Criminal Justice Jobs And Career Guide

What Criminal Justice Jobs Entail

Criminal justice jobs are noble work. They help catch law offenders and makes your community a safer place to live in. Criminal justice jobs may involve detailed, meticulous work such as gathering evidence, analysing crime scenes, conducting investigations, arresting crime perpetrators, defending or prosecuting offenders, and as well as enacting punishments.

The good thing about entering this field is that you don’t have to necessarily become a lawyer, police officer, or judge to find a related job to criminal justice. In fact, one of the main reasons that this field has been pretty much sought-after by many is due the variety of jobs you can pick from.

The Rise Of Criminal Justice Jobs

Working in this field has been of trend these past years, which has been evident in the rise of TV series featuring plot lines revolving in the line of work of criminal justice. One can definitely say that the allure of seeing such work in television is not just based mere fictional thrill, but it heightens our knowledge of social context in a world that hands out justice dutifully to those who deserve it.

In reality, however, the danger is real and yet many of our fellow countrymen LEOS put their lives on the line to make the streets a safer place for the public. The work may be difficult oftentimes and handling such turbulent subject matter on a daily basis can take an emotional toll.

Despite this, many workers in this line will tell you that the fulfilment their work provides them on a professional and personal basis far outweighs the sacrifices they have to make for their work.

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Where Criminal Justice Jobs Are

Most of these jobs are often found in government agencies. From federal agencies such as the FBI, CIA, DEA, and DHS, among others, these departments often hire agents from the criminal justice field. These agencies employ psychologists, investigators, lawyers, forensic scientists, and lab workers, to name a few.

There are also local and state government agencies that offer criminal justice jobs in police departments and judicial departments. However, you may also expand your job search outside of government agencies.

There are many private companies out there that hire people with expertise in criminal justice for a variety of reasons. This may be due to a desire to protect their employees, property, or customers. Private business jobs related to this field includes security guard officers, corporate security directors, and investigators, among others.

Criminal Justice Jobs Tips

Many people enter the field of criminal justice each year. The appeal of fighting crime and serving justice are some of the primary reasons why a lot of individuals pursue a career here. However, you don’t necessarily have to become a detective or police officer to find work in this field since there is a broad array of criminal justice jobs you can choose from.

Related jobs in this field can be found at government agencies, private investigation firms, corrections facilities, law enforcement agencies, and as well as in private businesses. The great thing about this is that you can more easily match your personal skills and interests.

If your strengths are in analysing data and research, you might want to consider working in a crime lab in order to utilize their skills. Conversely, if you’re the outgoing type who doesn’t want to be tied to your desk and do paperwork, you can always opt for a career as a patrol agent or similar positions that require being on the field.

Many frequently assume that a career in criminal justice automatically means that they have to work either in a federal agency or a local or state police department. However, these choices are limited and a good number of private businesses also employ criminal justice workers. From security firms to cyber security companies, these industries are rife with opportunities.

Typically, criminal justice jobs do not necessarily requires years and years of formal education. Many entry-level security and law enforcement jobs out there only require either a certification or associate’s degree. For federal agency jobs, a bachelor’s degree would usually suffice. Once you gain a couple of years of experience, you can opt to go back to school and earn an advanced degree. A good deal of organizations usually assists with tuition expenses for qualified employees.

Careers in criminal justice have several classifications. Most careers in criminal justice involve serving in a public capacity, either at the community, city, state, or federal level. The higher your goal, the more necessary it becomes to have an education in criminal justice.

Criminal justice careers, however, are not limited to local or federal government positions. There are also several options for those wanting to serve in a private capacity. These usually have to do with security. Private investigators, bounty hunters, and security officers often get criminal justice education to help them perform their jobs.

