Potential Job Opportunities
The criminal justice field is rapidly expanding and in need of educated, qualified professionals. A primary goal of the program is to adequately prepare students for criminal justice employment. The job market for CJ positions is probably the best it has been since the late 1960’s when federal LEAA funds were readily available. Following is a brief summary of potential job opportunities in the CJ field.
Potential Positions
FEDERAL POSITIONS
Federal positions are very competitive and therefore the most difficult to obtain. Most investigative entry level positions require a bachelors degree and 1-3 years of experience after college. Realistically, with exceptions in the area of computers, accounting, and languages, most federal agencies generally hire applicants with 5-10 years of experience. This would most often be an individual in their late 20’s or early 30’s. Federal positions pay quite well and have rapid advancement through the GS Pay Scale. For example, the best paid positions are within the FBI. Agents start out in the high 40’s, and top out within 5 yrs. in the low to mid 90’s. The fringe benefits are also exceptional. Without question, a federal law enforcement position is highly respected throughout the ranks of the criminal justice profession.
Below is a list of some of the most popular federal law enforcement agencies:
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
U.S. Secret Service (USSS)
U.S. Marshals Service (USMS)
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF)
U.S. Custom’s Service (USCS)
Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)
U.S. Border Patrol
Internal Revenue Service (INS)
U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS)
There are many other federal departments that offer criminal justice opportunities. The Federal Bureau of Prisons manages and maintains the federal correctional institutions. Federal Probation Officers serve the various federal judicial districts around the country. The State Department, Department of Interior, Department of Agriculture, Department of Labor, and all branches of the military, have investigative units to help deal with federal violations and fraud in their areas of specialization. It is important to remember it takes experience and time to obtain a federal position. Patience and vigilance are key characteristics for those interested in federal law enforcement employment.
STATE POSITIONS
State Police positions fall into 2 categories, State Patrol and Investigation. Iowa State Patrol Officers (referred to as Troopers) patrol the state highways and provide assistance to local and county law enforcement as needed. Their primary responsibilities fall in the area of traffic enforcement and accident investigation. They are, however, fully certified peace officers and can therefore enforce any state criminal infraction, ie. burglary, robbery, drug violations, etc.
State Trooper positions are very competitive and have a high degree of respect associated with them due to the caliber of individual who is generally selected for these positions. The physical standards and training requirements are rigorous. Though the entry level educational requirement is only a high school diploma or G.E.D., most applicants have some college, with many possessing a 4 year degree. Without question, the Iowa State Patrol is one of the top law enforcement agencies in the State. Starting salary after training is in the mid $30’s.
State investigative positions fall into 3 categories; Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), Division of Narcotics Enforcement (DNE), and State Fire Marshal. Generally speaking, all of these positions require a 4 year degree. Many of these positions, but not all, are filled from the ranks of the State Patrol. DCI investigates any crime of a serious nature. They may initiate an investigation themselves, ie. government corruption, white collar crime, or take on an investigation at the request of a county or municipal department. The DCI also manages the state crime laboratory.
DNE is responsible for investigating drug law violations. Some of the work, but not all, involves undercover operations. DNE, like other state agencies, works closely with DEA and municipal and county departments, in dealing with drug violations.
State Fire Marshals are responsible for investigating suspicious fires around the State of Iowa. They work closely with area fire departments and local arson investigators determining the cause and origin of fires, as well as establishing if fires are intentionally set.
Starting salaries are in the high $30’s. Click here to visit the Iowa Department of Public Safety website that houses these departments.
Other state law enforcement agencies include the Department of Transportation Officers (DOT) who regulate and enforce commercial motor carrier activity within the state, and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) who handle game/fish and environmental violations.
