Jobs With an Electronics Certification

• While engineers help develop televisions, technicians assist with installation and repairs. Chris Stein/Digital Vision/Getty Images

  Electronics uses a combination of science and technology in the control of electronic devices. The field offers careers that involve the development of devices and equipment, sales and installation and repairs. People who earn a certification in an electronics field can become eligible for promotional opportunities and higher salaries.

Electronics Technician

• Electronics technicians install, repair and maintain electronic devices and equipment. While some technicians have a workspace where customers bring in their devices, others travel to homes and offices to repair equipment. The educational requirement for electronic technicians is an associate's degree in electronic technology from a community college or vocational school. Certification is available through the Electronics Technicians Association International. Those who pass the necessary exams can earn the senior or master technician designation. According to Indeed, in 2010, electronics technicians make an average of $48,000 per year.

Electronics Sales Associate

• Electronics sales associates work in electronics stores and assist customers with their purchases. Those working in electronics stores must have knowledge of how different electronic devices operate and understand the latest trends in technology. Devices include computers, televisions, video games, home entertainment systems and speakers. Individuals interested in this position must have strong customer service skills and at least a high school diploma. The Electronics Representatives Association International offers certification for professional salespeople that provides them with fundamental skills in selling, strategic sales planning, relationship building and communications. Indeed reported that in 2010 the average salary for an electronics sales associate is $33,000 per year.

Electronics Engineer

• Electronics engineers develop various types of electronic devices, including televisions, stereos, communication systems, electric motors, broadcasting systems, radar and video game devices. These engineers design, develop and test new devices to prepare them for consumers. While those interested in becoming an electronics engineers must have at least a bachelor's degree in engineering, many employers prefer that applicants have a master's degree in the field. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers offers professional certification that enhances professional credibility, increases career opportunities and demonstrate professional commitment. As of 2010, Indeed reports that electronic engineers average $84,000 per year.

Public Defender Training

Public defenders represent clients who have been accused of committing crimes but who do not have the funds to hire legal counsel. The United States Constitution guarantees the right to a fair trial and having a defense attorney is integral to that guarantee.

Requirements

• To be a public defender, you must have graduated from an accredited law school. young lawyer image by Alexey Stiop from Fotolia.com

  To become a public defender, you must have a degree from an accredited law school. You must also be a member of the bar in the state in which you want to practice. Most states, counties and municipalities require continuing education for public defenders.

Features

• Continuing education courses for public defenders include classes in ethical issues. au long du court image by christophe denis from Fotolia.com

  Continuing education courses for public defenders address topics such as challenges with fingerprinting, sedatives, DNA and crime scenes, immigration issues, ethical issues in representing children, defending battered women, confidentiality issues, capital case law, cross examination, search and seizure issues, client communication and helping defendants with unmet mental health or substance abuse needs.

Types

• Most states, counties and municipalities publish a roster of classes for public defenders. In many instances, the classes are free. Public defenders are required to complete a specified number of hours of coursework to continue in practice. The number of hours varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. In most instances, the courses take place in classrooms, although some are offered on videotape and online.

Online Training for OSHA 500

OSHA 500 is a construction health and safety course for trainers. Most of the training can be done online but OSHA requires a final in classroom test and candidates must travel to an OSHA education center and give a 15-30 minute presentation as well as pass a multiple choice test.

Prerequisites

• Before participating in the OSHA 500 training course online, applicants need to provide proof of safety experience through work experience or a college degree in occupational safety and a certification of completion of the OSHA 510 course.

Features

• OSHA 500 courses provide an overview of the most hazardous and referenced OSHA standards and details on how the provisions should be implemented on the construction site. Course participants also learn effective training techniques and rights and responsibilities.

Time Frame

• The week-long courses are conducted by OSHA Training Institute Education Centers across the country and on the Internet. Successful participants are authorized to provide training for OSHA 10- and 30-hour construction courses for four years.