Choose Your Criminal Justice Career

• Criminal Justice Degree Jobs
• Entry Level Criminal Justice Jobs
• Highest Paying & High In Demand Criminal Justice Jobs
• Criminal Justice Jobs That Don’t Require A College Degree
• Work From Home Criminal Justice Jobs
• Jobs In Police Department 
• Criminal Justice Jobs That Don’t Require Police Academy
• Forensic Science Jobs
• Criminal Justice Salary
• 911 Dispatcher 
• Animal cruelty investigators 
• ATF Agent
• Air Force Security Forces
• USCIS Immigration Officer
• Homeland Security Jobs
• Bailiff
• Border Patrol Agent
• Blood Spatter Analyst
• Certified Legal Nurse Consultant
• CIA Agent
• Coast Guard
• Compliance Officer
• Computer Forensics Specialist
• Computer Security Specialist
• Corrections Officer
• Counter-Terrorism
• Court Reporter
• Court Clerk
• Crime Analyst Crime Laboratory Analyst
• Crime Scene Investigator
• Criminal Profiler 
• Criminologist
• Criminal Psychologist 
• Customs Agent
• DEA Agent
• Diplomatic Security
• FBI Agent
• Federal Air Marshal
• Federal Probation Officer
• Federal Protective Service
• Fish And Game Warden
• Forensic Accountant
• Forensic Anthropologist
• Forensic Psychologist
• Forensic Ballistics – Firearms Examiner
• Forensic Serologist
• Forensic Toxicologist
• Fraud Investigator
• Homeland Security
• Homicide Detective
• Immigration Agent
• Information Security
• INS Agent
• IRS Special Agent
• Juvenile Probation Counsellor
• K9 Officer
• Lawyer
• Legal Administrative Assistant
• Legal Nurse Consulting
• Legal Secretary
• NCIS Agent
• NSA Police Officer
• Paralegal
• Park Ranger
• Penologist
• Peace Officer
• Prison Warden
• Private Security
• Police Detective
• Police Officer
• Probation Officer
• Private Investigator
• Police Explorer
• Secret Service Agent
• Security Guard
• Sheriff
• Social Worker
• Substance Abuse Counsellor
• Surveillance Officer
• TSA Agent
• US Marshall
• UCIS Officer
• Undercover Agent

Law Enforcement Jobs

The most popular careers in criminal justice have to do with law enforcement. This is usually at the local or state wide level. That includes being a police officer, a county sheriff or deputy, a state trooper or highway patrol officer, a park ranger, or a public safety officer. Detectives and narcotics officers also fall under the category of law enforcers.

It must be made clear that it is not mandatory to have a criminal justice degree when applying for any of the positions. There is separate training that you need to undergo in order to be accepted for these jobs. Nevertheless, down the road, and particularly if you are looking to advance in your career, you will need to earn a criminal justice degree.

A federal law enforcement career is another classification. The jobs available are under federal or government agencies. Specialized training is needed for most of these positions. Furthermore, having completed a criminal justice degree program is a plus.

Federal law enforcers are your FBI agents, DEA agents, CIA agents, Secret Service Special Agents, Federal Air Marshals, Immigration officers, and Border Patrol agents. Recently, with threats of terrorism and natural disasters, homeland security training has been developed in some criminal justice colleges.

Careers in criminal justice, especially those pertaining to law enforcement, come with absolute risk. Nevertheless, this particular group of people often face danger due to the sensitive nature of the cases they handle.

Criminal justice job opportunities in this sector continue to generate interest among many people, not only because of a competitive criminal justice salary but also because of their strong sense of commitment to serving the country during dangerous times.

What Are Your Options For Careers In Criminal Justice

A third criminal justice career is in correctional. The more common positions here are for a correctional officer, probation officer, parole officer, and juvenile probation officer. There are lesser-known jobs, but just as significant, such as Victim Witness Assistant and Correctional Counsellor.

There is a specific program of studies for this type of work, mostly in psychology and sociology, and correctional training is provided to its students because they are mostly in contact with offenders in rehabilitation.

