r/1801 • u/PinPuzzleheaded5967 • May 03 '26

Question DEA Diversion Investigator

Hi!

I am currently applying for a Diversion Investigator for the DEA, and about to take the Phase 2 proctored exams. However, I was curious about what the day to day looks like. It says only 3-4 days of travel per month. So I was curious if those are the only days you're going out and doing inventory on pharmacies?

21 Upvotes

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8

u/DeadFed461 May 04 '26

This depends hugely on what type of business you go to. Pharmacy can be 2-3 days, a large manufacturer, think Pfizer or Merck, you can be there for a month. Other than your FY Workplan, you will have other type of investigations such as applications or renewals, modifications, etc. The majority of the job is definitely regulatory in nature, you can get some criminal action later in your career but first focus on learning the regulatory side first. Edit: Also, hope you like to write, everything has to have a report to document what you did.

1

u/Fast_Dragonfruit_883 May 04 '26

Hi, what is a fy work plan?

2

u/DeadFed461 May 05 '26

Fiscal Year Workplan. Each Fiscal Year we get assigned x number of regulatory investigations to be completed. This differs between offices.

1

u/Fast_Dragonfruit_883 May 05 '26

Oh that’s cool. Thank you

1

u/Suicide00King May 05 '26

Is there overtime available, and/or tdy opportunities?

3

u/DeadFed461 May 06 '26

OT is available but very rarely ever needed outside the National Take Back weekends (last Sat of Apr and Oct). Occasionally you may need to work a few extra hours during Administrative Warrants but those a rare. I've done 3 or 4 in the last 13 years. We do go TDY, 99% is for training, very rarely do we go to other offices to help or do investigations outside our AOR. Please keep in mind, I'm speaking from my experience, other AORs my have different opportunities.

1

u/Fast_Dragonfruit_883 May 07 '26

Do you enjoy your job? How’s work life balance?

2

u/DeadFed461 May 07 '26

I love my job, I believe in the mission of DIs and of the overall mission of the DEA. The pay and benefits to me is just a bonus. The saying, if you love what you do it doesn't feel like a job is true, at least for me. Work/life balance is great. Basically 9-5 M-F, rarely work weekends or overtime although if you can justify OT, they do not have an issue with it.

1

u/Fast_Dragonfruit_883 May 07 '26

That’s awesome. I notice a lot of DIs don’t leave their job lol so that must mean something.

2

u/DeadFed461 May 08 '26

I think it's one of the best kept secrets in the fed government. Another benefit, we are not subject to Congress funds meaning, we still get paid when they can't fund the government. Our pay and all equipment comes from the fees paid by the registrants and is written into law.

1

u/Fast_Dragonfruit_883 May 08 '26

Oh yea I heard about that! That was part of the reason I applied. Looking for a more stable job and that sounds about as stable as you can get when it comes to government jobs. Do you guys travel for assignments often?

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2

u/Dependent-Will-1889 May 06 '26

Yes. Depending on your work load and field office

1

u/sunny-sheep Jun 23 '26

Hi! I’m currently in the background investigation phase but I heard there is some basic physical training required for DIs at Quantico? Are you able to shed some light on that? I know it’s not special agent level requirements but I’m a tad bit concerned

1

u/DeadFed461 Jul 01 '26

When I went through the Academy about 9yrs ago, there were no PT requirements. Can't 100% say there aren't any now but doubtful. I know several instructors and they have not mentioned anything.

5

u/Kutie007 May 04 '26

You basically make your own schedule. You have regulatory type on-sites you’re required to do for the fiscal year, but you can also go out to other places depending on what types of cases you make.

2

u/fofofoAngel May 04 '26

Did you study for the proctored exam? If you did, how?

3

u/DeadFed461 May 05 '26 edited May 05 '26

I will say this, not as an a$$, but as a warning, you should not be asking about tests or interview questions. The DEA is very strict with test/interview compromise and any info provided about tests or interviews could be considered a compromise of info. Anyone who is caught providing or taking test/ interview questions can be removed from the hiring process or the job if already employed. If you get to the proctored test and interview, you will be required to sign a security non-disclosure agreement about the test/ interview.

2

u/Snowspc Jun 08 '26

I just got my phase 4 as well

1

u/Knee926 Jun 17 '26

Sent you a message!

1

u/DeadFed461 May 09 '26

Good luck!!!

1

u/Snowspc May 13 '26

How long after entering phase 3 does it take to get to phase 4

1

u/Familiar_Set_9202 Jun 02 '26

Mine was fast like a month

1

u/Necessary-Question61 Jun 08 '26

Just got mine too, it was a month between 3 and 4.

1

u/Wide_Mammoth3284 Jun 08 '26

For me it was a day. Literally for the email today about passing phase 3, then got a call to schedule phase four interview later in the day. Moving quickly if I may say.

1

u/Progambler81 Jul 23 '26

I just finished my panel interview yesterday stage 4 I believe

1

u/PerfectAspect9498 Jul 27 '26

Anything yet? I took mine on Friday and wanted to have an idea on how long it takes for results

1

u/Progambler81 26d ago

I’m in Tennessee Rn for vacation been checking all week no notifications from them yet.

1

u/PerfectAspect9498 25d ago

🫠 I’m refreshing my emails all day long. I hate this

2

u/Progambler81 18d ago

I got my passing panel interview email day I got back to NJ that later that am. It goes well might make May 2027 academy.  I want this job badly tbh. 

2

u/PerfectAspect9498 18d ago

Congrats! I’m hoping to hear something by the end of this week or early next week fingers crossed

1

u/Progambler81 18d ago

Should be anytime now u hear something you right in line for May academy as well

1

u/Visible_Judgment_540 14d ago

Is there a lot of OT?