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What does a special agent do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read

A special agent is responsible for investigating law violations and criminal activities by collecting pieces of evidence, including witnesses' testimonies, to release a warrant of arrest and initiate prosecution. Special agents work closely with other law enforcement agencies to identify threats, analyze occurring criminal activities, and connect intelligence records through observation and field investigations. They also attend court proceedings to present evidence for court decisions. A special agent must have excellent communication and critical-thinking skills, assessing unusual situations, and handling suspicious activities.

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Special agent responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real special agent resumes:

  • Manage a team of field supervisors on a project to modernize and improve the ATF system of office inspection.
  • Conduct joint planning and manage AFOSI's criminal investigations and counterintelligence operations in northern Italy.
  • Follow up on tips receive from a variety of sources, including patrol officers, community members, and confidential informants.
  • Conduct detailed and precise SIU investigations involving insurance fraud.
  • Authore products highly praise by senior FBI and DOJ officials.
  • Interview witnesses, gather evidence and prepare cases for litigation.
  • Report questionable claims to the NICB and state DOI, as required.
  • Report questionable claims to NICB and response letters to ODI when necessary.
  • Patrol high crime areas utilizing unmark vehicles, along with foot and bicycle patrols.
  • Provide program management support to DHS and the U.S. (USCIS) front office.
  • Work closely with CIA, FBI, NSA and international intelligence organizations in conducting these operations.
  • Coordinate with espionage specialists from the CIA, NSA and military intelligence agencies on multiple cases.
  • Assign fraud, burglary and other property crime cases to the appropriate detectives and supervise cases.
  • Provide Cyber threat information and/or briefings to FBI HQ and field office personnel and various USIC agencies' personnel.
  • Serve as special projects officer and special case investigator at regional and HQ directions for unique or high visibility issues.

Special agent skills and personality traits

We calculated that 73% of Special Agents are proficient in Professional Work, National Security, and Local Law Enforcement. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Empathy, and Good judgment.

We break down the percentage of Special Agents that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Professional Work, 73%

    Developed and maintained professional working relationships still used in Brazil by DEA today.

  • National Security, 8%

    Conducted sensitive national security investigations involving counter-intelligence and counter-terrorism.

  • Local Law Enforcement, 5%

    Coordinated investigative resources from other Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in furtherance of grand jury indictment and prosecution.

  • Search Warrants, 2%

    Developed and maintained confidential sources of information; executed search warrants; confiscated illegal drug supplies; collected and processed evidence.

  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 2%

    Collaborated with high-ranking military officials, installation commanders, and heads of local and federal law enforcement agencies and prosecuting attorneys.

  • Counterintelligence Investigations, 1%

    Conducted computer security and counterintelligence investigations where sensitive/classified information was compromised.

Common skills that a special agent uses to do their job include "professional work," "national security," and "local law enforcement." You can find details on the most important special agent responsibilities below.

Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a special agent to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "police and detectives must be able to speak with people and to express details in writing about an incident." Special agents often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "develop precise investigative reports regarding the results of assessment of comprehensive legal material through effective communication and writing process. "

Empathy. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling special agent duties is empathy. The role rewards competence in this skill because "police officers need to understand the perspectives of a variety of people in their jurisdiction and be willing to help the public." According to a special agent resume, here's how special agents can utilize empathy in their job responsibilities: "transitioned to forensic accountant following injury) possess a comprehensive understanding of the white collar financial crimes programs. "

Good judgment. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of special agents is good judgment. This skill is critical to many everyday special agent duties, as "police and detectives must be able to determine the best way to solve an array of problems." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "utilized sound judgment and knowledge of financial investigative techniques to develop an investigative plan. "

Leadership skills. For certain special agent responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "leadership skills." The day-to-day duties of a special agent rely on this skill, as "police officers must be comfortable with being a highly visible member of their community, as the public looks to them for help in emergencies." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what special agents do: "supervised evidence collection, interviews/interrogations, and reviewed reports of investigations for leadership. "

