Help Desk Specialist ; Tier I Agent – Internal

Help Desk Specialist I (Tier 1 Agent – Internal) CBP Technology Service Desk (TSD)

Location: Ashburn, VA / Orlando, FL / San Antonio, TX - Primarily remote (must reside within commuting distance of one location)

Schedule: Rotating shifts;
24x7x365 coverage required (includes nights, weekends, and holidays)

Employment Type: Full-time

Clearance Requirement: CBP Background Investigation (Unclassified)

At Aretec, Inc., we are catalysts for change within the federal government landscape. We specialize in advanced analytics, cybersecurity, data‑driven operations, and business optimization, enabling federal agencies to accomplish their most critical missions. As a trusted prime contractor, Aretec delivers innovative, compliant, and high‑impact solutions that support mission success.

Aretec is seeking a Help Desk Specialist I (Tier 1 Agent – Internal) to support the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Technology Service Desk (TSD). This role serves as a 24x7x365 centralized Point of Contact (POC) for CBP employees and contractors, delivering first‑level technical support and customer service. The ideal candidate is customer‑focused, technically capable, and comfortable working in a fast‑paced, mission‑critical environment.

• Serve as the Tier 1 customer support Point of Contact for all CBP employees and contractors, operating in a 24x7x365 environment.
• Respond to incoming incidents, service requests, and inquiries via internal 800 number, live agent chat, self‑service tickets, and email.
• Accurately log and document all incidents and service requests in Service Now
  , including troubleshooting steps and resolution details required for next‑level support.
• Perform initial investigation, triage, troubleshooting, resolution, and escalation for issues related to:
• CBP web‑based and client‑based applications
• Email and messaging systems
• Mobile devices
• Hardware (printers, desktops, laptops, peripherals)
• Network connectivity
• Workstation login and PIV card issues
• Remote access, VPN, and DHS Workplace connectivity
• Perform password resets, account unlocks, and initial request intake in compliance with security policies.
• Provide first‑call resolution using established troubleshooting techniques and approved knowledge articles.
• Escalate incidents to Tier 2 or Tier 3 support teams, including internal CBP groups and third‑party vendors, using ticket transfer and warm‑call transfer methods.
• Monitor ticket status and proactively communicate updates and resolution progress to customers.
• Identify and escalation potential major incidents affecting multiple users.
• Participate in major incident bridge calls and communicate customer impact as required.
• Handle sensitive or VIP customer contacts with timely, accurate escalation and follow‑up.
• Verify ACE Portal accessibility following scheduled maintenance or outage events.

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum 1 year of experience providing IT help desk, service desk, or technical customer support.
• Working knowledge of Windows operating systems
  , Microsoft Office
  , Active Directory
  , and basic networking concepts.
• Strong customer service skills with clear and professional verbal and written communication.
• Ability to work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Sole U.S. citizenship required and ability to successfully pass a CBP Background Investigation (BI).

• CompTIA A+ or similar entry‑level IT certification.
• HDI Customer Service Representative (CSR) or Support Center Analyst (SCA) certification.
• Experience using the Service Now ITSM platform.
• Experience troubleshooting VPN solutions such as Global Protect or Zscaler
  .
• Prior federal government or CBP help desk experience.
• Experience with Amazon Connect or similar Automatic Call Distribution (ACD) systems.

• Support a high‑visibility, mission‑critical CBP operational environment.
• Gain experience supporting enterprise‑scale federal IT systems.
• Opportunities for growth within service desk, operations, quality, training, and program management career paths.
• Competitive compensation and benefits, including:
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401(k) with Employer Match
• Paid Time Off and Holidays
• Training and Certification Support

Aretec, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or any other protected status.