are working as an analyst your principal work would be to drive out motives of suspected threats to national security. In crimes against adults, the result is kidnapping, etc.
The beauty of the BAU job is that an analyst can fill in any department and are all-rounders.
Is it necessary to become a particular example of an agent for pursuing a job at BAU?
While pursuing employment under the FBI, being a Special Agent is the minimum requirement. The role of a Special agent is very complex and can vary depending on the need of the hour. Therefore, the FBI has not mandated having experience as a special agent for applying under BAU.
Thus, any professional working for the FBI, a highly eligible criminal researcher, or any law enforcement expert, can also apply for BAU jobs. However, keeping in mind the role and pliability of special agents, such jobs fulfill the competencies required for BAU. Thus, it is recommended to be a special agent before moving to your ultimate BAU analyst goal.
How much FBI BAU analysts make?
According to the FBI, an analyst at BAU is awarded a salary to the GS payscale and varies from GS-10 up to GS-13. However, sometimes they can be given salaries based on the GS-14 or GS-15 if they are posted as supervisors or executives. The GS scale and amount are mentioned below:
- GS-10 is paid around $45771-$59505
- GS-13 is paid about $71674-$93175
- GS-14 is paid about $84697-$110104
- GS-15 is paid about $99628-$129517
The analysts are also given the cost of living adjustment (COLA), which is 12.5 up to 28.7 percent of the base salary and can vary depending on the GS pay scale. Moreover, they are given Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) which constitutes 25 percent over the COLA.
The researchers or law enforcement experts applying for BAU are also given a salary based on the same pay scale as the special agent.
What are the drug and fitness tests conducted by the FBI for candidate selection?
The selection process for the FBI involves the following:
- Drug Test – The bureau does not consider pre-employment drug usage. According to the drug use policy opted by the FBI, teenage use of drugs should not affect adult opportunities. However, there is a limit to using drugs before employment. In marijuana, the applicant should not indulge in such drug three years before application irrespective of medical prescription or form of consumption. In the case of Other Illegal Drugs and Prescription Drugs, the applicant should not indulge in such drugs ten years before the application or be a part of commercial use of medications like sale, manufacture, etc.
- Physical Test – The FBI physical test consists of endurance, visual and hearing test. The endurance test includes sit-ups, Timed Sprint, Pushups, runs, and Pullups. Vision is required to be 20/20 and, the hearing should not be less than 25 decimals.
- Background and Polygraph Test – After receiving a conditional appointment letter, the candidate’s arrest records, credit scores, and polygraphs examination are conducted. The whole procedure takes at least 6 to 18 months on average.
Conclusion
Lastly, there is no one way to achieve your dream to become an FBI BAU analyst. The rule and procedures change over time. However, the principle requirement remains the same. Excellence is the key. Working for the FBI is elite and of national importance. The gruesome selection and training conducted by the FBI is a sign of prime importance it carries. Getting a job under FBI BAU is achievable with little planning, motivation, and skills but, the core quality required is never to give up.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does the FBI BAU profiler make?
According to the FBI, an analyst at BAU is awarded a minimum salary of $45771 for going up to $129517. The compensation is given according to the GS payscale and varies from GS-10 up to GS-13. However, sometimes they can be given salaries based on the GS-14 or GS-15 if they are posted as supervisors or executives.
- How much does FBI BAU make an hour?
The FBI BAU analyst can make $15 to $47 an hour. According to the position and class of agents or analysts. The pay scale for the researchers or law enforcement experts working for BAU is also given a salary based on the same pay scale as the special agent.
- Is the BAU an actual FBI unit?
Yes, the BAU is an actual FBI unit. The Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) is a unit under the FBI’s National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime (NCAVC). There are three BAU departments: the BAU-Counterterrorism/Threat Assessment, the BAU-Crimes against Adults, and the BAU-Crimes against Children. The analyst working for BAU has to seep into the minds of criminals.
- Do BAU agents go into the field?
No, the FBI BAU analyst usually does not go into the field. Initially, they are supposed to remake the crime scenes with the collected information.
- Is criminal profiler a real job?
Yes, the FBI BAU analyst or profiler is employed under the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU). The Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) is a unit under the FBI’s National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime (NCAVC). The analyst working for BAU has to seep into the minds of criminals and make criminal profiles.
- How many years of experience before you get a job in FBI BAU?
Initially, 2-3 years of work experience is needed to enroll as a special agent and another minimum of 3 years or more for applying in the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU).
- Can a candidate with an unconventional degree apply for jobs at BAU?
Yes, the FBI has now included non-conventional degrees to apply for jobs under various departments of the FBI including FBI BAU.
- Does the BAU go to crime scenes?
No, typically the profiler or analyst does not go to the active crime scenes. They are provided with the collected information to recreate the crime scene. Their typical work is to study/observe the criminal profile and minds to give meaningful insights.
- How hard is it to get into the BAU?
Getting a job as an elite profiler or analyst under the FBI BAU is difficult but not impossible. You have to go through series of rapid and gruesome tests to be a special agent first. Then after years of experience, one can apply for the position of profiler or analyst under the FBI BAU. Some of the profilers or analysts have 10-15 years of experience.
- How do I join the FBI BAU?
There are series of steps involved to get a job under FBI BAU. The steps are:
- Step 1: Have an Advanced Degree in a Relevant Field
- Step 2: Get Internships and Necessary Projects
- Step 3: Earn Working Experience
- Step 4: Apply For the Position of Agent
- Step 5: Undertake the Basic Training
- Step 6: Take Training in Intelligence
- Step 7: Get Assignments for New Agents
- Step 8: Apply For BAU