Officer Recruitment Background of Agency

Officer Recruitment

Background of Agency -- as a direct response to the terrorist attacks on the United States in September, 2011, the Office of Homeland Security was created, specifically with the mission:

To develop and coordinate the implementation of a comprehensive national strategy to secure the United States from terrorist threats or attacks. The Office will coordinate the executive branch's efforts to detect, prepare for, prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks within the United States (National Strategy for Homeland Security, 2002).

The overall impetus was a way to coordinate various law enforcement agencies, information, and implementation of resources to be far more efficient in preventing any security breach, and if one occurs, to have a way to create a more seamless national response network. The Agency is headquartered in Washington, DC but there are positions available in all 50 states based on need and experience (Department of Homeland Security, 2012).

Available Positions- Jobs with Homeland security are organized in four basic sections, with overlap in actual law enforcement positions within any of the four sections:

Mission Support -- Medical, Human resources, facilities, budget, training, intelligence, planning, law, fraud, etc. -- any of the fields that support other fields, provide intelligence, analyze data, or support the service.

Law Enforcement -- Protection of the President, Vice-President, families, heads of State, borders, immigration, interagency training, and security. Overlap with the Secret Service and other agencies.

Immigration and Travel Security -- protection of the nation's transport system, particularly airports, overseeing lawful immigration.

Prevention and response -- protection of the public, environment, and the U.S. economy and security interests in any land or maritime region; preparedness, training, and recovery to reduce loss of life (Department of Homeland Security).

Recruitment and Selection Process -- There are many paths for jobs with Homeland Security. All require U.S. citizenship and the ability to successfully complete a full-background check and pass a drug screening test. There are three basic steps to apply for Homeland Security jobs:

1. Find job openings, present and future at http://www/dhs.usajobs.cov

2. Follow the instructions on individual job applications from the announcement. Different jobs require a different level of detail and have different application deadlines and procedures.

3. It is also advisable to create a USAJOBS member account so that resumes can be posted online, application status can be found, and automated job alerts received.

4. Interview process -- the best-qualified candidates will be forwarded to the hiring official for that particular job; interviews are done in person or by phone; and selection is subject to Federal Civil Service Laws.

Because Homeland Security is a Federal Agency, and because of the wide range of talent required, Homeland Security has four programs that fit most individuals regardless of the stage of their career:

1. Student and Recent Jobs -- internships, fellowship, and training programs are available in almost every law enforcement opportunity. Some jobs are actively recruited from colleges and universities.

2. Experienced Professionals -- Technical, managerial and other skills (medical, emergency, etc.) professionals are needed.

3. Retirees -- Short, long -- and medium terms projects based on part-time or flexible schedules.

4. Veterans -- Homeland Security is committed to recruiting and training eligible veterans for appropriate positions within the agency ((Department of Homeland Security)