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Emergency Medical Services Careers and Jobs

Select, Find and Prepare for Emergency Medical Services Careers and Jobs - all on one page

For people who want fast-paced, hands-on emergency medical work without a multi-year nursing or medical degree. Use the tools below to see which emergency medical services roles fit your background and goals.

This field has a clear, tiered licensure ladder (EMT to Paramedic) that directly determines scope of practice and pay. Use the tools below to explore Emergency Medical Services-related job titles sorted by growth rate, salary, or required education. You can start with entry points like EMT-Basic, or look ahead to advanced roles such as Paramedic or Flight Paramedic. Along the way, you will see specific certifications, such as National Registry EMT (NREMT) / Paramedic License, that can help you move up the career ladder.



4 Steps to Use This Page: 1-Explore Careers of Intrerest 2-See Job Listings Matched to Career 3-Prepare for the Career 4-See External Career Resources

Here is a short Helper Video External Link

This page will take you through 4 steps to (1) Select from Emergency Medical Services careers/jobs, (2) Find Emergency Medical Services job listings, (3) Prepare for Emergency Medical Services careers, and (4) Provide Emergency Medical Services career-specific resources.

Step 1: Select a Career/Job: This page starts with 4 ways for you to identify and select from listings of Emergency Medical Services careers/jobs:
A) Fastest Growing Emergency Medical Services Careers - 2025 to 2035 (est.)
These listings are based on job growth estimates and helps you to identify the fastest growing and evolving Emergency Medical Services careers. Some careers may not initially seem related to Emergency Medical Services, so relevant Emergency Medical Services jobs are listed alongside each listing. This can also help us to identify which careers (bottom of the listing) may have negative growth - perhaps due to automation or planned obsolescence.
B) Median Annual Salary U.S. Emergency Medical Services Careers
These listings are sorted (descending) by median annual salary in the U.S. This may help us to identify our ideal career. We may not qualify at this time for the desired career, but this listing and the results provided can help us to explore job details, as well as learn how to appropriately prepare for the career.
C) Emergency Medical Services Career Ladders (Educational Requirements)
These listings will help us to identify Emergency Medical Services careers sorted by educational requirements (with the most difficult to obtain listed first). This may help us to identify career ladders (as we scroll down the list), and help us to get jobs that we qualify for now.
D) Select From a Listing of 33 Emergency Medical Services Jobs.
The list may be quite long. There are two ways you might like to use this list:
1) Filter - As you enter a word, you will filter (limit) the list of job titles
2) Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply explore the list of job titles. There may be many that you might never have considered to be of interest.
Once you have identified a job title of interest, simply click on it.

Step 2: Find a Job: After you have selected a career/job title above, you will see a form asking for your location. You will see several radio selection choices to utilize the job search site of your choice.

Step 3: Prepare For a Career: In this section you will gain access to detailed information to help you prepare for the chosen career. Information may include (not every career choice includes all of the elements below - updates occur quarterly):
Core Duties: Lists the primary worker-related tasks performed in this occupation
Supplemental Duties: Lists additional tasks that are performed but are secondary to the core duties
Work Activities: Summarizes the broad types of behaviors and actions related to this career
Specific Work Activities: Provides more granular day-to-day activities tied to the work performed
Essential Skills: Provides foundational skills that are core to performing this specific occupation
Transferable Skills: Provides career-portable skills that can be applied across multiple occupations and industries
Day-in-the-Life Summaries: Provides a snapshot of the key activities performed on a typical workday in this career
Knowledge Required: Provides the requirements regarding the acquisition of facts and principles
Software Skills: Lists software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized by category and priority
Preparation Required: Provides a summary of the required experience and education
Education Required: Detailed breakdown of the education required
Training and Experience Required: Detailed breakdown of the training and Training and Experience Required
Local Salary Information: Provides national and local salary ranges
Certifications: Provides appropriate government and private-sector certifications and/or credentials that may be required
Professional Associations: Provides professional associations that are related to the career selected
Job Listings: Provides links to active current job listings for the selected career, along with multiple similar job titles to explore. All information appears on this page without navigating away.
Related Careers to Consider: Lists up to 20 careers that might be of interest to you (related to your initial choice - what they do, what they know, and what they're called), ranked by best fit.

