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How to hire a criminal investigative agent

Criminal investigative agent hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring criminal investigative agents in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a criminal investigative agent is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new criminal investigative agent to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a criminal investigative agent, step by step

To hire a criminal investigative agent, you need to identify the specific skills and experience you want in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and advertise the job opening to attract potential candidates. To hire a criminal investigative agent, you should follow these steps:

Here's a step-by-step criminal investigative agent hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a criminal investigative agent job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new criminal investigative agent
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    The criminal investigative agent hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    A criminal investigative agent's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, criminal investigative agents from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

    Here's a comparison of criminal investigative agent salaries for various roles:

    Type of Criminal Investigative AgentDescriptionHourly rate
    Criminal Investigative AgentPolice officers protect lives and property. Detectives and criminal investigators, who are sometimes called agents or special agents, gather facts and collect evidence of possible crimes.$18-39
    Child Support OfficerChild support officers evaluate child support cases to identify the needed financial support. The officers interview relatives and parents and review court documents, and any other records... Show more$11-26
    MarshalThe duties of a marshal primarily depend on their line of work or place of employment. They typically have high positions in various areas such as in the fire department, law enforcement, and even in aviation... Show more$12-23
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Physical Evidence
    • Law Enforcement Agencies
    • Surveillance Operations
    • Subpoenas
    • Investigative Reports
    • Documentary Evidence
    • Crime Scene Processing
    • Court Proceedings
    • Firearms
    • DHS
    • Government Officials
    • Conduct Investigations
    • Federal Law Enforcement
    • Local Agencies
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Conduct joint planning and manage AFOSI's criminal investigations and counterintelligence operations in northern Italy.
    • Deliver subpoenas and other legal requirements.
    • Provide direction and guidance on several high-profile homicide investigations, as well as numerous additional criminal and narcotics investigations.
    • Collect and disseminate intelligence and threat information concerning foreign intelligence and international terrorism to support commands using HUMINT sources.
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your criminal investigative agent job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A criminal investigative agent can vary based on:

    • Location. For example, criminal investigative agents' average salary in south carolina is 50% less than in maryland.
    • Seniority. Entry-level criminal investigative agents 54% less than senior-level criminal investigative agents.
    • Certifications. A criminal investigative agent with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a criminal investigative agent's salary.

    Average criminal investigative agent salary

    $56,775yearly

    $27.30 hourly rate

    Entry-level criminal investigative agent salary
    $38,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 23, 2026
  4. Writing a criminal investigative agent job description

    A criminal investigative agent job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a criminal investigative agent job description:

    Criminal investigative agent job description example

    Join Our Team!

    Accepting applications for Investigative Agent (Program Administrator 1)

    Who Are We?

    The Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) is a trauma informed care agency focused on implementing our core values and providing support to people with developmental disabilities. We oversee a statewide system of supportive services that focus on ensuring the health and safety, supporting access to community participation, and increasing opportunities for meaningful employment. To learn more about DODD click here .

    What will you do?

    Oversee the Unusual & Major Unusual Incidents at the Northwest Ohio Developmental Center under the general supervision of the Mental Health Administrator 3. Formulate and implements policies and procedures, e.g., Safety, MUI, Investigative Process pertaining to the reporting and investigation of Unusual & Major Unusual Incidents. Ensure compliance with state operating procedures relating to Unusual & Major Unusual Incidents. Conducts investigations; interviews involving residents and/or staff. Collects evidence, documents findings, develops findings into written report, files documents, sends written report to appropriate personnel within prescribed timelines. Performs a variety of safety functions of all living areas, monitors residents and staff activities for compliance with Certification and Licensure standards.

    Acts for administrator (e.g., independently answers complex &/or confidential correspondence; conducts staff meetings to discuss rules & operating procedures relating to assigned area; monitors manpower needs &insures sufficient number of personnel to complete special assignments/ projects), serves as liaison between administrator & subordinates, transmits decisions & directives, represents administrator at meetings & conferences, formulates & implements program policy & assumes responsibility & authority in administrator's absence, or does all of preceding & supervises staff (i.e., assigned clerical, maintenance, security &/or lower-level administrative employees).

    Research & analyzes programs, procedures & policies; develops project proposals & program plans; provides technical advice to aid administrators in decision making.

    Performs public relations duties; research & responds to inquiries & complaints; furnishes information & explains programs to public; writes position papers & reports; makes speeches & gives lectures; prepares news releases.

    Other duties as assigned by the Mental Health Administrator 3.

    What's in it for you:

    At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website ! Our benefits package includes:

    Medical Coverage
    • Quality, affordable, and competitive medical benefits are offered through the Ohio Med PPO plan.
    Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance
    • Dental, vision and basic life insurance premiums are free after one year of continuous service.
    Time Away from Work and Work/Life Balance
    • Paid time off, including vacation, personal, and sick leave
    • 11 paid holidays per year
    • Childbirth/Adoption leave
    Ohio Public Employees Retirement System
    • OPERS is the retirement system for State of Ohio employees. The employee contributes 10% of their salary towards their retirement. The employer contributes an amount equal to 14% of the employee's salary. Visit the OPERS website for more information.
    Deferred Compensation
    • The Ohio Deferred Compensation program is a 457(b) voluntary retirement savings plan. Visit the Ohio Deferred Compensation website for more information.
    Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a Model Employer of Individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs, and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

    Qualifications
    Completion of undergraduate core program in business administration, management science or public administration; 12 mos. trg. or 12 mos. exp. in supervisory, administrative &/or managerial position which involved limited research & public contact. If assigned to operate vehicles regulated by Section 4506.01 of Revised Code, applicants must also have valid commercial driver's license.

    -Or completion of undergraduate core program in academic field commensurate with program area to be assigned per approved Position Description on file; 12 mos. trg. or 12 mos. exp. in supervisory, administrative, managerial &/or staff position which involved limited research & public contact. If assigned to operate vehicles regulated by Section 4506.01 of Revised Code, applicants must also have valid commercial driver's license.

    -Or 36 mos. trg. or 36 mos. exp. in business administration, management science or public administration. If assigned to operate vehicles regulated by Section 4506.01 of Revised Code, applicants must also have valid commercial driver's license.

    -Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted above.
  5. Post your job

    To find criminal investigative agents for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any criminal investigative agents they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level criminal investigative agents with the right educational background.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your criminal investigative agent job on Zippia to find and recruit criminal investigative agent candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Your first interview with criminal investigative agent candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

    You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new criminal investigative agent

    Once you have selected a candidate for the criminal investigative agent position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

    It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    To prepare for the new criminal investigative agent first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a criminal investigative agent?

Before you start to hire criminal investigative agents, it pays to consider both the one-off costs like recruitment, job promotion, and onboarding, as well as the ongoing costs of an employee's salary and benefits. While most companies that hire criminal investigative agents pay close attention to the initial cost of hiring, ongoing costs are much more significant in the long run.

Criminal investigative agents earn a median yearly salary is $56,775 a year in the US. However, if you're looking to find criminal investigative agents for hire on a contract or per-project basis, hourly rates typically range between $18 and $39.

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