Opportunities

Provided on this page are:

Important links to government jobs.
Links to key private sector companies with business ventures in areas of security (including loss prevention), courts (e.g., private companies assisting with probation supervision), and corrections.

After assuring yourself that you know about the many different types and titles of criminal justice employment (see the Careers & the Web page), it's time to start finding out who is hiring. As you can imagine, it is difficult to keep current with what is happening at all the agencies throughout the country --- but a few web sites are trying. Don't forget about the general employment sites at the Careers and the Web page, but the ones listed below emphasize criminal justice positions:

Government Jobs has to be one of your first stops. This web site concentrates on public sector jobs (cities, counties, and states) and can be searched by job type (see the criminal justice listings) or by state. You can sign up to receive an email when job listings change.
Seeks to provide cost efficient, user-friendly ways of sharing employment information to worldwide job seekers and all government and commercial employers.
Govtjob.net has a section on public safety and criminal justice employment that lists current openings around the country.

Sites listed below tend to be more area specific (e.g., police, paralegal, corrections)

Federal Jobs Digest includes a section of law enforcement jobs with hot links to the hiring agency. Requires registration!
Use Criminal Justice USA to get current, reliable and informative career information and job descriptions designed to help you make an informed decision regarding a career in criminal justice or law enforcement.
Jobs4police provides daily updates on jobs across the country as well as offering technical prep classes and study guides.
Law Enforcement Links allows you to post your resume in their online resume database.
LawEnforcementJob.com is becoming a premier place for employment information and an interesting variety of other law enforcement products and links.
CopSource at Copnet.org promises to become an international clearinghouse of information on law enforcement jobs. At last check there is only the announcement at the page, but keep checking to see if postings have begun.
Although not quite as interactive as other sites, CopCareer.com has a very good listing of current positions

Sites listed below provide easy to use search options

Careerjet

For general information, consider purchasing the Federal Law Enforcement Careers Employment Guide (about $10) from the policeemployment.com web site, or track down the information on your own by visiting the home pages for the agencies in which you are interested. A good source for identifying the primary agencies is the University of Northern Florida's Federal Agency Employment site as provided by the Student Criminal Justice Association.

USA Jobs is the U.S. Government's official site for jobs and employment information. Current federal job openings are also posted here.

Employment opportunities in the private sector used to have a less-than-respectable image as people tended to think about the "rent-a-cop" positions. Today, however, private security (also called loss prevention or asset protection) is a much more respected -- and quite often very well paid -- occupation. Growing just as rapidly are positions with businesses involved in corrections. Either in operating facilities or in running prison alternative programs. Some of the better known companies are listed below.

Visit Wackenhut's Recruitment Center for detailed information about employment opportunities with this worldwide enterprise.
The Corrections Corporation of America provides an employment page with information about careers with this leading private sector provider of detention and corrections services to all government levels.

How to Prepare for the Police
Officer Exam

Opportunities in Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Careers