About Beginner PC Technician Job Training

A personal computer (PC) technician is a computer repair person charged with the task of maintaining computer hardware for end users. They may work as a self-employed independent contractor fixing computers for individuals and businesses or they may work for a company as a member of the technical staff.

Identification

• Beginner PC technicians job training refers to training programs designed to prepare candidates for entry level PC technician positions. This training often leads to an industry recognized Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) A+ hardware certification.

Features

• During training, students learn about the components of a PC including hardware, software and data storage. They also learn connectivity concepts associated with telecommunications, networking, Internet and e-commerce.

Considerations

• Since PC technicians interface with the computer users, they need adequate people skills. This includes good communications as well as being personable in their interactions.

Concepts and Challenges for Professional Nursing

Between aging population and people living longer, the estimated shortage of nurses will reach 800,000 by the year 2020. Those considering this rewarding career should consider concepts and challenges faced by professional nurses.

Concepts

• Many nursing programs adhere to nursing concepts, which include person, health and environment. Person is considering the needs, behaviors, developments and cultures of the patients being treated. Health includes overall wellness of a patient including both physical and mental healing, well being and coping with the illness. Environment refers to health care systems for social support for both physical and psychological support of the patient.

Challenges

• Retention is one of the biggest challenges nurses face. In 2000, an estimated 500,000 nurses in the U.S. were not employed as nurses and were either staying home or working in other fields. Shortage of staff is another challenge, creating stress and causing some nurses to transition to different roles in areas such as public health, home health or forensic nursing.

Critical Care

• As medicine and technology advance, so does the concept of critical care nursing. Staffing needs are skyrocketing in adult critical care units, emergency departments and neonatal and pediatric ICU. One of the most challenging areas of the field, critical care nursing can be intense and stressful.These in-demand nurses also face the challenge of providing emotional support for both patients and families during the trauma.

How Much Does an RN Make in Missouri?

An RN, or registered nurse, is a nurse that has studied in a nursing program for at least two years. Some also continue on to receive a four-year degree known a BSN which stands for Bachelors of Science in Nursing. RN jobs make up the largest number of jobs in healthcare. 60 percent of nursing jobs are located in hospitals. The salary of RN's in Missouri does vary depending of several factors, but is competitive with national averages.

National

• The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that, as of May 2008, the national average annual income for a registered nurse is $62,450. Those working in hospitals averaged $63,880 and those in private physician offices averaged $59,210.

Missouri

• As of May 2009, the average income for a RN in Missouri is $62,310, according to the BLS, with a range of $38,050 for the lower 10th percentile, upward to $79,260 for the highest 90th percentile. These differences vary due to education, experience and job location.

Considerations

• The job market for RNs is expected to see steady growth through at least 2018, making the job outlook favorable for those seeking degrees in nursing. The demand for nurses within Missouri is also very high with areas around the metropolitan areas of St. Louis and Kansas City having the most job openings. RNs with experience can also consider additional training to increase their pay and/or become a traveling nurse with higher incomes due to the need to travel where the demand is highest.

Joint Ethics Training

Up until 2007, the U.S. military did not require its employees or soldiers to take any coursework in the ethics of war. That has now changed due to the Joint Ethics Directive.

Directive

• According to the Joint Ethics Directive, issued by the Department of Defense, as of November 2007, all Department of Defense employees, including all civilians and soldiers, must undergo ethics training.

Time Frame

• For all new, non-enlisted military employees who have not previously had ethics training, training must be undertaken no later than 90 days after he has commenced service. For enlisted soldiers who have not received training, ethics training must begin no later than 180 days after starting active duty. Further, periodic ethics training is also required.

Topics

• Military ethics training should provide information on historical ethical dilemmas encountered in war. For example, in deciding whether or not to drop atomic bombs on Japan, decision-makers had to consider whether killing a large number of innocent civilians could be legitimized on the ground that it would avoid further war.

