Career Opportunities in Criminal Justice
The following information includes a list of criminal-justice-related occupations. These lists are in no way meant to be exhaustive but serve as a foundation for students of criminal justice to begin their search for specific types of employment and internship opportunities. To obtain more information, career seekers should consult the specific agencies, local employment boards, websites, and newspapers. Career types are categorized by type of profession, which includes law enforcement, courts, corrections, and other areas. Minimum requirements and qualifications for each of these positions range from a high school diploma or its equivalent to an advanced degree. These positions typically have minimum age and experience requirements as well.
Law Enforcement:
Students seeking a career in the field of law enforcement should examine their local, state, or federal areas of interest for more detailed information. Law enforcement agencies typically maintain minimum requirements for hiring eligibility which include age, skill sets, education, and a demonstration of the ability to work with deviant populations. The following is a list of potential occupations in law enforcement. This list is in no way meant to be exhaustive but rather is illustrative of the types of positions that may be available.
Border Patrol Officer/Immigration and Naturalization Service Officer
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent/Investigator
Coast Guard
County Sheriff and Deputy
Department of Natural Resources (State)/Wildlife Officer
Federal Bureau of Investigation Agent
Homeland Security
Federal Protective Service (FPS) Staff
FPS Budget Analysts and Mission Support Specialist
FPS Physical Security Specialist/Law Enforcement Security Officer (LESO)
FPS Protective Security Officer Program Manager
Fusion Center Coordinator
National Cybersecurity Division Staff
Transportation Security Administration Staff
Inspector or Compliance Officer
Agriculture Commodity Grader
Air Safety Inspector
Customs Inspector
Environmental Protection Specialist
Immigration Inspector
Import Specialist
Internal Revenue Agent
Logging Operations Inspector
Mine Safety and Health Inspector
Motor Vehicle Inspector
Occupational Safety and Health Inspector
Park Ranger
Railroad Inspector
Revenue Officer
Securities Compliance Examiner
Travel Accommodations Rater
U.S. Postal Inspector
Internal Revenue Service Agent
Loss Prevention Specialist
Military Police (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard)
Police Officer
State Trooper
U.S. Customs Officer
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Staff
U.S. Marshals Service Staff
U.S. Secret Service Staff
USDA Food Inspector
Courts:
Students seeking a career in the field of courts should examine their local, state, or federal areas of interest for more detailed information. Not all careers in the court system require a law degree. Court systems typically maintain minimum requirements for hiring eligibility, which include specific skill sets, minimum education, and a demonstration of the ability to work with all populations. The following is a list of potential occupations in the court system. This list is in no way meant to be exhaustive but rather is illustrative of the types of positions that may be available.
Bailiff
Court Administrator
Court-Appointed Special Advocate
Court Clerk
Court Interpreter
Court Reporter
Drug Courts Staff
Guardian Ad Litem
Judge
Magistrate
Member of Council on Domestic Violence
Paralegal/Legal Assistant
Pretrial Services Officer
Prosecutor
Public Defender/ Defense Attorney
Teen Courts Staff
Victim/Witness Advocate
Corrections:
Students seeking a career in the field of corrections should examine their local, state, or federal areas of interest for more detailed information. Most federal, state, local, and private correctional agencies maintain minimum requirements for hiring eligibility, which include skill sets, education, and a demonstration of the ability to work with deviant populations. The following is a list of potential occupations in corrections. This list is in no way meant to be exhaustive butrather is illustrative of the types of positions that may be available.
Adult and Juvenile Residential Treatment Facilities Worker
Case Manager/Counselor
Classification Officer
Correctional Officer (jail or prison)
Correctional Program Staff (including treatment)
Correctional Teacher
Group Homes Worker
Intake Officer
Parole Officer
Pre-Sentence Investigator
Prison Warden
Probation Officer (adult or juvenile)
Recreation Specialist
Social Worker
Substance Abuse Counselor
Training Officer
Other Areas of Criminal Justice:
Students seeking a career in the field of criminal justice should examine their local, state, or federal areas of interest for more detailed information. Most local criminal justice agencies maintain minimum requirements for hiring eligibility,which include age, skill sets, education, and a demonstration of the ability to work with deviant populations. The following is a list of potential occupations in criminal justice. This list is in no way meant to be exhaustive but rather is illustrative of the types of positions that may be available.
Big Brother/Big Sister (mentor)
Community Center Worker
Coroner/Medical Examiner
County and Regional Commissioner
Firefighter
Forensic Scientist
Halfway House/Group Home Staff
Insurance Investigator
Non-Profit Organization Staff (after-school programs, counseling programs, etc.)
Private Investigator
Researcher
Retail/Industrial Security Staff
Security Consultant or Technician
Teacher/Lecturer (college or university)
Victim Services Staff (shelters, advocacy organizations, etc.)
Violent Crimes Task Force Staff