** If you clicked on a link from section D (as described in Step 1 above), you will see one or more links to an occupation that is usually a bit more general than your initial job selection - the link(s) is directly related to the specific job you identified through your prior selections.
*NOTE: It is possible that there may not be a career path identified for the specific job you selected in Step 1. If this is the case, scroll up the page and click on a different career/job.

Step 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated): Continue to scroll down the page and you will find tabs that provide detailed (updated) links specific to the career you selected. This information includes:
Videos: Provides a listing of video links related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes: Sources for resume materials and techniques. This can help to get you started.
Job Description: Sources that provide job descriptions, which are vital to resume and interview preparation.
Interviews: Provides links that can help you to prepare for and successfully complete the job interview. Can also assist with coffee chats.
Step by Step: Provides links to resources that can help to organize the career search process.
LinkedIn: One of the best professional social media sites that provides links, opportunities, and networking specifically for careers and career development.




Step 1 of 4: Select a Career/Job

10 Emergency Medical Services careers are listed below (sorted by Percentage Change in Total Job Openings - 2025 to 2035 est.). Emergency Medical Services-related jobs specific to each career are also provided. This shows which careers are emerging and growing the fastest. Please Scroll and Select below:

Occupations U.S. Job Openings 2025-2035 (% change) Emergency Medical Services-Related Jobs

Medical and Health Services Managers 24.2% EMS Coordinator (Emergency Medical Services Coordinator); EMS Manager (Emergency Medical Services Manager)
Occupation: Medical and Health Services Managers U.S. Job Openings 2025-2035: 24.2% Emergency Medical Services-Related Jobs: EMS Coordinator (Emergency Medical Services Coordinator); EMS Manager (Emergency Medical Services Manager)
Emergency Medical Technicians 5.8% Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT); Emergency Medical Driver; Emergency Medical Responder; Emergency Medical Technician - Basic (EMT-B); Emergency Medical Technician (EMT); EMT Paramedic (Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic); EMT-B (Emergency Medical Technician- Basic); EMT-I/85; EMT-I/99; EMT-P; Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Driver; Paramedic
Occupation: Emergency Medical Technicians U.S. Job Openings 2025-2035: 5.8% Emergency Medical Services-Related Jobs: Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT); Emergency Medical Driver; Emergency Medical Responder; Emergency Medical Technician - Basic (EMT-B); Emergency Medical Technician (EMT); EMT Paramedic (Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic); EMT-B (Emergency Medical Technician- Basic); EMT-I/85; EMT-I/99; EMT-P; Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Driver; Paramedic
