The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Efforts to Hire, Train, and Retain Intelligence Analysts

Audit Report 05-20
April 2005
Office of the Inspector General


Appendix 7

Results of OIG Survey of
FBI Intelligence Analysts


  1. When did you become a GS-0132 at the FBI? (The following titles at the FBI have been classified as GS-0132: Intelligence Analyst, Intelligence Research Specialist, Intelligence Operations Specialist, Reports Officer, All Source Analyst, Operations Specialist)

    Year Responses Percent
    2004 79 10%
    2003 119 15%
    2002 84 10%
    2001 20 2%
    2000 23 3%
    1999 55 7%
    1998 57 7%
    1997 66 8%
    1996 49 6%
    1995 120 15%
    1994 12 1%
    1993 11 1%
    1992 24 3%
    1991 18 2%
    1990 10 1%
    1989 8 1%
    1988 8 1%
    1987 12 1%
    1986 10 1%
    1985 12 1%
    1984 6 1%
    1983 7 1%
    1982 2 0%
    1981 2 0%
    1980 2 0%
    1979 0 0%
    1978 0 0%
    1977 1 0%
    1976 0 0%
    1975 1 0%
    Total 818 98%73


  2. What was your GS level when you became a GS-0132 intelligence analyst?

    GS Level Responses Percent
    3 2 0%
    4 1 0%
    5 26 3%
    6 6 1%
    7 185 23%
    8 3 0%
    9 296 36%
    10 4 0%
    11 179 22%
    12 60 7%
    13 41 5%
    14 12 1%
    15 0 0%
    Total 815 98%74


  3. Have you been a GS-0132 intelligence analyst for more than three years?

      Responses Percent
    Yes 549 67%
    No 275 33%
    Total 824 100%


  4. How long did it take to obtain the following?

      Less than
    a week
    One to
    Two Weeks
    Two to
    Three Weeks
    Four or
    More Weeks
    N/A
    Desk 198 (72%) 24 (9%) 13 (5%) 22 (8%) 17 (6%)
    Telephone 173 (63%) 35 (13%) 21 (8%) 28 (10%) 17 (6%)
    Computer 173 (63%) 43 (16%) 22 (8%) 20 (7%) 16 (6%)
    Access to FBI net 85 (31%) 60 (22%) 57 (21%) 50 (18%) 22 (8%)
    Access to specialized
    databases (Intelink, etc.)
    17 (6%) 20 (7%) 30 (11%) 185 (68%) 22 (8%)
    SAC’s badge coded to
    gain access to the SCIF
    where you are permanently
    assigned Access to a Field
    63 (23%) 54 (20%) 41 (15%) 55 (20%) 61 (22%)
    Division’s SCIF 39 (14%) 14 (5%) 10 (4%) 41 (15%) 170 (62%)
    SCI clearances 48 (18%) 44 (16%) 52 (19%) 97 (35%) 33 (12%)


  5. After you reported to your unit or squad, how long did it take for you to receive substantive work?

    Length of Time Responses Percent
    Less than a week 90 33%
    One to two weeks 56 20%
    Two to three weeks 41 15%
    Four weeks or more 79 29%
    Not Applicable 8 3%
    Total 274 100%


  6. After you initially reported to your unit or squad, were you provided with job expectations for your intelligence analyst work role (all source, reports officer, operations specialist)?

      Responses Percent
    Yes 161 59%
    No 113 41%
    Total 274 100%


  7. How clear were the expectations to you?

      Responses Percent
    Very Clear 28 17%
    Clear 69 43%
    Somewhat Clear 54 34%
    Not Clear 7 4%
    Not at all Clear 3 2%
    Total 161 100%


  8. How closely do the expectations match the work you do now?

      Responses Percent
    Very Closely 25 16%
    Closely 63 39%
    Somewhat Closely 53 33%
    Not Closely 16 10%
    Not at all Closely 4 2%
    Total 161 100%


  9. In the average month in the last year, what percentage of your time did you spend on each of the following categories of work?

