Encouraging Students Toward
STEM and IT Careers in
Homeland Security
Dr. Thomas Wakeman
Center for Maritime Systems
Stevens Institute of Technology
Homeland Security Jobs…
Recession Proof?
Presentation Outline
• Description of the homeland security field.
• U.S. DHS and other types of fields this area of
study prepares students to enter.
• Profile of students enrolled in security
technologies and resiliency studies.
• Job prospects and salary information for
graduates in this field.
• PLUS Educational Opportunities – DHS National
Center of Excellence for “Port Security”
Careers in Homeland Security
• The field of Homeland Security has many unique
career opportunities that will challenge the mind
and reward professional skills and talents.
• As a Homeland Security employee, individuals
help secure our borders, airports, seaports and
waterways; research and develop the latest
security technologies; respond to natural
disasters or terrorists assaults; and analyze
intelligence reports and respond to emergencies.
Major Career Areas
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First Responders
Law Enforcement
Intelligence Community
Operations Staff
Planners and Analysts
Scientist and Engineers
Cyber Security
An Overview
Of the U.S.
Administration
U.S. Department of
Homeland Security
and Associated Agencies
Security Legislation
• USA PATRIOT Act
– Passed in October 2001
– Reauthorized in March 2006
– Wide ranging act designed to expand authority
of law enforcement agencies and officials in
fighting terrorism
• Homeland Security Act
– Passed in November 2002
– Created the Department of Homeland Security
Transportation Security Legislation
• Aviation and Transportation Security Act
– Passed in November 2001
– Created Transportation Security Administration
– Required federal passenger screeners and
screening of baggage for explosives
• Maritime Transportation Security Act
– Passed in November 2002
– Port security regulations for access control,
background checks, vessel and facility security
plans and performance standards for seals
Transportation Security Legislation
• Intelligence Reform and Terrorism
Prevention Act of 2004
– Allows nation’s intelligence organizations to
become more unified and coordinated
– Title IV addresses transportation security
– Title V deals with border protection,
immigration, and visa matters
– Title VI concerns the implementation of the
9/11 Commission’s recommendations
Department of Homeland Security
• Created in 2003 to consolidate Federal
transportation security-related policy
making and implementation activities.
• Five Directorates
– Border and Transportation Security
– Emergency Preparedness and Response
– Science and Technology
– Information Analysis and Infrastructure
Protection
– Management
DHS Vision & Mission
• Vision
Preserving our freedoms, protecting America ...
we secure our homeland.
• Mission
We will lead the unified national effort to secure
America. We will prevent and deter terrorist
attacks and protect against and respond to
threats and hazards to the nation. We will
ensure safe and secure borders, welcome lawful
immigrants and visitors, and promote the freeflow of commerce.
DHS Strategic Goals
• Awareness
- Identify and understand threats, assess
vulnerabilities, determine potential impacts and
disseminate timely information to our homeland security
partners and the American public.
• Prevention - Detect, deter and mitigate threats to
our homeland.
• Protection - Safeguard our people and their
freedoms, critical infrastructure, property and the
economy of our Nation from acts of terrorism, natural
disasters, or other emergencies.
• Response - Lead, manage and coordinate the
national response to acts of terrorism, natural disasters,
or other emergencies.
DHS Strategic Goals (cont.)
• Recovery - Lead national, state, local and private
sector efforts to restore services and rebuild
communities after acts of terrorism, natural disasters, or
other emergencies.
• Service - Serve the public effectively by facilitating
lawful trade, travel and immigration.
• Organizational Excellence - Value our most
important resource, our people. Create a culture that
promotes a common identity, innovation, mutual respect,
accountability and teamwork to achieve efficiencies,
effectiveness, and operational synergies.
Key Agencies & Roles
• U.S. Coast Guard
– One of nation’s five armed services
– Formerly part of Department of Transportation
– Responsible to protect public, environment
and US economy in ports and waterways
– Missions include maritime safety, protection of
natural resources, mobility, maritime security,
and national defense
Key Agencies & Roles
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection
– Formerly US Customs Service
– Responsible for conducting surveillance,
detecting and interdicting smugglers, aliens,
and collecting import/export duties on goods
• Transportation Security Administration
– Responsible for security in all modes and
ensuring adequacy of security measures for
transportation
Associated Agencies
• Federal
– Department of Justice (FBI, DEA, Marshals)
– Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau
(part of Department of Treasury)
– Department of Transportation (new Federal
Motor Carrier Safety Administration)
• State
– Law enforcement
– Port Authorities and State DOTs
Local/Focused Organizations
• Local Agencies
– Law enforcement and fire responders
– Metropolitan Planning Organizations
• Special Coalitions
– Transportation-Focused Groups (I-95 CC)
– Trade and Industry Groups (NYS Smart
Border Coalition)
– Private Sector Partnerships (Smart and
Secure Tradelanes)
U.S. DHS Career Areas
• Prevention and Response
• Immigration and Travel Security
• Law Enforcement
• Mission Support
Prevention and Response
Careers
Prevention and response careers protect the public,
environment and U.S. economic and security interests in
any maritime region, as well as provide preparedness,
protection, response, recovery and mitigation to reduce loss
of life and property and protect the nation from all hazards
are what these careers are all about.
• Federal Emergency Management Agency
• U.S. Coast Guard
Law Enforcement Careers
Law enforcement careers offer positions in protection of the
President, Vice President, their families, heads of state and
other designated individuals; securing the nation’s borders;
interagency law enforcement training; and enforcing
economic, transportation and infrastructure security.
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U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
U.S. Secret Service
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
Immigration and
Travel Security Careers
Immigration and travel security careers involve protecting
the nation’s transportation systems, as well as overseeing
lawful immigration to the United States.
• Transportation Security Administration
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Mission Support Careers
Mission support careers involve the following fields: medical,
human resources, facilities, budget, procurement, science
and technology, training, intelligence, planning and
coordination, detection, civil rights, fraud detection and more.
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Science and Technology Directorate
Domestic Nuclear Detection Office
Executive Secretariat
Military Advisor’s Office
National Cybersecurity Center
National Protection and Programs Directorate
Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
Job Prospects
Source: http://hubpages.com/hub/Hot-to-Find-a-Job-with-a-Degree-In-Criminal-Justice
Salary Ranges (General vs STEM)
GENERAL
STEM
• Transport Security $32,000 – 48,000
• Sec. Technician –
$43,000 - 56,000
• Deportation Officer $49,000 – 61,000
• Admin. Specialist $47,000 – 67,000
• Import Specialist $51,000-80,000
• Naval Architect $44,000 - $116,000
• Criminal Investigation $89,000 – 116,000
• Program Analyst –
$90,000 to 138,000
• Microbiologist $109,000 – 142,000
• Computer Engineer $124,000 – 156,000
http://www.dhs.gov/xabout/careers/
US DHS Career Website
A report of the Homeland Security
Research Corporation 2007-2011 forecasts
that the U.S. Homeland Security markets,
driven by the government and private
sectors, will grow from about $24 Billion in
2006 to $35 Billion by 2011…
a 45% increase!