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1811 Hiring in 2021
It has never been a better time to apply for an 1811 Special Agent (SA) vacancy. The major agencies are either continuously hiring or routinely posting vacancy announcements. You can apply to some or all of them; disqualification or lack of a response from one (i.e. ATF) has no bearing on your eligibility to apply to another (i.e. OSI). And oh yeah, TAKE THE FIRST 1811 JOB OFFERED!
Currently, the FBI & Secret Service have moved to a continuous vacancy model on USA Jobs. Others such as HSI, DEA and ATF are also regularly hiring but they require a bit of legwork to navigate the process. Either way, the Internet has now made it more easier than ever to find those postings and apply.
Remember, EVERYBODY applies to the FBI since they are the largest, most visible and well publicized federal agency in the world. Additionally, the FBI uses an Excepted Service hiring process, which they have used to obtain specialized skills (i.e. language, aviation, accounting) and bifurcate the process. Conversely, the second largest 1811 agency is Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), a relatively unknown investigative division within Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE). If you have the skills to be a competitive applicant with the FBI, then you are similarly competitive with HSI; the difference would be that you are more likely to progress quicker with the latter due to their smaller applicant pool.
Of course, this type of advice is not a science and if you have your hearts set on being an "FBI Agent," then by all means keep trying your " reach " agency. Unfortunately, I have repeatedly met applicants who are waiting for that call from the FBI; not understanding it will never come. Conversely, had they applied to the DEA or ATF, they would likely have already have been successfully employed as Special Agents.
I once had a good personal friend (a cop with masters degree) who was finishing the hiring process with the FBI at age 36. During this timeframe, I encouraged him to simultaneously apply for a Direct Hire announcement with HSI (which offers location at the onset and is a fast tracked process) just in case the FBI did not give him a final offer; he declined. My friend was committed to the idea of becoming an "FBI Agent" and fulfilling a childhood dream; he was convinced that the recruiter would call him any day with an academy date. Unfortunately, a few months before ageing out, the FBI declined to hire him due to a perceived issue with his law enforcement record (which I thought was b.s.). Had my friend concurrently applied to HSI, he would have had a second shot with a completely separate agency. Now that my buddy has aged out (above age 37 1/2) he has no chance of becoming a special agent with ANY federal law enforcement agency and routinely regrets his decision to put all his eggs in one basket.
Most people don't appear to have any idea why they want to become "FBI Agents" other than the fact they have seen the FBI heroically portrayed onscreen over the years (Yes, this branding is intentional & ingenious work by FBI HQ). Applicants often don't appear to understand that Special Agents work for a number of federal agencies with similar opportunities and important investigative missions. Think of it this way: If you want to become a doctor, and did not get a job at Stanford; would you turn down a position at UC Davis? I sincerely hope your answer is in the negative. I myself applied to the FBI, DEA and HSI. I advanced with all three agencies, however, HSI offered me a position and my preferred location one month before I got the call from DEA. I took the academy slot with HSI and was halfway through the academy when FBI called with a final offer; which I politely declined. At that point, I was thankful to HSI for the opportunity, saw their incredible mission and realized it was a great fit for my personality; not to mention I already got my first choice office! To this day, I have never regretted my choice to stick with HSI.
I am also going to let you in on a little secret. Many people employed by the other major federal agencies (i.e. ATF, HSI, Secret Service, DEA) would NEVER leave their respective positions simply to be in the employment of the "FBI." Special Agents from various organizations are just as proud of their own storied histories and accomplishments, and most couldn't care less about the lack of media attention. Undoubtedly, the FBI brand is well developed & recognized, however, it also comes with a number of administrative burdens not carried by other feds.
However , sometimes special agents do voluntarily switch agencies due to family events, personal growth or preferential geographic locations. It is not uncommon for a Secret Service SA to lateral over to HSI; or for an FBI SA to lateral to an Office of Inspector General (OIG) slot. As you get older, your personal life & preferences will become more important than the needs of a faceless government entity or the three letters on your badge. Like a doctor working at several hospitals throughout their career, once you become an 1811, the opportunities to switch agencies will routinely be available to help further your own personal goals.
