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,

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 : 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. 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

Dunseith and Pembina, ND; Beecher Falls, VT; Oroville, WA Duty

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 : 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. 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.