Paramedics 5.7% Critical Care Flight Paramedic; Critical Care Paramedic; ED Paramedic (Emergency Department Paramedic); EMT Paramedic (Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic); ER Paramedic (Emergency Room Paramedic); Firefighter Paramedic; Flight Paramedic; Paramedic Specialist (PS)
Occupation: Paramedics U.S. Job Openings 2025-2035: 5.7% Emergency Medical Services-Related Jobs: Critical Care Flight Paramedic; Critical Care Paramedic; ED Paramedic (Emergency Department Paramedic); EMT Paramedic (Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic); ER Paramedic (Emergency Room Paramedic); Firefighter Paramedic; Flight Paramedic; Paramedic Specialist (PS)
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers 5.5% Ski Patrol Paramedic
Occupation: Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers U.S. Job Openings 2025-2035: 5.5% Emergency Medical Services-Related Jobs: Ski Patrol Paramedic
Commercial Pilots 5.2% EMS Helicopter Pilot (Emergency Medical Service Helicopter Pilot); EMS Pilot (Emergency Medical Services Pilot); EMS Rotary Wing Pilot (Emergency Medical Service Rotary Wing Pilot)
Occupation: Commercial Pilots U.S. Job Openings 2025-2035: 5.2% Emergency Medical Services-Related Jobs: EMS Helicopter Pilot (Emergency Medical Service Helicopter Pilot); EMS Pilot (Emergency Medical Services Pilot); EMS Rotary Wing Pilot (Emergency Medical Service Rotary Wing Pilot)
Firefighters 3.7% Firefighter Paramedic
Occupation: Firefighters U.S. Job Openings 2025-2035: 3.7% Emergency Medical Services-Related Jobs: Firefighter Paramedic
Public Safety Telecommunicators 3.7% Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD)
Occupation: Public Safety Telecommunicators U.S. Job Openings 2025-2035: 3.7% Emergency Medical Services-Related Jobs: Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD)
Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians -1.3% Emergency Medical Vehicle Operator; EMS Driver (Emergency Medical Services Driver); EMS First Responder (Emergency Medical Services First Responder); EMS Medic (Emergency Medical Services Medic); Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Driver
Occupation: Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians U.S. Job Openings 2025-2035: -1.3% Emergency Medical Services-Related Jobs: Emergency Medical Vehicle Operator; EMS Driver (Emergency Medical Services Driver); EMS First Responder (Emergency Medical Services First Responder); EMS Medic (Emergency Medical Services Medic); Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Driver
Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators -1.8% EMT Security Officer (Emergency Medical Technician Security Officer)
Occupation: Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators U.S. Job Openings 2025-2035: -1.8% Emergency Medical Services-Related Jobs: EMT Security Officer (Emergency Medical Technician Security Officer)
Medical Transcriptionists -4.4% Emergency Medical Scribe
Occupation: Medical Transcriptionists U.S. Job Openings 2025-2035: -4.4% Emergency Medical Services-Related Jobs: Emergency Medical Scribe