Other criminal justice degree jobs fall under the category of Legal or Court careers. Programs are tailored for paralegal work, and graduates can end up as a legal administrative assistant. They can work either in public offices, private law offices, or corporations.

Another specialized career is that of a certified legal nurse consultant. These are for professional nurses, usually registered, who lend their experience and expertise to help in legal matters involving health care issues.

The field of criminal justice had spawned a variety of jobs so far different than before when its facets were limited to law enforcement, judiciary, corrections, and probation. So careers in criminal justice will necessarily continue to increase and attract more individuals.

Are You Interested in a career that emphasizes fairness while pursuing, arresting or trying suspects? If so, a career in criminal justice could be the right one for you. From positions in the federal government to on-the-street law enforcement, there are many opportunities for people who want to protect and serve the public. Read on to see if you have what it takes.

Careers in Criminal Justice

There is a high demand for individuals with degrees in criminal justice, but keeping the peace, assisting victims with retribution and enforcing justice in the legal system comes in many forms. Explore a wide variety of criminal justice careers below.

Law Enforcement

• Analyst: Collect facts, evidence and other material related to crime and put them to develop a case, explain a problem or describe crime trends.
• Police: Serve the community by enforcing federal, state and local laws while preserving the peace.
• Probation: Evaluate the progress of convicted offenders’ efforts at rehabilitation, and monitor compliance with the terms of their sentences, reporting their findings to the court.
• Records: Help law enforcement agencies identify, capture and process suspected criminals.
• Sheriff: Uniformed law enforcement officials who work at the county level of state government.

Court

• Bailiff: Tasked with providing general security for the courthouse and its staff, maintaining appropriate courtroom decorum and taking charge of juries when the court is not in session.
• Court Clerk: Responsibilities include maintaining the court’s records, issuing licenses and assisting officers of the court in research.
• Court Reporter: Create verbatim transcripts of courtroom proceedings and other events.
• Paralegal: Work under the direction and authority of attorneys performing work of a legal nature without engaging in actions restricted by law solely to attorneys.
• Records: Process, file, and distribute court records.

Corrections

• Corrections Officer: Supervise prisoners in various locked facilities and maintains security in these institutions.
• Prison Personnel: Manage prison, administrative and custodial staff. Records: Review, process and file judgments, sentences and records of inmates.
• Warden: Supervise prisoners in various locked facilities and maintains security in these institutions.

Private Sector

• Business Support and Security: Patrol assigned areas of businesses while remaining vigilant of criminal activity.
• Home Security: Patrol assigned areas of estates and individuals while remaining watchful of criminal activity.
• Private Investigator: Hired by people to investigate private matters, such as a cheating spouse or missing person.

Public Safety

• Child Protective Service: Arrange and deliver personal, psychological or social services intended to protect children and families at risk.
• Community Safety: Reduce crime in the community through special training, monitoring and patrolling.
• Home Security: Patrol assigned areas of estates and individuals while remaining vigilant of criminal activity.
• Human Services Worker: Work to help improve the overall quality of life for individuals in group homes, halfway houses, community centres and various programs.
• Victims Advocate: Actively promote the health and welfare of victims’ rights.

Federal Government

• Agent (ATF, CIA, DEA, FBI, ICE): Work in federal law enforcement to safeguard the country and gather intelligence.
• Customs Agent: Enforce immigration and customs laws, safeguard U.S. commercial aviation and protect federal facilities.
• Secret Service: Provide personal protection, guard U.S. financial systems and investigate financial crimes.
• Treasury Agent: Collect taxes from businesses according to laws and determine tax liability.
• U.S. Marshal: Serve warrants issued by Federal courts, seize and dispose of property under court orders and arrest people wanted by the law.

Detectives can be promoted in the same way as police officers, including the ranks of sergeant, lieutenant, captain, deputy chief and chief. Whether you’re looking to become a private investigator or crime scene investigator, starting a degree program in criminal justice can be a significant first step toward advancing your career.