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This is archived content from the Drug Enforcement Administration website. The information here may be outdated and links may no longer function. Please contact the DEA Webmaster if you have any questions about the archived content.

DEA Recruitment

We Are Hiring - One Mission ׀ One Team ׀ One DEA

DEA Recruitment

We Are Hiring - One Mission ׀ One Team ׀ One DEA

DEA Recruitment

Thank you for expressing interest in a career with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Please take a moment to click on the links below to access information regarding DEA positions and the application process.

Special Agent

upper torso and head of DEA special agent

As a DEA Special Agent, you will work as part of an elite criminal investigative team that transforms the power of your talent into action. That action makes a difference for the security and well-being of our nation and the world every day. A few work assignments include: 

  • Conducting complex narcotics/drug related criminal investigations.
  • Carrying out surveillance of criminals engaged in drug related activities.
  • Infiltrating illicit drug trafficking organizations.
  • Identifying and apprehending drug traffickers.
  • Arresting law violators engaged in criminal drug related activities
  • Preparing evidence for prosecution officials.

To apply we invite you to contact your local recruiter. Click to find the recruiter for your area.  Your recruiter will contact you with additional application instructions. For more information about the Special Agent Position and other careers at DEA please visit our website at https://www.dea.gov/careers.

Diversion Investigator

Diversion Investigator

As a DEA Diversion Investigator, you will enforce the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) and the Chemical Diversion and Trafficking Act (CDTA) regarding the manufacture, distribution and dispensing of legally produced controlled substances and listed chemicals in order to prevent the diversion of controlled substances and listed chemicals into the illicit market, while ensuring an adequate, uninterrupted supply of pharmaceutical controlled substances and listed chemicals to meet the legitimate medical, commercial and scientific needs of the public.

To apply to the next Diversion Investigator job announcement, we invite you to turn on your USA Jobs Alerts for DEA. Please view resources on USA Jobs website “How do I set-up notification for future job announcements”.  This will allow you to be notified about new job vacancies at DEA. For more information about the Diversion Investigator position and careers at DEA please visit our website at https://www.dea.gov/careers.

Intelligence Research Specialist

Intelligence Research Specialist

As a DEA Intelligence Research Specialist, you will support counter drug investigations within the U.S. and abroad while working behind the scenes to protect our communities. Intelligence Research Specialists use their analytical skills and insights to combat drug trafficking and transnational organized crime.

To apply to the next Intelligence Research Specialist job announcement, we invite you to turn on your  USA Jobs Alerts for DEA. Please view resources on USA Jobs website “How do I set-up notification for future job announcements”.  This will allow you to be notified about new job vacancies at DEA. For more information about the Diversion Investigator position and careers at DEA please visit our website at https://www.dea.gov/careers.

Forensic Science Careers

Forensic Science Careers

Forensic Sciences careers at DEA include Forensic Chemists, Fingerprint Specialists and Forensic Computer Specialists who provide scientific support to DEA Special Agents and law enforcement personnel.

  • Forensic Chemists analyze evidence for the presence of controlled substances using state-of-the-art instrumentation, provide expert testimony in courts of law, support DEA Special Agents and Diversion Investigators in their criminal and regulatory investigations, and develop intelligence data used to determine trends in local and international drug trafficking.
  • Fingerprint Specialists use state-of-the-art examination techniques for development and comparisons of latent prints, support DEA Special Agents in their investigations, assist with clandestine laboratory investigations, provide testimony in Federal, state and local courts of law, and conduct training for
    Forensic Fingerprint Specialist
    DEA Forensic Chemists and law enforcement officials.
  • Digital Forensic Examiners recover and analyze digital evidence, provide expert testimony in courts of law, provide investigative support to law enforcement, and conduct training for law enforcement personnel.

To apply to Forensic Sciences careers at DEA, we invite you to turn on your  USA Jobs Alerts for DEA. Please view resources on USA Jobs website “How do I set-up notification for future job announcements”.  This will allow you to be notified about new job vacancies at DEA.

Forensics Evidence Packet

For more information about Forensic Sciences careers at DEA please visit our website at https://www.dea.gov/careers.

Salary and Wages

The General Schedule (GS) pay system covers the majority of civilian white-collar Federal employees (about 1.5 million worldwide) in professional, technical, administrative, and clerical positions.  While the Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) Pay Schedules specifically cover Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs).

2024 General Schedule (GS) Locality Pay Tables

2024 Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) Locality Pay Tables

DEA Job Openings

You can find current DEA job announcements on USAJOBS and apply right there.

Contact Us

Contact information: ( we only have an email and Special Agent Applicants should contact their local recruiter

Contact us if you have any questions about careers at DEA, or any current DEA job openings.

  • DEA Corporate Recruitment Team- CorporateRecruitmentUnit@dea.gov
  • For Special Agent inquires please contact your local Recruiter
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