  Another important topic that may be discussed is whether medical personnel are morally legitimate targets on the battlefield. For the philosopher, Thomas Nagel, the answer was, "No."

Attitude and Skills Needed to Succeed in the Accounting Profession

• Accountants must be patient and detail-oriented. Jupiterimages/BananaStock/Getty Images

  Working as an accountant is more complex than simply crunching numbers. A successful accountant must possess a particular set of skills, both with handling massive amounts of money-related information and with navigating the sphere in which he works. This is because accountants can work in one of several fields, including working for the public, the government or major corporations.

Math Skills

• Of course, an accountant must first and foremost be skilled with math. Without formidable math skills, the aspiring accountant will probably never earn an accounting degree, let alone pass the Uniform CPA Exam. This exam, administered to would-be certified public accountants, tests their skills in auditing and attestation, financial accounting and reporting, regulation and business environment and concepts. Without a mastery of these four major areas, achieving certification is exceedingly difficult. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, fewer than half of the people who take this test pass all four sections on the first attempt.

Patience

• Accountants must possess a certain amount of fortitude and wherewithal to undergo years of rigorous education and experience-earning. For example, after earning a bachelor's degree, a CPA must complete additional schooling. This could include earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree or a Master of Accountancy (MAcc).

  Aspiring accountants must also be able to balance their studies with work experience. Many students complete internships while still in school, either while enrolled as an undergraduate or while completing an MBA. Students trying to earn an MBA may also find themselves working regular jobs to support themselves while taking night classes. Fortunately, these years of difficulty pay off when an accountant realizes her dream, as working as an accountant requires a significant amount of patience and the ability to multitask.

Professionalism

• Aspiring accountants must demonstrate the utmost professionalism in their jobs -- after all, a major business's money could be in her hands. While part of this entails maintaining a courteous manner and thorough work habits, it also includes a strong sense of professional ethics. Some accountants work in what is called "forensic accounting," which is the investigation of white collar crimes, which may, in fact, be perpetrated by other accountants. For this reason, accountants must have the sense of ethics that prevents them from committing crimes such as embezzlement as well as the courage required to report ethical violations committed by their peers.

Jobs in Revenue & Customs

The U.S. Customs Department and the IRS each offer a varied range of career opportunities, both on the front line and behind the scenes. To locate and apply for job vacancies 24 hours a day, access USAJOBS online.

Types of Jobs

• Both the IRS and Customs departments offer careers in clerical/administrative work and in the areas of human resources, finance, legal services and IT. Specialized jobs with Customs include border patrol guards, intelligence operatives, investigators, foreign affairs consultants and psychologists. Specialist careers with the IRS include tax law experts, enforcers, investigators and data analysts.

Customs Department Requirements

• Customs & Border Patrol employees must be U.S. citizens and satisfy a minimum residency requirement. For all posts, a full background investigation is carried out to ensure that candidates are of good character. For some jobs, such as border guard, applicants are also expected to pass a drug test.

IRS Requirements

• Many IRS posts require specific qualifications, usually at degree levels, which are set out in the job description. Applicants must satisfy a fingerprint and tax compliance check, and provide proof of U.S. citizenship. For some posts, a background check is carried out, and psychometric testing is usually applied prior to being interviewed.

Benefits

• Government employees are paid a market competitive salary and qualify for health care, paid holidays and the Federal Employees' Retirement System. Additional benefits such as dental plans, insurance and savings schemes are also available.

Hydraulic System Disadvantages

• Many machines rely on hydraulic systems despite their disadvantages. Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

  You may encounter hydraulic systems in many applications, including within automobiles. Hydraulics systems use fluids to transfer energy from one location to another. Fluids work better than solids because they can form different shapes; hydraulic systems generally suffer less damage than other systems because they lack hard parts rubbing together. However, hydraulic systems also carry a few disadvantages.

