Customs and Border Protection Officer

Job description
Please see announcement on USAJOBS for available locations.

Summary

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is calling on those who want to help protect American interests and secure our Nation. DHS Components work collectively to prevent terrorism; secure borders and our transportation systems; protect the President and other dignitaries; enforce and administer immigration laws; safeguard cyberspace; and ensure resilience to disasters. We achieve these vital missions through a workforce spanning hundreds of occupations. Make an impact; join DHS.

Duties

Being a Customs and Border Protection Officer makes you a valuable member of the Federal Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) profession. Typical assignments include: Enforcing customs, immigration, and agriculture law and regulations; Facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel; Conducting inspections of individuals and conveyances; Determining the admissibility of individuals for entry into the United States; and Preventing the illegal entry of individuals and prohibited goods and the smuggling of illegal drugs and other contraband You will be asked to provide your preference for one of the following mission critical locations: Douglas, Nogales and San Luis, AZ; Calexico, Los Angeles, Otay Mesa, San Francisco, San Ysidro, and Tecate, CA; Washington, D.C.; Miami, FL; Atlanta, GA; Honolulu, HI; Chicago, IL; New Orleans, LA; Calais, Fort Kent, Houlton, Jackman, Madawaska, Van Buren, and Vanceboro, ME; Detroit and Port Huron, MI; Grand Portage, International Falls, Minneapolis, and Warroad, MN; Morgan, Raymond, Roosville, and Wild Horse, MT; Newark, NJ; Alexandria Bay, Buffalo, Champlain, Massena, Ogdensburg, Queens, and Trout River, NY; Dunseith, Hansboro, Neche, Pembina, and Portal, ND; San Juan, PR; Brownsville, Eagle Pass, El Paso, Hidalgo, and Houston, TX; Norfolk, VA; Beecher Falls, Derby Line, Highgate Springs, Norton, and Richford, VT; Blaine, Oroville, Seattle, and Sumas, WA. NOTE: The above preference locations are expected to have vacancies available in the future, however, if the duty locations do not have vacancies at the time of your final offer, you may be offered a duty location in another geographic location within the United States. For more information on becoming a CBP Officer, contact our recruiters here. This announcement is open to the public to attract new entry-level CBP Officer applicants. Locations offered are based on operational and mission requirements as determined by the CBP Office of Field Operations. Current CBP Officers looking for lateral opportunities within the Office of Field Operations should apply under the National Reassignment Opportunity Bulletin (NROB), Lateral Reassignment Opportunity Bulletin (LROB) and/or other reassignment opportunities identified in the National Collective Bargaining Agreement (NCBA). If you accept one of the below duty locations you may be eligible to receive an additional 15%-25% of your salary each year for the first 3 years of employment in addition to any overtime pay. If you accept the duty location of San Francisco, you may be eligible to receive an additional 25% of your salary each year for the first 4 years of employment in addition to any overtime pay. These incentives only apply to new federal employees and are dependent upon the availability of funds. Duty locations offering 25% recruitment incentives: Calexico, Otay Mesa, San Francisco, San Ysidro, and Tecate, CA; Jackman, ME; Grand Portage, MN; Raymond, MT; Dunseith and Pembina, ND; Oroville, WA Duty locations offering 15% recruitment incentives: Detroit, MI and Portal, ND If you accept Portal, North Dakota as your location you will be eligible for the Special Salary Rate based on the Portal ND Special Salary Rate Table If you accept San Francisco, California as your location you will be eligible for the Special Salary Rate based on the San Francisco Special Salary Rate Table This is a career ladder position with a grade level progression of GS-5, GS-7, GS-+, GS-11, and GS-12. You will be eligible for a promotion to the next higher grade level (without re-applying) once you successfully complete 52 weeks in each grade level. Promotions are at the discretion of the agency. Pay rates are based on the 2025 OPM Salary Tables and do not take into consideration any potential overtime earnings, recruitment incentives, location incentives or yearly cost of living increases. For more information on career progression, click here. CBP employees demonstrate the highest level of commitment to protect and serve the United States of America and to exemplify the CBP Core Values of Vigilance, Service to Country and Integrity. Learn more about CBP's mission and core values at https://www.cbp.gov/about

Requiremennts

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position Firearm Proficiency: You will be required to carry a firearm. Firearm proficiency is required for all CBP Officers and is part of the training provided. Probationary Period: You must serve a one-year probationary period during the first year of your initial permanent Federal appointment. CBP Officer Academy: You will be required to complete a paid pre-academy orientation for approximately 2 weeks at your home port. You will then attend a 101-day training program conducted at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) located in Glynco, GA. This training consists of basic law enforcement skills, immigration laws, firearms training, examination of cargo/bags/merchandise, physical fitness, etc. Candidates assigned to the southern border, Miami or Puerto Rico duty locations must attend and pass an online Spanish training program which will be completed at their home port. For more information, please visit CBP Field Operations Academy. Successful completion of the academy is required for this position. Uniform/Grooming Standards: While in a duty status, this position requires wearing an officially approved uniform and complying with established grooming standards. Residency Requirement: U.S. Customs and Border Protection has a residency requirement that applies to all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least 3 of the last 5 years, before completing an application for CBP employment. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than 2 of the last 5 years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions: Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military A dependent of a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. Government Working as a contractor employee, a volunteer, consultant or an intern for the U.S. Government Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university If selected for a position, you must provide documentation to support a request for an exception to this requirement. More requirements listed in the Additional Information section.

