EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HOMELAND SECURITY

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HOMELAND SECURITY

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HOMELAND SECURITY 2 NATURE OF WORK The department of Homeland Security is QUICK FACTS a US department that works with federal, The Department of Homeland Security is a US state, local, and private units to ensure department that works with federal, state, local, and protection to our country. Those who private units to ensure protection to our country. work in the Department of Homeland There are a wide range of jobs within the Department Security help to secure borders, airports, of Homeland Security including law enforcement, seaports, and waterways. They also intelligence specialists, security, secret service, and much more. work on the development of the latest security technologies. The Department The average annual salary is $59,000 [1]. of Homeland Security also helps during In order to get a career in Homeland Security, you must natural disasters and responds to terrorist receive post-secondary education. Depending on the attacks. specific job you would like to do will determine whether you need to get an Associate s, Bachelor s, Master s or Within the department of Homeland Security, there are several sectors to work in, including mission support careers, law enforcement careers, immigration and travel security careers, and prevention and response careers. CAREER DESCRIPTIONS Mission Support Careers Science and Technology Directorate- establishes, administers, and coordinates the research, development, test and evaluation standards activities for the Department. Advises the Secretary on efforts and priorities in support of the Department s missions [3]. Office of Intelligence and Analysis- collects, gathers, processes, analyzes, produces, and/or disseminates intelligence information including; homeland security, terrorism, and weapons of mass destruction information [3]. Office of Operations Coordination- integrates departmental and strategic level interagency planning and coordinates Department operations to effectively conduct joint homeland security operations across Components and mission areas [3]. Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties- provides operational support, oversight, training, policy and program advice, and review to the Department s leadership on civil rights and civil liberties issues. Investigates and resolves complaints from the public concerning civil rights and civil liberties, abuse, or racial, ethnic, or religious profiling. Leads departmental Equal Employment Opportunity programs [3].

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HOMELAND SECURITY 3 Office of Inspector General- serves as an independent and objective inspection, audit, and investigative body to promote effectiveness, efficiency, and economy in the Department s programs and operations. Prevents and detects fraud, abuse, mismanagement, and waste in such programs and operations [3]. Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) - improves the nation s capability to detect and report unauthorized attempts to import or use nuclear or radiological material against the nation [3]. National Protection and Programs Directorate- oversees the safeguarding of critical information systems and high risk critical infrastructure including telecommunications assets. Leads the Department s cybersecurity programs for the federal government and the private sector, facilitates the Department s identity management and biometrics services. Coordinates risk management methodologies across the Department. Works with state, local, and private sector partners to identify threats, determine vulnerabilities, and target resources toward the greatest risks [3]. Management Directorate- administers the budget, appropriations, fun expenditures, accounting and finance, procurement, acquisitions, human resources, enterprise wide learning and development, personnel, facilities, property, equipment and other material resources, security for personnel, information technology and communications systems, grants and other assistance management programs, and identification and tracking performance measurements relating to the responsibilities of the Department [3]. Office of Health Affairs- supports and advises the Department on medical issues related to natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters. Coordinates the Department s bio-defense activities to ensure a unified and integrated approach to medical preparedness and response initiatives [3]. Law Enforcement Careers U.S. Secret Service- protects the President and Vice President of the U.S., their families, heads of state, and other designated individuals. Plans and implements security designs for designated National Special Security Events. Investigates violations of laws relating to counterfeiting of obligations and securities of the U.S. Investigates financial crimes that including access device fraud. Investigates computer based attacks on our nation s financial, banking, and telecommunications infrastructure [3]. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) - secures the nation s borders while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel. Safeguards the nation s homeland at and beyond its border. Enforces U.S. laws and regulations, and executes a priority mission keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering the U.S. [3].

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HOMELAND SECURITY 4 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) - enforces immigration and customs laws. Protects the U.S. against terrorist attacks by identifying criminal activities and eliminating vulnerabilities that pose a threat along our borders, as well as enforcing economic, transportation, and infrastructure security [3]. Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) - provides consolidated interagency law enforcement training, serving various federal, state, local, tribal, and international law enforcement agencies [3]. Immigration and Travel Security Careers U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) - oversees lawful immigration to the U.S. by establishing national immigration services, policies, and priorities. Preserves America s legacy as a nation of immigrants while ensuring that no one is admitted who is a threat to public safety. USCIS adjudicates (decides upon) the petitions and applications of potential immigrants, including: immigrant visa petitions, naturalization petitions, and asylum and refugee applications [3]. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) - protects the nation s transportation systems. Looking for threats at checkpoints in airports, inspects rail cars, and patrols subways with law enforcement partnersto ensure the freedom of movement for people and commerce [3]. Prevention and Response Careers U.S. Coast Guard- protects the public, the environment, and the U.S. economic and security interests in any maritime region in which those interests may be at risk. Locations include international waters, America s coasts, ports, and inland waterways. Is also the head of one of the nation s five armed forces [3]. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) - leads and supports the nation in a risk-based,

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HOMELAND SECURITY 5 comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation. Helps to reduce the loss of life and property and to protect the nation from all hazards including natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters. Is the principal advisor to the President, the Homeland Security Council, and the Secretary for all matters relating to emergency management in the U.S. [3]. TRAINING/EDUCATION For all Homeland Security job positions there are base requirements such as minimum age, U.S. citizenship, background check, and minimum education. Most, if not all positions, require that you get at least an associate s degree. Depending on the job you may be required to get a Bachelor s, Master s, or Doctorate degree. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security typically does not mind what subject you receive your degree in, they just want a well educated staff. In some cases, however, specific areas of study are required. Make sure you check out the U.S. Department of Homeland Security s website to see what educational requirements your intended area of work requires. JOB OUTLOOK Job opportunities within the Department of Homeland Security are projected to increase in the next decade [2]. Security is a major and constant concern in for our nation and more and more workers will be needed to help keep our country safe. EARNINGS Employees in Homeland Security receive an average annual salary of $59,000 [1]. This of course is simply the average. Depending on the job you receive inside the field of Homeland Security will alter your salary greatly. Average Earnings by Industry [8] Up to $85,000 Up to $85,000 Up to $63,000 Government Law Enforcement Security

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HOMELAND SECURITY 6 LINKS Department of Homeland Security: http://www.dhs.gov/index.shtm Federal Law Enforcement Training Center: http://www.fletc.gov/ Homeland Security and Counterterrorism: http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/homeland_security/ U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement: http://www.ice.gov REFERENCES [1] Indeed.com, Homeland Security Salaries, [Online document], 2009. [cited 2009 September 14], Available HTTP: http://www.indeed.com/salary?q1=homeland+ security&l1=&tm=1. [2] Degree.info, Ready to Become a Homeland Security Agent? [Online document], 2009. [cited 2009 September 14], Available HTTP: http://www.degrees.info/online/criminal-justice/homelandsecurity.html. [3] U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Career Opportunity Areas, [Online document], 2009. [cited 2009 September 14], Available HTTP: http://www.dhs.gov/xabo ut/careers/content_mul ti_ image_001 4.shtm#2. [4] Pay Scale, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, [Online document], 2009. [cited 2009 September 14], Available HTTP: http://www.payscale.com/research /US/Employer=U.S._Department_ of_homeland_security/salary/by_industry.