Division of Management Services
	Cindy O'Donnell, Administrator • Biography
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Special Agent Employment Opportunities

Thank you for exploring employment opportunities with the Wisconsin Department of Justice. Please check our DOJ Employment Opportunities for any current Special Agent openings. If we are not recruiting at this time, we can include your name on our applicant mailing list. To have your name placed on this mailing list, please provide us with your: 1) name; 2) permanent mailing address; 3) preferred email address if available; and 4) home telephone number. Once we receive this information, your name will remain on our mailing list for a one-year period of time. During this one-year period, you will be sent a written notification via email (or postal mail if no email address is provided) if and when a new recruitment process is initiated. You are responsible for notifying our office of any changes to this personal information. You may provide your information in one of the following ways:

Email: hr@doj.state.wi.us

By Telephone: 608/267-9030

By Mail: Bureau of Human Resource Services
                Wisconsin Department of Justice
                 P.O. Box 7857
                 Madison, WI 53707-7857

Within the Department of Justice, Special Agents are employed within the Division of Criminal Investigation and assigned to one of the following field offices: Appleton, Eau Claire, Madison, Milwaukee, Superior, or Wausau. These positions are non-uniformed, certified law enforcement officers with full police authority and jurisdiction in Wisconsin. The Special Agent is a represented position covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

DIVISION OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION (DCI) POSITIONS:

Positions within DCI provide assistance in the investigation of crimes that may require extensive or highly specialized investigative resources not otherwise available to local law enforcement agencies. The positions are assigned to specialized investigative program areas that include: Arson; Special Assignments; Gaming; Financial Crimes; Public Integrity; Investigative Services; Wisconsin Statewide Justice Intelligence Center; and Narcotics. Specific duties include: plan and conduct sensitive investigations within one of these program areas; develop and utilize various sources of investigative information including confidential informants; interview witnesses and interrogate suspects regarding possible illegal activity; execute search warrants; make arrests; write detailed reports on complex activities; secure and maintain evidence; and testify in court. As a certified law enforcement officer these employees may be subject to strenuous physical activity or adverse environmental conditions. Employees may wear a concealed ballistic vest and are armed with a handgun and handcuffs and may be armed with a shotgun or baton. Hours of work vary and may include night and weekend assignments. Work assignments may require overnight stays. Employees may have to respond for assignments on short notice.

A large number of people are interested and apply for special agent positions. However, only a few individuals are offered positions, as the Department of Justice is very selective in the hiring process. We are looking for individuals who possess the qualities that are necessary to be a good Special Agent. Previous successful candidates have had life experiences (e.g., education, employment) that showed responsibility, maturity and effective interpersonal communications.

• willingness to work throughout the State and at unusual hours
• keen observation
• good memory for names, faces, places, and incidents
• willingness to associate with criminally inclined persons and environments
• satisfactory record as a law-abiding citizen

• honesty/integrity
• good judgment/common sense
• confidence
• reliability
• stress tolerance
• flexibility
• team orientation

• written communication
• oral communication
• listening
• observation
• analytic
• decision making
• planning/organization
• human relations
• leadership

Knowledge of law and the criminal justice system is desirable, but not required of entry level candidates.

The Division of Criminal Investigation is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer, seeking a diverse work force and actively recruiting women and racial/ethnic minority applicants.

Although each time we recruit we review our requirements, the current minimum qualifications include the following:

1. Completed 4 years of higher education (at least 120 college credits); or at least 2 years of full-time experience as a certified law enforcement officer along with 60 college credits).
2. Eligible for Wisconsin Driver's License
3. Willingness to travel
4. Ability to pass physical requirements
5. Age 21 at time of appointment
6. Pass comprehensive background investigation
7. Pass Drug Screening Urinalysis
8. Special Agents must not have been convicted of a felony (unless pardoned by the Governor) which would prohibit them from carrying a firearm. In addition, a change to Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(9) took effect on September 30, 1996, making it unlawful for any person convicted of a "misdemeanor crime of domestic violence" to possess any firearm or ammunition.

SEMI-AUTOMATIC PAY PROGRESSION STRUCTURE - Effective June 7, 2009 - June 30, 2009.

SPECIAL AGENT

The Special Agent is an entry-level agent position with annual pay progression based on satisfactory performance. The series provides career advancement to the Special Agent - Senior level.

SPECIAL AGENT - SENIOR

A lengthened probationary period up to 18 months will be required. Must have satisfactory job performance and successfully complete all recruit training.

Special agents are Certified Law Enforcement Officers. If an applicant has not gone through a certified program, he/she will be required to successfully complete a Certified Law Enforcement Recruit School once hired. Certification includes successful completion of firearms qualification.

All newly hired staff will be given on-the-job training relating to the duties and responsibilities of a special agent and internal operating policies, procedures and practices. In addition, specialized training will be provided based on the Division/Bureau to which the individual is assigned.

Overtime will be compensated primarily in the form of compensatory time off. The rate at which compensatory time is earned depends upon the number of hours worked each week.

Job Security

The Department has not used layoffs in the past. If, however, layoffs would be necessary, the layoffs process is primarily based on seniority.

All special agents are provided with a state-owned vehicle for business use.

No uniform is required.

Other necessary equipment is provided by the state.

See Employee Benefits for information on fringe benefits provided to State employees

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