Criminal Justice Career Option: ATF Agent
SPECIAL AGENTS
The profession of Special Agent is exciting and rewarding. Special agents must be tough -- both physically and mentally. They must also be able to handle rigorous training, personal risks, irregular hours and extensive travel. Special agents enforce federal firearms, arson, explosives, alcohol and tobacco laws and work with the state and local authorities to identify and apprehend our nation's most violent criminals.
INSPECTORS
Inspectors are the backbone of ATF's regulatory mission. They examine firearms dealers' records; explosives businesses and alcohol beverage producers; verify inventories; and work to ensure product integrity. Inspectors travel frequently to conduct on-site visits. Working with special agents, inspectors investigate illegal firearms trafficking and alcohol and tobacco diversion violations.
OTHER POSITIONS
To carry out its diverse mission, ATF needs men and women from a broad range of educational and professional backgrounds. Opportunities include positions in lab services, explosives and firearms technology branches, audit services, information and administrative support of all kinds.
ALCOHOL
ATF's regulation of the alcohol industry includes collection of excise taxes, qualifying applicants as producers, importers and wholesalers and ensuring that beverage alcohol is properly labeled, classified and free of prohibited ingredients. ATF evaluates 60,000 labels a year, reviews formulas and tests both imported and domestically produced alcohol products.
TOBACCO
ATF collects tobacco excise taxes and qualifies applicants for tobacco manufacturer and exporter permits. Special agents investigate trafficking of cigarettes - a crime that defrauds the government of legitimate revenue. Through its alcohol and tobacco programs, ATF collects more than $13 billion per year in revenue for the U.S. Treasury.
FIREARMS
ATF investigates some of society's most violent criminals. Working with state, local and foreign police officers, ATF identifies and apprehends repeat violent offenders and those who illegally traffic in firearms. ATF also licenses and inspects all tiers of the firearms industry. Using the latest forensic technology, ATF experts provide investigators with leads to help solve homicide and shooting crimes nationwide.
ARSON & EXPLOSIVES
From inspection of fireworks plants to investigations of bombings and arson, ATF's expertise is recognized worldwide. ATF's national and international response teams assist law enforcement investigators in meeting the challenges faced at fire and explosions scenes. ATF maintains the only federal cadre of fire cause and origin specialists.
www.atf.gov