United States Customs and Border Protection Officer

Customs and Border Protection Officer (CBPO)

Please make sure you read the following details carefully before making any applications.

NEW RECRUITMENT INCENTIVES!

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.

DON’T FORGET TO CHECK OUT THE INCENTIVES – SEE SALARY SECTION BELOW

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:

Anchorage, AK; Douglas, Lukeville, Nogales and San Luis, AZ; Calexico, Otay Mesa, San Francisco, San
Ysidro, and Tecate, CA; Washington, D.C.; Key West, Miami, and Orlando, FL; Honolulu, HI; Chicago, IL; Calais,
Eastport, Houlton, Jackman, Madawaska, Van Buren, and Vanceboro, ME; Detroit, Port Huron, and
Sault Ste Marie, MI; Grand Portage and International Falls, MN; Raymond, Roosville, Sweetgrass, and
Wild Horse, MT; Columbus and Santa Teresa, NM; Alexandria Bay, Champlain, Massena, Trout
River, and Buffalo, NY; Dunseith, Pembina, and Portal, ND; Brownsville, Dallas, Del Rio, El Paso, Hidalgo, Laredo,
Presidio, Progreso, and Houston, TX; Beecher Falls, Derby Line, Highgate Springs, Norton, and Richford, VT;
Blaine, Oroville, 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

**Recruitment Incentive** Newly appointed Customs and Border Protection Officers (as defined in
5 CFR 575.102

) will be offered up to a $15,000 incentive per year, for a three-year service contract, in the
following locations:
Arizona: Douglas, Lukeville, Nogales, San Luis
California: Calexico
Hawaii: Honolulu
Maine: Calais, Eastport, Houlton, Jackman, Madawaska, Van Buren, Vanceboro
Michigan: Detroit, Port Huron, Sault Sainte Marie
Minnesota: Grand Portage, International Falls
Montana: Raymond, Sweetgrass
New York: Alexandria Bay, Champlain, Massena, Trout River
North Dakota: Dunseith, Portal
Vermont: Beecher Falls, Derby Line, Highgate Springs, Norton, Richford
Washington: Blaine, Oroville

**Recruitment Incentive** Newly appointed Customs and Border Protection Officers (as defined in
5 CFR 575.102
will be offered up to a $15,000 incentive per year, for a four-year service contract, in the
following locations:
California: Otay Mesa, San Francisco, San Ysidro, Tecate
Florida: Key West
North Dakota: Pembina

Annual Base Salary for newly appointed CBPOs varies as follows:

• GS-5 and GS-7 $40,332 - $109,952 per year
  

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.

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:

• Performing physical inspections of people, documents or goods for criminal activity, fraud,
  and/or illegal operations.
  
• Utilizing observational techniques, evaluating facts, and reviewing documentation while
  applying Federal, State, or local laws and regulations.
  
• Making determinations in compliance with laws and regulations that may lead to arrests, seizure
  of property, fines, and/or penalties based on findings.
  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. xywuqvp 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.