CIA Agent Job Description
Career opportunities available with the Central Intelligence Agency, CIA, cover a wide variety of backgrounds and specialties. The agency seeks to hire those with a strong desire to serve the nation with honor and integrity as well as a dedication to excellence in all facets of work and personal life. Perhaps the best known, and subsequently most maligned, position at the CIA is that of clandestine service officer or agent.
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History
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The United States has carried on intelligence gathering operations since the time of George Washington, but there was no organized intelligence effort until President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the Office of Strategic Services in 1942. Its purpose was to collect and analyze data gathered from foreign nations and relay these finding back to key Executive Branch personnel. It was dismantled in 1945. Seeing the need for organized and coordinated intelligence efforts, President Harry S. Truman ordered the formation of the CIA in 1946.
Misconceptions
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Hollywood has given many people deep misconceptions about working for the CIA. While working as a clandestine service officer can be dangerous, this is not so in many instances.The public has also been led to believe that an agent must be constantly away from family and therefore is best served not to have one. Most of the time, families are sent overseas when an agent spouse is sent for a protracted amount of time.
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Types
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Clandestine service officers who work in the field have two designations under the term core collector. A core collector/operations officer works to recruit assets from the field and collect vital intelligence as well as carry out clandestine operations in a covert manner. The ideal candidate is a fast paced individual able to work under great stress. The collections management officer, also in the field, gathers the data collected by the operations officer and compiles it for dissemination to US based collection officers. Both positions provide critical services that are vital to the nation's security.
Considerations
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While not often mimicking Hollywood spy movie plots, a career as a clandestine service officer can be dangerous at times. Working for the CIA in the clandestine capacity does not end everyday at 5:00 p.m.; it is a way of life. It may be difficult for family members not in the industry to cope with this fact or with the fact that agents are required to keep significant amounts of information from them.
Education/Salary
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Candidates must possess a bachelor's degree with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 and have excellent verbal and written communication skills. An extensive background check is performed and the prospect must undergo in-depth medical and psychological testing. Pay will range between $50,000 and $80,000 with a full benefit package. The agency requires applicants be 25 to 35 years of age, but will waive this requirement under certain circumstances. Open positions are listed on the CIA Web site.
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References
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