    Type of Work 0-24% 25-49% 50-74% 75-100%
    Work requiring analytical skills 171 (21%) 184 (22%) 252 (30%) 223 (27%)
    Program management 656 (79%) 110 (13%) 46 (6%) 18 (2%)
    Administrative duties related to
    your job role (all source analyst,
    reports officer, operations specialist)
    568 (68%) 182 (22%) 66 (8%) 14 (2%)
    Administrative duties not related to
    your job role (all source analyst,
    reports officer, operations specialist)
    724 (87%) 85 (10%) 17 (2%) 4 (0%)
    Other (please specify) 782 (94%) 26 (3%) 7 (1%) 15 (2%)


  10. On which of the following have you worked in the last three months?

      Responses Percent
    Intelligence Information Report 272 33%
    Intelligence Bulletin 94 11%
    Intelligence Assessment 253 31%
    Presidential Terrorism Threat Report 35 4%
    Director’s Daily Report 111 14%
    Developing a FISA Package 108 13%
    Managing the approval of a FISA package 67 8%
    Reviewing FISA take 176 21%
    Threat Assessment 326 40%
    Asset Validation Review 66 8%
    Source validation 132 16%
    Vetting new informants 60 7%
    Electronic Communication (EC) on intelligence topics 496 61%
    Intelligence research to support specific field office cases 648 79%
    Background checks and name checks, including Choicepoint research 578 71%
    Telephone Analysis 454 55%
    Taskings from the Office of Intelligence 213 26%
    Administrative duties 629 77%
    Other (please specify) 177 22%
    None 4 0%
    Total Respondents 819  


  11. How satisfied are you with the types of work assignments you receive?

      Responses Percent
    Extremely Satisfied 84 10%
    Very Satisfied 219 27%
    Satisfied 385 47%
    Unsatisfied 106 13%
    Very Unsatisfied 22 3%
    Total 816 100%


  12. How often do you think special agents understand the functions and capabilities of an intelligence analyst?

      Responses Percent
    Very Often 18 2%
    Often 150 18%
    Sometimes 433 53%
    Rarely 188 23%
    Not at All 30 4%
    Total 819 100%


  13. Considering the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform each of the three roles (all source, reports officer, and operations specialist) performed by intelligence analysts, which of the roles would you feel comfortable performing within a month of being assigned that role? (Check all that apply)

      Responses Percent
    All Source 558 70%
    Reports Officer 332 41%
    Operations Specialist 545 68%
    Total Respondents 802  


  14. How interested are you in working in a role (all source, reports officer, operations specialist) other than the one you are currently assigned?

      All Source Reports Officer Operations Specialist
    Current Role 286 (37%) 55 (7%) 267 (35%)
    Extremely Interested 105 (13%) 62 (8%) 94 (12%)
    Very Interested 93 (12%) 64 (8%) 73 (10%)
    Interested 165 (21%) 176 (23%) 161 (21%)
    Not Interested 76 (10%) 213 (28%) 100 (13%)
    Not at all Interested 55 (7%) 198 (26%) 63 (8%)
    Total 780 (100%) 768 (100%) 758 (99%)75


  15. How intellectually challenging is your work as an FBI intelligence analyst?

      Responses Percent
    Very Challenging 242 30%
    Challenging 452 55%
    Unchallenging 101 12%
    Very Unchallenging 21 3%
    Total 816 100%


  16. Based on your work as an FBI intelligence analyst, rate your level of contribution to the mission of the FBI.

      Responses Percent
    Very High 219 27%
    High 372 46%
    Average 184 23%
    Below Average 28 3%
    Low 11 1%
    Total 814 100%


  17. Does the term “support staff” evoke a negative feeling in you when applied to intelligence analysts?

      Responses Percent
    Yes 488 60%
    No 326 40%
    Total 814 100%


  18. Does your section, unit, field division, or squad have a formal mentoring program for intelligence analysts?

      Responses Percent
    Yes 105 13%
    No 712 87%
    Total 817 100%


  19. Do you have a mentor?

      Responses Percent
    Yes 45 42%
    No 63 57%
    Total 108 100%

    Question 19 follow on: If yes, rate the usefulness of the mentoring program.

      Responses Percent
    Extremely Helpful 8 18%
    Very Helpful 19 42%
    Helpful 16 36%
    Not Helpful 1 2%
    Not at all Helpful 1 2%
    Total 45 100%


  20. Did you attend the introductory analyst training at the FBI’s College of Analytical Studies?

      Responses Percent
    Yes 186 23%
    No 631 77%
    Total 817 100%


  21. When did you attend the CAS?

    Year Responses Percent
    2001 6 3%
    2002 34 18%
    2003 96 52%
    2004 49 26%
    Total 185 99%76


  22. How useful are each of the following training modules in your work as an intelligence analyst? (If any of the modules were not covered, check “not applicable.”)

