Customs and Border Protection Officer - Entry Level

divh2Customs and Border Protection Officer (CBPO) / h2pU.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. / ppAs 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 nations economic prosperity. Being a CBPO makes you a valuable member of the Federal Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) profession. Typical assignments include : / pulliEnforcing customs, immigration, and agriculture laws and regulations. / liliFacilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel. / liliConducting inspections of individuals and conveyances. / liliDetermining the admissibility of individuals for entry into the United States. / liliPreventing the illegal entry of individuals and prohibited goods and the smuggling of illegal drugs and other contraband. / li / ulpDuty 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 and Miami, 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, and Trout River, NY; Dunseith, Pembina, and Portal, ND; Brownsville, Dallas, Del Rio, El Paso, Hidalgo, Laredo, Presidio, and Progreso, TX; Beecher Falls, Derby Line, Highgate Springs, Norton, and Richford, VT; Blaine, Oroville, and Sumas, WA. / ppThe 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). / ppSalary - and Duty Location Recruitment Incentives - and Benefits / ppRecruitment 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 : / pulliArizona : Douglas, Lukeville, Nogales, San Luis / liliCalifornia : Calexico / liliHawaii : Honolulu / liliMaine : Calais, Eastport, Houlton, Jackman, Madawaska, Van Buren, Vanceboro / liliMichigan : Detroit, Port Huron, Sault Sainte Marie / liliMinnesota : Grand Portage, International Falls / liliMontana : Raymond, Sweetgrass / liliNew York : Alexandria Bay, Champlain, Massena, Trout River / liliNorth Dakota : Dunseith, Portal / liliVermont : Beecher Falls, Derby Line, Highgate Springs, Norton, Richford / liliWashington : Blaine, Oroville / li / ulpRecruitment 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 : / pulliCalifornia : Otay Mesa, San Francisco, San Ysidro, Tecate / liliFlorida : Key West / liliNorth Dakota : Pembina / li / ulpAnnual Base Salary for newly appointed CBPOs varies as follows : / pulliGS-5 and GS-7 $40,332 - $109,952 per year / li / ulpLocality 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. / ppQualifications : 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 bachelors degree or successful completion of a full four (4)-year course of study in any field leading to a bachelors 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. / ppYou 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 bachelors 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. / ppIf 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 governments official employment site to determine if you qualify. / ppOther 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. / ppFormal 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 / p / div