COUNTY POSITIONS
The primary law enforcement agency at the county level is the Office of Sheriff. Sheriffs are elected in Iowa, and serve four-year terms. Deputy Sheriffs work under the Sheriff in performing various statutorily required duties such as law enforcement patrol, investigations, courtroom security, civil process, and tax collection. Sheriffs are also responsible for maintaining the county jail. Many Sheriffs utilize civilian detention officers to work in their jails, though some still require beginning deputies to spend some time in the detention section. Deputy starting salaries range from 25,000 to 38,000 depending on the size of the agency. Detention officers generally make a few thousand dollars less than do Deputies.
MUNICIPAL POSITIONS
There are approximately 330 municipal police departments in Iowa (as compared to 99 Sheriffs Offices). These departments employ anywhere from 1 to 350 officers. Most criminal justice majors entering the law enforcement profession will begin their career with a municipal police department.
Employment with a municipal law enforcement department provides a benefit associated with taking part in a more concentrated law enforcement effort. Local control and identity are a positive component to many who prefer being recognized as a part of a smaller community. The same employment standards and training requirements apply as do for state and county law enforcement certifications.
Salaries for municipal police positions vary depending on department size. Smaller departments begin their officers in the $22,000 to $25,000 per year range. Larger departments, ie. Des Moines and Cedar Rapids, start in the $35,000 to $38,000 range.
In addition to the salary, law enforcement agencies at all levels (federal, state, and local) offer comprehensive benefit packages that include medical and life insurance, vacation days, holidays, sick leave, deferred compensation, and retirement pensions.
CORRECTIONS POSITIONS
The field of corrections offers numerous opportunities for criminal justice majors. At the county level you have Detention Officer positions (Jailers) that work in the county jail under the auspices of the County Sheriff of County Corrections Department. These Detention Officer positions are not certified peace officer positions so there is no law enforcement academy certification requirement. The state of Iowa does mandate a 40 hour training course for jailers, plus a yearly 20 hour continuing education requirement. Salaries for these positions vary depending on the size of the jurisdiction. The range is generally $20,000 to $35,000 per year.
State prisons and other correctional facilities also provide an abundance of career opportunities. Correctional Officers may work in prisons, prison camps, halfway houses, or reformatories. The federal prison system also offers numerous correctional positions at various locations around the country.
Starting salaries at the state level range from $15,000 to $35,000 per year depending on location. Federal positions range from $23,000 to $35,000 per year.
Probation and Parole Officers generally fall under the State Department of Corrections system. Because of the high educational requirement (generally a 4 year degree) these positions pay rather well and are very competitive. P & P Officers supervise convicted individuals who are under the control of the corrections department, but are not incarcerated in a jail or prison facility. This can be a very demanding job yet at the same time very rewarding, as rehabilitation is a primary mission of a P & P Officer.
The Federal Judicial System also utilizes Probation Officers in much the same way as do State Court Systems. Federal Officers generally make a little more money than do their state counterparts.
Starting salaries for P & P Officers in Iowa is around $34,000 per year, with increases up to the lower $50’s.
PRIVATE SECURITY/LOSS PREVENTION
The private security/loss prevention sector employs almost twice as many personnel as does public sector law enforcement. Public and private sector cooperation is extremely important in dealing with modern day criminal activities.
Many college students obtain their first criminal justice position as a private security officer or loss prevention specialist. Many even decide to remain in the private sector as they find this type of work, over the long term, to be challenging and financially rewarding. Corporate security management positions can be extremely well paying in the right environment. Many law enforcement professionals leave public sector employment to accept corporate management and investigative positions that pay much better than what they were making with a public sector agency. Not only can valuable experience be obtained from working in private security for those trying to break in to the public law enforcement field, but it can also turn into a very lucrative career at the corporate level. In addition, state and federal governments routinely contract with private security agencies to provide security and protection for buildings, bases, nuclear facilities, etc. Generally these positions offer better salaries and benefit packages than do nongovernmental contracts.
Beginning salaries for security guards range from $8 to $12 per hour. Mid-level supervisors and managers range from $25,000 to $35,000 per year, and corporate management salaries can begin at $75,000 upwards of $100,000 per year and beyond.
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