Expense

• Hydraulic systems are more complex and expensive than systems operated by air---known as "pneumatic systems." These systems operate at lower pressures and therefore require cheaper materials, according to Hydraulics Pneumatics. However, pneumatic systems are more expensive to operate since air requires more power to compress. Pneumatic systems also run more quietly than hydraulic systems.

Oil Problems

• Because many hydraulic fluids are oil based, hydraulic systems can pose a fire hazard when they leak, according to Scribd. These leaks can also pose a safety hazard because hydraulic systems are under high pressure, and fluids can shoot out at a high velocity, potentially harming those nearby the leak.

Filters

• You must filter oils in hydraulic systems on a regular basis to ensure that the hydraulic fluid contains no broken particles, as well as to eliminate harmful damaging air pockets, according to Scribd.

Leaks

• Hydraulic systems that do not have the necessary hydraulic fluids will not function, which becomes a problem when a leak occurs. You must repair the leak so the hydraulic fluids can continue to produce flow; otherwise, the hydraulic system will begin to slow down. Fortunately, areas that have leakage will also have hotter internal temperatures, according to Insider Secrets to Hydraulics. This phenomenon can prove beneficial, since these temperatures can help the operators of the hydraulic systems locate the leak. Prevent leaks by using proper plumbing procedures and the correct materials, and by performing regular preventative maintenance.

Aeration

• Hydraulic systems can develop loud banging noises, which result from air entering the hydraulic fluids. This banging noise results from the hydraulic fluids compressing and decompressing, according to Machinery Lubrication. This dynamic can also cause foaming, erratic actuator movements, degradation of the hydraulic fluid and damage to the internal parts of the hydraulic system.

How to Prepare for the Electrical Exam

In most states, to take the exam for electrical licensing you need to be at least 18 years of age, list electrical field experience with a four-year minimum and supply references from licensed electricians on your character and capabilities. Once you have met the minimum criteria detailed by your state, your application will go to a review board that will then approve your application to take the test. To prepare for the actual test, you will need to rely on your field experience and knowledge of electrical building codes for the state in which you are applying.

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  Visit your Secretary of State office or go on-ine to download the exam application packet. The packet will list in detail the requirements needed to prepare for the exam in your state. The packet will also list study materials that will help you prepare for the test. In most cases you can bring your study material to reference during your exam.

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  Take an electrical course at a technical college to prepare for your exam. The classes will help you improveyour study habits and become familiar with the test language that will be used in the exam. Specific terms will be used with which you may or may not be familiar. Form study groups to review materials and help you gain additional knowledge from experienced electricians.

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  Use online sources to prepare for the electrical exam. Some companies supply study material as well as sample tests to help you prepare. Before you apply, make sure you meet the minimum requirements. Application fees are usually nonrefundable. If you apply for the test and submit your fee without meeting the requirements, you can lose your fee.

Jobs in the Air Force Reserve

• Air Force jobs range from flying fighter jets to performing maintenance or support functions. Joseph Sohm-Visions of America/Photodisc/Getty Images

  The Air Force Reserve serves alongside the regular Air Force. The benefits are equivalent to those on active duty, and the Air Force Reserve offers full and part-time jobs with competitive pay and opportunities for career advancement. Traditional reservists choose where they want to live and serve on a nearby Air Force base. Jobs available vary by category, with some jobs requiring prior experience or education.

Traditional Reserve

• Traditional reservist jobs comprise the majority of jobs in the Air Force Reserve. These reservists usually are called upon to work one weekend a month and spend two weeks a year on active duty. This part-time job requires no special training.

Individual Mobilization Augmentees

• Individual Mobilization Augmentees are part-time jobs with flexible scheduling. They serve individually and assist active duty units at least 24 days a year. These jobs are usually for those with previous active duty experience.

Air Reserve Technicians

• Air Reserve Technicians are specialized reservists. These jobs are for reservists who work full time for the civil service during the week and hold the same jobs on their reserve weekends. They make up more than 15 percent of the reserve force. ART positions require experience and qualifications in the civil service field.