11 Emergency Medical Services careers are listed below (sorted by U.S. National Median Salary). Emergency Medical Services-related jobs specific to each occupation are also provided. Please Scroll and Select below::

Occupations National Median Salary Emergency Medical Services-Related Jobs

Medical and Health Services Managers $ 123,860 EMS Coordinator (Emergency Medical Services Coordinator); EMS Manager (Emergency Medical Services Manager)
Occupation: Medical and Health Services Managers National Median Salary: $ 123,860 Emergency Medical Services-Related Jobs: EMS Coordinator (Emergency Medical Services Coordinator); EMS Manager (Emergency Medical Services Manager)
Commercial Pilots $ 123,220 EMS Helicopter Pilot (Emergency Medical Service Helicopter Pilot); EMS Pilot (Emergency Medical Services Pilot); EMS Rotary Wing Pilot (Emergency Medical Service Rotary Wing Pilot)
Occupation: Commercial Pilots National Median Salary: $ 123,220 Emergency Medical Services-Related Jobs: EMS Helicopter Pilot (Emergency Medical Service Helicopter Pilot); EMS Pilot (Emergency Medical Services Pilot); EMS Rotary Wing Pilot (Emergency Medical Service Rotary Wing Pilot)
Coroners $ 80,730 Paramedical Examiner
Occupation: Coroners National Median Salary: $ 80,730 Emergency Medical Services-Related Jobs: Paramedical Examiner
Paramedics $ 60,600 Critical Care Flight Paramedic; Critical Care Paramedic; ED Paramedic (Emergency Department Paramedic); EMT Paramedic (Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic); ER Paramedic (Emergency Room Paramedic); Firefighter Paramedic; Flight Paramedic; Paramedic Specialist (PS)
Occupation: Paramedics National Median Salary: $ 60,600 Emergency Medical Services-Related Jobs: Critical Care Flight Paramedic; Critical Care Paramedic; ED Paramedic (Emergency Department Paramedic); EMT Paramedic (Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic); ER Paramedic (Emergency Room Paramedic); Firefighter Paramedic; Flight Paramedic; Paramedic Specialist (PS)
Firefighters $ 59,280 Firefighter Paramedic
Occupation: Firefighters National Median Salary: $ 59,280 Emergency Medical Services-Related Jobs: Firefighter Paramedic
Public Safety Telecommunicators $ 53,040 Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD)
Occupation: Public Safety Telecommunicators National Median Salary: $ 53,040 Emergency Medical Services-Related Jobs: Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD)
Emergency Medical Technicians $ 44,470 Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT); Emergency Medical Driver; Emergency Medical Responder; Emergency Medical Technician - Basic (EMT-B); Emergency Medical Technician (EMT); EMT Paramedic (Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic); EMT-B (Emergency Medical Technician- Basic); EMT-I/85; EMT-I/99; EMT-P; Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Driver; Paramedic
Occupation: Emergency Medical Technicians National Median Salary: $ 44,470 Emergency Medical Services-Related Jobs: Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT); Emergency Medical Driver; Emergency Medical Responder; Emergency Medical Technician - Basic (EMT-B); Emergency Medical Technician (EMT); EMT Paramedic (Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic); EMT-B (Emergency Medical Technician- Basic); EMT-I/85; EMT-I/99; EMT-P; Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Driver; Paramedic
Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators $ 43,370 EMT Security Officer (Emergency Medical Technician Security Officer)
Occupation: Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators National Median Salary: $ 43,370 Emergency Medical Services-Related Jobs: EMT Security Officer (Emergency Medical Technician Security Officer)
Medical Transcriptionists $ 40,410 Emergency Medical Scribe
Occupation: Medical Transcriptionists National Median Salary: $ 40,410 Emergency Medical Services-Related Jobs: Emergency Medical Scribe
Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians $ 35,450 Emergency Medical Vehicle Operator; EMS Driver (Emergency Medical Services Driver); EMS First Responder (Emergency Medical Services First Responder); EMS Medic (Emergency Medical Services Medic); Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Driver
Occupation: Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians National Median Salary: $ 35,450 Emergency Medical Services-Related Jobs: Emergency Medical Vehicle Operator; EMS Driver (Emergency Medical Services Driver); EMS First Responder (Emergency Medical Services First Responder); EMS Medic (Emergency Medical Services Medic); Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Driver
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $ 33,580 Ski Patrol Paramedic
Occupation: Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers National Median Salary: $ 33,580 Emergency Medical Services-Related Jobs: Ski Patrol Paramedic

11 Emergency Medical Services careers are listed (sorted by Education/Preparation Requirements - descending) to provide career ladders. Emergency Medical Services-related jobs specific to each career are also provided.

Education/Preparation Categories:
5 = Usually requires graduate school (e.g., Master's degree, Ph.D., M.D., or J.D.)
4 = Usually requires a four-year Bachelor's degree
3 = Usually requires vocational training, related on-the-job experience, or Associate's degree
2 = Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, but not always
Please Scroll and Select below:
Occupations Education/Preparation Emergency Medical Services-Related Jobs

