Customs and Border Protection Officer - Entry Level

Overview

Customs and Border Protection Officer - Entry Level. U.S. Customs and Border Protection 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. This is a career ladder position with a grade level progression and comprehensive training.

• 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.

You will be asked to provide your preference for one of the following mission-critical locations. The preference locations listed above are expected to have vacancies in the future; if not available at offer, you may be offered a location in another geographic location within the United States. Salary, duty location recruitment incentives, and benefits vary by location and are determined by CBP.

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

Grade level progression: GS-5, GS-7, GS-9, GS-11, and GS-12. Promotions occur after 52 weeks in each grade level, at the agency’s discretion.

Location incentives: 15%–25% for first three years in most locations; 25% in San Francisco for up to four years. Other percentage incentives apply to various duty locations as listed by CBP.

Benefits include health, dental, and other insurance plans; generous annual and sick leave; and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan.

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

• Experience:
  
  A minimum of three (3) years of full-time general work experience that demonstrates the ability to meet and deal with people and the ability to learn and apply a body of facts; OR
• Education Substitution: A bachelor's degree or successful completion of a full four-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; OR
• Combination of Experience and
  
  Education:
  
  A combination of college education and general work experience (as documented by your resume and transcripts).

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

• Experience:
  
  At least one year of specialized full-time work experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, including performing physical inspections, applying laws and regulations, and making determinations that may lead to enforcement actions.

Education Substitution: A bachelor’s degree with Superior Academic Achievement or one year of graduate-level education; OR a combination of experience and education as documented.

If you have previous or current law enforcement or military law enforcement experience, you may qualify at the GS-9 grade level. See the official JOA for details.

Other Requirements:
Citizenship (U.S. citizen);
Residency (3 of the last 5 years);
Age restrictions related to law enforcement retirement provisions;
Veterans’ Preference eligibility;
Formal training including a paid pre-academy orientation and a 101-day CBP Field Operations Academy at FLETC, with Spanish training for certain locations.

Click the Apply button on this site to be linked to the CBP Talent Network page. Select Customs and Border Protection Officer as the Position of Interest, then follow the CBPO JOA links on USAJOBS to complete your application. You will be evaluated based on your resume, supporting documents, and the CBPO Entrance Exam.

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

• Entry level

• Full-time

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