Active Guard Reserve

• Jobs on Active Guard Reserve (AGR) are full time. Air Force Reservists may be ordered to work AGR.

Officers

• Commissioned officers in the Air Force Reserve must have a bachelor's degree and be selected as an officer. Enlisted men or women can become officers if they have a bachelor's degree. Pilot or navigator jobs in the Air Force Reserve are only available to officers.

Healthcare Jobs

• The Air Force Reserve also has jobs for doctors, dentists and nurses. Those with healthcare qualifications may enter the reserve as officers and have extra pay incentives and/or loan repayment options.

The Roles of a Criminal Investigator

• Criminal investigators sometimes engage in covert investigative techniques. Ryan McVay/Digital Vision/Getty Images

  Criminal investigators are specially trained law enforcement officials who specialize in crime scene investigation or some other aspect of investigative law enforcement. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that the number of new jobs for detectives will increase by 10 percent from 2008 to 2018. Knowing the different roles of a criminal investigator can help you determine if this career could be the right choice for you.

Investigative Roles

• The primary role of the criminal investigator is to plan and carry out criminal investigations. Criminal investigators work at both the scene of the crime and in the field as needed in order to carry out other aspects of an investigation. The criminal investigator performs a number of different duties when conducting investigations. They interview witnesses, suspects and even the victims whenever it is possible to do so. Criminal investigators can work on a variety of different types of cases that include not only murder cases, but also cases involving robbery, kidnapping and even white-collar crime.

Surveillance

• In conjunction with ongoing investigative techniques, criminal investigators also perform various surveillance techniques to bring the investigation to its conclusion. The type of surveillance conducted often depends upon the criminal investigators employer. For instance, those working for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) may be involved in more elaborate forms of surveillance such as wire taps. Other types of surveillance duties can include taking photographs of suspects and criminals engaged in illegal activity, going undercover to find incriminating information and tracking stolen property.

Analysis Roles

• Criminal investigators examine the information they have collected and attempt to draw the most logical conclusions. Criminal investigators may work in crime laboratories analyzing evidence as well. A good portion of their time may be spent trying to piece together small strands of evidence of information linking the evidence to the criminal or crime. Criminal investigators who specialize in cybercrime may spend a good portion of their time analyzing data found in computer databases and electronic documents.

Reporting Roles

• Criminal investigators also play roles related to documentation and reporting of the results of their investigations. Criminal investigators document their findings through written reports that can later be used in the prosecution of criminals. They also report to other departments or agencies what the results of their findings happen to be. This is done in order to provide a collaborative effort between different law enforcement agencies that can bring an investigation to a swift conclusion. Criminal investigators may also be called upon to report their findings to grand juries by serving as key witnesses on certain cases where the investigator's work has yielded incriminating evidence.

Welfare Benefits Training

When times are hard, some turn to welfare benefits that include cash assistance and food stamps for help. Those in charge of administering such benefits must complete training in order to be effective helpers.

Job Overview

• Most employers provide in-service training using seminars or workshops, along with on-the-job training. Typical job duties of those responsible for managing welfare benefits include providing assistance in filling out paperwork, interviewing clients and determining eligibility for assistance, as well as explaining program rules and monitoring clients as the cases progress.

Educational Requirements

• Educational requirements for these positions can vary by location. For example, the state of New York requires completion of an associate's degree or 60 college credits; as an alternative, a high school diploma and 2 years of related experience is also acceptable. In Michigan, welfare eligibility workers must have a high school diploma or the equivalent.

Essential Skills

• Aside from formal education, those who train to work with welfare benefits must also possess certain qualities to be successful. These characteristics include good communication and interpersonal skills, as well as excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. It is also important to enjoy working with people and be understanding of their needs.