Medical and Health Services Managers 4 EMS Coordinator (Emergency Medical Services Coordinator); EMS Manager (Emergency Medical Services Manager)
Occupation: Medical and Health Services Managers Education/Preparation: 4 Emergency Medical Services-Related Jobs: EMS Coordinator (Emergency Medical Services Coordinator); EMS Manager (Emergency Medical Services Manager)
Commercial Pilots 3 EMS Helicopter Pilot (Emergency Medical Service Helicopter Pilot); EMS Pilot (Emergency Medical Services Pilot); EMS Rotary Wing Pilot (Emergency Medical Service Rotary Wing Pilot)
Occupation: Commercial Pilots Education/Preparation: 3 Emergency Medical Services-Related Jobs: EMS Helicopter Pilot (Emergency Medical Service Helicopter Pilot); EMS Pilot (Emergency Medical Services Pilot); EMS Rotary Wing Pilot (Emergency Medical Service Rotary Wing Pilot)
Coroners 3 Paramedical Examiner
Occupation: Coroners Education/Preparation: 3 Emergency Medical Services-Related Jobs: Paramedical Examiner
Emergency Medical Technicians 3 Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT); Emergency Medical Driver; Emergency Medical Responder; Emergency Medical Technician - Basic (EMT-B); Emergency Medical Technician (EMT); EMT Paramedic (Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic); EMT-B (Emergency Medical Technician- Basic); EMT-I/85; EMT-I/99; EMT-P; Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Driver; Paramedic
Occupation: Emergency Medical Technicians Education/Preparation: 3 Emergency Medical Services-Related Jobs: Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT); Emergency Medical Driver; Emergency Medical Responder; Emergency Medical Technician - Basic (EMT-B); Emergency Medical Technician (EMT); EMT Paramedic (Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic); EMT-B (Emergency Medical Technician- Basic); EMT-I/85; EMT-I/99; EMT-P; Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Driver; Paramedic
Medical Transcriptionists 3 Emergency Medical Scribe
Occupation: Medical Transcriptionists Education/Preparation: 3 Emergency Medical Services-Related Jobs: Emergency Medical Scribe
Paramedics 3 Critical Care Flight Paramedic; Critical Care Paramedic; ED Paramedic (Emergency Department Paramedic); EMT Paramedic (Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic); ER Paramedic (Emergency Room Paramedic); Firefighter Paramedic; Flight Paramedic; Paramedic Specialist (PS)
Occupation: Paramedics Education/Preparation: 3 Emergency Medical Services-Related Jobs: Critical Care Flight Paramedic; Critical Care Paramedic; ED Paramedic (Emergency Department Paramedic); EMT Paramedic (Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic); ER Paramedic (Emergency Room Paramedic); Firefighter Paramedic; Flight Paramedic; Paramedic Specialist (PS)
Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians 2 Emergency Medical Vehicle Operator; EMS Driver (Emergency Medical Services Driver); EMS First Responder (Emergency Medical Services First Responder); EMS Medic (Emergency Medical Services Medic); Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Driver
Occupation: Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians Education/Preparation: 2 Emergency Medical Services-Related Jobs: Emergency Medical Vehicle Operator; EMS Driver (Emergency Medical Services Driver); EMS First Responder (Emergency Medical Services First Responder); EMS Medic (Emergency Medical Services Medic); Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Driver
Firefighters 2 Firefighter Paramedic
Occupation: Firefighters Education/Preparation: 2 Emergency Medical Services-Related Jobs: Firefighter Paramedic
Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators 2 EMT Security Officer (Emergency Medical Technician Security Officer)
Occupation: Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators Education/Preparation: 2 Emergency Medical Services-Related Jobs: EMT Security Officer (Emergency Medical Technician Security Officer)
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers 2 Ski Patrol Paramedic
Occupation: Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers Education/Preparation: 2 Emergency Medical Services-Related Jobs: Ski Patrol Paramedic
Public Safety Telecommunicators 2 Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD)
Occupation: Public Safety Telecommunicators Education/Preparation: 2 Emergency Medical Services-Related Jobs: Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD)

Scroll through the picklist (below). There are 33 specific Emergency Medical Services job titles listed. Select those that may be of interest - you will get active job listing links, along with detailed resources to help you prepare for a career related to that job.
You can use this form two ways:

hidden filler

Filter - As you enter a keyword, you will filter (limit) the list of job titles below

Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply explore the list of job titles. There may be many that you might never have considered to be of interest.

Enter a Keyword (filter the list below)
OR - leave blank and scroll through the choices:



Select a Job Title (Scroll and Select) :

Step 2 of 4: Find a Job

Find Job Listings: Detectives and Criminal Investigators.


Search results will open in a new tab.

Note: Job search results work best for U.S.-based locations. For international searches, try searching for "[job title] in [city, country]" directly on the selected job board, or visit their country-specific website.

Step 3 of 4: Prepare For a Career





Detectives and Criminal Investigators

Description: Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.

