A Resource Guide to Homeland Security Careers

In essence, this field is about making America safe, both in the present and in the future. Although the majority of jobs are in government – local, state, and federal – there also many opportunities in the private sector, including working for insurance companies, finance corporations, and consulting companies. Certainly a field filled with excitement, homeland security officers are also subject to danger, a fact which cannot be overlooked when considering this as a career option.

The Department of Homeland Security is the focal point of security activities and is comprised of several agencies. These agencies are:

Homeland Security Career Responsibilities

As a homeland security officer, you’ll be involved with any of the following: securing America’s borders, working at airports and ports, developing technology for new security devices, going to disasters and terror attacks, and working in intelligence. Some specific responsibilities include:

  • Designing and developing integrated plans for future attacks in whatever form they may be
  • Making sure the right materials and supplies are available to support plans and projects
  • Studying intelligence reports to identify potential threats to the country
  • Working with teams from other agencies to prepare for, prevent, and respond to emergencies and disasters
  • Policing borders and airports, identifying suspect situations, and enforcing customs laws as necessary
  • Training other agency staff in security programs and techniques
  • Performing intelligence and protection activities for the nation’s high ranking officials
  • Specializing in security involving nuclear devices

These are just a sprinkling of the tasks and duties involved with a career in homeland security as you can imagine from the list of agencies above.  For more career and salary resources see our list of articles below.

Homeland Security Educational Requirements

Since the field is so new, few college programs exist in homeland security. However, a college degree is required, and any of the following programs provide suitable preparation:

In addition, considerable, job training is offered by each individual agency to address its specific needs.  The most common degree programs for a homeland security career are:

Not sure which degree is the right choice for you?  Read our criminal justice degree guides:

Areas of Specialization in Homeland Security

Again, these are just a few of the many specialized areas in a career in homeland security:

  • Dealing with security issues on the seaways and ports, including enforcing laws and handling weapon issues related to terror
  • Handling emergency situations and preventing loss of life
  • Protecting and patrolling the nation’s borders
  • Conducting major investigations regarding potential terrorist activity
  • Policing and protecting federal properties and facilities nationwide
  • Guarding high ranking officials including the president of the United States and his family, heads of state, the vice president and his family and other individuals as designated
  • Securing the transportation systems – trains, planes, buses, ships, and so on – against attack

Homeland Security Career Opportunities

Here are some of the kinds of opportunities you can expect to find as a homeland security officer:
Pentagon Police Officer
FBI Agent
United States Coast Guard: Officer of Civilian Personnel
Customs and Border Protection Officer
Contract Specialist
Division Director: Disaster Operations
Program Analyst
Customs Entry and Liquidating Officer
Criminal Investigator
Fingerprint Identification Technician
Chemist
Instructional Systems Specialist

Homeland Security Salary Ranges

Salaries for homeland security officers ranges with an entry level average of $41,000 to as high as $160,000 for jobs that require more experience. Thus, the opportunity for a lucrative career is a definite possibility for homeland security officers.

Professional Organizations for Homeland Security

Because of the new and specific nature of the homeland security field, there is not an abundance of existing professional organizations. However, here are a few that address the kinds of duties you would perform as a homeland security officer:

ASIS International Security Organization
www.asisonline.org

Operations Security Professional Association
www.opsecprofessionals.org

Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP)
http://homelandsecurity.tamu.edu

American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS)
http://www.asisonline.org/

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