Following the events of 9/11, the CIA has increased its collaborative efforts with the FBI regarding international and domestic terror threats in Delaware. In 2007, for example, six terrorists plotted an attack against Delaware’s Dover Air Force Base, but were discovered before being able to carry out the attack.
This small, mid-Atlantic state may be susceptible to terror attacks for a number of reasons. Delaware is home to the Delaware Memorial Bridge, which sees vehicular traffic of more than 80,000 vehicles each day, various oil and chemical plants, which run from Delaware City to Claymont, and nuclear plants in Salem and Hope Creek. Further, Port Wilmington handles about 400 ships a year, and the Delaware River and Bay make up the fourth largest port region in the nation, according to Maritime Exchange.
The CIA’s team of special agents, who are posted across the country and around the globe, are investigative professionals of the highest integrity and honor. Individuals who want to become CIA special agents in Delaware are called upon to:
- Conduct high-profile and sensitive inquiries into violations of laws, rules and regulations
- Conduct investigations in to mismanagement, the gross waste of funds, or the abuse of authority
- Conduct investigations that pose a substantial or specific danger to the public health and safety
Steps to Become a Core Collector in the CIA’s Clandestine Services in Delaware
For candidates interested in a career in intelligence, the Core Collector field of the CIA’s National Clandestine Services may be calling. Core Collectors (CMOs) are responsible tapping into foreign intelligence by investigating, analyzing, organizing, and interpreting the data collected. To begin a career as a Core Collector, candidates will need to enter one of two programs based on existing qualifications.
- Professional Trainee Program (PT): The PT program was developed for individuals age 21-25 with no prior work experience, and a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree.
- Clandestine Service Program (CST): The CST program was developed for individuals age 26-35 with prior work and/or military experience, and a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree.
Educational Qualifications to Apply
A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA or higher is a hard requirement. Common fields of study for Core Collectors include economics, chemical engineering, finance, global business, nuclear science, biological engineering and physical sciences.
Landing a Position as a Core Collector
To even be considered for a position as a Core Collector in Delaware, candidates must not have participated in illegal drug activity in the past twelve months. All candidates must successfully complete a medical and psychological examination, as well as a polygraph interview and a background check. US Citizenship is required for both the candidate and their spouse.
Job Description and Skills Required
Individuals with the ability to work efficiently without supervision both independently and as part of an investigative team are highly preferred. Core Collectors in Delaware should also possess superior communication skills, as well as high-quality literacy ability. Multitasking is another skill that is useful in the stressful and high paced environment of a Core Collector.
Overseas Residency, Area Knowledge and Language Fluency
Because a Core Collector in Delaware may spend 40-50% of their career abroad, prior overseas residency or extensive area knowledge of other countries is extremely beneficial for all candidates. Fluency of a second language is also a must. Key languages include Kurdish, Pashto, Urdu, Arabic, Chinese, Dari, Indonesian, Korean, Persian, Russian, Somali, and Turkish is also an invaluable skill.
Special Agent Education and Training Requirements
CIA Special Agent Job Requirements
Applicants must be United States citizens, and they must possess:
- A bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA
- At least three years of experience in criminal investigations in complex matters
Bachelor’s degrees commonly pursued by individuals in this field include:
- Criminal justice
- Criminology
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Homeland security
Other desirable degrees for candidates for CIA agent jobs in Delaware include degrees in the physical sciences, in engineering, and in international affairs, among others.
The pre-employment process for CIA special agent jobs includes:
- Completion of an online application
- Completion of personnel evaluation form
- Completion of a polygraph examination
- Completion of a medical and psychological exam
- Completion of panel interviews
CIA Special Agent Training Requirements
The CIA requires, as a condition of employment, that all new CIA agents complete the Criminal Investigation Training Program through the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. The CIA recommends that applicants for CIA special agent jobs in Delaware have already completed the CITP before applying.
International Corporate Espionage in Delaware
Espionage and foreign spying are not exclusive to our nation’s biggest cities and most populous states. In fact, even some of the most seemingly innocuous states are the targets of overseas intelligence offenses. As such, the intelligence gathering expertise of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is required both throughout the country and throughout the world.
For example, in March 2012, a former DuPont employee, Tze Chao, pled guilty to stealing titanium dioxide technology trade secrets from the company and providing them to Pangang Group Company, state-owned company in China.
Chao, who spent 35 years at DuPont, admitted to helping Pangang, which was in the midst of building a 100,000 metric-ton-per-year plant that produced titanium dioxide, a pigment used in paper, plastic, and paint. DuPont, based in Wilmington, Delaware, is the world’s largest manufacturer of titanium dioxide. Pangang runs the largest titanium complex in China.