Homeland Security is a very broad term and the occupations that support the homeland security enterprise are just as varied. The California Community College Chancellor’s Office, Public Safety Advisory Committee has reported that the fastest growing career filed in public safety is homeland security.
While homeland security is a dynamic and diverse career field, there are two primary areas that cover the careers in homeland security. These are based on events that have occurred after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. The first is homeland security—that has an emphasis on protecting the nation from acts of terrorism. The second emphasis is on emergency management that became apparent in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in August of 2005.
People seeking careers in homeland security can work in varied careers that prepare for, prevent, and react to events that threaten the nation, its people and the American way of life. Homeland Security careers concentrate on securing the nation’s borders, airports, seaports, and waterways.
Homeland security professionals can research and develop security technologies, prepare for and respond to natural disasters or terrorist attacks, and analyze intelligence reports, and develop plans and policy to mitigate the varied threats to the nation. The dynamic nature of security is dynamic and changes in its emphasis, threats and responses on practically a daily basis.
The advantage of the homeland security enterprise is that it encompasses a spectrum that includes numerous disciplines. This means there are almost unlimited possibilities for people with nearly any level of education and experience. Nearly every industry has fixed facilities, virtual infrastructure, people and propriety data that must be protected. There are opportunities for people that like to work independently or I small groups or for those that are on the front lines as First Responders.
The Homeland Security program at Rio Hondo College is designed for entry level opportunities in the vast arena of homeland security careers. Working closely with our partners in the fire services, law enforcement, emergency management and the Department of Homeland Security, we have designed a core suite of classes that will provide the student with an introduction to homeland security, the supporting homeland security enterprise, and emergency management.
Graduates with a degree in Homeland Security could potentially work for any of the nine divisions of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS); municipal, state and federal law enforcement agencies, the Department of Defense (military and civilian); municipal, state and federal fire service agencies; municipal, state and federal emergency management offices; educational institutions as faculty or staff; and private industry.
The list below is a sample of career options related to homeland Security.
- Asylum Officer
- Biological Scientist
- Border Patrol Agent
- Budget Analyst
- Contract Specialist
- Cost Estimator
- Criminal Investigator
- Cybersecurity
- Deportation Officer
- Detention Officer
- Disaster Project Specialist
- Distribution
- Emergency Dispatcher
- Emergency Management Planner/Consultant
- Emergency Management Specialist
- Emergency Medical Technician
- Engineer
- Firefighter
- Fire First Line Supervisors
- Forensic Science Technician
- Hazard Management
- Homeland Security Officer
- Human Resources Specialist
- Immigration Officer
- Immigration Enforcement Agent
- Import Specialist
- Industrial Engineer
- Information Technology Specialist
- Intelligence Analysis
- Junior Operations Specialist
- Law Enforcement Instructor
- Mission Support Specialist
- Nurse Practitioner
- Paramedic
- Police Officer
- Policy Analyst
- Positions with FEMA
- Program and Management Analyst
- Program Specialist
- Public Affairs Specialist
- Security Advisor
- Security Specialist
- Storage Manager
- System Engineers
- Telecommunications Specialist
- Toxicologist
- Transportation Screener
- TSA Inspector
Additional information can be found on the following websites. (The following websites are for provided as examples of homeland security careers only. Rio Hondo College does not endorse or guarantee the information any of these websites):
Department of Homeland Security. Homeland Security Careers
“Careers in Homeland Security: Many jobs, One Mission” by Elka Jones (2006). Occupational Outlook Quarterly.
Growing Federal Jobs: Homeland Security. Gov Central at Monster
