Customs and Border Protection Officer - Entry Level

Customs and Border Protection Officer (CBPO)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) offers those interested in a career in law enforcement an exceptional opportunity to work with an elite team of highly trained professionals whose camaraderie, pride, and purpose are hallmarks of their daily mission of protecting America. You will be part of the Department of Homeland Security workforce, protecting American interests and securing our nation.

If you are looking for a rewarding career with great pay, benefits, and job stability, now is the time to make your move.

As a Customs and Border Protection Officer (CBPO) , you will be part of our 60,000+ workforce that strives to protect the American people by safeguarding our borders, deterring illicit activity, and enhancing the nation’s economic prosperity. Being a CBPO makes you a valuable member of the Federal Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) profession.

Typical assignments include :

• Enforcing customs, immigration, and agriculture laws 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.
• Preventing the illegal entry of individuals and prohibited goods and the smuggling of illegal drugs and other contraband.

Duty Locations – Incentives available for some locations

You will be asked to provide your preference for one of the following mission-critical locations : Nogales, and San Luis, AZ; Calexico, Los Angeles, Otay Mesa, San Francisco, San Ysidro, and Tecate, CA; Washington, DC; Miami and Orlando, FL; Atlanta, GA; Hagatna, Guam; Honolulu, HI; Chicago, IL; Calais, Fort Kent, Houlton, Jackman, Madawaska, Van Buren, and Vanceboro, ME; Detroit and Port Huron, MI; Baudette, Grand Portage, International Falls, and Warroad, MN; Del Bonita, 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; Philadelphia, PA; San Juan, PR; El Paso and Houston, TX; Christiansted, U.S. Virgin Islands; Beecher Falls, Derby Line, Highgate Springs, Norton, and Richford, VT; Blaine Oroville, Seattle and Sumas, WA.

The preference locations listed above 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. Locations offered are based on operational and mission requirements and critical agency hiring needs for entry-level CBPOs as determined by the CBP Office of Field Operations (OFO).

Salary – and Duty Location Recruitment Incentives – and Benefits

Annual Base Salary for newly appointed CBPOs varies as follows :

Locality pay varies by duty location.

Note : A fully trained CBPO is eligible for up to $45,000 in overtime pay in addition to the starting salary.

Grade level eligibility and salaries vary depending upon background, including experience and education, and duty location of the opportunity. This is a career ladder position with a grade level progression of GS-5, 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.

Officers are eligible to select from an array of federal employment benefits that include health, dental and other insurance plans, a generous annual and sick leave program, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan, a retirement plan akin to a traditional and ROTH 401(k) offering.

LOCATION INCENTIVES : If you accept one of the duty locations listed below, you may be eligible to receive an additional 15%-25% of your salary each year for the first three (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 four (4) years of employment in addition to any overtime pay.

Duty locations offering 25% recruitment incentives :  Otay Mesa, San Francisco, San Ysidro, and Tecate, CA; Key West, FL; Calais and Jackman, ME; Detroit, MI; Grand Portage, MN; Raymond and Sweetgrass, MT; Dunseith and Pembina, ND; Beecher Falls, VT; Oroville, WA

Duty locations offering 15% recruitment incentives :  Honolulu, HI; Portal, ND; Derby Line and Richford, VT; Blaine, WA

Duty location offering 10% recruitment incentives :  Calexico, CA

Qualifications :

You qualify for the GS-5 grade level if you possess one of the following :

Experience :  A minimum of three (3) years full-time general work experience that demonstrates 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 :  A bachelor's degree or successful completion of a full four (4)-year course of study in any field leading to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; OR

Combination of Experience and Education :  A combination of successfully completed college education AND general work experience. This will be calculated using your resume and official or unofficial college transcripts submitted with your application.

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

Experience :  A minimum of one (1) year of specialized full-time work experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level that includes :

OR for the GS-7 grade level :

Education Substitution :  A bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average (3.0 or higher), or (3) honor society membership; OR one (1) full year of graduate-level education. This education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work; OR

Combination of Experience and Education :  A combination of specialized work experience equivalent to the next lower grade level AND graduate level education 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. See the GS-9 Job Opportunity Announcement (JOAs) at USAJOBS, the federal government’s official employment site to determine if you qualify.

Other Requirements :

Citizenship : You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position.

Residency : You must have had primary U.S. residency (includes protectorates as declared under international law) for at least three (3) of the last five (5) years.

Age Restriction : In accordance with Public Law 100-238, this position is covered under law enforcement 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 251-03. 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).

Veterans’ Preference : You may also be eligible for an excepted service Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA). The age restriction does not apply if you are Veterans' Preference eligible.

Formal Training :  You will be required to complete a paid pre-academy orientation for approximately two (2) weeks at your home port. You will then attend a 101-day training program – CBP Field Operations Academy – 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. Successful completion of the Academy is required for this position.

How to Apply :

Click the Apply button on this site. You will be linked to the CBP Talent Network page. For Position of Interest , select Customs and Border Protection Officer.

You’ll then receive a link(s) to the CBPO JOA(s) on USAJOBS to complete your application. Be certain to review ALL details of the job opportunity announcement and follow all instructions in the application process, including items (resume, transcripts, etc.) to submit. You will be evaluated based on your resume, supporting documents, and the CBPO Entrance Exam.

As a subscriber to the CBP Talent Network, you’ll receive monthly emails with information about webinars, career expos, and future opportunities with OFO and CBP.