      Extremely
    Useful
    Very Useful Useful Not Useful Not at
    all Useful
    Not
    Applicable
    Analytical techniques 52 (28%) 47 (25%) 61 (33%) 12 (6%) 8 (4%) 6 (3%)
    Analytical writing 71 (38%) 48 (26%) 39 (21%) 17 (9%) 5 (3%) 6 (3%)
    Money Laundering 11 (6%) 25 (13%) 57 (31%) 41 (22%) 16 (9%) 36 (19%)
    Freedom of Information Act 6 (3%) 8 (4%) 57 (31%) 61 (33%) 40 (22%) 14 (8%)
    Analyst’s Notebook 77 (41%) 33 (18%) 49 (26%) 9 (5%) 5 (3%) 13 (7%)
    Link Charts 64 (34%) 34 (18%) 53 (28%) 14 (8%) 11 (6%) 10 (5%)
    Security and Information
    Classification
    36 (19%) 33 (18%) 90 (48%) 9 (5%) 7 (4%) 11 (6%)
    Legal Issues 18 (10%) 27 (15%) 85 (46%) 35 (19%) 13 (7%) 8 (4%)
    Case Management 18 (10%) 26 (14%) 48 (26%) 25 (13%) 8 (4%) 61 (33%)
    FBI Software and Databases 40 (22%) 29 (16%) 39 (21%) 9 (5%) 5 (3%) 64 (34%)
    Investigative Analytical
    Software Databases
    43 (23%) 27 (15%) 47 (25%) 13 (7%) 6 (3%) 50 (27%)
    Research and
    Reference Tools
    44 (24%) 32 (17%) 50 (27%) 15 (8%) 9 (5%) 36 (19%)
    Phases of the
    Intelligence Cycle
    23 (12%) 31 (17%) 76 (41%) 26 (14%) 13 (7%) 17 (9%)
    Sources of Data 31 (17%) 34 (18%) 66 (35%) 7 (4%) 11 (6%) 37 (20%)
    Development of
    Interpersonal Skills
    30 (16%) 24 (13%) 44 (24%) 13 (7%) 9 (5%) 66 (35%)


  23. How well did the introductory analyst training meet your expectations for helping you do your job?

      Responses Percent
    Greatly Exceeded Expectations 1 1%
    Exceeded Expectations 10 5%
    Met Expectations 58 31%
    Did Not Meet Expectations 76 41%
    Completely Failed to Meet Expectations 41 22%
    Total 186 100%


  24. Which of the following would you suggest to improve the College of Analytical Studies?

      Responses Percent
    Integrate introductory analyst training
    with new agent training
    130 70%
    Integrate case studies throughout
    the new analyst training
    147 79%
    Integrate software used by intelligence
    analysts into case studies
    162 87%
    Spend more time on the tools FBI
    intelligence analysts use
    154 83%
    Spend more time on preparing specific
    intelligence products
    131 70%
    Breakout training according to role
    (all source, operations specialist,
    and reports officer)
    125 67%
    Breakout training according to
    operational division
    97 52%
    Other (please specify) 45 24%
    Total Respondents 186  


  25. If you have not attended the introductory analyst class at the College of Analytical Studies, would you like to attend?

      Responses Percent
    Yes 159 25%
    No 472 75%
    Total 631 100%


  26. Check all of the following reasons that influence your desire not to attend the introductory analyst class at the College of Analytical Studies.

      Responses Percent
    The class will repeat topics of courses
    I’ve already attended
    387 82%
    I have not heard positive feedback
    from those who have attended
    207 44%
    My supervisor is discouraging me from
    attending because I’ll be away from
    work for an extended period
    13 3%
    I do not need to attend because of
    my years of analytical experience
    285 60%
    Other (please specify) 177 37%
    Total Respondents 473  


  27. In order to do your job more effectively, what additional training do you need? (Check all that apply)

      Responses Percent
    Debriefing sources 423 52%
    Interrogations/ interviews 417 51%
    Threat assessments 544 67%
    Damage assessments 368 45%
    Other (Please specify) 280 34%
    Total Respondents 818  


  28. Are you satisfied with your promotion potential to a GS-14?

      Responses Percent
    Yes 602 75%
    No 205 25%
    Total 807 100%


  29. How satisfied are you with the promotion process for FBI intelligence analysts as that process has been applied to you?

      Responses Percent
    Extremely Satisfied 50 6%
    Very Satisfied 96 12%
    Satisfied 290 35%
    Unsatisfied 177 22%
    Very Unsatisfied 118 14%
    N/A 87 11%
    Total 818 100%


  30. Are you currently a GS-14?

      Responses Percent
    Yes 95 12%
    No 722 88%
    Total 817 100%


  31. How likely are you to reach a GS-14?

      Responses Percent
    Very Likely 116 16%
    Likely 152 21%
    Unlikely 171 24%
    Very Unlikely 168 23%
    Don’t Know 116 16%
    Total 723 100%


  32. If you responded “unlikely” or “don’t know” to item 31, please explain.

    Text response: no summary available.


