For those studying in criminal justice and interested in working for the DEA, there’s good news, as there are many criminal justice careers with the DEA, and they are virtually always hiring. Want to know more about some of the many careers available within the agency? Here are four criminal justice careers with the DEA that sum-up the calling quite nicely.
Diversion Investigator
Major contraband and drug movements are and always have been a problem to some degree or another for the US. Diversion investigators are the agents deployed by the DEA with the sole mission of tracking down traffickers and manufacturers in these areas. This particular criminal justice career with the DEA provides a good mix of street-level work accompanying more administrative-based investigatory tactics. Whatever it takes to identify and stop the offenders, in-office or out, is what the diversion investigator is all about.
Special Agent
Special agents are those most often pictured in popular thought whenever the subject of the DEA surfaces. This is because of the fact that these agents are the ones surrounded by the most mystique, working at ground-level, often covertly. These agents gather information for their superiors and affiliate investigators including the diversion investigators discussed above. They also do the actual apprehending in many cases when it comes time to make physical arrests. This is typically done with assistance from other, local law enforcement agencies though so as to assure the safety of the agents involved.
Forensic Investigator
Much of what the DEA and other law enforcement agencies do on a daily basis involves the use of forensic science. Depending on the job candidate’s qualifications in this area, they may work directly in or with the laboratory-science side of agency forensics. For even more clarity on the subject, the United States Department of Justice paints a concise picture:
“Forensic science is a critical element of the criminal justice system. Forensic scientists examine and analyze evidence from crime scenes and elsewhere to develop objective findings that can absolve an innocent person from suspicion or assist in the investigation and prosecution of perpetrators of crime.
Common forensic science laboratory disciplines include forensic molecular biology (DNA), forensic chemistry, trace evidence examination (hairs and fibers, paints and polymers, glass, soil, etc.), latent fingerprint examination, firearms and toolmarks examination, questioned documents examination, fire and explosives examinations, forensic toxicology, and digital evidence.”
Intelligence Research Specialist
An IRS, or intelligence research specialist at the DEA is a critical player in the pursuit of crimes via technology. As so much of the world operates and transacts electronically, so too do the criminals. The IRS is the expert directly responsible for the application of electronic and cyber investigative methods for the agency every day. While many others in the agency may also tap electronic resources quite regularly, the intelligence research specialist is the one that is specialized just for the task as well as working in this environ exclusively.
Related Resource: How Do You Become a Narcotics Officer?
The DEA is one of the government’s top law enforcement bodies. Taking a criminal justice career path that ends up here is certainly a noble and secure pursuit. These four criminal justice careers with the DEA are a just a few of those available but shine the light quite well on the goals and employment offerings of the agency.