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