Requirements to Be a Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper

• Protect the Nevada highways as a Nevada state trooper. Nick M Do/Photodisc/Getty Images

  You might casually refer to an officer with Nevada's Highway Patrol as a state trooper. As of 2010, Nevada provided for their troopers a competitive salary and benefits that include several weeks of paid and unpaid holidays; life, health, dental and vision insurance; savings bonds and retirement plans. Nevada's troopers are held to intellectual, moral and physical standards, and an applicant attempting to join their ranks must meet those standards before the State of Nevada will consider her application.

Educational and Professional Requirements

• Nevada requires you engage in some combination of work and educational experience before you apply to work as a state trooper. A high school diploma is the minimum education requirement, but Nevada will only accept this education level when combined with two years of professional or military experience. Other acceptable combinations include an associate's degree plus one year professional experience or a bachelor's degree. You must have a Nevada Class C driver's license, or at least be eligible to get one, as well as radio and radar operator certificates. Because you can't accept a trooper position until you reach the age of 21, you may complete these requirements directly after high school. Your educational experience will help you pass the 150-question written exam, which deals with logic, reading comprehension and ethics.

Physical Requirements

• In order to perform the physical requirements of a state trooper's job, you must be reasonably physically fit according to the standards of the State of Nevada. The Nevada POST physical agility test involves jumping at least as high as 14 inches from the ground, completing 30 sit-ups in 60 seconds, completing 23 push-ups and completing various timed runs. If you fail this test but pass the written tests, you can retake the physical fitness test in 30 days. If you don't pass either test, you must wait 60 days. Nevada also requires you to submit to drug testing with clean results before you can be hired.

Moral and Conduct Requirements

• Nevada will discard your application if you've ever been convicted of a felony, a drug selling or manufacturing charge or a domestic violence charge. If you've used controlled substances illegally in the last year, including abusing drugs prescribed to you, you aren't eligible to join Nevada's highway patrol. If background checks reveal you've falsified your application, the State of Nevada will not consider you for a trooper position. Some information will be verified by a polygraph test.

Hour Construction Industry Outreach Training

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration developed the Outreach Training Program as an incentive to coach workers in the basics of occupational safety and health. OSHA's 10- and 30-hour outreach courses are available in general industry and construction subjects.

Time Frame

• Outreach courses have to be carried out by OSHA-registered or endorsed trainers either in the classroom or online. The 10-hour outreach courses are conducted over a minimum of two days and 30-hour courses over at least four days. Fees are usually between $125 and $300 as of 2010, depending upon the provider and chosen subject.

Function

• This training is intended to provide an initial and basic overview of key OSHA construction and industry standards. The 10-hour courses are aimed at general construction or industrial workers while the 30-hour programs are specifically devised for safety directors, foremen, field supervisors and other managerial staff. Applicants for training do not need prerequisites.

Significance

• The Outreach Training Program is voluntary according to OSHA standards. However, several states -- including New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Nevada and Missouri -- have passed laws that require construction or industrial workers to pass the test before working on site. Many construction contractors also demand a 10-hour outreach certification before employing workers for their site.

Blue Card Construction Training

The blue card is an Australian authorization to work on building sites. The card is issued by the Office of Regulatory Services after a worker has completed induction training. While the industry still calls it "blue card," the official term is construction induction card.

Significance

• The construction induction course must be undertaken by all persons working on building and construction sites including trainees, apprentices and tradespeople. Professional schools endorsed by local authorities offer one-day courses for between 150 and 200 Australian dollars, as of 2010.

Topics

• Courses teach construction workers the rights and responsibilities under Australian law and inform them about common health and safety issues in the construction industry. Topics also include risk management and standard of behavior expected of workers on building sites.

Completion

• After completion of the course, the worker can send an application for the induction, or blue card to the local Office of Regulatory Services. The application must include the certificate of the completed induction course, which needs to be less then 60 days old, and the fee payment, which was 31 Australian dollars in 2010.

How to Find Someone in the National Guard

The National Guard is the oldest component of the Armed Forces of the United States, and is one of the nation's longest enduring institutions, that offers opportunities for dedicated men and women to learn in a productive environment and grow as a Guard. Connecting with a certain individual of the National Guard is easy and common, as many family members and friends, or even individuals in the general public, are looking to communicate their gratitude to a specific National Guard service member.

