Is a future career with the FBI/CIA blown?

June 30, 2009 7:36 AM

Do the FBI and CIA ever make exceptions to their hiring requirements?

Let's say you have spent most of your life wanting to work as a profiler for the FBI/CIA. You pick an excellent school that can prepare you for this career. Everything is in place. You're very badly injured through no fault of your own. You can no longer meet the 3-mile run requirement of an agent. You are treated for PTSD. You're not disabled, per se, but you have limitations. Is your future blown to pieces? Do they care if there are extenuating circumstances? Can you be a profiler if your body is damaged, though functional, but your life is otherwise blemish free and you fit all of the other requirements?

I've looked at the web site but am looking for real-world information.

posted by clarkstonian to work & money (11 comments total)

Some police forces have civilian investigative positions that don't require the applicant to go through full academy training. I thought that I'd mention this, since it might prove to be a good fallback if you can't get the Federal job that you're looking for.
posted by Citrus at 8:16 AM on June 30

I suspect that the physical limitations are less important than your mention of "PTSD", which, at least in my mind, portends a psychological disorder, is that how you meant it?

My son works for the CIA, he is always concerned about how he is perceived psychologically and financially, the agency is not happy with folks whose lifestyle or mental health situations provide a vulnerability. But I'm guessing he's not running any quick miles nowadays!
posted by HuronBob at 8:53 AM on June 30

Very few CIA employees are agents. Most are analysts. I have met and worked with several analysts and can attest that I don't believe that they could run 100 yards, much less 3 miles. These folks are often the overweight, middle-aged, pear-shaped, stereotypical federal workers in short sleeved button downs with ties who would be played by Richard Riehle if there was a movie made of their lives. Do you see this guy running 3 miles?

Remember also that these are Federal Agencies and subject to EEOC rules.
posted by Pollomacho at 9:00 AM on June 30

If you want to be a "profiler", why not distiguish yourself in the academic/private sector and seek work with the feds as a consultant later down the line?
posted by availablelight at 9:11 AM on June 30

The PTSD is related to a specific incident and injury - we know it's one of the real issues involved in working for either CIA or FBI - but we're hoping it will be resolved. Not in any way crime or lifestyle related. If you check my recent postings, you'll see what this is related to.

I'm asking specifically about profilers - who do actually start out as agents. Is there a way around this? I know the EEOC rules apply to both agencies, but the person involved won't be designated "disabled" at the time of potential employment. Nevertheless, there will be some permanent impairment.

It's a complicated story - I'm willing to go into it via MeMail, but not in general postings. We're just trying to see if a future career is still possible and exploring all options.
posted by clarkstonian at 9:14 AM on June 30

I can't speak for the CIA, but when I was in the recruitment process with the FBI, I had a similar question for recruiter along the lines of "I meet everything on your list of requirements except for XYZ" - where XYZ seemed somewhat minor from my point of view.

The recruiter indicated somewhat bluntly to me that if I either have some special skill (speak Arabic, et. al.) or meet some level of preferred intellectual status (I assume based mainly on the testing they give you), it is *very* common to overlook small requirements that would not have a large impact on the particular position you are being considered for. That said, they're still going to try to have a good idea of how close exactly you do or do not meet said requirement, and have that documented. He said it in that "don't quote me on this" kind of way, but it was enough to make me understand that no, my future wasn't blown to pieces.

I didn't end up completing the process / joining the FBI for unrelated reasons.
posted by allkindsoftime at 9:51 AM on June 30

That's very helpful, allkindsoftime. There is plenty of time to load up on some skills to make her more desirable. She should meet the intellectual status level. She's willing to work incredibly hard to make it happen, but she can't undo the physical damage she's sustained - or the consequences of it.
posted by clarkstonian at 10:04 AM on June 30

If you're in Texas, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (TX) is on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, which I believe oversees the FBI.

Try calling one of her local offices if there's one near you, they are more responsive than DC offices. You want to speak to someone in constituent services. If the person you talk to first is rude or dismissive, try her DC office.

Or, send her a letter about your situation.

Her staff might be able to get you some answers or, if you're very lucky, pull some strings on your behalf.
posted by kathrineg at 10:40 AM on June 30

Oh, and feel free to contact your/her congressional representative or the other TX senator, John Cornyn. He has some powerful committee assignments as well. I would pick one to deal with at a time, so that they don't duplicate their efforts.
posted by kathrineg at 10:44 AM on June 30

OK, if you're in Michigan, Carl Levin is on the Committee for Intelligence which is in charge of the CIA.

You can find your Representative here.
posted by kathrineg at 10:54 AM on June 30

I would worry more about who they contact in their interviews (from family, friends, coworkers, bosses). My friend was highly qualified for the FBI, then they interviewed one of her former bosses that put the moves on her and she claimed sexual harrassment. He was mad at her after that. There went her chances with the FBI.
posted by dasheekeejones at 10:55 AM on June 30