FBI careers and training in Columbia, South Carolina, are directed by the FBI Columbia Division, which is located on Westpark Boulevard and is assigned to oversee all of the 46 counties of South Carolina.
In addition to the main FBI Division Office in Columbia, the Columbia, South Carolina, FBI Division includes eight satellite offices (called Resident Agencies):
- Aiken – The FBI Aiken Resident Agency includes the counties of Allendale, Barnwell, Aiken, Edgefield, Bamberg, and McCormick.
- Charleston – The FBI Charleston Resident Agency includes the South Carolina counties of Colleton, Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester.
- Florence – The FBI Florence Resident Agency includes the following counties in South Carolina: Marion, Chesterfield, Dillon, Williamsburg, Darlington, and Marlboro.
- Greenville – The FBI Greenville Resident Agency includes the following counties: Oconee, Abbeville, Greenville, Pickens, Greenwood, Anderson, Laurens, and Anderson.
- Hilton Head – The FBI Hilton Head Resident Agency includes Jasper, Beaufort, and Hampton Counties.
- Myrtle Beach – The FBI Myrtle Beach Resident Agency includes Georgetown and Horry Counties in South Carolina.
- Rock Hill – The South Carolina Counties within the FBI Rock Hill Resident Agency include are Chester, Lancaster, and York.
- Spartanburg – The FBI Spartanburg Resident Agency includes Cherokee, Union, and Spartanburg Counties.
Like so many other FBI Divisions, the FBI Columbia Division made radical changes to its operations due to the terror attacks of September 11, 2001. In 2002, for example, the Columbia FBI Division joined the Joint Terrorist Task Force and, in 2003, this Division created its own Field Intelligence Group.
Just a few of the major crimes handled in recent years by the highly skilled and trained FBI professionals of the Columbia Division include white-collar fraud, gang activity (through the Columbia Violent Gang Task Force), child predator, and child pornography.
FBI Special Agent Careers in the Columbia, South Carolina Division
Because of the extensive types of crimes and threats to national security handled out of the Columbia, South Carolina, it is quite clear why this Division requires the expertise of a number of FBI professionals, including:
- FBI Special Agents
- Electronics Technicians
- Financial Analysts
- Support Service Technicians
- Investigative Specialists
- Intelligence Analysts
In fact, just a few of the specialized capabilities carried out by the qualified men and women of the FBI Columbia Division include:
- Computer Analysis and Response Team (CART) – The Forensic Examiners of CART retrieve evidence from digital devices for investigative and court use.
- Specialized Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team – These tactical support and crisis response professionals are highly trained in a variety of weapons and in a variety of emergency situations.
- Translation – Language Analysts in the FBI Columbia Division are capable of translating written documents and audio files.
- Evidence Response Team – FBI Special Agents and Support Employees in the FBI Columbia Division are sent to crime scenes to gather and process physical evidence. All members of the Columbia Division Evidence Response Team are extensively trained in a forensic specialty.
- Special Agent Bomb Technicians – The Special Agent Bomb Technicians, who work alongside the Joint Terrorism Task Force, are experts at both bomb recovery and bomb analysis.
- Victim Specialists – The two Victim Specialists of the FBI Columbia provide victim assistance and on-scene crisis intervention.
Just a few of the partnerships between the FBI Columbia Division and local, state, and federal agencies, groups, and task forces include:
- Columbia Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF)
- Columbia Field Intelligence Group
- Columbia InfraGard Chapter
- Columbia Violent Crimes Task Force
How to Become an FBI Agent in Columbia: FBI Requirements in Columbia, SC
Individuals interested in learning how to become an FBI Agent in Columbia, South Carolina, may find a wealth of information on the FBI’s website. The Columbia Division field office, as well as the Resident Agencies of the Columbia Division, may also be able to answer questions regarding FBI requirements in Columbia and how to become an FBI Agent in Columbia.
In addition, the FBI website has job vacancies posted for individuals who are interested in specific careers with the FBI.
Before individuals can learn how to become an FBI Agent in Columbia, however, they must be aware of the FBI requirements for all candidates for careers with the FBI. They include:
- U.S. citizens
- Between the ages of 23 and 36 (veterans may not need to meet this requirement if they are older than 36)
- A four-year degree from an accredited university or college
- At least 2 years of professional work experience
- A valid U.S. driver’s license
- A willingness to relocate to any of the FBI’s jurisdictions
All individuals must undergo an FBI Background Check and all individuals must undergo a physical fitness evaluation and a medical evaluation, including a vision and hearing test, before they will be considered for FBI Academy training in Quantico, Virginia.