Customs and Border Protection Officer (Direct Hire)

Duties
Summary

You will be asked to provide your preference for one of the following mission critical locations: Calexico, CA (Click Link). The Southern Border includes the States of: Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and parts of California, specifically Andrade, Calexico, Otay Mesa, San Ysidro and Tecate. See the Responsibilities section below for more information.

Responsibilities

As our nation navigates the COVID-19 pandemic, our agency remains committed more than ever to delivering our mission to safeguard America’s borders and enable legitimate trade and travel. Driving forward our hiring process to staff mission critical positions continues to be one of our highest priorities. First and foremost, we want to provide you reassurance that CBP is still hiring, despite potential delays with some hiring process steps due to COVID-19 restrictions that impact in-person activities.

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

Locations offered are based on operational and mission requirements, and critical agency hiring needs for entry level CBP Officers as determined by the CBP Office of Field Operations. The above preference locations are expected to have vacancies available at the time of final offer, however, if the duty locations do not have vacancies, you may be offered a duty location in another geographic location along the Southern Border of the United States.

If you accept Calexico, CA as your duty location you may be eligible to receive an additional 33% of your salary each year for the first 3 years of employment in addition to any overtime pay. This incentive only applies to new Federal employees and is dependent upon the availability of funds.

This is a career ladder position with a grade level progression of GS-7, GS-9, 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. For example you could:

start as a CBPO in December 2020 as a GS-7 and make $43,251 – $88,251 per year*

be promoted in December 2021 to GS-9 and make $52,905 – $97,905 per year*

be promoted in December 2022 to GS-11 and make $64,009 – $109,009 per year*

be promoted in December 2023 to GS-12 and make $76,721 – $121,721 per year*

Please note this example includes a range from minimum locality pay up to maximum potential salary with overtime earnings. Pay rates are based on the 2020 Rest of the United States salary table and do not take into consideration higher locality pay where applicable, recruiting incentive or yearly cost of living increases.

Travel Required

Occasional travel – Travel may be required based on operational needs.

Supervisory status

Promotion Potential

Job family (Series)

1895 Customs And Border Protection

Requirements

Requirements
Conditions of Employment

Firearm Proficiency: Firearm proficiency is required for all CBPOs 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.

Formal Training: You will complete a paid pre-academy orientation for approximately 30 days at your home port prior to attending the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) for approximately 17 – 19 weeks at Glynco, GA. Candidates selected for duty locations where they are required to be proficient in reading, writing and speaking Spanish will be required to either pass a Spanish language proficiency examination or attend a 6-week long Spanish immersion class at FLETC.

Uniform/Grooming Standards: While in a duty status, this position requires wearing an officially approved uniform and complying with established grooming standards found here.

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 three (3) of the last five (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 two (2) of the last five (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 the residency requirement.

Driver’s License: You must possess a valid driver’s license.

Qualifications
The qualification requirements listed below must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

You qualify for the GS-7 grade level if your supporting documentation shows you possess one of the following:

Experience: A minimum of 1 year of specialized full-time work experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level that entails performance of duties in 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: A Bachelor’s degree with Superior Academic Achievement, which is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average (i.e., GPA 3.0 or higher of a possible 4.0), or (3) honor society membership. Go to Superior Academic Achievement to see if you qualify under this provision; OR

One full year of graduate level education (equivalent to 18 semester or 27 quarter hours) in a field of study related to law enforcement (e.g., criminology, criminal justice, law enforcement, courts and judicial systems, corrections and rehabilitation, justice studies, homeland security, forensic technology and forensic psychology) from an accredited college or university; OR

Will receive a bachelor’s degree with Superior Academic Achievement or one full year of graduate level education (equivalent to 18 semester or 27 quarter hours) in a field of study related to law enforcement (e.g., criminal justice, homeland security, justice studies, law enforcement, courts and judicial systems, forensic technology, forensic psychology, or corrections and rehabilitation) from an accredited college or university within 9 months from the closing date of this announcement; OR

Combination of Experience and Education: A combination of specialized work experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level AND graduate level education completed in a field of study related to law enforcement (e.g., criminology, criminal justice, law enforcement, courts and judicial systems, corrections and rehabilitation, justice studies, homeland security, forensic technology and forensic psychology) from an accredited college or university. This will be calculated using your resume and official or unofficial transcripts submitted with your application.

If you have previous or current law enforcement or military law enforcement experience, you may qualify at the GS-9 grade level. Please refer to the CBPO GS-9 announcement: Apply Here!

Age Requirement: Effective May 1, 2016, the Commissioner of CBP has approved a temporary increase in the maximum allowable age for original placement into a CBPO position; therefore, candidates must be referred for selection before reaching their 40th birthday (increased from age 37). In accordance with Public Law 110-161, this position is covered under enhanced retirement provisions. However, 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). This measure will increase the statutorily mandatory retirement to an age of up to 60 to allow individuals the opportunity to complete 20 years of Enhanced Customs and Border Protection service (See U.S.C 8425 (b)(1) and 8335 (b)(1)).

The age restriction does not apply if you are a Veterans’ Preference eligible. For more information on eligibility as a Veterans’ Preference eligible please see the OPM Veterans’ Guide.