Qualifications

The qualification requirements listed below must be met by the closing date of this announcement. It is your responsibility to verify that any information submitted with your application is accurate. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. Determining your eligibility and qualifications is dependent on the supporting documentation and information provided, which may impact your referral for further consideration. You qualify for the GS-5 grade level if you possess one of the following: Experience: A minimum of 3 years of general experience, 1 year of which was equivalent to at least GS-4, performing duties that required the ability to meet and deal with people and the ability to learn and be able to apply a body of facts; OR Education Substitution: Successful completion of at least a 4-year course of study leading to a Bachelor's degree in any field from an accredited college or university; OR >>> Will complete a 4-year course of study leading to a Bachelor's degree within + months from the closing date of this announcement. I will upload all official or unofficial transcripts that indicate I am on track to graduate within + months; OR Combining Experience and Education: A combination of general experience AND successfully completed college education will be calculated using your resume and college transcripts submitted with your application. To combine, convert each to a percent, then add the percentages; the total must equal at least 100%. If your education is in quarter hours, convert the quarter hours into semester hours by multiplying the quarter hours by 2/3. To calculate your percent of education, divide your semester hours by 120 hours. To calculate your percent of qualifying experience, divide your months of qualifying experience by 36 months. More information on the qualification standard is located here. You qualify for the GS-7 grade level if you possess one of the following: Experience: A minimum of 1 year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, that includes performing inspections work at borders, seaports, airports or other ports of entry and/or work involving preliminary screening of persons for entry and immigration status, or compliance/regulatory work; OR Education Substitution: Successful completion of one year of full-time graduate education from an accredited college or university may substitute for the experience required at this level. This education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise a year of graduate education. If that information is not available, use 18 semester or 27 quarter hours; OR >>> Will complete one year of full-time graduate education within + months from the closing date of this announcement. I will upload all official or unofficial transcripts that indicate I am on track to complete one year of graduate education within + months; OR A Bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) may also substitute for the experience required. It is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average (i.e., GPA 3.0 or higher of a possible 4.0, excluding pass/fail credits. Pass/fail credits cannot be more than 10% of total credits), or (3) honor society membership. Review Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) to see if you qualify under this provision. Please see www.opm.gov for additional information; OR >>> Will receive a Bachelor's degree with SAA within + months from the closing date of this announcement. I will upload all official or unofficial transcripts that indicate I am on track to graduate within + months; OR Combining Experience and Education: A combination of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level AND successfully completed graduate level education; this will be calculated using your resume and college transcripts submitted with your application. To combine, convert each to a percent, then add the percentages; the total must equal at least 100%. If your education is in quarter hours, convert the quarter hours into semester hours by multiplying the quarter hours by 2/3. To calculate your percent of graduate education, divide your semester hours by 18 hours. To calculate your percent of qualifying experience, divide your months of qualifying experience by 12 months. More information on the qualification standard is located here. Age Requirement: In accordance with Public Law 110-161, this position is covered under enhanced retirement provisions. Candidates must be referred for selection to the Customs and Border Protection Officer position before reaching their 40th birthday in accordance with Department of Homeland Security Directive 251-08. The age restriction may not apply if you are currently serving or have previously served in a federal civilian law enforcement (non-military) position covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or Title 5 U.S.C. 8412(d). The age restriction does not apply if you are a Veterans' preference eligible. For more information on Veterans' Preference eligibility please see the OPM Veterans' Guide. Firearm Requirement: This position requires that the incumbent meet initial and continuing qualifications in the use of firearms as outlined in the Gun Control Act of 1+68, amended by the Lautenberg Amendment of 1++6. An applicant whose background includes any of the following will be ineligible for consideration: 1) convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year; 2) has any outstanding warrants or is a fugitive from justice; 3) unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance; 4) adjudicated as a mental defective or has been committed to a mental institution; 5) illegally or unlawfully in the United States; 6) renounced U. S. citizenship; 7) subject to a court-ordered restraining (protection) order from harassing, stalking, or threatening an ******** partner (spouse, former spouse, parent of applicant's child, individual who cohabitates or has cohabitated with the applicant), or child; or 8) convicted under Federal, State, or Tribal Court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence against an ******** partner or child. Current Federal Employees: Current Federal employees who apply to this announcement will be required to serve a probationary period in accordance with 5 CFR 315 and may be required to accept a change to lower grade, which may reduce their salary based on Federal pay regulations. Re-promotion is not guaranteed. Timeframes and grade level re-promotion is at the discretion of the agency and will be subject to a probationary period. National Service Experience: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Experience as a CBP Explorer may be qualifying if your resume provides sufficient information to credit your experience. To receive full credit for your experience please be sure to describe your duties, roles and responsibilities in detail. Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Education

