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.
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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.
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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.
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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
APPLICANT ASSESSMENTS
As part of the application process, candidates must complete two agility assessments. During the assessment process, please be prepared with a change of clothing for the physical assessment outlined below.
If you have questions about the agility assessments or would like to meet with an instructor to familiarize yourself with the firearm assessment, please contact TBI Training at TBI.Training@tbi.tn.gov.
IMPORTANT NOTE
TBI's commissioned positions, including the Bureau's Special Agent/Criminal Investigator and Special Agent/Forensic Scientist positions, have mandatory retirement at the age of 60.
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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
MEDICAID FRAUD CONTROL
CYBERCRIME & DIGITAL EVIDENCE
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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.
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Candidates will also be subject to a pre-employment polygraph examination as part of the background process.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Prior law enforcement experience is not a minimum qualification for TBI's Special Agent/Criminal Investigator positions.
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