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 (i.e., volunteer 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.

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.
Education

Refer to the Qualifications Section for information on education substitution.

Additional information

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.

Pre-Screening Interview: As 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/Physical Requirements: You must complete the medical screening process and be found to meet the medical standards for the position. If you do not meet the medical standards for the position, you may request a waiver of the medical standard by demonstrating with non-medical information that, with or without reasonable accommodation, you can safely perform the essential duties of the position. Click here for the specific requirements.

Drug Testing Requirements: This is a drug testing designated position. You must complete a drug test as a condition of employment. Employees are subject to drug testing in compliance with the Agency’s Drug-Free Workplace Program.

Physical Fitness Screening: You will be required to successfully pass the Pre-employment Fitness Test. Please see the Pre-Employment Fitness Test Readiness Program for additional information. This is a 6-week program designed 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 face-to-face structured interview.

If you receive a conditional offer of employment, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment. Click this link for more information.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

This is a Direct Hire Public Notice. Category Rating, Veterans’ Preference and traditional rating and ranking do not apply to this Public Notice.

You will be evaluated based on your resume, supporting documents and the entrance examination. Test scores prior to August 5, 2018, are no longer valid.

The entrance examination consists of two parts: 1) the online assessment taken on a personal computer and, 2) the proctored exam taken at a local testing center. The proctored exam contains the following 3 assessments: Logical Reasoning, Arithmetic Reasoning, and Writing Skills. To be eligible, applicants must pass the entrance examination with a score of at least 70. Proper test preparation is essential for the successful candidate; therefore, we strongly encourage you to review the CBP Officer Study Guides and take the CBP Officer Pre-Test. The pre-test is a preview of the types of questions you can expect to see on the actual exam.

You will not be able to retake the entrance exam for six (6) months, regardless of whether you pass or fail. A passing score does not guarantee selection.

Applicants will be referred for selection consideration throughout the announcement open period as they successfully complete the entrance exam and meet minimum qualifications.

Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990, as amended, that would interfere with completing the CBP Officer Entrance Exam, click here for more information about the request process: Reasonable Accommodations Request Process. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the CBP Officer Entrance Exam must be received before the announcement closes to be considered for this job opening. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. After notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the CBP Officer Entrance Exam.

Background checks and security clearance
Security clearance

Other

Drug test required

Yes

Required Documents

Required Documents

Resume: A resume in English is required. It must contain your full legal name, address, phone number, complete work history, a detailed description of your duties, the dates you performed those duties (MM/DD/YY), as well as your hours worked per week. If you are a current or former Federal employee please include your salary, pay scale and pay grade information. Note: Most applicants are screened out for insufficient information on their resume. Please see the CBPO Resume Aid for specific information and examples.

Transcripts: Required if basing any part of your qualifications on education and must be in English from an accredited institution. Transcripts from all colleges/universities attended are required. Official transcripts preferred, but will accept unofficial transcripts at the time of application. Official transcripts are required upon receipt of a final offer of employment. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications for more information.

Veterans’ Preference Documents: If you claim Veterans’ Preference you will be required to submit proof of eligibility (DD 214 Member-4 copy, Certificate of Release or Discharge) showing your Character of Service. Those applying for 10-Point preference must submit documentation that demonstrates preference eligibility. Please see the documentation as listed on the SF-15. *Although Veterans’ Preference does not apply to Direct Hire Authority, upon selection, veterans’ documents may be required.

Statement of Service (Certification letter): If you are still on active duty you must submit certification from the Armed Services showing you will be discharged or released from active duty. This certification should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; (2) campaign badges and expeditionary medals earned; and (3) the character of service. View more about Veterans’ Preference.

Age Requirement Documents: If you are over the age of 40 you will need to submit proof you are eligible for the position of CBP Officer. If you are claiming an age waiver based on Federal law enforcement service; you must submit copies of your SF-50s reflecting the beginning date and end date of creditable Federal civilian (not military) service under Title 5 U.S.C. 8331(20), and Title 5 U.S.C. 8401(17). Block 30 of your SF-50 should show Retirement Code M or O. If you do not meet the age requirement and you are unable to provide this required documentation, you will not receive consideration under this announcement. If you are claiming an age waiver based on Veterans’ Preference, submit the required Veterans’ Preference documents.

Reasonable Accommodation Documents: If you are requesting a reasonable accommodation to the Customs and Border Protection Officer external assessments, submit documentation to support your request, including the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form found here.

SF-50: If you are a current/former Federal employee it is recommended that you submit your most recent SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action" form. Please do not submit a Performance Award SF-50.

Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Career Transition Program (CTAP) and/or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP)? Please submit:

a copy of your agency notice,

a copy of your most recent performance rating, and

a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level, and duty location

Are you a current or former political appointee? If you are or have been a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential appointee employee you must submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:

Position title

Type of appointment (Schedule, A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee)

Agency

Beginning and ending dates of appointment

Benefits

Benefits

A career with the U.S. Government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

Help
This job is open to

The public

U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

Location determined by the needs of the agency. United States Citizens may apply. This announcement will close once we receive 200 applicants.