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  Visit Military.com, and click on the "Buddy finder" category, to find a specific soldier that is in the National Guard. Use your full name as you fill out the search window, as well as other necessary information, from your zip code to your email address. This window will ask for the service and status that you are a part of, if this does not apply, use the "None" option.

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  Agree to the various terms and conditions that are applied with moving forward with your search, by pressing the box with your mouse. If you have questions, read through the information by clicking on the link provided.

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  Click on the "Join Now" button to continue your search efforts. Use the "Service" option at the top of this window, and click on the "Find buddy" option. This opens up the directory of listed members of the National Guard and other military populations, specifically following the information you provide, from the soldiers name, to status and base location. Be as specific as possible, to quickly locate the soldier you intend to contact.

Salaries of Law Enforcement Jobs

• Police officers' salaries vary based on their specific job functions. Siri Stafford/Lifesize/Getty Images

  If you're interested in a career in law enforcement, you may be curious about potential salaries in the industry. Law enforcement jobs can be lucrative relative to other lines of work because you're being compensated for putting your life in danger every day. Salaries vary depending on the sector of law enforcement in which you work.

Police Officers

• Police officers in the U.S. had a median annual salary of about $51,000 in 2008, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, which publishes reports on average national earnings for specific occupations. Salaries vary widely across the country, with bigger, busier departments in urban areas paying officers higher salaries. Though the middle 50 percent of police officers in the country earned between $38,850 and $64,940 in 2008, newly hired police officers in San Francisco make between $82,602 and $110,526.

Law Enforcement Leaders

• Police supervisors, which includes sergeants, lieutenants, department chiefs and other leaders, made an average of $75,490 in 2008, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The middle 50 percent made between $59,320 and $92,700. You can research the salaries of law enforcement employees because their incomes are public record. The San Francisco Chronicle publishes an annual list of the city's police department salaries that are above $100,000. The newspaper named 2,036 police department employees to the list for 2009. The top earner on the list was the San Francisco Police Department's Deputy Chief, who made more than $516,000 and was the city's top paid employee.

Federal Law Enforcement

• Federal law enforcement jobs, most of which are in the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Central Intelligence Agency, tend to be lower on average than jobs at police departments. In 2008, the U.S. Department of Labor reported that federal law enforcement agents made an average of $46,620, and federal law enforcement supervisors made an average of $89,930.

How to Do a Safety Inspection for a Convenience Store

Convenience stores are popular and usually, as their name suggests, convenient. Most are small and sell basic items such as milk and bread as well as sweets, snacks and magazines. Some operate independently, but more and more are attached to gas stations and food outlets. A primary concern for convenience stores is the health and safety of the store for employees and customers and the hygiene of the food items on sale.

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  Check the general cleanliness of the store. Areas where food is stored should be free of dirt, dust and debris. This can be checked by removing items from the shelves and wiping with a cloth.

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  Check the food storage temperature. Food kept in coolers should be kept below a certain temperature. Federal guidelines specify that chilled food should be kept below 41 degrees, and freezer temperatures should be below 0 degrees. These can be confirmed by using a thermometer. Shelving should be open for refrigerated items and food should not be covered in foil, because this can have an insulating affect.

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  Monitor the food handling of the staff. Staff should have their hair tied back, and if they are handling liquids, they should wear plastic gloves and change them as they handle different products. Surfaces should be cleaned regularly with antibacterial spray.

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  Read the "use by" dates on the products. Nothing should be on the shelf later than this date.

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  Confirm fire emergency procedures with the staff. Make sure exits are easy to access and kept clear. Check that fire extinguishers are in working order and that staff know how to use them.

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  Ensure that staff is aware of emergency contact numbers for local services and that a first-aid kit is on hand for basic injuries.