  33. How likely is it that you will stay with the FBI as an intelligence analyst for the next five years?

      Responses Percent
    Very Likely 314 38%
    Likely 205 25%
    Unlikely 96 12%
    Very Unlikely 85 10%
    Don’t Know 116 14%
    Total 816 99%77


  34. If you responded “unlikely” or “very unlikely” to item 33, please explain.

    Text response: no summary available.


  35. Did anybody from the FBI contact you during your background investigation to seek clarification, additional information, or additional documentation?

      Responses Percent
    Yes 319 39%
    No 497 61%
    Total 816 100%


  36. How many times did the FBI contact you during your background investigation?

      Responses Percent
    1 100 31%
    2 90 28%
    3 63 20%
    4 23 7%
    5 34 11%
    6 5 2%
    7 1 0%
    8 0 0%
    9 0 0%
    10 7 2%
    Total 323 101%78


  37. Describe the nature of the information or documentation sought by the FBI.

    Text response: no summary available.


  38. During your background investigation, did you contact the FBI to learn abut the progress of your background investigation?

      Responses Percent
    Yes 307 38%
    No 509 62%
    Total 816 100%


  39. How many times did you contact the FBI?

      Responses Percent
    1 57 19%
    2 76 26%
    3 41 14%
    4 33 11%
    5 35 12%
    6 11 4%
    7 6 2%
    8 7 2%
    9 0 0%
    10 31 10%
    Total 297 100%


  40. When you contacted the FBI, were you asked to provide additional information or documentation?

      Responses Percent
    Yes 59 19%
    No 248 81%
    Total 307 100%


  41. Describe the nature of the information or documentation sought by the FBI.

    Text response: no summary available.


  42. How many months did it take from the time you received your conditional offer for a position until you entered on duty?79

    Months Responses Percent
    1 133 19%
    2 68 10%
    3 94 14%
    4 62 9%
    5 48 7%
    6 114 17%
    7 50 7%
    8 28 4%
    9 23 3%
    10 12 2%
    11 5 1%
    12 19 3%
    13 5 1%
    14 2 0%
    15 0 0%
    16 1 0%
    17 0 0%
    18 4 1%
    >18 16 2%
    Total 684 100%


  43. How many months did it take from the time you submitted your application to be an intelligence analyst until you entered on duty?

    Months Responses Percent
    1 66 11%
    2 37 6%
    3 45 8%
    4 41 7%
    5 33 6%
    6 72 12%
    7 32 5%
    8 42 7%
    9 42 7%
    10 39 7%
    11 23 4%
    12 36 6%
    13 13 2%
    14 15 3%
    15 8 1%
    16 4 1%
    17 0 0%
    18 10 2%
    >18 26 4%
    Total 584 99%80


  44. If you have been hired within the last three years, how did you learn about the intelligence analyst position at the FBI?

      Responses Percent
    FBI web site 72 29%
    USA jobs 43 17%
    Job fair 27 11%
    Newspaper advertisement 14 6%
    College recruiting visit 2 1%
    Received mail or e-mail
    from the FBI
    7 3%
    Personal contact with
    FBI personnel
    87 35%
    Total 252 102%81


  45. Do you work in Headquarters?

      Responses Percent
    Yes 293 36%
    No 523 64%
    Total 816 100%


  46. For what division within the FBI do you currently work?

      Responses Percent
    Counterterrorism Division 137 47%
    Counterintelligence Division 79 27%
    Criminal Investigations Division 41 14%
    Cyber Division 10 3%
    Other (please specify) 26 9%
    Total 293 100%


  47. Question eliminated in electronic version.


  48. Indicate in which field office you work.

    Office Responses Percent
    Los Angeles, New York, Washington Field 85 18%
    Baltimore, Chicago, Miami, Newark, San Francisco 93 20%
    Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, San Juan, Tampa 115 25%
    Albuquerque, Denver, El Paso, Honolulu, Kansas City, Knoxville, Las Vegas, Milwaukee, New Haven, New Orleans, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Portland, Richmond, Sacramento, San Antonio, Seattle 106 23%
    Albany, Anchorage, Birmingham, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Columbia, Indianapolis, Jackson, Jacksonville, Little Rock, Louisville, Memphis, Minneapolis, Mobile, Omaha, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, St. Louis, Springfield 69 15%
    Total 468 101%82


