tbi special agent
criminal investigator
responsibilities
TBI Special Agent/Criminal Investigators are sworn law enforcement officers with the authority to investigate and enforce state and federal criminal laws. These Agents conduct criminal investigations including, but not limited to, violent crime, drug violations, conspiracies and organized crime.
Special Agent/Criminal Investigators must be able to interview individuals, seize property, handle evidence, attain information contained in computer databases and arrest suspects. Thoroughly documenting work activities as part of a case file and gathering evidence to be used by a state or federal prosecutor is of the upmost importance. Testifying before Grand Juries, judges and jurors, and handling records or evidence in a criminal case is expected.
Special Agent/Criminal Investigators audit financial records to determine if fraudulent activity is occurring. These Agents may also be selected to take part in special investigations including marijuana eradication, methamphetamine lab eradication, polygraph testing administration, and/or aerial surveillance.
After a successful completion of a two-year training period, all Special Agent/Criminal Investigators will be promoted to the next higher class. Inadequate or marginal performance during the training period will result in demotion or termination.
minimum qualifications
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A Bachelor’s Degree from a four-year, accredited college or university
selection timeline
These dates are subject to change, but here's a rough overview of our upcoming hiring process.
July 28th - August 10th
Our Special Agent/Criminal Investigator positions will be posted on the Tennessee Department of Human Resources website. Interested candidates will need to complete an online application to begin the selection process.
August 11th
Candidates will receive preliminary selection questions to complete in an online form.
September 20th - 21st
Initial assessments of candidates will be performed virtually.
September 22nd
We'll notify candidates whether they'll continue to the formal interview stage.
September 23rd - 27th
1st Round interviews will be held virtually.
September 29th
We'll email invitations for those selected for a second in-person interview.
October 4th - 6th
2nd Round interviews will be held at TBI Headquarters in Nashville.
October 11th
Conditional offers will be extended to selected candidates. We'll also notify those not selected to continue in the hiring process via email.
October 11th - Early November
We'll conduct background checks and polygraphs on those conditionally selected for employment.
Late November - Early December
Candidates will participate in a pre-employment psychological and physical examination.
January 9th - 13th, 2023
We'll extend official job offers to selected candidates.
February 27, 2023
Our new Special Agents will begin their employment with TBI.
open agent positions
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DIVISION
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Loudon/Meigs
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Overton/Clay/Pickett
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Marion/Grundy
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Rhea/Bledsoe
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Franklin/Grundy
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Scott/Anderson/Campbell/Fentress
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Rutherford/Williamson
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Montgomery
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
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Shelby
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Davidson
MEDICAID FRAUD CONTROL DIVISION
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Knox
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Washington
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Madison
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Shelby (2 Positions)
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Davidson
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Maury
FIRE INVESTIGATIONS
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Campbell/Scott/Union/Claiborne/Fentress
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Humphreys/Dickson/Cheatham/Stewart/Houston/Montgomery/Robertson
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Madison/Weakley/Carroll/Henderson
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Hardeman/Chester/Fayette
CYBERCRIME SQUAD
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East Region
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Middle Region
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Upper East Region
INTERNET CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN SQUAD
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Statewide
DIGITAL FORENSICS SQUAD
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West Region
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Middle Region
CRIMINAL INTELLIGENCE UNIT
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Davidson
DRUG INVESTIGATION DIVISION
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Hamilton
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Campbell
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Sevier/Grainger
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR JOSH MELTON: JOB OVERVIEW
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR JOSH MELTON: tHE DIFFICULTIES OF THE JOB
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR JOSH MELTON: OUR UNIQUE MISSION
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR JOSH MELTON: BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS
LEARN MORE
medicaid fraud control
CYBERCRIME & DIGITAL EVIDENCE
Applicants: what to expect
A Thorough Background Investigation
If conditionally offered a position as a TBI Special Agent/Criminal Investigator, candidates will be subject to an intense background investigation, which includes, but is not limited to, a check of state and federal criminal records, driving history, social media accounts, credit history, education, military record, previous employment, drug use, and reference verification.
Candidates will also be subject to a pre-employment polygraph examination as part of the background process.
Direct & Sometimes Difficult
Questions
Credibility is a cornerstone of being a TBI Agent, so candidates should expect some potentially personal questions during the interview process.
A candidate must not have been convicted of, pleaded guilty to, or entered a plea of nolo contendre to a number of crimes to include, but not limited to: force, violence, theft, dishonesty, gambling, DUI, or controlled substances. This includes a sufficient number of misdemeanors, of any nature, to establish a pattern of disregard for the law.
Violations considered "youthful indiscretions" or experimentation (domestic related offenses excluded) may be considered on a case by case basis.
Frequent Communication Through The Process
We're committed to making sure your experience of applying for a job with TBI is a pleasant one.
We're committed to communicating, as we can, about the status of your application. We do, however, expect to receive more than 1,000 applications for these open positions, so we'll provide updates as we can, and prefer to do so via email.
If hired, Agents can expect a detailed onboarding process, designed to efficiently and thoroughly acclimate you to employment with the State of Tennessee and the TBI.
If Hired, Extensive
On-The-Job
Training
After joining our team, new Agents must successfully complete our 12-week Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Academy that includes the following coursework: interviewing and interrogation; drug enforcement training and surveillance/undercover operations; communication skills; case organization training; basic financial crimes investigation; handling informants; and training and instructor development.
Prior law enforcement experience is not a minimum qualification for TBI's Special Agent/Criminal Investigator positions.