There are numerous types of homeland security jobs, covering everything from immigration and travel safety, to emergency management services and cybersecurity opportunities. The United States (US) Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is divided into four general sections with a multitude of different career opportunities within each one. These four divisions of the DHS are mission support careers, law enforcement careers, immigration and travel security careers, and prevention and response careers.
Formed after the attacks against the US on 11 September 2001, the DHS brought together 22 previously separate government agencies to create a single new entity tasked with maintaining the security and safety of the US. This created one of the largest government agencies in America, and so there are dozens of different types of homeland security jobs that someone interested in working for the DHS can apply for. Many of these positions exist at a federal or state level, and so anyone interested in a position should contact a DHS office for specific details and application procedures.
Mission support careers are homeland security jobs that involve personnel training, medical concerns, budget management, and other fundamental aspects of maintaining a government agency. These types of opportunities include positions with the Office of Health Affairs, the Office of Public Affairs, and the National Cybersecurity Center. Employees in these fields typically work with other departments to ensure the smooth operation of the entire department and various offices.
Law enforcement careers generally govern homeland security jobs that involve protecting government officials and private citizens, and working on the front lines to ensure the safety of the country. This part of the DHS includes positions with US Customs and Border Protection, the US Secret Service, and the Federal Protective Service. These types of jobs often involve dealing with law enforcement situations and previous experience or education in law enforcement is often helpful for anyone interested in this type of work.
Immigration and travel security careers are homeland security jobs that deal with assisting with legal immigrations into the US and protecting the country’s transportation lines. This includes the Transportation Security Administration and US Citizenship and Immigration Services. Prevention and response careers are positions involved in protecting the American public and the environment in cases of disaster or emergency. These types of homeland security jobs include positions with the US Coast Guard and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Positions with FEMA can often require a great deal of travel or assignment to specific locations in which a disaster or emergency has occurred.