Joint Terrorism Task Forces (JTTF) are the multi-agency units that investigate terrorist activity. While the composition of these JTTFs may include personnel from other federal agencies and state or local police, the FBI usually provides the funding and resources as well as command leadership. There are currently 103 JTTFs based in cities around the country, with at least one assigned to each of the FBI’s 56 field offices. Since September 11, 2001, 71 JTTFs have been created, and include almost 4,400 personnel around the country.
The Scope of FBI Jobs With Joint Terrorism Task Forces
Joint Terrorism Task Forces include a wide variety of professionals including investigators, linguists, intelligence analysts, and tactical personnel. The primary goal of these diversified units is to provide comprehensive expertise that can be immediately brought to bear upon a potential terrorist incident. Using personnel from multiple intelligence, defense and law enforcement agencies enables government resources with differing scopes and mandates to cooperate in investigations, intelligence sharing and terrorist interdictions.
Joint Terrorism Task Forces have been critical elements within the nation’s counterterrorism program. They are often the first responders to any event that may involve a terrorist or hostile organization. These elite units have been involved in the detection and dismantling of major terrorist plots including the Lackawanna Six and the JFK Airport Plot. They have helped produce cases against Quazi Nafis, Richard Reid and many other terrorists intent upon harming the United States.
Joint Terrorism Task Force Job Description
The role of professionals on Joint Terrorism Task Forces include the following job duties:
- Monitoring the activities and communications of suspected terrorists or terrorist supporters
- Provide intelligence and law enforcement resource sharing among partnered agencies
- Deliver immediate investigatory, intelligence gathering, and threat response resources to an incident involving possible terrorist activities
- Develop a strong legal case against suspects for prosecution, detainment or deportation
- Investigate a crime or terrorist activity using digital forensics, crime scene analysis or behavioral analysis
- Question and elicit information from potential terrorists about their networks and support organizations
- Distribute actionable alerts to intelligence and defense agencies about impending attacks
- Disrupt the financial operations supporting terrorist activity
Joint Terrorism Task Force Salary
The FBI personnel included in a Joint Terrorism Task Force are primarily Special Agents, but may also involve specialists in digital forensics, intelligence, or other support functions. Special Agents receive salaries appropriate for pay grades ranging from GS-10 up to GS-15. The support professionals receive salaries associated with pay grades GS-7 up to GS-14. All salaries are adjusted for cost of living.
Special Agents receive a 25 percent salary bonus due to Law Enforcement Availability Pay, which is intended to compensate for the required 50 hour work weeks as well as 24 hour availability. Support professionals who consistently qualify for overtime may also receive Administratively Uncontrollable Overtime, which may range from 10 to 25 percent of salary.
In 2012, the salaries for the mentioned GS pay grades were: