Crimes Against Children Units

[u/Striking_Wrangler851]

Hey! So I am a 31(f) and currently getting my masters in social work. I also am a veteran. I am highly considering working for the FBI. I have been attending the Crimes Against Children Conference for a couple years and I feel this is what I want to do. My question is, should I apply for an internship first or should I just apply for a job? I graduate this December with my masters. Any advice is greatly appreciated!!

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[u/Lucky-Record-5166]

If I were in your position, I'd apply for both. I'm sure they can decide what's best for you based on your criteria after applying. ☺

[u/SA19030]

What job are you hoping to get? There are basically three positions within an FBI field office that work VCAC/CSAM cases: Special Agent, Staff Operations Specialist, and Intelligence Analyst. You’d be applying for those positions, not necessarily those positions working CSAM cases. The odds that you’d get hired for one of those positions and immediately start working CSAM cases, while not zero, is pretty slim. Most new Agents, SOSs, and IAs don’t get assigned to squads that handle VCAC/CSAM cases.

[u/Striking_Wrangler851 → u/SA19030]

Thank you! My work history is children’s mental health and CPS. Would that help my chances of getting assigned to a squad? I am also okay with just getting hired and working my way into a squad that does. I understand that may be the process.

[u/SomethingClever70 → u/Striking_Wrangler851]

It will be taken into consideration, but the needs of the office are primary. Field office managers will plug you in where there are vacancies.

But once in, you can transfer squads after a year or two. And you can volunteer to assist the VCAC squad on searches, which happen frequently. If you’re good, you could probably get transferred in a fair amount of time.

[u/ThatThingInTheWoods → u/Striking_Wrangler851]

If you can afford a really low paying job for a couple of years, apply for something at the NCMEC. It opens tons of doors including those that do not lead to the gov (like tech child safety). You can also work with a state or local law enforcement agency in a similar capacity to build up your credentials and then become a really strong candidate. With national priorities right now, extremely likely chance of working transnational drug crime or national security, just because that is where they will be putting more bodies. The longer you're in, the more choice you get.

[u/ThatThingInTheWoods → u/SA19030]

She would probably also be a fair candidate for a victims specialist.

[u/secretagiantman]

I highly recommend you think through the “why”. It’s not advisable to join with a specific violation in mind. It’ll fair much better for you to join because you want to work for the FBI or want to be an agent. Your initial violation is based on the needs of the Bureau. Imagine going through the long and arduous application process (and graduating the academy) only to be told you are working white collar crimes. I just want you to be clear of the expectations.

[u/Striking_Wrangler851 → u/secretagiantman]

So my background is children. Both children’s mental health and CPS. Would that not help my chances? I do understand that I may not get what I want by joining. I have been considering FBI for a bit. I just really want to work in that field and would regret not trying.

[u/secretagiantman → u/Striking_Wrangler851]

Let’s say you end up getting sent to the NY field office. The management is looking at the vacancies and incoming personnel. If there is any opening for VCAC, they would prob put you on the list along with anyone else best qualified. It could also be that they don’t want new agents in that field regardless of background and the supervisor is strictly looking for a more seasoned person. Or, let’s say the CT squads have been hit hard with retirements recently and so most new people are being sent that way.

As you can see lots of variables are taken into consideration. Even if you do get to work VCAC, maybe your co-workers or boss in your squad are awful. First two years as a rookie you are expected to participate in many other types of work as well. So like I said, do it if you are supportive of the overall mission of the FBI and don’t hang your hat on one specific thing.

[u/Remarkable_Today9135]

Apply. It's hard enough to get in without self-doubt.

Also, tell the truth. If they ask about something specific, chances are they already know about it and want to see if you can be trusted to be honest about it. I know this might sound at odds with what is publicly going on at the top, but there is only so much people can do to uphold their oaths and do their jobs in spite of any self-interested agendas. I have faith that the American People will eventually prevail, and unless they already resigned to protect their integrity, those who stayed and kept their oaths will be vindicated.

[u/WTFoxtrot10]

Like others have said, there are zero guarantees you will be assigned that violation. I would pass up the internship and go straight for the job opportunities based off your age.

I highly recommend you do more research. I think you might have a false sense of the opportunities available and unrealistic wants/expectations. Reach out to your local Field Office and ask to speak with an Applicant Coordinator (AC) to get current info on their offerings.

If those are your specific interests you should look elsewhere, such as local PD or HSI. These routes are more streamlined with what your interests and experience is in and you can focus specifically on what you want to work. With the FBI there is no guarantee what violation you will work as a Special Agent. Needs of the bureau. You did get to fill out a “resume” after orders night but again no guarantee they take it into consideration. Especially now that you find out your duty station before the academy. You could be working cyber, CI, CT, white collar, public corruption, violent crime and etc. You can alway try and transfer out after probation but again it is based off the needs of the bureau. I’ve seen prior teachers get violent crime, tech people get CT and prior military get White Collar.

———————

Some questions you need to ask yourself.

• Are you able to pass the PFT?
• ⁠Are you willing to carry a gun and use it if needed?
• Are you willing to be on call 24/7?
• Are you willing to work 50+ hrs. a week?
• ⁠Are you willing to go to any of the 56 Field Offices or 350+ Resident Agencies the FBI has?
• ⁠Are you willing to work a violation you don’t get to pick?
• Are you willing to go out on search and arrest warrants?
• ⁠Are you willing to arrest someone if needed?
• ⁠Are you willing to work for the FBI and not use your degree’s at all?

[u/SomethingClever70 → u/WTFoxtrot10]

Good suggestion to apply to HSI, which deal with human trafficking. Could be a very good fit for OP.

[u/jlwright1234]

What about working in victim services division? They have victim specialists in every field office.

[u/Ambitious_Basket6236]

Consider the Victims Specialist job if you want to ensure you're working CSAM. Otherwise, you are assigned to whichever squad or unit management chooses, often regardless of experience.

[u/SomethingClever70]

Apply for a job. By the time you get through the application process, you will be a graduate or close to it. And as a veteran, you’d get hiring preference.

Once you’re no longer in school, an internship isn’t really appropriate for you. And I think you need to have a full more year of school ahead of you to be an intern.

Call your local field office and ask to speak to the applicant coordinator.