Physical strength. Another common skill required for special agent responsibilities is "physical strength." This skill comes up in the duties of special agents all the time, as "police officers must be strong enough to physically apprehend suspects and to assist people in precarious situations." An excerpt from a real special agent resume shows how this skill is central to what a special agent does: "conducted threat assessments and physical security assessments relative to protective service. "

See the full list of special agent skills

The three companies that hire the most special agents are:

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Compare different special agents

Special agent vs. Officer

An officer is responsible for managing the daily operations of the assigned area, ensuring its peace and security by monitoring and reporting unusual and suspicious activities. Officers are the ones enforcing strict safety protocols and procedures to maintain the order within the premises. They also coordinate with law enforcement agencies in conducting appropriate investigations for any violating cases. An officer must be highly-knowledgeable of the law policies, as well as possessing excellent leadership skills to manage the members under the officer's patrol.

The annual salary of officers is $8,410 lower than the average salary of special agents.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both special agent and officer positions are skilled in law enforcement agencies, dod, and government agencies.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, special agent responsibilities require skills like "professional work," "social work," "national security," and "digital forensics." Meanwhile a typical officer has skills in areas such as "patrol," "customer service," "public safety," and "emergency situations." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

The education levels that officers earn slightly differ from special agents. In particular, officers are 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a special agent. Additionally, they're 1.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Special agent vs. Military police officer

A military police officer is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of the areas assigned for their duly protection. Military police officers monitor their premises efficiently, inspecting suspicious individuals within the territory, and enforcing strict legislation protocols and military regulations for everyone's compliance. They locate security breaches, assist with law enforcement investigations, provide battlefield support, and coordinate with other law institutions and citizens for security enhancement. A military police officer must have extensive knowledge with state procedures and military rules, performing various duties, and maintaining peace and order.

On average, military police officers earn a $22,836 lower salary than special agents a year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both special agents and military police officers have skills such as "dod," "criminal cases," and "us army. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, special agent responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "professional work," "social work," "national security," and "digital forensics." Meanwhile, a military police officer has duties that require skills in areas such as "crowd control," "order operations," "patrol," and "public safety." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Average education levels between the two professions vary. Military police officers tend to reach similar levels of education than special agents. In fact, they're 4.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Special agent vs. Deputy

The duties of a deputy vary on their line of work or place of employment. In law enforcement, a deputy is primarily in charge of conducting investigations on crimes and arresting criminals, performing regular patrols on streets, responding to calls of distress, and assisting citizens in calamities, disasters, accidents, or any forms of threat. There are also instances when a deputy must serve court documents, transport detainees or suspected criminals, and monitor courtrooms. Furthermore, a deputy reports to higher-ranking officers such as a sheriff.

On average, deputies earn lower salaries than special agents, with a $7,234 difference per year.By looking over several special agents and deputies resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "search warrants," "law enforcement agencies," and "firearms." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, special agents are more likely to have skills like "professional work," "social work," "national security," and "digital forensics." But a deputy is more likely to have skills like "patrol," "public safety," "transport inmates," and "emergency situations."

When it comes to education, deputies tend to earn similar degree levels compared to special agents. In fact, they're 1.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.8% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Special agent vs. Police officer

Police officers are responsible for keeping peace and security in a community. They uphold and enforce the law. They ensure that people in their assigned community follow the law. They also ensure that proper sanctions are given out to anyone who does not follow. Some police officers are assigned in the field, meaning they work outside of police stations. Those assigned to police stations are responsible for maintaining administrative matters as well, aside from maintaining peace and order. Police officers are expected to be trustworthy, to work with honor, and to keep their integrity intact.

Police officers tend to earn a lower pay than special agents by an average of $8,278 per year.While both special agents and police officers complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like search warrants, law enforcement agencies, and firearms, the two careers vary in some skills.While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "professional work," "social work," "national security," and "digital forensics" are skills that commonly show up on special agent resumes. On the other hand, police officers use skills like patrol, public safety, emergency situations, and field training on their resumes.police officers reach similar levels of education compared to special agents, in general. The difference is that they're 5.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 2.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of special agent

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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