U.S. Total Employment (2025):
120,500
U.S. Total Employment (2035 est.):
120,700
Employment Change (2025-2035 est.):
200 (0.2%)
Average Annual Job Openings (2025-2035 est.):
7,800
Please click on a section below to expand and see detailed occupational information related to "Detectives and Criminal Investigators":

Core Duties

Important Core Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Obtain and verify evidence by interviewing and observing suspects and witnesses or by analyzing records.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Obtain facts or statements from complainants, witnesses, and accused persons and record interviews, using recording device.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Prepare reports that detail investigation findings.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Prepare and serve search and arrest warrants.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Record progress of investigation, maintain informational files on suspects, and submit reports to commanding officer or magistrate to authorize warrants.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Collaborate with other offices and agencies to exchange information and coordinate activities.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Analyze completed police reports to determine what additional information and investigative work is needed.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Prepare charges or responses to charges, or information for court cases, according to formalized procedures.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Examine records to locate links in chains of evidence or information.
Importance: 98 (%) Description: Determine scope, timing, and direction of investigations.
Importance: 98 (%) Description: Question individuals or observe persons and establishments to confirm information given to patrol officers.
Importance: 98 (%) Description: Examine records and governmental agency files to find identifying data about suspects.
Importance: 98 (%) Description: Testify before grand juries concerning criminal activity investigations.
Importance: 98 (%) Description: Preserve, process, and analyze items of evidence obtained from crime scenes and suspects, placing them in proper containers and destroying evidence no longer needed.
Importance: 97 (%) Description: Maintain surveillance of establishments to obtain identifying information on suspects.
Importance: 96 (%) Description: Identify case issues and evidence needed, based on analysis of charges, complaints, or allegations of law violations.
Importance: 96 (%) Description: Provide information to lab personnel concerning the source of an item of evidence and tests to be performed.
Importance: 95 (%) Description: Obtain summary of incident from officer in charge at crime scene, taking care to avoid disturbing evidence.
Importance: 93 (%) Description: Participate or assist in raids and arrests.
Importance: 93 (%) Description: Notify, or request notification of, medical examiner or district attorney representative.
Importance: 92 (%) Description: Organize scene search, assigning specific tasks and areas of search to individual officers and obtaining adequate lighting as necessary.
Importance: 91 (%) Description: Secure deceased body and obtain evidence from it, preventing bystanders from tampering with it prior to medical examiner's arrival.
Importance: 90 (%) Description: Summon medical help for injured individuals and alert medical personnel to take statements from them.
Importance: 89 (%) Description: Notify command of situation and request assistance.
Importance: 88 (%) Description: Search for and collect evidence, such as fingerprints, using investigative equipment.
Importance: 86 (%) Description: Secure persons at scene, keeping witnesses from conversing or leaving the scene before investigators arrive.
Importance: 86 (%) Description: Block or rope off scene and check perimeter to ensure that entire scene is secured.
Importance: 85 (%) Description: Note, mark, and photograph location of objects found, such as footprints, tire tracks, bullets and bloodstains, and take measurements of the scene.
Importance: 80 (%) Description: Check victims for signs of life, such as breathing and pulse.
Importance: 71 (%) Description: Perform undercover assignments and maintain surveillance, including monitoring authorized wiretaps.
Work Activities

Important General Work Activities (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 98 (%) Description: Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Importance: 95 (%) Description: Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Importance: 95 (%) Description: Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Importance: 95 (%) Description: Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Importance: 95 (%) Description: Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Importance: 94 (%) Description: Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Importance: 94 (%) Description: Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Importance: 93 (%) Description: Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Importance: 92 (%) Description: Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Importance: 91 (%) Description: Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Importance: 90 (%) Description: Communicating with People Outside the Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Importance: 88 (%) Description: Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Importance: 88 (%) Description: Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Importance: 88 (%) Description: Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Importance: 87 (%) Description: Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
Importance: 86 (%) Description: Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Importance: 84 (%) Description: Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Importance: 84 (%) Description: Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Importance: 82 (%) Description: Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
Importance: 81 (%) Description: Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
Importance: 81 (%) Description: Working with Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Importance: 80 (%) Description: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
Importance: 79 (%) Description: Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
Importance: 79 (%) Description: Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Importance: 79 (%) Description: Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
Importance: 75 (%) Description: Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Importance: 74 (%) Description: Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Importance: 71 (%) Description: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
Importance: 71 (%) Description: Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
Importance: 69 (%) Description: Performing General Physical Activities: Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
Importance: 68 (%) Description: Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
Importance: 63 (%) Description: Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
Specific Work Activities

