U.S. Department of Homeland Security
In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the Bush administration created the new cabinet-level Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Congress passed the Homeland Security Act in 2002. The goal of this legislation was to streamline government functions, and promote interagency cooperation within and among government agencies that deal with security and the gathering of intelligence. If you are interested in protecting the sovereignty and freedom of the United States, a job with the DHS might be just right for you.
The six-point agenda of this department, in its own words, is to achieve the following:
Increase overall preparedness, particularly for catastrophic events
Create better transportation security systems to move people and cargo more securely and efficiently
Strengthen border security and interior enforcement and reform immigration processes
Enhance information sharing with our partners
Improve DHS financial management, human resource development, procurement, and information technology
Realign the DHS organization to maximize mission performance
You are probably familiar with the FBI, CIA, and other agencies within the security and intelligence arm of the federal government. But you may not be aware of the many other, lesser-known organizations that fall under the umbrella of the DHS, including these:
The Office of the Secretary and Office of Management: Here you can work in the many offices contributing to the overall DHS mission.
The Office of Inspector General: You will be working alongside special agents, attorneys, engineers, and information technology experts to prevent and detect fraud, waste, and abuse in DHS programs and operations.
Border and transportation security, as part of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA). These brave citizens patrol the country's air, land, and sea borders. They also protect the transportation systems and official ports of entry and enforce the immigration laws.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): This agency prevents losses from disasters wherever possible and assists when they do happen.
Information analysis and infrastructure protection: Here you can use your talents to help prevent acts of terrorism by “identifying and assessing threats, mapping them against our vulnerabilities, issuing warnings, and supporting the implementation of protective measures to secure the homeland.”Science and technology: Here you can use your skills in research and development programs in almost all technical fields to ensure that first responders have the scientific resources and technological capabilities they need.
U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services: These men and women are responsible for overseeing the reams of paperwork involved in the legal immigration process. The President and Congress continue to discuss the future of immigration law, and the result could be a number of new job opportunities.
U.S. Secret Service: Best known as the bodyguards of the president, the Secret Service is also involved in many other aspects of law enforcement, including the investigation of counterfeiting rings, information technology, communications, administration, intelligence, forensics, and many other areas of law enforcement.
For many Americans, the Department of Homeland Security is linked explicitly with the controversial Patriot Act. The act became law one month after September 11, 2001, and it is designed to improve law-enforcement investigation into possible terrorist attacks. Proponents believe it promotes the safety of the United States and its citizens, while detractors believe it compromises America's civil liberties.
