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US Govt Just Can't Hire Enough Cyber-Sherlocks

posted by cmn32480 on Thursday November 19 2015, @08:09PM   Printer-friendly
from the what-about-watson dept.

Phoenix666 writes:

American federal investigators are having a hard time hiring computer-savvy staff, according to a memo from the Inspector General for the US Department of Justice.

"Even as it works to expand the ranks of its cybersecurity team, the department continues to face challenges recruiting and retaining highly qualified candidates to do this work," the memo [PDF] states.

Last year the FBI got the authorization and budget to hire 134 computer scientists for online investigations. We're told the agency could only find 82 people interested in working for Uncle Sam. As a result, five of the FBI's regional 56 Cyber Task Force teams don't have a computer specialist on hand.

Why are they having so much trouble?

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  • (Score: 1) by yankprintster on Thursday November 19 2015, @11:29PM

    by yankprintster (4225) on Thursday November 19 2015, @11:29PM (#265559) Homepage

    I was curious about the pay for working in the FBI Cybersecurity Division, but was having a hard time pinning down exactly what it would be.

    To become a Special Agent, you must have 20/20 vision in at least one eye and can not be older than 36 and a half (more restrictive than working as an Astronaut). Both of those qualifications disqualify me. Even if I did meet the qualifications, you would start at GS-10 pay level (between $45K to $60K). One page said the people in Cyber Security get a 25% bonus, and another page said there is a COLA paid between 12.5% to 28.7%.

    To work on the Professional Staff (not an Agent), it looks like there are no vision and age restrictions, but then you start at GS-7 salary (between $34K to $44K) "or higher". I think the COLA applies, but I'm not sure about the other 25% bonus. The biggest promotion potential ever possible in your career as a Professional is to GS-14 (between $85K to $110K).