Important Specific Work Activities
How can you begin to build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. Specific Work Activities appear below:
Analyze crime scene evidence.
Apprehend criminal suspects.
Block physical access to restricted areas.
Check physical condition of people or animals.
Collaborate with law enforcement or security agencies to share information.
Collect evidence for legal proceedings.
Communicate situation details to appropriate personnel.
Detain suspects or witnesses.
Determine operational procedures.
Direct criminal investigations.
Document legal or regulatory information.
Examine crime scenes to obtain evidence.
Examine records or other types of data to investigate criminal activities.
Interview people to gather information about criminal activities.
Investigate accidents to determine causes.
Maintain surveillance of individuals or establishments.
Observe individuals' activities to gather information or compile evidence.
Prepare investigation or incident reports.
Prevent unauthorized individuals from entering restricted areas.
Process forensic or legal evidence in accordance with procedures.
Record crime or accident scene evidence with video or still cameras.
Record information about suspects or criminals.
Request emergency personnel.
Serve court ordered documents.
Testify at legal or legislative proceedings.
Use databases to locate investigation details or other information.
Knowledge Required

Knowledge Required (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 91 (%) Description: Law and Government: Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Importance: 88 (%) Description: Public Safety and Security: Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Importance: 82 (%) Description: Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Importance: 80 (%) Description: Psychology: Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Importance: 80 (%) Description: English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Importance: 73 (%) Description: Education and Training: Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Essential Skills

Essential Skills (in order of importance)
These are the foundational skills most central to success in this occupation. For the Top 5 most important, how can you begin building experience and confidence using these skills now?
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 75 (%) Description: Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Importance: 71 (%) Description: Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Importance: 68 (%) Description: Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Importance: 62 (%) Description: Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Importance: 62 (%) Description: Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Importance: 60 (%) Description: Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Transferable Skills

Transferable Skills (in order of importance)
These are skills that can transfer across occupations and industries. For the Top 5 most important, how can you strengthen these skills now so they support both this career and future career flexibility?
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 68 (%) Description: Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Importance: 60 (%) Description: Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Importance: 56 (%) Description: Persuasion: Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Importance: 54 (%) Description: Negotiation: Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
Importance: 54 (%) Description: Time Management: Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Importance: 52 (%) Description: Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Day-in-the-Life Summaries

Day-in-the-Life Summaries
These summaries show the main types of activities you are likely to perform on a regular basis in this occupation. How can you imagine your typical workday — using these examples to see if this type of work fits you?
Activity: Analyze biological or chemical substances or related data.
Activity: Coordinate activities with clients, agencies, or organizations.
Activity: Determine operational methods or procedures.
Activity: Direct legal activities.
Activity: Examine people or animals to assess health conditions or physical characteristics.
Activity: Gather information from physical or electronic sources.
Activity: Interview people to obtain information.
Activity: Investigate criminal or legal matters.
Activity: Investigate incidents or accidents.
Activity: Investigate individuals' background, behavior, or activities.
Activity: Maintain safety or security.
Activity: Monitor safety or security of work areas, facilities, or properties.
Activity: Notify others of emergencies or problems.
Activity: Perform court-related or other legal administrative activities.
Activity: Prepare legal or regulatory documents.
Activity: Present information in legal proceedings.
Activity: Process forensic or legal evidence.
Activity: Record images with photographic or audiovisual equipment.
Activity: Record information about legal matters.
Software Skills

