Homeland security management.

Reese, Susan

HOMELAND SECURITY MANAGEMENT IS AMONG THE NEWER career fields, but it has become one of vital importance for federal, state and local communities across the nation. The duties involved in this profession may begin with developing plans and programs intended to protect people and infrastructure from events such as natural disasters, as well as man-made disasters like hazardous material spills and terrorist attacks. When these events do occur, security specialists, law enforcement professionals and emergency medical service providers work together as part of the response team. Other homeland security management duties may include training other team members or assisting other organizations in their communities with implementing emergency plans of their own.

The Workplace

Homeland security management professionals work for federal government agencies like the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Transportation Security Administration. They may also be employed by state and local governments, law enforcement agencies, and private companies and organizations.

Education

HomelandSecurityedu.org notes that the homeland security profession is still relatively young, and therefore still maturing, but certification is available in professional associations like the American Board for Certification in Homeland Security. Certificate and degree programs are offered by two-year community and technical colleges and four-year colleges and universities.

Earnings

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in May 2012, the median annual salary for emergency management directors was $59,770, with the top 10 percent earning more than $107,000. The median annual wage for information security analysts was $86,170 in May 2012, with the top 10 percent earning more than $135,600. Intelligence analysts earnings in 2012 ranged from $101,000 to more than $150,000.

Job Outlook

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security notes that its mission requires more than 240,000 employees in jobs that range from emergency response to aviation and border security to cybersecurity analysis. Agencies such as the Federal Protective Service provide security and law enforcement services at approximately 9,000 federal facilities nationwide. Add to that the homeland security needs of local, state and other public and private organizations, and this would seem to be a career with promising job growth.

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By Susan Reese

EXPLORE MORE

For more information about the career of homeland security management and the education and training it reguires, here are some places to turn.

American Board for Certification in Homeland Security www.abchs.com

U.S. Customs and Border Protection www.cbp.gov

U.S. Department of Homeland Security www.dhs.gov

Federal Bureau of Investigation www.fbi.gov

Federal Emergency Management Agency www.fema.gov

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement www.ice.gov

Transportation Security Administration www.tsa.gov

U.S. Coast Guard www.uscg.mil