  49. For which headquarters division do you do the most work?

      Responses Percent
    Counterterrorism Division 262 53%
    Counterintelligence Division 86 17%
    Criminal Investigations Division 99 20%
    Cyber Division 19 4%
    Other (please specify) 29 6%
    Total 495 100%


  50. What is the year of your FBI entry-on-duty date?

    Year Responses Percent
    2004 29 4%
    2003 86 11%
    2002 61 8%
    2001 8 1%
    2000 2 0%
    1999 38 5%
    1998 28 3%
    1997 55 7%
    1996 48 6%
    1995 18 2%
    1994 3 0%
    1993 2 0%
    1992 11 1%
    1991 27 3%
    1990 16 2%
    1989 14 2%
    1988 30 4%
    1987 46 6%
    1986 21 3%
    1985 30 4%
    1984 26 3%
    1983 30 4%
    1982 12 1%
    1981 16 2%
    1980 18 2%
    1979 12 1%
    1978 20 2%
    1977 9 1%
    1976 17 2%
    1975 9 1%
    1974 9 1%
    1973 9 1%
    1972 11 1%
    1971 6 1%
    1970 8 1%
    1969 7 1%
    1968 6 1%
    1967 3 0%
    1966 2 0%
    1965 1 0%
    1964 1 0%
    Total 805 98%83


  51. What was your position title when you entered on duty?

    Text response: no summary available.


  52. What was your GS level when you entered on duty?

    GS Level Responses Percent
    03 201 26%
    04 155 20%
    05 106 14%
    06 17 2%
    07 50 6%
    08 1 0%
    09 124 16%
    10 8 1%
    11 65 8%
    12 25 3%
    13 24 3%
    14 9 1%
    15 0 0%
    Total 785 100%


  53. What is your current GS level?

    GS Level Responses Percent
    03 0 0%
    04 0 0%
    05 0 0%
    06 1 0%
    07 23 3%
    08 0 0%
    09 77 9%
    10 0 0%
    11 322 40%
    12 190 23%
    13 100 12%
    14 95 12%
    15 3 0%
    Total 811 99%84


  54. Have you been employed by the FBI for five years or more?

      Responses Percent
    Yes 619 76%
    No 197 24%
    Total 816 100%


  55. Who was your previous employer?

    Text response: no summary available.


  56. What was your position title at your previous employer?

    Text response: no summary available.


  57. If your previous employer was a federal agency, what was your GS level?

    GS Level Responses Percent
    3 0 0%
    4 0 0%
    5 1 2%
    6 1 2%
    7 4 8%
    8 0 0%
    9 4 8%
    10 0 0%
    11 4 8%
    12 15 31%
    13 16 33%
    14 3 6%
    15 0 0%
    Total 48 98%85


  58. List all your college education from the highest to the lowest.

      Responses Percent
    Associates 42 5%
    Bachelors 307 37%
    Masters 192 23%
    Law 30 4%
    Doctorate 22 3%
    No Degree Specified 237 29%
    Total 830 101%86


  59. Indicate whether the following apply to you.

      Responses
    Presidential Management Fellow or Presidential Management Intern 37
    Lived outside the United States for six months or more at one time 150
    Military intelligence experience 90
    Work experience in the US intelligence community other than military 110
    Foreign language skills 177
    Unique skills applicable to the analyst position 263


  60. Comments on the survey or the intelligence analyst position:

    Text response: no summary available.



Footnotes

  1. The sum of the percentages listed does not equal 100 percent due to rounding.

  2. The sum of the percentages listed does not equal 100 percent due to rounding.

  3. The sum of the percentages listed does not equal 100percent due to rounding.

  4. The sum of the percentages listed does not equal 100 percent due to rounding.

  5. The sum of the percentages listed does not equal 100 percent due to rounding.

  6. The sum of the percentages listed does not equal 100 percent due to rounding.

  7. In commenting on a draft of this report, the EAD for Intelligence told us that analysts’ enter-on-duty date is something the FBI does not completely control; it is negotiated with each new employee.

  8. The sum of the percentages listed does not equal 100 percent due to rounding.

  9. The sum of the percentages listed does not equal 100 percent due to rounding.

  10. The sum of the percentages listed does not equal 100 percent due to rounding.

  11. The sum of the percentages listed does not equal 100 percent due to rounding.

  12. The sum of the percentages listed does not equal 100 percent due to rounding.

  13. The sum of the percentages listed does not equal 100 percent due to rounding.

  14. The sum of the percentages listed does not equal 100 percent due to rounding.



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