Software Skills
These are examples of software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized from most to least important for your career preparation. How can you start learning or practicing the highest-priority tools so that you feel confident using them on the job?
High-Priority Tech Skills
Office suite software:
Microsoft Office software
Spreadsheet software:
Microsoft Excel
Emerging Tech Skills
Analytical or scientific software:
SAS
Data base user interface and query software:
Microsoft Access
Structured query language SQL
Electronic mail software:
Microsoft Outlook
Graphics or photo imaging software:
Adobe Photoshop
Operating system software:
Linux
Presentation software:
Microsoft PowerPoint
Process mapping and design software:
Microsoft Visio
Word processing software:
Microsoft Word
General Software Tools
Analytical or scientific software:
Guidance Software EnCase Enterprise
Data base user interface and query software (scroll table below):
DataWorks Plus Digital CrimeScene
Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System IAFIS
Law enforcement information databases
National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database
National Integrated Ballistics Information Network NIBIN
Desktop publishing software:
Microsoft Publisher
Electronic mail software:
Email software
Geographic information system:
ESRI ArcView
Geographic information system GIS software
Graphics or photo imaging software (scroll table below):
Computer aided composite drawing software
DeChant Consulting Services iWitness
DesignWare 3D EyeWitness
Digital Image Management Solutions Crime Scene
Eos Systems PhotoModeler
Graphics software
SmartDraw Legal
The CAD Zone The Crime Zone
Trancite Logic Systems ScenePD
Visual Statement Vista FX3 CSI
Internet browser software:
Web browser software
Map creation software:
Crime mapping software
Network monitoring software:
AccessData FTK
Office suite software:
Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
Project management software:
Case management software
Preparation Required
Preparation Required - How much preparation is needed to obtain this type of job?
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, desktop publishers, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters and simultaneous captioners, and medical assistants.
Training and Experience Required

Training and Experience Required - by frequency of training and work experience attainment
This section shows you how often different types of training and work experience are required for this occupation. How can you start gaining the kinds of experience and training that are most common for this type of work?
Frequency of Attainment (%) Level of Training and Work Experience
Frequency of Attainment: 32.4 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: None
Frequency of Attainment: 19.4 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
Frequency of Attainment: 14.8 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
Frequency of Attainment: 11.3 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Frequency of Attainment: 9.0 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 years, up to and including 8 years
Frequency of Attainment: 9.0 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 8 years, up to and including 10 years
Frequency of Attainment: 4.0 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Up to and including 1 month
Certifications
Certifications
These are examples of certifications that may be important for this occupation. How can you begin exploring which certifications fit your goals and what steps you would need to take to earn them?
Certified Field Commander External Link
Certified Law Enforcement Analysts External Link
Certified Legal Investigator External Link
Credible Leadership Command External Link
Criminal Intelligence Certified Analyst External Link
Diplomate of the American Board of Criminalistics External Link
Fellow of the American Board of Criminalistics External Link
Related Careers to Consider


Step 4 of 4: Career-Specific Resources

This section contains detailed external resources appropriate to "Detectives and Criminal Investigators". Explore these resources to start learning more. Links are constantly updated, so bookmark this page.

Videos

Here is a listing of videos related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.


Resumes

Here are resources that allow you to see example resumes for this occupation. It may be helpful to see examples from others who have this type of experience.


Job Description

Here are resources that provide job descriptions, which are vital for resume and interview preparation.


Interviews

There are many great resources that can help guide you through the interview process. These links provide help in preparing and performing an effective interview, specific to this occupation.


Salary Data

Here are links to help you identify salary ranges for this occupation. These data are necessary prior to effective salary negotiations.


Raises

Here are resources that help you to prepare to ask for a raise. These links will help you to prepare for the salary negotiation process.


Jobs

Here are resources that lead to links for actual jobs related to "Detectives and Criminal Investigators". Use these links to find a job.


Jobs

Here are resources that lead to links for actual jobs related to "Detectives and Criminal Investigators". Use these links to find a job.


Classifieds

There are various sources for job classified ads. These links should help get you started to find a job for this occupation.


Step-by-Step

Here are links to help guide you, step-by-step, to become a(n): Detectives and Criminal Investigators


Career Change

Here are resources to help you prepare for a career change. It is helpful to look carefully at the information provided in Section 3: Career Change (detailed previously on this page) prior to using these links. There is much to learn ...


LinkedIn®

Here are links to various posts and groups from LinkedIn ® that relate to this occupation. Great way to start building professional contacts in the field that might be most appropriate for you.


Career Path

Here are links to various resources to help you explore the career path related to the "Detectives and Criminal Investigators" occupation.






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