Refer to the Qualifications Section for information on education substitution. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is committed to ensuring that all of our employees act in a manner that embodies the Department's Mission Statement: With honor and integrity, we will safeguard the American people, our homeland and our values. As an employee of CBP, you will be joining a workforce that is dedicated to accomplishing our mission while maintaining the trust of our Nation by strictly adhering to all government ethics standards. Your conduct will be subject to the ethics rules applicable to all Executive Branch employees, and to CBP employees specifically, as well as the criminal conflict of interest statutes. Once you enter on duty, these rules include obtaining approval for outside employment or business activity, to ensure such employment or business activity is not prohibited and does not interfere or conflict with performance of your official duties. Please review further details here. Primary CBPO Special Retirement Coverage: This is a primary position subject to mandatory retirement under the special retirement provisions for Customs and Border Protection Officers (5 CFR 842.1003, Conditions for Coverage; 5 USC 8425(b) and 5 USC 8335(b), Mandatory Separation; and 5 USC 8412(d), Immediate Retirement). For more information on required years of service and retirement age, click on this link. If you have questions regarding your retirement coverage provisions, please contact the CBP Retirement Operations Center at (202) 863-6180. The customs and border protection officer mandatory separation provisions of 5 USC 8425 do not apply to an individual first appointed as a customs and border protection officer before July 6, 2008.

Additional Information

Driver's License: You must possess the ability to operate a Government Owned Vehicle. A valid driver's license is required. Any legal restrictions on a driver's license are not acceptable. Polygraph Examination: The CBP Officer position is a polygraph-required position. You must take a polygraph exam and have favorable results in order to continue in the pre-employment process. For more information and videos about the polygraph process, please see Polygraph Examination. Polygraph Reciprocity: CBP may accept the results of a prior Federal polygraph exam in lieu of a CBP polygraph exam. You will receive information to request reciprocity in your Background Investigation package. Polygraph Waiver: Certain veterans may be eligible to obtain a polygraph waiver. You will receive information to request a waiver in your Background Investigation package. Background Investigation: This position is a sensitive National Security Position and, upon selection, candidates will be required to undergo, and must successfully pass, a Tier 5 investigation or equivalent for placement and retention in this position. For more information, please see Background Investigation and the Hiring Process Deep Dive Video: The Background Investigation. Pre-Screening Interview: As a part of the suitability process applicants may be required to undergo a pre-screening interview. Misdemeanor Crime of Domestic Violence: The CBP Officer position is a weapons-carrying position. Any person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition. Therefore, if you have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, you are not qualified for this position. Medical Requirements: Following a tentative job offer, candidates must undergo and successfully complete a medical screening process. Individuals must be medically and physically capable of performing the essential job functions and duties of the position safely and efficiently without endangering the health and safety of the individual, others, or national security. For more information regarding the medical screening process and requirements, check out our video and visit our website. Drug Testing Requirements: Employees are subject to drug testing in compliance with the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Program. You must complete a drug test as a condition of employment. For more information, visit our Drug Testing FAQs and the Hiring Process Deep Dive Video: The Drug Test Physical Fitness Test: You will be required to successfully pass the Pre-employment Fitness Test. Please view both Hiring Process Deep Dive Video: The Fitness Test and Pre-Employment Fitness Test Physical Readiness Program, to assist you in achieving a level of physical fitness that will help you successfully pass the CBP fitness test Interview Process: You will be required to pass a structured interview. For more information, please see the Hiring Process Deep Dive Video: Structured Interview Bargaining Unit: This position is covered under the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU). For more information, please visit https://www.nteu.org/i-am-nteu/chapter-websites After you successfully complete all the pre-employment steps, you will be at the final offer step. For more information on the final offer, please see the Hiring Process Deep Dive Video: The Final Offer

Discover a challenging and rewarding career with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the sole organization responsible for securing the Nation's borders. CBP employees protect our Nation's borders from terrorism, human and drug smuggling, illegal migration, and agricultural pests while simultaneously facilitating the flow of legitimate travel and trade. The video: Securing America's Ports of Entry emphasizes the importance of CBP Field Operations' frontline role in helping CBP accomplish its mission. Be sure to keep up to date on all the latest CBP has to offer its employees by liking and following us on X (@CBPJobs) and LinkedIn

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