What are the channels to building a career with the FBI?
— Ophelia Thomas You might be surprised to learn that the majority of agents do not aspire to become supervisors. These agents thrive on conducting investigations. If an agent does want to become a supervisor, what should he do? Every time an agent writes up a report, his supervisor must review and approve the report. If the SSA is out of the office or occupied in a meeting, a “relief” supervisor who is a member of the squad will take over reviewing paperwork for the SSA. What is a relief supervisor? Relief supervisors are experienced agents who have received extra training on completing FBI paperwork. Becoming a relief supervisor is one way to demonstrate that you are capable of reviewing other agents’ paperwork. It is also a way to express that you have ambition to someday work in a supervisory position. Some SSAs do not supervise squads of agents. They work in administrative, teaching, public relations, or in other capacities for the FBI. For example, many of the instructors at the
